Free online webcam test
This webcam test opens your camera right in the browser and shows you what a video call would see. Next to the live picture you get the numbers that matter: the resolution your camera really delivers, its measured frame rate, the aspect ratio, the megapixels and how bright the picture is.
It works with built-in laptop cameras, USB webcams, phone cameras and virtual cameras such as OBS, on Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Android and iOS. There is nothing to install and no account, and the video never leaves your device.
Webcam not working? How to fix it
When the camera does not start, the test names the reason. Each message has its own fix.
Camera Access Denied
The browser or the operating system blocks the camera.
- Click the icon at the left end of the address bar, set Camera to Allow and reload the page.
- Windows: open Settings, Privacy & security, Camera. Turn on camera access and the switch that lets desktop apps use the camera.
- macOS: open System Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera. Turn on your browser, then restart it.
- Phone or tablet: allow the camera for your browser app in the system settings.
No Camera Found
The browser does not see any camera at all.
- Many laptops have a camera key (often F8 or F10) or a small switch on the side that disconnects the camera. Press it once.
- Plug a USB webcam straight into the computer, not into a hub, and try another port.
- Windows: open Device Manager, look under Cameras and enable the device or update its driver.
Camera In Use
Another program holds the camera. On Windows a camera can usually serve one program at a time.
- Close Zoom, Teams, Skype, OBS and the Camera app.
- Close other browser tabs that use the camera.
- Press Try Again. If that does not help, restart the browser.
Resolution Not Supported
The camera refused the mode that was requested.
- Pick a lower resolution and start again.
- Move the webcam to a faster USB port if it should support more.
A black picture with no error message usually has a simple cause: the privacy shutter over the lens is closed, the wrong camera is selected in the Camera menu, or a virtual camera is selected that is not sending anything.
Online mirror and quick photos
The preview is mirrored, the same way you see yourself in a mirror and in most meeting apps. People on the other end of a call see the unmirrored picture, so text on your shirt reads correctly for them. Press Mirror to switch between the two views, and Fullscreen to turn the whole screen into a mirror.
Capture saves the current frame as a PNG at the full resolution of the video, exactly as you see it. Photos stay in this browser tab only. Download the ones you want to keep, because they are gone when you reload or close the page. To crop or resize a photo afterwards, open it in the Image Editor.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my webcam online?
Press Start Camera Test at the top of this page and choose Allow when your browser asks for camera access. Your live picture appears within a second or two, together with the resolution, frame rate (FPS), aspect ratio, megapixels and brightness of the video your camera delivers.
Is this webcam test free?
Yes. The test is free and works without an account, a download or a browser extension.
Is my webcam video private?
Yes. The video is shown and measured inside your browser only. This tool has no server side, no upload and no recording, so your picture cannot reach us. When you press Stop or close the tab, the camera is released and its light goes off.
How do I check whether my webcam is really 1080p or 4K?
Start the test and pick Full HD or 4K in the Resolution menu. The readout shows the frame size your camera really delivers, not the one you asked for. If it stays at 1280 × 720 after you pick 1920 × 1080, the camera tops out at 720p, or something in between limits it, such as a USB 2.0 hub.
How is the frame rate (FPS) measured?
The test counts the video frames that really arrive from your camera each second. It does not count screen refreshes, so a 30 FPS camera reads about 30 even on a 144 Hz monitor. In browsers that cannot count frames, such as older versions of Firefox, it shows the frame rate the camera reports instead.
Why is my webcam frame rate low?
The most common cause is low light. In a dim room the camera uses longer exposures, and many webcams drop from 30 to 15 FPS or less. Turn on a lamp in front of you and watch the FPS value rise. Other causes are a very high resolution, a USB hub shared with other devices and a computer that is busy with other work.
Why is my webcam picture dark or grainy?
There is not enough light on your face. The camera then amplifies the signal, which makes the picture grainy. Sit facing a window or a lamp, avoid a bright window behind you and wipe the lens. A Brightness value under 25 % means the room is too dark for the camera to compensate.
Why is my webcam not working?
Start with the message the test shows. Camera Access Denied means the browser or the operating system blocks the camera. No Camera Found means the browser sees no camera at all, often because a camera key or switch has disconnected it, a cable is loose or the driver is disabled. Camera In Use means another program holds it. The troubleshooting section on this page has the fix for each case.
Why is my picture mirrored?
The preview is mirrored on purpose, because that is how you see yourself in a mirror and in most meeting apps. People on the other end of a call see the normal, unmirrored picture. Press Mirror to see that view.
Can I test the camera on my phone or tablet?
Yes. The test works in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. It starts with the front camera, and you can switch to the back camera in the Camera menu. If the page was opened inside an app such as Facebook, Messenger or Instagram, open it in Safari or Chrome instead, because in-app browsers often block the camera.
Can I test my camera before a Zoom, Teams or Google Meet call?
Yes, that is what most people use it for. Check the framing, the light and that the right camera is selected. Then press Stop or close this tab before you join, so the meeting app can take the camera. On Windows a camera can usually serve only one program at a time.
Does the test record me or keep my photos?
No. Nothing is recorded. A photo is taken only when you press Capture, and it stays in this browser tab until you download or delete it. Photos disappear when you reload or close the page.