Troubleshooting
Use the preview to confirm the webcam on Monitor is working and that the correct camera is selected. If video is black, close other apps using the camera and check OS privacy settings, then reload the page. For external webcams, try another USB port and re-test.
Pro tip
If the preview is black, switch cameras and check OS privacy settings, then reload the page.
Common symptoms
- Monitor camera not working
- Black screen preview
- Need a quick camera check
Use webcam test fullscreen to verify device selection and permissions quickly, then repeat after each change. Most camera problems are not the camera itself, they are permissions, the wrong device selected, or another app holding the camera open.
Start with a simple setup. Close apps that can grab the camera, like Zoom, Teams, Discord, or any camera utility, then reload the page. When the browser asks, allow camera access and pick the intended device. If you see a black preview, do not assume it is broken, check for a physical privacy shutter, a hardware switch, or a driver overlay that is blocking the image.
To get a clean result from this webcam test fullscreen, test with good light and a stable seating distance so autofocus does not hunt, and keep it consistent for 10 to 20 seconds. If the preview flickers, looks compressed, or keeps switching devices, you may have a virtual camera driver, a background app reconnecting, or a USB port that is unstable. A quick comparison trick is to try a second browser profile or an incognito window, if it works there, an extension or site setting is likely the cause.
Once you see a stable preview, you can move on with confidence. If your microphone is also part of the call setup, pair the camera check with microphone test so you do not get surprised at join time. Any time you change a permission, try another USB port and avoid running through a busy dock, or switch devices, come back to webcam test and re-run the webcam test fullscreen to confirm the fix actually stuck.