Fix · Webex on a Mac
Webex camera not working? Fix it on your Mac.
Webex shows a black picture when it's pointed at the wrong camera, when a virtual camera gets in the way, or when macOS blocks it.
Quick check first: Open the free webcam test. If you see yourself there, the camera works and the fix is in Webex (steps 1 to 3). If not, start with the Mac checks.
Fix it in Webex
- Pick the camera in Webex.Outside a meeting, click Settings in the sidebar, then Video, and choose your camera from the Camera menu.
- Switch during a meeting.Hover over your own video, click More options › Video Settings, and pick the camera.
- Turn off virtual camera software.Webex's help says virtual webcam software can cause problems. Pick your real camera, or turn the virtual camera off and try again.
Default camera for meetings
Under Settings › Meetings › Join & Leave, Webex lets you choose default audio and video for meetings. Check you aren't joining with video off by default.
Test outside Webex
Webex suggests checking whether Photo Booth sees the camera. If it doesn't, the problem is the camera or the Mac, not Webex.
Then check your Mac
If Webex looks right and the camera still doesn't work, go through these in order.
- Allow Webex on your Mac.Choose Apple menu › System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera, and turn on Webex. If it's already on, turn it off and on again. Quit and reopen Webex after.
- Check Screen Time.If you use Screen Time, open System Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy, then App Restrictions, and make sure Camera is allowed.
- Watch for Continuity Camera.Your Mac can switch to your iPhone's camera when the phone is nearby. If Webex shows your phone's view, or a camera you didn't expect, pick your Mac's camera in Webex.
- Close other video apps.Webex's own help says to close other apps that might be using the camera, like Photo Booth or another call app, then try again.
- Reconnect an external camera.Unplug a USB webcam or capture card and plug it back in. Try another port, and skip the hub or dock if you can. To see whether your Mac detects it, hold Option, choose Apple menu › System Information, and look under Camera.
Test it outside Webex
The free webcam test runs in your browser, with nothing to install. If your camera works there, your Mac and the hardware are fine, and the fix is in Webex's settings above.
On a Mac? Green Room checks your camera before Webex does.
Click the icon next to the clock for a live preview of the camera your Mac suggests to apps. When a camera you usually use goes missing, it tells you whether your Mac sees it on USB at all, or sees it but can't use it. A green dot shows when another app already has a camera open. Free, with no account.
Questions
Why does Webex say it can't connect to my webcam?
Close other apps using the camera, like Teams, and make sure Webex is on under System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera. Then pick the camera in Settings › Video.
How do I change cameras in a Webex meeting?
Hover over your own video, click More options › Video Settings, and choose a camera.
Can a virtual camera break Webex video?
Yes. Webex's help says to turn off virtual webcam software and see if that fixes it.