sudo killall VDCAssistant then enter your password. This will restart the camera management process and resolve 80 % cases. If this is not enough, check the Privacy, Screen Time and Application Conflicts permissions. Hardware failure is rare but possible - especially after a fall or liquid damage.
The «No camera connected» or «No camera available» error message is one of the most frustrating on the Mac, as it typically occurs at the worst possible time - just before an important Zoom call. The good news is that, in the vast majority of cases, this is a software problem that can be resolved in less than five minutes.
The most common causes are: a frozen VDCAssistant process (the component that manages the internal camera), authorisation denied to the application requesting the camera, Screen Time restrictions that block access, a conflict between two applications trying to use the camera simultaneously (the camera can only be used by one application at a time), or a bug following a macOS update. More rarely, the problem is hardware: a disconnected internal cable, oxidation after liquid damage, or a damaged sensor after a fall.
VDCAssistant is the system process that manages the Mac's built-in camera. When it crashes, the camera becomes inaccessible to all applications, even after an app restart. Forcing it to restart solves the problem immediately in most cases.
sudo killall VDCAssistantsudo killall AppleCameraAssistant
As with the microphone, each application must be explicitly authorised to use the camera in macOS Mojave. If you inadvertently refuse the first request, the application will display «No camera connected» even if the camera is working perfectly.
If the application does not appear in the list, it has never requested access. Launch it and try to use the camera: a system dialog box should appear. Click on Authorise.
The Screen Time feature (introduced in macOS Catalina) can block access to the camera without you knowing it, especially if you have set up restrictions or if they are synced from another Apple device via iCloud.
This restriction is particularly tricky because it can activate itself after an update, or be inherited from a shared family account.
A fundamental rule of macOS : only one application can use the camera at a time. If an application has «locked» access to the camera and has not correctly released the resource (following a crash or incorrect closure), no other application will be able to use it.
The most common culprits are: Safari or Chrome with a tab that has accessed the camera and not released the connection, streaming applications (OBS Studio, Streamlabs), video filter plug-ins (Snap Camera) that remain in the background.
If nothing else has worked, the classic reboot is still effective in freeing up all system resources. In the event of failure, safe mode can be used to diagnose whether a third-party extension is blocking the camera.
On Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4) :
On Intel Macs :
Once in safe mode, test the camera in Photo Booth. If it works, the problem is a third-party extension - uninstall the recently installed software one by one. If it still doesn't work, it's probably a hardware problem.
A Mac's internal camera rarely fails - it's designed to last the life of the device. But a few scenarios can damage it.
| Symptom | Probable cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Green light flashes continuously | Sensor short-circuit | Diagnosis and replacement |
| No reaction even in safe mode | Camera out of order or cable disconnected | Technical diagnosis required |
| Camera out after fall | Broken tablecloth or damaged sensor | Reconnection or replacement |
| Camera out after liquid damage | Oxidation of contacts | Deoxidation or replacement |
| Very blurred or grainy image | Dirty or faulty sensor | Cleaning or replacement |
| Camera missing from System Report | Camera not detected by macOS | Checking the tablecloth and motherboard |
If the camera does not appear at all in the System Report, this is a sure sign of a hardware problem: a disconnected cable, an out-of-order sensor, or a fault on the motherboard. Our free diagnosis precisely identifies the origin of the problem, and our expertise in micro-welding allows you to repair faults linked to the camera controller. If the problem follows recent liquid damage, contact us via our liquid damage repair.
Apple offers its own resources on Mac integrated camera problems.
This is usually because the VDCAssistant process is blocked or another application is monopolising the camera. Open Terminal and type sudo killall VDCAssistant, then test again. If the error persists, check the Privacy permissions and close any applications that may be using the camera.
Yes, this is abnormal. The green light should only come on when an application is actively using the camera. If it flashes constantly when no application is open, it's probably a hardware fault in the sensor or a short circuit. Apple recommends that you have the machine checked. This may require the camera to be replaced.
If Photo Booth works, the camera is physically OK. The problem is with Zoom permissions. Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, enable Zoom, then exit Zoom completely (Cmd + Q) and restart it. Also check in Zoom → Settings → Video that the correct camera is selected.
On recent versions of macOS, the process is sometimes called cameracaptured or AppleCameraAssistant. Give it a try : sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant or simply restart the Mac (which will restart all system processes). Also check that you have typed your administrator password correctly after the command.
Hold down Option and click on Apple menu → System information → Camera. If «FaceTime HD Camera» doesn't appear in the list, the camera is no longer detected by macOS - this is a sign of a hardware fault (broken cable, sensor or controller). If it appears but doesn't work in any application after all the software manipulations, it's also a hardware problem.
Yes, via Screen Time → Content and Privacy → App Restrictions → uncheck Camera. You can also use a physical cover (sticker or sliding camera cover). On recent MacBooks, be careful: if you use a cover that's too thick, you risk damaging the screen when you close the cover.
On older MacBooks (prior to 2021), the FaceTime HD camera was of low resolution (720p), resulting in a relatively mediocre image. More recent MacBooks have a better quality 1080p camera. If the image is abnormally blurred compared to usual, check that there is no protective film obstructing the sensor, and gently clean the lens with a microfibre cloth.
MacOS updates sometimes reset Confidentiality authorisations or change camera drivers. Check System Settings → Privacy and Security → Camera and re-authorise your applications. Restart VDCAssistant via Terminal. If the problem persists, wait for the next minor update, which often corrects these regressions.
Yes, this is an excellent temporary or permanent solution. An external USB webcam (Logitech C920, C922, or 4K cameras) works plug-and-play on the Mac and generally offers much better image quality than the internal camera. You can also use your iPhone as a webcam using the Continuity Camera function (macOS Ventura and later).
Yes, with over 15 years' experience since 2010, we diagnose and repair camera faults: reconnecting the cable, replacing the camera module, micro-soldering the controller, deoxidising after liquid damage. On recent MacBooks, the camera is integrated into the screen - replacing it requires complete disassembly. 180-day warranty. Take appointment for a free diagnosis.
Over 15 years of Apple expertise in Brussels. Free, no-obligation quote and 180-day guarantee on repairs.
