How to Fix a Mac Camera That Is Not Working

Troubleshoot and resolve Mac camera connection issues using these step-by-step terminal commands and system setting adjustments.

1. Force quit the camera process. Open Terminal from your Utilities folder. Type sudo killall VDCAssistant and press Return. Enter your system password when prompted to terminate the background camera process.
2. Check system camera permissions. Navigate to System Settings, select Privacy & Security, and click Camera. Ensure the toggle switch is enabled for the specific application attempting to use the camera.
3. Verify Screen Time restrictions. Go to System Settings and select Screen Time. Click Content & Privacy, then select App Restrictions. Ensure the Camera option is not set to off or blocked.
4. Perform a hard system restart. Click the Apple menu and select Restart. If the system is unresponsive, hold the power button or Touch ID sensor until the display turns black, wait five seconds, and power the device back on.
5. Confirm physical hardware integrity. Ensure no physical obstructions cover the camera lens. Check for third-party privacy covers or security software that explicitly disables camera hardware input at the kernel level.