Preventive Measures for MAC Camera Not Working Problems

If your Mac camera isn’t working, there are several solutions you can try to resolve the issue. Here are some steps to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem:

Method 1: Quit macOS Camera Processes

• Quit any applications that are currently using the camera. Make sure the applications are closed to avoid interruptions.
• Launch Terminal by navigate to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.

• In the Terminal window, type sudo killall VDCAssistant and press the Enter key.

• Next, type sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant and press the Enter key.

These commands will terminate the VDCAssistant and AppleCameraAssistant processes, effectively freeing up the camera.

Method 2: Allow Camera Access on Mac

• Go to the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen.
• From the drop-down menu, click on System Settings.

• In the System Settings window, choose Privacy & Security.
• Within Privacy & Security, navigate to the Privacy tab.

• On the left side of the window, select Camera.

• You will see a list of applications that have requested access to the camera. Choose the apps for which you want to grant camera access by toggling the switch next to their names.
• Once you have set your preferences, you can close the window.
• Open any application that uses the camera to see if it’s working correctly.

This method allows you to manage which applications can access your camera, enhancing privacy and security on your Mac.

Method 3: Check the Camera in Mac’s System Report

• Go to the Apple Icon: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu.
• Choose System Settings: From the drop-down menu, select System Settings.
• Go to the General Tab: In the System Settings window, navigate to the General tab on the left-hand sidebar.

• Open System Report: Scroll down on the right-hand side of the settings panel until you see the System Report option. Click on it to open.

• Click on Hardware: In the System Report window, find and click on the Hardware section.
• Select Camera: In the Hardware section, select Camera.

Method 4: Remove App Screen Time Limit on macOS

• Go to the Apple Menu: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu.
• Choose System Settings: From the drop-down menu, select System Settings.
• Select Screen Time: In System Settings, select Screen Time from the left-hand panel.

• Navigate to Content & Privacy: In the Screen Time window, find and click on Content & Privacy.

• Select App Restrictions: In the next window, locate and click on App Restrictions.

• Check Camera Permission: Make sure the Allow Camera option is turned on in the Allowed section.

• Reopen the Camera: Once you have adjusted the settings, reopen any app that uses the camera to see if the issue is resolved.

Method 5: Update to the Latest macOS to Fix Mac Camera

• Go to the Apple Menu: Click on the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your screen to open the Apple menu.
• Select System Settings: From the drop-down menu, choose System Settings.
• Navigate to General: In System Settings, select General from the left-hand panel.

• Select Software Update: Once you are in the General section, click on Software Update.

• Check for Updates: The system will check for available updates. If updates are available, you will see the option to Upgrade Now.
• Upgrade Now: Click on Upgrade Now to start the process of updating your macOS to the latest version.

When your Mac camera is not working, it can indeed be frustrating and impact your ability to attend virtual meetings or presentations. Here are the above few solutions you can try right away to resolve the issue