Troubleshoot camera issues in a meeting

Check your site permissions in Chrome

Make sure you allow camera access on the site you want to use. You can allow all sites to use your camera, or just the specific site you’re on. Learn more about site permissions.

Important: The “Camera failed” error is often because the browser can’t access the camera.

On computers with Chrome, you must allow the browser to access your camera. To grant permission again:

1. In the Chrome address bar, enter chrome://settings/content/camera.
2. Under “Default Behavior,” select Sites can ask to use your camera.
3. Disable the setting "Ask before accessing."
4. If present, under "Allowed to use your camera," next to “https://meet.google.com:443,” click Delete .
5. Refresh the Google Meet page.
6. When prompted, grant camera access.

• Allow Safari to access your camera.
• Allow Firefox to access your camera.
• Allow Microsoft Edge to access your camera.

1. On your Chromebook, at the bottom right, select Time Settings .
2. On the left, select Security and Privacy Privacy controls.
3. Turn on Camera access.

On computers with macOS Mojave version 10.14 and up, you must allow camera access for your web browser. Otherwise, Meet won’t be able to access video from your device.

1. Go to System Preferences Security & Privacy.
2. Select Privacy Camera.
3. Check the box for the app that uses Meet (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge).

1. On your computer, select Start Settings .
2. Select Privacy & security Camera.
3. Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera.

Tip: This setting lets any user on the device choose if they want apps to be able to access the camera.

1. On your device, open the built-in camera app, like Camera or Photo Booth.
2. If the camera’s self-preview shows your image but Google Meet doesn’t, make sure Google Meet can access your camera:
   • Enable camera access on macOS Mojave & later
   • Allow Google Chrome to access your camera
3. If the camera’s self-preview doesn’t show your image, to open the camera cover or privacy switch, try the steps below.

Important:

• Not all devices have a camera cover or privacy switch.
• The cover or switch may be at the top or side of your device.
• Some models use an orange, red, or amber light when the privacy switch is on.

1. To find the camera cover, at the top of the camera lens, check for a slider.
   • For most models, the camera cover is a physical slider above the lens. For example, the Lenovo camera lens is blocked by the slider.

     

2. If you don’t find a slider above the lens, check for a physical switch on either side of your device.
   • Some models use a privacy switch instead of a camera cover. For example, the HP Chromebook has a camera privacy switch to turn on.

     

3. To unblock the camera lens, move the slider or switch to the off position.
4. Test the camera with the built-in Camera app or with Google Meet.

Tip: If the camera’s self-preview doesn’t show:

• For non-Chromebook devices, try the steps to troubleshoot more.
• For Chromebook devices, try the steps to reset your Chromebook hardware.

Important: Some devices have a software privacy switch. This may be turned off in your camera or device settings.

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Find your camera settings.
3. Turn off the software-based privacy switch.

Tip: Instructions may be different on your device.

Example of Chrome and Firefox browsers that shows camera lens blocked by software privacy switch

If the camera doesn't work and there’s no camera cover or privacy switch:

1. Reset your Chromebook hardware.
2. Test the camera with the built-in Camera app or with Google Meet.