Camera not working in Chrome? How to fix it for video chat

You open a video chat, and instead of your face you get a black box or an error. Most of the time the fix takes less than a minute. Work through these steps in order; each one fixes a common cause.

1. Allow the camera for the site

Chrome asks for permission the first time a site wants your camera. If you pressed Block, or closed the prompt, the site cannot use it.

1. Click the icon to the left of the web address (a tune or lock icon).
2. Find Camera (and Microphone for video chat) and set it to Allow.
3. Reload the page.

You can also go to Chrome’s menu (⋮) → Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Camera, and check the site is not in the “Not allowed” list. Google explains this in its camera and microphone help page.

2. Choose the right camera

If you have more than one camera (for example a laptop camera and a USB webcam), Chrome may be using the wrong one. In Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Camera, pick the camera you want from the menu at the top, then reload the page.

3. Close other apps using the camera

On many computers only one app can use the camera at a time. Close video calling apps, other browser tabs with video, and camera apps, then reload the video chat page.

4. Check your computer’s camera settings

Windows 10 and 11

1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Camera (on Windows 10: Settings → Privacy → Camera).
2. Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera.
3. Make sure desktop apps are allowed too, as Chrome is a desktop app.

Mac

1. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera.
2. Turn on the switch next to Google Chrome.
3. Quit Chrome completely (⌘Q) and open it again.

5. On a phone

Android

1. Open Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions.
2. Set Camera and Microphone to Allow only while using the app.
3. In Chrome, tap the icon next to the address, then Permissions, and allow the camera for the site.

iPhone and iPad

1. Open the Settings app, scroll down to Chrome, and turn on Camera and Microphone.
2. Reload the page in Chrome and allow the camera when asked.

6. Other things to try

• Reload the page after changing any setting.
• Restart Chrome, or restart your device.
• Update Chrome from the menu (⋮) → Help → About Google Chrome.
• Turn off extensions that block scripts or privacy features, or try an Incognito window, where most extensions are off.
• Check for a physical camera switch or cover on your laptop, or a keyboard key that turns the camera off.
• Check the address starts with https://. Browsers only allow the camera on secure pages.
• Work or school device? Your administrator may have blocked the camera. You will need to ask them.
• Try another browser such as Firefox, Safari or Edge to see whether the problem is Chrome or the camera.

Still not working? Try text chat

If your camera still will not cooperate, you can still meet people: RandomHey’s random text chat needs no camera or microphone. Once your camera works, start a random video chat. You can check how video matching works in how it works.