When you find the built-in Mac camera not working or misbehaving, and probably is displaying as unavailable or disconnected, there are several things you can do to try and restore it.
How To Fix Mac Camera Not Working
Check the apps that may be using the camera
Ideally, only a single app in your Mac can use the camera at a go. Make sure the app you are using is not denied access to the FaceTime camera because a different application is using it at that moment. You can resolve this when you find Mac camera not working by closing all applications that are open and that may be using the camera. Among such applications include Skype, Facetime, or PhotoBooth.
You can save your work, and then close every other application that’s open in case you’re not sure which one is accessing your camera, just to rule out everything.
Restart your Mac
To restart your Mac computer, take the steps below:
- Go to the Apple Menu at the top left side of your screen
- Click Restart
If there are any processes or apps using your camera in the background, a restart may be the solution to your Mac camera not working. This will give you full access once again to the camera. When the computer is back on, try and see if the Mac camera works again normally.
Reset System Management Controller (SMC)
This isn’t too complex as much as it sounds so. You can reset the SMC in your Mac computer, which controls most of its hardware functions, and restarting this may solve the problem. To reset the Mac’s SMC, take the steps below:
- Shut down the Mac by going to Apple Menu>Shut Down option
- Make sure the power adapter is plugged in to the computer
- On the keyboard, press and hold SHIFT+CONTROL+OPTIONS at the same time and turn power on to switch on the computer
- Keep the three keys held down simultaneously for 30 seconds and let the computer boot normally
- Try and access the camera
If you have a Mac Pro, iMac, or Mac Mini, you can take the steps below to reset the SMC:
- Go to Apple Menu>Shut Down
- Disconnect the power cord
- Hold down the Power button on the Mac for 30 seconds and release it
- Reattach the power cord and boot the Mac normally
- Try and access the camera
If all else fails, go to an authorized Apple technician or Apple Support.
Image credit: Apple
Elsie is a tech writer with 8+ years professional experience. For Tech News Watch, she brings rich experience contributing to topics such as Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS among others. In her spare time, she loves checking out the latest tech trends, gadgets, and news, listening to music and cars.