Webcam Test

How to Use This Test

1. Click the start button and grant camera permission when your browser prompts you.
2. View your live webcam feed to check video quality, color accuracy, and frame rate.
3. Use the snapshot feature to capture a still image, and switch cameras if you have multiple devices connected.

What This Test Checks

This webcam tester lets you quickly verify your camera is working and assess its video output quality before joining a video call or recording.

• Camera detection and browser permission status
• Live video feed with real-time preview
• Video resolution and frames per second (FPS)
• Color reproduction and image clarity
• Multiple camera switching (built-in and external webcams)

Troubleshooting

If you're having issues:

• Check that no other application (Zoom, Teams, Skype, OBS) is currently using the webcam.
• Ensure the camera permission is set to "Allow" in your browser's address bar or site settings.
• If you see a black screen, check for a physical privacy shutter or lens cover on your webcam.
• Try restarting your browser or updating your webcam drivers if the camera is not detected.

Fix Camera Permissions by Browser

Most "webcam not working" reports turn out to be a blocked site-level permission. Here's how to reset it in each major browser:

Chrome and Edge

1. Click the padlock (or tune) icon to the left of the address bar.
2. Choose Site settings.
3. Set Camera to Allow and reload the page.
4. If the camera still fails, go to chrome://settings/content/camera (or edge://settings/content/camera) and confirm this site is not in the Block list.

Firefox

1. Click the padlock icon, then Connection secure → More information → Permissions.
2. Uncheck Use default for Use the Camera and pick Allow.
3. Or go to about:preferences#privacy, scroll to Permissions → Camera → Settings, and remove any block.

Safari (macOS)

1. Open Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera.
2. Find this site in the list and set it to Allow.
3. If no prompt appears, also check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and ensure Safari is toggled on.

Safari on iPhone / iPad

1. Go to Settings → Safari → Camera and set it to Ask or Allow.
2. Verify Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → Safari is enabled.

OS-Level Camera Access

If the browser prompt never appears, the operating system itself may be blocking camera access:

• Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera. Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera, then confirm your browser is allowed in the app list.
• macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera. Toggle on each browser you use.
• Linux: run ls /dev/video* to verify the kernel sees the camera. Test with cheese or v4l2-ctl --list-devices before blaming the browser.
• ChromeOS: open the built-in Camera app first — if it works there but not in Chrome, reset site permissions.

Before a Video Call

Running a webcam test alone only checks half the call experience. Before an important meeting, also verify the microphone and audio output — most dropped or failed calls come from input or output problems, not the camera. For video quality in bandwidth-limited situations, check your connection speed as well.

Why Image Quality Looks Poor

• Low light causes most grainy webcam footage. Webcam sensors are tiny — add a front-facing light source (even a desk lamp bounced off a wall).
• Auto-exposure fighting backlight: avoid sitting with a window behind you. Face the light source instead.
• Driver fallback resolution: Windows may force a camera to 640×480 in the Camera privacy reset flow — reinstall the manufacturer driver to restore full 1080p.
• Browser downscaling: some video call sites send 720p max regardless of your camera. This test page shows the raw capture resolution without any downsampling.

Frequently Asked Questions