How do I check my webcam is working before a call?
Open the webcam test, press Start webcam test and allow the camera. You see yourself with the real resolution and frame rate. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Step by step
- Open the webcam test and press Start webcam test.
- Choose Allow when the browser asks for the camera.
- Check the preview and the readings: resolution, measured frame rate and aspect ratio.
- Several cameras? Switch with the Camera list.
- Untick Mirror image to see what others see. Save a snapshot downloads a still photo.
Questions and fixes
It can’t use my camera
Click the camera or padlock icon at the left of the address bar, set Camera to Allow and reload the page. Close Zoom, Teams, Skype and other apps that might be using the camera – on Windows usually only one app can use it at a time. Check for a privacy shutter or a camera switch on your laptop.
The picture is jerky or dark
In dim light many webcams drop their frame rate to let in more light. Turn on a lamp, or use our white screen on a second screen as a face light.
The picture is black
Check for a privacy shutter, a camera key on the keyboard, or another app using the camera.
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