How to use the webcam test
- Click Start camera and allow access when the browser asks.
- If you have more than one camera, pick the one you want in the Camera list. The preview switches straight away.
- Sit where you normally sit for calls and check framing, focus, colour and brightness.
- Read the resolution under the preview. The test asks for up to 1920 × 1080, so the number shows what your camera delivers to the browser at that request.
- Click Stop camera when finished. The camera light should turn off.
Reading the result
| What you see | What it usually means | Where to look next |
|---|---|---|
| "Permission denied" | The browser or the system is blocking the camera for this site | Webcam not working |
| "Could not open the device" | Another app is using the camera, or it is disconnected | Webcam not working |
| Black picture but the camera light is on | A privacy shutter, lens cap or keyboard camera switch is covering it | Webcam not working |
| Picture is soft, grainy or dark | Usually lighting, a dirty lens or focus, not the resolution | Webcam blurry or dark |
| Resolution lower than expected | A USB hub, an older port or the camera's own limit | See the note below |
About the resolution number
A camera can offer several resolutions, and browsers pick one based on what the page asks for. This test asks for 1920 × 1080 when available. A 1080p camera that reports 1280 × 720 here may be connected through a busy USB hub, or may only deliver its full resolution in its own software. Try a different port directly on the computer. A 4K camera will still report 1080p here, because that is all the test requests, and most video calls send less than that anyway.
Resolution is also not the same as sharpness. A 720p camera in good light often looks better than a 1080p camera in a dim room, because small sensors add noise and blur when they lack light.
Quick ways to look better on camera
- Face your main light source. A window or lamp behind you turns your face into a silhouette.
- Put the camera at about eye level, roughly an arm's length away.
- Wipe the lens with a soft microfiber cloth. Fingerprints are a common cause of a hazy picture on laptops.
- Close other apps that might hold the camera, such as meeting apps, camera utilities and streaming software, before you test.
Permissions on each browser and system
- Chrome and Edge: click the icon to the left of the address and set Camera to Allow, then reload.
- Firefox: click the camera icon in the address bar and remove the block.
- Safari on Mac: Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera.
- Windows 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera, including "Let desktop apps access your camera".
- macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, then switch on your browser.
Is my video sent anywhere?
No. The preview is displayed locally in your browser and is not recorded or uploaded. The preview is mirrored, like most video-call previews, so text behind you will look reversed here but not to the people you call.
More troubleshooting guides
Reviewed October 2026 · How we test · Report a problem