My camera does not work in Teams

Is your camera on in Teams?

The camera may simply be switched off.

Windows

1. In the meeting click the camera button so the line through it disappears.
2. Before joining: switch the camera toggle on at the join screen.
3. Your picture should appear in the preview.

Mac

1. In the meeting click the camera button so the line through it disappears.
2. Before joining: switch the camera toggle on at the join screen.
3. Your picture should appear in the preview.

The camera button is in the meeting toolbar, next to the microphone button.

Is the camera covered or switched off?

Shutters, stickers and camera keys are a frequent cause.

Windows

1. Slide open the privacy shutter on your laptop or webcam and remove any cover or sticker.
2. Some laptops have a camera key (often with Fn): make sure it is not off.
3. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth.

Mac

1. Slide open the privacy shutter on your laptop or webcam and remove any cover or sticker.
2. Some laptops have a camera key (often with Fn): make sure it is not off.
3. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth.

Allow camera access

Your computer or browser blocks the camera.

Windows

1. Open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera.
2. Turn on “Camera access” and “Let apps access your camera”.
3. Scroll down and turn on “Let desktop apps access your camera”.

Mac

1. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera.
2. Switch on Microsoft Teams and your browser.

Press the Windows key + I to open Settings. Browsers and the Teams app count as desktop apps. Greyed out? Then your organisation manages this setting – ask your IT department (use the summary in the last step). Click the Apple menu in the top left, then System Settings.

Restart the browser and Teams

Changed permissions only apply after a restart.

Windows

1. Close all browser windows and quit Teams (taskbar icon › Quit).
2. Open the browser again and test the camera once more.

Mac

1. Close all browser windows and quit Teams (Dock icon › Quit).
2. Open the browser again and test the camera once more.

How do I fully restart Teams?

Close other apps that use the camera

Only one app can use the camera at a time.

Windows

1. Close other meeting and video apps (Zoom, Skype, Webex, Camera app) and browser tabs with video calls.
2. Then restart Teams.

Mac

1. Close other meeting and video apps (Zoom, Skype, Webex, Camera app) and browser tabs with video calls.
2. Then restart Teams.

Not sure which app? Settings › Privacy & security › Camera lists apps that used it recently. A green dot in the menu bar shows the camera is in use; Control Center shows which app.

How do I fully restart Teams?

The picture is black

The camera works but only sees darkness.

Windows

1. Make sure the shutter is open and nothing covers the lens.
2. Switch on a light: a very dark room looks black.
3. Open another camera app (Windows: Camera, Mac: Photo Booth) to see if it shows a picture there.

Mac

1. Make sure the shutter is open and nothing covers the lens.
2. Switch on a light: a very dark room looks black.
3. Open another camera app (Windows: Camera, Mac: Photo Booth) to see if it shows a picture there.

Reconnect the camera

The camera is not found or still shows nothing.

Windows

1. External webcam: unplug it and use another USB port directly on the computer (no hub).
2. Open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Cameras and check that it is listed.

Mac

1. External webcam: unplug it and use another USB port directly on the Mac (no hub).
2. Hold the Option key, then Apple menu › System Information › Camera, and check that it is listed.

Advanced: how do I check cables and drivers?

Restart the computer

A restart clears most stuck camera drivers.

Windows

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Test the camera again.

Mac

1. Save your work and restart the computer.
2. Test the camera again.

Improve your picture

Your camera works, but the picture is dark, too bright or blurry.

Windows

1. Face a window or place a lamp in front of you; avoid bright light behind you.
2. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth.
3. Check the picture in the test again.

Mac

1. Face a window or place a lamp in front of you; avoid bright light behind you.
2. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth.
3. Check the picture in the test again.

Is Teams using the right camera?

Teams may use another camera than the one you want.

Windows

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Camera” pick your camera.
3. Your picture should appear in the preview.

Mac

1. In Teams open the three dots (…) › Settings › Devices.
2. Under “Camera” pick your camera.
3. Your picture should appear in the preview.

The three dots (…) are at the top right of Teams, next to your profile picture.

Restart Teams completely

A full restart makes Teams find your camera again.

Windows

1. Quit Teams: right-click its icon in the taskbar notification area › Quit.
2. Start Teams again and rejoin the meeting.

Mac

1. Quit Teams: right-click its Dock icon › Quit.
2. Start Teams again and rejoin the meeting.

How do I fully restart Teams?

Try Teams in your browser

This shows whether the problem is the Teams app or your computer.

Windows

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Join your meeting there and allow the camera when asked.

Mac

1. Open teams.microsoft.com in Safari, Edge or Chrome and sign in.
2. Join your meeting there and allow the camera when asked.

Time to ask IT for help

We could not solve this together. Send the summary below to your IT support – it contains no personal data.