Fixes / Zoom · Checked September 30, 2026

Zoom "We are unable to detect a camera": causes and fixes

Short answer

Zoom shows "We are unable to detect a camera" when it can't reach any working webcam. Usually the operating system is blocking it or the camera is turned off. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on Camera access and "Let desktop apps access your camera". On a Mac, allow Zoom under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, then quit and reopen Zoom.

What this message means

Zoom asked the operating system for a list of cameras and got back nothing it could use. The camera may be working fine. Zoom just can't reach it. The most common reasons are an OS privacy setting that blocks camera access, a physical privacy switch or function key that turns the camera off, another app holding the camera, or a missing or broken camera driver. Zoom's own help center shows the same problem as "Zoom is unable to detect a camera. Make sure your camera is powered on and connected to your computer." If the camera also fails in the Windows Camera app or in Photo Booth on a Mac, the problem is the device or its driver, not Zoom.

Common causes

Cause	How to tell
The operating system blocks camera access for Zoom or for all desktop apps	On Windows, "Camera access" or "Let desktop apps access your camera" is Off in Privacy settings. On a Mac, Zoom is switched off (or missing) in the Camera list under Privacy & Security. The camera works in the built-in Camera app or Photo Booth but not in Zoom.
A physical camera switch, shutter, keyboard key or vendor privacy mode has turned the camera off	The camera fails in every app, not just Zoom. You may see a slashed-camera icon when you press a function key (often F8, F10 or a key with a camera symbol), a closed sliding shutter over the lens, or on Lenovo, "Camera Privacy Mode" set to On in Lenovo Vantage.
Another app is already using the camera	Teams, Skype, Google Meet in a browser tab, OBS, Snap Camera or a second Zoom window is open. On a Mac the green camera light is on before you start Zoom video. The error goes away after a restart.
Zoom is set to the wrong camera	In Zoom's Video settings the Camera dropdown shows a virtual camera (OBS Virtual Camera, a disconnected dock or external webcam) instead of your real one, and choosing another entry makes video appear.
The camera driver is missing, outdated or broken (Windows)	In Device Manager the camera is missing from Cameras and Imaging devices, shows a yellow warning icon, or appears as "Unknown device". The problem often starts right after a Windows update.
An outdated or damaged Zoom installation	The camera works in other apps and permissions are correct, but Zoom still can't find it. Profile picture > Check for Updates offers a newer version, or the problem survives a restart.

How to fix it

1. Check the camera switch, shutter and privacy key

Slide open any physical shutter covering the lens.
Look for a camera on/off switch on the side of the laptop, or a keyboard key with a camera icon (sometimes pressed together with Fn). Press it once and watch for an on-screen "camera on" message.
For an external USB webcam, unplug it, plug it into a different USB port directly on the computer (not a hub), and wait 10 seconds.
On a Lenovo laptop, open Lenovo Vantage, go to Hardware Settings > Audio/Visual and set Camera Privacy Mode to Off.
Test the camera in the Windows Camera app or in Photo Booth on a Mac. If it works there, go to the next fix.

2. Allow camera access in Windows privacy settings

Windows 11 and Windows 10

Windows 11: select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Windows 10: select Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
Turn on Camera access (on Windows 10, click Change under "Allow access to the camera on this device" and turn it On).
Turn on "Let apps access your camera".
Scroll down and turn on "Let desktop apps access your camera". The regular Zoom Workplace app is a desktop app, so this toggle is the one that matters.
Quit Zoom completely (right-click the Zoom icon in the system tray and choose Exit), then reopen it.

3. Allow Zoom to use the camera on a Mac

macOS Ventura (13) and later use System Settings; macOS Monterey (12) and earlier use System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy

Choose Apple menu > System Settings, then click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
Click Camera.
Turn on the switch next to zoom.us. If Zoom isn't listed, open Zoom and start your video once so macOS asks for permission.
When macOS says Zoom must quit to use the new setting, choose Quit & Reopen (or quit Zoom with Cmd+Q and open it again).
On a work-managed Mac, if the switch is greyed out, your IT department controls camera access and must allow it.

4. Close other camera apps and pick the right camera in Zoom

Quit every other app that can use the camera: Teams, Skype, FaceTime, OBS, Snap Camera, and any browser tab with a video call.
In the Zoom desktop app, click your profile picture (top right) > Settings > Video & effects (called Video in older versions).
Open the Camera dropdown and choose your built-in or USB webcam, not a virtual camera.
In a meeting you can also click the arrow next to Start Video > Video Settings and change the camera there.
If it still fails, restart the computer so any app holding the camera lets go.

5. Reinstall or roll back the camera driver

Windows 11 and Windows 10

Type "device manager" in the Start search box and open Device Manager.
Expand Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers and find your camera.
If the problem began after an update, right-click the camera > Properties > Driver tab > Roll Back Driver > Yes, then restart.
Otherwise right-click the camera > Properties > Driver tab > Uninstall Device, tick "Attempt to remove the driver for this device", and confirm.
Select Action > Scan for hardware changes, then restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the driver.
If the camera is still missing, download the latest camera driver from your laptop or webcam maker's support page (Dell, HP, Lenovo, Logitech and so on).

6. Update or clean-reinstall Zoom

In the Zoom app, click your profile picture > Check for Updates and install any update.
If that doesn't help, uninstall Zoom. On Windows, Zoom's CleanZoom tool removes all Zoom files; on a Mac, open Zoom and choose zoom.us > Uninstall Zoom from the menu bar.
Restart the computer.
Download a fresh copy from zoom.us/download, install it, and approve the camera permission prompt when you first start video.

Next time, skip the search

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Still not fixed?

If the camera doesn't work in any app (Windows Camera app, Photo Booth, a browser test page) after the fixes above, the problem is the hardware, the driver or a company policy, not Zoom. On Windows, run the Get Help camera troubleshooter from the Microsoft Support "Camera doesn't work in Windows" page, and check whether your antivirus has a webcam protection setting that blocks apps. On a work computer, ask IT whether camera access is locked by policy. If the camera still isn't detected, contact the laptop or webcam maker, since a built-in camera that is missing from Device Manager or macOS System Information (Hardware > Camera) can mean a loose cable or failed part. If the camera works everywhere except Zoom, contact Zoom Support and include your Zoom version and OS version.

Questions people ask

Why does my camera work in other apps but not Zoom?

Usually Zoom specifically is blocked. On a Mac, zoom.us is switched off under Privacy & Security > Camera. On Windows, "Let desktop apps access your camera" is off. It can also mean Zoom is set to a virtual or disconnected camera in Settings > Video & effects.

Zoom worked yesterday. Why can't it detect my camera today?

The usual causes are a Windows or macOS update that changed a driver or permission, a privacy key pressed by accident, or another app that grabbed the camera and didn't release it. Restart first, then check the camera key and privacy settings.

How do I fix it on a Lenovo laptop?

Lenovo laptops often have Camera Privacy Mode turned on. Open Lenovo Vantage > Hardware Settings > Audio/Visual and set Camera Privacy Mode to Off. Also check the physical shutter or the F8/F9 camera key, depending on the model.

Can I use my phone as a camera for Zoom?

Yes, the quickest option is to join the same meeting from the Zoom mobile app on your phone. On a Mac with macOS Ventura or later and an iPhone, Continuity Camera also lets you choose the iPhone in Zoom's Camera dropdown.

I get this error in Zoom in a web browser. What do I do?

Click the camera or lock icon in the address bar and set Camera to Allow for the Zoom site, then reload the page. The browser itself also needs camera permission from the operating system (Windows desktop app access or macOS Privacy & Security > Camera).

Sources

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