Camera not working in Zoom
If your camera works in the browser test but not in Zoom, the wrong camera is selected inside Zoom or it lacks permission. Confirm the camera first, then fix Zoom.
Step-by-step fix
-
Confirm the camera works: run the CheckMyMic webcam test.
-
In Zoom, open the video settings and select the correct camera.
-
Make sure your video isn't turned off inside Zoom.
-
Grant Zoom camera permission at the OS level, then restart Zoom.
Frequently asked questions
Camera works in the test but not Zoom — why?
Zoom has its own camera selector. Open its video settings and choose the same camera that showed a preview in the test.
Why does Zoom show a black screen?
Another app may be holding the camera. Close other video apps, then restart Zoom.
The camera still won't show in Zoom — what else can I try?
Update Zoom, then sign out and back in — camera lists cache hard. Confirm the camera still previews in the CheckMyMic webcam test, and check our webcam guide for your operating system: OS privacy toggles silently block desktop apps more often than Zoom itself misbehaves.
Why is my Zoom video a black square?
Usually another app is holding the camera — close Teams, OBS and any browser tab with camera access. In Zoom's Settings → Video the preview updates instantly: if it's black there too, switch cameras in the dropdown and toggle HD off; if the preview works but the meeting is black, leave and rejoin the meeting.