How to turn on a Chromebook camera

To turn on your Chromebook’s camera, open the Launcher, search for Camera and open the Camera app. A live preview shows that the app can access the camera. To use it for a video call, you also need to allow camera access for the calling website or app.

Open the camera and check the picture

• 1. If your Chromebook has a physical camera cover, open it. If it has a camera privacy switch, make sure the switch allows camera use.
• 2. Open the Launcher, search for Camera and select the Camera app.
• 3. Look for a live picture. Move your hand in front of the lens to check that the preview updates.
• 4. If you want to confirm photo capture, take a photo and open the saved image.

A moving preview confirms that the Camera app is receiving video. Opening a newly saved photo confirms photo capture. Neither check establishes that a calling website has permission to use the camera or that a video call will run smoothly.

Allow the camera for a video call

• 1. Close the Camera app, then open your calling website or app.
• 2. When prompted for camera access, choose Allow if you intend to give that service access.
• 3. If you previously blocked access in Chrome, open the site controls beside the address bar and check the camera permission. Allow access, then reload the page if prompted.
• 4. In the call’s video settings, select the camera you want to use and turn on video.
• 5. Check the call’s preview before joining.

A call preview confirms that the calling service can receive your camera picture. It does not test microphone sound, connection stability or the picture other participants will receive during the call.

If the camera stays off or shows a black picture

• 1. Check that a cover, privacy switch or object is not blocking the camera.
• 2. Close other apps and browser tabs that might be using it, then reopen the app you need.
• 3. Open Chromebook Settings and look for camera access under privacy controls. If a camera access control is available, make sure it permits use.
• 4. If you use an external webcam, check its connection and select it in the app’s camera settings.
• 5. Restart the Chromebook and try the Camera app again.

If the Camera app works but the calling service does not, check that service’s camera permission and selected camera. If neither works after these checks, the cause remains unresolved; a black preview alone does not establish a hardware fault.

No Chromebook model, ChromeOS version or device-management details were supplied, so the exact privacy controls and menu labels cannot be confirmed. On a school or work Chromebook, an administrator may restrict camera access. If a setting is locked or marked as managed, contact the administrator.