Troubleshoot camera issues in a meeting

If you have an issue with your camera in a meeting, here’s how you can fix it:

Run these checks before your meeting

Make sure that your computer’s camera is connected, is turned on, and faces towards you.
Choose the right camera, not a screen or other devices. Learn how to connect your video and audio.

Check if your camera works in other apps, like FaceTime on macOS or the Camera app on Windows 10.
- Then, make sure no other apps uses your camera and close any that do, then reload Google Meet.
A slow internet connection can cause video quality problems. Learn to improve your Wi-Fi or network performance.

Update your browser

To get the latest software fixes, update your browser.

Enable camera access for Google Meet

To use your camera in Google Meet, you need to give permission the first time you join a video meeting. Before you join the meeting, enable your camera.

To allow Meet to use your camera:

On your computer, open meet.google.com.
Join a video meeting.
While in a meeting, click on the camera icon in the address bar.
Click Always allow Done.

Enable camera access in Google Chrome

Check your site permissions in Chrome

You can enable all websites to use it, or only a specific website.

Important: The “Camera failed” error often means your browser can’t access the camera.

On computers with Chrome, allow your browser to use your camera:

On your computer, in the address bar, type chrome://settings/content/camera.
Choose Sites can ask to use your camera.
Turn off Ask before accessing.
If present, under "Allowed to use your camera," next to “https://meet.google.com:443,” click Delete.
Refresh the Google Meet page.
When prompted, enable camera access.

Enable camera access on browsers other than Chrome

Enable camera access on your computer or device

Important: Make sure that your camera is turned on and your computer and browser can use the camera.

On a Chromebook

On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, click Time Settings.
On the left, select Security and Privacy Privacy controls.
Turn on Camera access.

On a macOS

On a macOS Mojave (version 10.14) or later, allow the browser to use your camera. Otherwise, Google Meet can't use the camera.

Go to System Preferences Security & Privacy.
Select Privacy Camera.
Check the box for the app that uses Google Meet.
- For example: Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.

On a Windows computer

On your computer, select Start Settings.
Select Privacy & security Camera.
Turn on Camera access Allow apps access your camera.

Tip: This setting lets anyone who uses the computer choose if they want apps to use the camera.

Learn why you have a black screen or crossed out camera icon

Check if there’s a problem with your camera hardware

On your device, open the built-in camera app, like Camera or Photo Booth.
If the camera’s self preview shows your image but Google Meet doesn’t, make sure Google Meet can access your camera:
- Enable camera access on macOS Mojave and later
- Allow Google Chrome to use your camera
If the camera doesn’t show you, open the camera cover or privacy switch with the steps below.

Open the camera cover or privacy switch

Important:

Not all devices have a camera cover or privacy switch.
The cover or switch might be at the top or side of your device.
Some models use an orange, red, or amber light when the privacy switch is on.

To find the camera cover, at the top of the camera lens, check for a slider.
- For most devices, the camera cover is a physical slider above the lens. For example, the Lenovo camera lens is blocked by the slider.
If you don’t find a slider above the lens, check for a physical switch on either side of your device.
- Some devices use a privacy switch instead of a camera cover. For example, the HP Chromebook has a camera privacy switch.
To unblock the camera lens, move the slider or switch to the off position.
Test the camera with the built-in Camera app or with Google Meet.