📷Webcam Test

Testing the camera

Press start and allow camera access; if you can see yourself, the camera works. The panel below the preview reports the device name, the resolution and frame rate actually delivered — useful for checking a "1080p" webcam is not quietly running at 640×480. Stop releases the camera and its indicator light.

The preview is mirrored, as every video app mirrors self-view, because un-mirrored self-view feels alien. The other side of a call sees you un-mirrored; the button flips the preview if you want to check how held-up text reads.

Common problems, in order of likelihood

Permission refused: click the camera icon in the address bar and allow. Camera in use: most systems give the camera to one app at a time — close the video-call apps running in the background. Wrong camera: laptops with external webcams have two; the device name shown here tells you which answered. Works here, not in the meeting app: the camera is fine; check that app's permission in the OS privacy settings.

If the image works but looks bad, it is almost always light: face a window or lamp, never sit in front of one — no webcam survives a bright background. To actually record, the webcam recorder runs locally like everything here, and the mic test completes the pre-call check.

Frequently asked questions