Webcam Test

What this tool does

The Webcam Test confirms, in a few seconds, that your camera is connected and working. It shows a live preview from the camera, reads back the active device’s name, resolution and frame rate, lets you switch between cameras if you have more than one, and can capture a still snapshot you can download. It is the quickest way to check your webcam before a video call without opening any conferencing software.

Everything happens inside your browser. When you start the test, the browser asks for camera permission and then displays the feed locally. No frame is ever recorded, stored or uploaded.

When you’d use it

A quick camera check is useful in plenty of everyday situations:

• Before a video call or interview — confirm the camera works and the framing looks right, so you are not troubleshooting once the call has started.
• After plugging in a new external webcam — verify the computer sees it and check which resolution it negotiates.
• When a conferencing app shows a black screen — test the camera independently to find out whether the problem is the camera or the app.
• Choosing between cameras — a laptop with both a built-in and an external webcam can switch here to see which is which.
• Checking lighting and angle — use the live preview to adjust your position and lighting before you join a meeting.

How to use it

1. Start the test. Press Start webcam test. Your browser will ask for permission to use the camera — choose Allow.
2. Check the preview. The live feed appears immediately. A green indicator and the words “Camera detected and working” confirm the camera is active.
3. Read the details. The panel below the preview shows the camera’s name, the resolution it is running at, and its frame rate in frames per second.
4. Switch cameras if needed. If you have more than one camera, a dropdown lets you pick a different one; the preview and details update right away.
5. Take a snapshot. Press Take snapshot to capture the current frame. It is saved to your device as a PNG and also shown below the controls.
6. Stop when done. Press Stop webcam test to release the camera. The camera’s indicator light will switch off.

How to read the results

If you see a live picture, your camera works — that is the headline result. The resolution tells you how sharp your image will be: 1280 × 720 (720p) is fine for most calls, and 1920 × 1080 (1080p) is sharper. The frame rate, often 30 fps, affects how smooth motion looks. These figures describe the stream the browser actually gave this page, which can be lower than the camera’s maximum.

If the preview is black, a privacy shutter may be covering the lens, or another app may already be using the camera — only one app can use it at a time. If you see a “denied” message, the camera permission for this site is blocked: click the camera or lock icon in your browser’s address bar and set it to Allow. If no camera is found, check the cable and your operating system’s camera privacy settings.

Browser compatibility

Camera access works in current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, including Safari on iOS. It requires a secure (HTTPS) connection, which this page uses. Some browsers do not report the frame rate or exact resolution; the tool shows “Not reported” in that case, which does not mean the camera is faulty.

For a complete pre-call check, also run the Microphone Test and the Speaker & Audio Test. If you want to record a clip rather than just preview, see the Voice Recorder, and the Browser Info tool reports what else your browser supports.

Your camera feed is shown only in your browser, is never recorded or uploaded, and the camera is released the instant you stop the test.