Your Mac says there is no connected camera

Why it happens

The built-in camera is run by a small system service. When that service gets stuck, often after an update or a long sleep, apps can't find the camera at all and say it isn't connected. A restart starts the service fresh. If the camera still doesn't show up, it may be switched off by Screen Time or have a hardware fault.

How to fix it

1. Quit every app that might use the camera, such as FaceTime, Photo Booth, video call apps and browsers.

2. Restart your Mac from the Apple menu. Choose Restart, not Sleep, so the camera service starts again.

   Apple menu›Restart…

3. Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, then General, then Software Update. Install anything waiting, as camera bugs are often fixed in updates.

   General›Software Update

4. Check Screen Time. Open Screen Time, then Content & Privacy, then App & Feature Restrictions, and make sure Camera is allowed.

   Screen Time›Content & Privacy›App & Feature Restrictions

5. Open Photo Booth to test. If you see yourself, the camera works and the problem is in the other app.

Still not fixed?

1. Mac mini, Mac Studio and Mac Pro have no built-in camera, so they need a webcam or your iPhone as a camera. On a MacBook, the built-in camera only works with the lid open, so if you use it closed with an external screen, use a separate camera.

2. If the camera works in Photo Booth but not in one app, allow that app in Privacy & Security > Camera, then quit and reopen it.

   Privacy & Security›Camera

3. For an external webcam, unplug it, try another port and cable, and skip any hub. Then restart once more.

4. Run Apple Diagnostics. Unplug accessories and shut down. On a Mac with Apple silicon, hold the power button until the startup options appear, then press Command-D. On an Intel Mac, hold D right after you press the power button.

5. If the built-in camera is still missing after a restart and an update, or Diagnostics finds a problem, it's most likely hardware. Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider for a repair.