How to Use the ScreenPal Webcam Test

Before you start

Open ScreenPal's camera testing view in a desktop browser that supports media device access. Use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari when possible. Close other apps that may be using the camera, such as meeting tools, OBS or another browser tab with an active preview.

If this is your first camera test in the browser, expect a permission prompt. Allow camera access when it appears. On Windows or macOS, also check that camera access is enabled for the browser in the operating system privacy settings. If the browser does not ask, the permission may already be blocked for the site.

Step-by-step instructions

• Open the ScreenPal webcam test page in a private or normal browser window.
• Select Allow when the browser requests permission to use the camera.
• Wait for the preview to appear on the page.
• Use the camera selector to switch to the selected camera if more than one device is available, for example a built-in webcam and an external USB camera.
• Check the video picture. If the image is dark, add light from the front rather than from behind you.
• Close other camera applications if the preview is blank or the camera is shown as busy.

Check the output

A working preview confirms that the browser can access the camera and that the chosen device is sending video. The test may show the resolution and frame rate reported by the camera, but these values depend on the browser, lighting and available bandwidth, so do not treat them as a fixed specification of the device.

Move in front of the camera and listen through headphones if you are also checking audio. Keep in mind that the webcam test is a preview tool, not a recording test. It does not prove that a separate recording app will use the same camera or microphone settings.

Common problems and next steps

If the preview stays black, reload the page and check the camera permission icon in the browser address bar. A blocked permission can prevent the page from accessing any camera even when the device works elsewhere. Use the site settings next to the address bar to allow the camera for this page.

When another application is using the webcam, close it and then refresh the test page. On a laptop, confirm the camera is not disabled by a physical shutter, privacy switch or keyboard shortcut. If the image is grainy, improve lighting and sit closer to the light source before assuming the camera is faulty.