Webcam test

Check that your camera is working, see exactly what resolution and frame rate the browser is getting, and take a test snapshot. Nothing is uploaded.

Press start — your browser will ask for permission.

The video stream is rendered locally by your browser. Nothing is uploaded, recorded or stored, and the camera is released the moment you press stop or close the tab.

How to use this webcam test

  1. Press Start webcam test and allow camera access when prompted.
  2. Check the preview: it should be sharp, correctly exposed and moving smoothly.
  3. Look at the readout. The resolution and frame rate are what a video call would actually receive from this camera right now.
  4. If you have more than one camera, switch between them in the dropdown.
  5. Take a snapshot to inspect focus and lighting on a still frame.

The mirror toggle only flips the preview for your own comfort — it does not affect what other people see. Video apps mirror your self-view for the same reason, which is why text held up to the camera looks backwards to you but correct to everyone else.

My webcam is not working — what to check

1. Permission

A crossed-out camera icon in the address bar means access was blocked for this site. Click it, choose Allow, and reload the page. In Chrome the full list lives under Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Camera.

2. Another application is using the camera

Most webcams can only be opened by one application at a time. If a conferencing app is running in the background — even minimised to the system tray — the browser will get a "device in use" error. Quit it completely, then retry.

3. Operating system privacy switches

On Windows, open Settings → Privacy & security → Camera and make sure both camera access and desktop app access are on. On macOS, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and tick your browser. On macOS the browser must be fully restarted after granting this permission.

4. Physical shutters and function keys

Many laptops ship with a sliding privacy shutter over the lens, and some have a keyboard shortcut — often Fn plus a camera icon key, or a dedicated switch on the side — that disables the camera at hardware level. If the browser reports no camera found at all, this switch is a common cause.

5. Drivers and external cameras

For a USB webcam, try a different port directly on the machine rather than through a hub or dock, which can run short of bandwidth when other devices are attached. If the camera does not appear in the dropdown, check Device Manager on Windows for a warning icon under Cameras or Imaging devices.

What good numbers look like

  • Resolution — 1280×720 is the practical standard for video calls. 640×480 suggests an older or very basic camera, or an app limiting quality.
  • Frame rate — 30 fps is normal. If it sits far below that, the camera is probably compensating for low light by lengthening exposure. Add light and the number usually climbs back up.
  • Aspect ratio — 16:9 for most modern webcams, 4:3 on older models. A stretched-looking picture usually means an app is forcing the wrong ratio, not a camera fault.

Frequently asked questions

Is my video recorded or uploaded?

No. The camera stream is displayed directly by the video element on this page and never leaves your device. If you take a snapshot, the image is drawn onto a canvas in your browser and disappears when you close the tab, unless you choose to download it yourself.

The preview is black but the camera light is on.

The browser has the stream, so the camera and driver are working. A black picture is almost always a physical privacy shutter still closed, or the lens covered by a sticker or laptop lid guard. Some privacy software also feeds a black frame deliberately.

Why is my resolution lower than the camera supports?

Browsers request a reasonable default rather than the maximum. This test asks for 1280x720 and falls back to whatever the camera can give. Conferencing apps do the same thing, and they also reduce resolution when bandwidth or CPU is limited.

The camera works here but not in Zoom, Teams or Meet.

The hardware is fine. Check the video settings inside that app to make sure the same camera is selected, and confirm the app has camera permission in your operating system privacy settings. Only one app can use most webcams at a time, so also close anything else that might be holding it.

My picture is grainy or dark.

Webcams need far more light than the human eye. Face a window or a lamp rather than sitting with a bright light behind you — a backlit subject makes the camera expose for the background and leaves your face dark.

Can I test the microphone at the same time?

This page only requests video, so your microphone stays untouched. Use the microphone test for audio.

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