This webcam test shows a live preview of your camera and tells you whether it works, right in your browser. Press Start camera, allow access, and the panel lists the camera name, the resolution and frame rate it really delivers, dropped frames and a lighting verdict for video calls. Nothing is recorded or uploaded. It is one of the free ghacks tools.
How to test your webcam online
Click Start camera, allow access when your browser asks, and the live preview appears.
- Click Start camera and choose Allow in the browser prompt. The status line switches to Camera working.
- Pick your camera in the Camera menu. Software devices such as OBS carry the label "virtual camera".
- Read the panel, or change Requested resolution and Requested frame rate to try other modes.
- Click Stop camera. The camera light should go out; the camera also stops when you switch tabs or leave the page.
What the readings mean
Resolution and frame rate show what your camera actually delivers right now, not what the box promises.
| Reading | What it shows | Good for video calls |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Delivered size in pixels and aspect ratio | 1280 x 720 (720p) or more |
| Frame rate | Frames counted from the live video | Close to 30 fps |
| Browser reports | The mode the browser says it applied | Matches the measured values |
| Camera maximum | The highest mode the camera advertises, where exposed | Reference only |
| Dropped frames | Dropped frames out of all frames received | A small share |
| Lighting | Good, too dark, overexposed, backlit or black image, with brightness (0 to 255) | Good lighting for video calls |
Measured vs advertised frame rate
The measured value counts the frames that reach the page over the last three seconds, so it can fall below the 30 fps the browser reports. The usual cause is light: in a dim room many webcams expose each frame longer and deliver fewer frames, often around 15 per second. Browsers without requestVideoFrameCallback get an estimate labeled "approximate".
Test all resolutions
Test all resolutions requests 480p, 720p, 1080p, 1440p and 2160p (4K) in turn and marks each Yes, native, Scaled by the browser or No, then restores your settings. A "4K" webcam that only scales to 2160p shows up here. Browsers that cannot tell native from scaled modes mark every delivered mode as scaled.
Webcam not working? Fixes by error
If the preview stays black or an error appears, the message names the cause and the tool lists fix steps for your browser and system.
| Message | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Camera access was not allowed / is blocked | Blocked in the browser or system | Allow it in site settings (below), reload |
| No camera found | Unplugged, disabled or switched off | Reconnect, check the camera key and Device Manager |
| Camera in use or cannot start | Zoom, Teams, OBS or another tab holds it | Close the other app, or reconnect the camera |
| Camera on, but the image is black | Closed shutter, camera key or privacy switch | Open the shutter or press the camera key |
| The selected camera mode is not available | Requested mode not supported | Set the resolution to Auto |
| This browser cannot open the camera | In-app or outdated browser | Use current Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari |
Allow camera access in Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari
The fastest fix is the icon at the left end of the address bar: set Camera to Allow and reload. Or open the settings page:
- Google Chrome:
chrome://settings/content/camera - Microsoft Edge:
edge://settings/content/camera - Mozilla Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Permissions > Camera
- Apple Safari on macOS: Safari > Settings > Websites > Camera
- Safari on iPhone and iPad: aA in the address bar > Website Settings > Camera
Allow camera access in Windows 11 and macOS
Windows and macOS block the camera for every browser when the system privacy switch is off. In Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on Camera access and Let desktop apps access your camera. Microsoft is also testing per-app camera controls for desktop programs. On a Mac, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, turn on your browser, then quit and reopen it.
Laptop camera not working
On laptops, check the privacy shutter and the camera key (often F8, F10 or a key with a camera icon) first. Then open Device Manager > Cameras: if you disabled the webcam in Windows earlier, enable it again. Windows 10 N editions may need the Media Feature Pack.
Test your camera in Zoom, Teams and Google Meet
Testing here first tells you whether the camera or the app is the problem. If it works here but not in the app, select the right camera in the app and stop this test first.
- Zoom: Settings > Video in the desktop app shows a preview and the camera menu.
- Microsoft Teams: Settings and more (three dots) > Settings > Devices shows the camera preview.
- Google Meet: the meeting link shows your preview before you join.
Is a webcam test safe?
Yes, if it runs in your browser and uploads no video; this one does not, and you can verify it. Open the developer tools (F12), select Network and press Start camera: no requests appear while the test runs. What this page can see lists every value your browser exposed. For protection when no test runs, see whether you should put tape over your webcam.
Mirror view and snapshots
Mirror preview only changes your view; others in a call see you unmirrored. Save snapshot downloads the current frame as a PNG at the delivered resolution to your device only; tick Mirror snapshot to save it mirrored.
FAQ
How can I test my webcam without installing anything?
Use a browser-based test like this one. Click Start camera, allow access, and the preview and readings appear without a download or an account. Windows also has the Camera app and macOS has Photo Booth, which show a preview but not the measured frame rate or the resolution your camera really delivers.
Why is my webcam image black?
A black image from a running camera almost always means the lens is covered: a closed privacy shutter, a camera key switched off, or tape. The tool detects this and shows "Camera on, but the image is black" instead of "Camera working". If it stays black with the shutter open, pick another camera or reconnect a USB webcam.
Why is my frame rate lower than 30 fps?
Most often the room is too dark. Many webcams lengthen the exposure in low light and deliver fewer frames, often about 15 per second. Add light in front of you and watch the measured value rise. A high requested resolution on an older camera can also lower it.
Can I test my camera and microphone together?
This page tests video only, so each result stays clear. After the webcam test, open the microphone test, which shows a live level meter, the noise floor and a short recording you can play back. It also runs locally and uploads nothing.