FaceTime Camera not Working (FIXED)

Is your FaceTime camera not working on your MacBooks and iPhones? The problem is traceable to a few issues. But it’s easy to fix. First, I’ll tell you some possible causes of the problem and what you should do to fix them.

FaceTime Camera not Working on MacBooks and iPhones? Causes

The camera is not working? Your camera and camera-related settings might be the first place to start if FaceTime and any other apps you use wouldn’t show your video.

On iPhones and MacBooks, not granting the necessary camera permissions would result in the FaceTime camera not working issue. Damaged or blocked cameras would also be another reason to explore when you experience the camera not working issue.

You have a slow internet connection: Another cause of the FaceTime camera not working issue could be that you have connectivity issues or no internet coverage. Your recipients might not see your video if you don’t have a strong internet connection. A slow internet connection would also be a reason why you’re unable to see the video of the other party.

FaceTime Camera not Working on MacBooks and iPhones? Best Fixes

Here are some easy solutions to get the FaceTime camera working again on your MacBooks or iPhones.

Fix 1: Reset the camera on FaceTime

You can reset the camera by going to the Terminal and running a few commands. “AppleCameraAssistant” alongside “VDCAssistant” supports Mac’s camera as well as other camera-using software.

All you have to do is close the “VDCAssistant” process using a command. The “VDCAssistant” process only runs when a program (such as Skype) tries to use the camera.

The camera errors are then triggered by a problem in the VDC wizard. Follow these steps to force your Mac’s camera assistant to close:

1. Turn off all programs using your camera or microphone (ex: Skype and Discord)
2. Go to Terminal on your computer
3. Type this command in the terminal: sudo killall VDCAssistant
4. Press the Return key
5. Type the following command again: sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant
6. Press the Return key again
7. Paste the administrator password to continue the process
8. Restart Mac
9. Hold the key combination: Open, Command, P, and R during the startup process
10. Release the buttons when you hear the startup sounds.
11. Reset the default applications in the system settings.
12. Finally, Restart Mac.

On iPhone

Without knowing, you may have had the camera disabled on your FaceTime call, causing the screen to go blank. Here’s how you can have your FaceTime camera switched off and on when calling with your iPhone:

1. When on a FaceTime call, tap your phone screen.
2. When the controls come up, tap on the Camera On button to get the camera back on. When you repeat this, you’ll notice the camera will be turned back off.

Fix 2: On iPhones, check if FaceTime has camera permissions

If you’re experiencing the FaceTime camera not working issue on iPhones, check that you have given camera permissions to the FaceTime App. Most times, when an iPhone app can’t get the camera to work, camera permissions are the first place to look.

To check and give FaceTime permission to use the camera, go to Settings >> Privacy >> click on Camera (to see a list of apps that have permission to use the camera) >> If the FaceTime shows the Camera toggled OFF, toggle it ON (you can just toggle ON/OFF if it is already toggled ON).

Fix 3: Check the internet connection

If your computer or phone is not connected to the Internet, try out the following:

1. Enable the WiFi in the system settings under the network settings
2. If that doesn’t work, restart your modem. Then wait a few minutes to see if it’s not a network problem.

Fix 4: Check for Camera Issues

If tweaking settings doesn’t seem to get the FaceTime video to start working, it just might be time to check if the camera itself is the issue.

Does the Video feature work on other apps that need them? Apps like WhatsApp video calls, Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype video calls. If the videos work on these apps, then it’s more an app thing than a device issue. This will also help you pinpoint the issue and see if you would need to get your device to a tech.

Fix 5: Restart the MacBook or iPhone

Restarting your MacBook or iPhone usually helps with 9 out of 10 software-related problems. To do this, simply select the Apple menu and use the restart option.

On your iPhone

If you’re FaceTiming on your iPhone, ending the call and force-stopping the app may be enough. If the problem persists, you may then consider rebooting your iPhone.

Fix 6: Use an external camera

If, after trying all of the above, the Facetime camera is still not working, you may have a hardware issue. The built-in MacBook or iPhone camera may be damaged. Try out other programs that use your device camera to see if the video will come up.

If the camera won’t function with other programs, you can connect a webcam to use with your device. For a permanent solution, contact Apple support for assistance.

Fix 7: Update your iPhone or Mac

Bugs can cause drivers and apps to malfunction and affect the camera. Check your system regularly for updates. Such updates usually come with bug fixes and add security features that improve the quality of your programs (like FaceTime). 

On your Mac

Here are the steps to find out if your system has updates ready for you.

1. From the Apple menu, click on System Preferences
2. Select “Software Updates”, the 4th option on the third row.
3. Select OK.

On your iPhone

To update your iPhone or check if there’s a new update:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click on General
3. Tap Software Updates
4. Click on Automatic Updates and then Download iOS Updates on
5. Switch Install iOS Updates on

With the above, your device will update to the latest operating system automatically, whether immediately or when there’s a new version.

• Is FaceTime Free on Wi-Fi both Locally and Internationally?

About The Author