The Chromebook is a great productivity device, and most of the time, it will work fine. That’s why when hardware issues like the camera are not working, it can be frustrating – even more so when you are having a Zoom meeting in five minutes, and the camera suddenly stops working.
There are different scenarios for the camera not working issue. The camera may refuse to turn on or show a black screen. Some users may see errors like “No camera found” or “Your camera is currently unavailable.” Even worse, others have reported seeing a black screen with a red light next to their camera lens. If you are experiencing a similar problem, follow us in this guide, as we go through various ways to fix the Chromebook camera not working.
Tip: apart from being a simplified laptop, you can also play games on your Chromebook. These are some of the best games you should play.
1. Check the Camera Lens
Some of the Chromebooks have a camera lens cover that you need to open for the camera to work. If you are seeing a dark screen, check whether the lens cover is open.
If you see blurry or half images instead, try to clean the camera with a soft cloth.
2. Use the Camera in a Different App
If the camera on your Chromebook isn’t working in one app, try using it in a different app from the one you normally use. If the camera works properly in other apps, then it could be the app that is buggy rather than the camera. Try updating the problematic app, then restart your Chromebook. After restarting, try using the camera again in the problematic app. If the issue persists, you must reinstall the said app, or switch to using an alternative app.
Pro Tip: if you are trying to use the camera simultaneously in two apps, it will not work. You must close other apps accessing the camera resource on your Chromebook.
3. Check the Camera Settings
In ChromeOS’s settings, you can configure the default behavior of the camera.
1. Open the Settings page, and type “camera” to search for the Camera settings. If your Chromebook has multiple cameras, make sure the correct one is selected.
2. Check that the default behavior is set to Sites can ask to use your camera.
You can also add specific site URLs that are allowed to use your camera.
4. Grant Camera Permission in Apps
Once you have set the right camera settings in the above method, you must make sure you’ve granted camera permission to new websites in the Chrome browser that wants access to the camera.
- Open the desired website in Chrome.
- Click on the lock icon before the website URL in the address bar and enable the toggle next to the Camera.
Tip: learn how to use Microsoft for free on your Chromebook.
5. Restart Your Chromebook
To ensure it is not a boot-up glitch, restart the Chromebook, and check the camera again to see if it is working.
1. Click the time icon in the bottom-right corner of the Chromebook’s Shelf to open the Quick panel.
2. Click on the Power button in the bottom-left corner. Select Restart.
6. Update ChromeOS
Often, the Chromebook’s camera stops working due to a bug in ChromeOS. You must regularly check for updates, and keep your Chrome OS updated to fix such issues.
1. Search for Update in the Settings page.
2. Click Check Now. You will see a Your Chromebook is up to date message.
If it has just completed an update, you will need to restart the Chromebook for it to take effect.
7. Reset Chromebook Hardware
The normal restart process fixes software issues mainly. If you experience a hardware issue on your Chromebook, like the touchpad, keyboard, or camera not working, try resetting your Chromebook’s hardware to see if it can fix the hardware issues.
Make sure your Chromebook is shut down. Press and hold the Refresh key, and press the Power key simultaneously.
Once the Chromebook boots up, release the Refresh key.
8. Reset Your Chrome Browser
The Chromebook’s camera could stop working due to a cache issue in Chrome or an installed extension. Make the camera work by resetting Chrome, which will reset the startup page, search engine, pinned tabs, new tab page, disable extensions, and clear temporary data.
Open Settings in Chrome by clicking on the three-dot icon at the top.
Click on Reset settings, followed by Restore settings to their original defaults.
Click on Reset settings in the confirmation pop-up.
9. Reset Your Chromebook
If nothing seems to fix the camera, the last step is to factory reset the Chromebook. This will erase all the information on the Chromebook, so make sure to back up your data before you format the Chromebook.
- Sign out of your Chromebook.
- Press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r. Select Restart.
- Select Powerwash, followed by Continue.
Follow the steps, and it will prompt you to sign in with your Google Account again.
If you have tried all of the above and the camera is still not working, you will have to bring the Chromebook back to the manufacturer for repair, or get an external webcam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell whether my Chromebook camera not working is a hardware issue?
If the above methods don’t help fix the camera problem on your Chromebook, it could be a hardware issue. You must contact the manufacturer to claim the warranty, if applicable. However, before you do so, if you attend a school, ask the school about the camera, as many schools block cameras due to privacy reasons.
How can I use an external camera/webcam with Chromebook?
Connect the external camera to your Chromebook using a USB cable, then launch the Chrome browser, and open its Settings. Go to Security and privacy→ Site settings→ Camera. Choose the external camera in the drop-down box. Alternatively, if this method doesn’t work, open the Camera app on your Chromebook. Click on the Switch camera icon (which looks like a refresh icon), and select the external camera. Please keep in mind that this icon will appear only when an external camera is connected, or your Chromebook has two built-in cameras.
Can you take pictures with Chromebook's camera?
Yes, you can capture pictures using the preinstalled Camera app on your Chromebook. Open the Camera app, and press the Capture (white circle) button on your screen.
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