Camera Not Working
Google Chromebook
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Check camera permissions first: click the lock icon in the browser address bar and confirm the camera is set to Allow for that site. If the camera works in the built-in Camera app but not in a browser tab, the site permissions are the issue. If it fails everywhere including the Camera app, restart the Chromebook to reset the camera driver.
Affected Models
- All Chromebook models
- Chromebooks used with Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams
Common Causes
- Camera permission denied for the website in Chrome settings
- Another app or browser tab currently using the camera, blocking access
- A Chrome OS bug or recent update affecting the camera driver
- Hardware camera switch physically disabled (present on some Chromebook models)
- Camera access blocked by school or work administrator policy
How to Fix It
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Open the built-in Camera app (search in the app launcher). If it shows a picture, the hardware is fine — the problem is a permission or app conflict.
If the Camera app also shows a black screen or an error, restart the Chromebook and test again — this resets the camera driver.
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Check website camera permissions. In Chrome, click the lock icon (or camera icon) in the address bar on the video call site. Ensure the camera is set to Allow, not Block.
If you previously chose Block, change it to Allow and reload the page. You can also manage all site permissions at chrome://settings/content/camera.
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Close all other tabs and apps that might be using the camera. Only one app can access the camera at a time on a Chromebook.
Video call apps (Google Meet, Zoom web, Teams web) all try to claim the camera exclusively. Close any other tab that might have camera access before opening your call.
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Check for a physical camera privacy switch. Some Chromebook models (HP, Lenovo, ASUS) have a hardware slider that physically covers and disconnects the camera. Check the top of the screen bezel.
When the privacy slider is closed, the camera shows as unavailable to all apps — no software fix will work until the slider is opened.
Frequently Asked Questions
Camera works in the Camera app but not in Zoom or Teams — why?
The most common reason is that the video call app is using the Android version (from Play Store) while another Chrome tab or app already has the camera. Use the web browser version of Zoom or Teams instead of the Android app — it shares camera access through the browser more reliably.