My camera is on but only shows a black screen with a camera drawing | Community
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New Member
January 29, 2026

My camera is on but only shows a black screen with a camera drawing

  • January 29, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 117 views

My camera is on but only shows a black screen with a camera drawing

    3 replies

    Community Champion | Employee
    January 29, 2026

    Hi Robin, 

     

    Thanks for reaching out. 

    What that screen means

    Zoom detects a camera, but cannot get video data from it.
    So the camera is “on,” but the feed is blocked or unavailable.

     

    Most common causes (and fixes)

    1. Another app is using the camera (MOST common)

    Zoom can’t share the camera with:

    • Teams

    • Webex

    • Google Meet (browser tab)

    • Camera app

    • OBS / Snap Camera

    Fix

    1. Fully close all apps that might use the camera
      (don’t just minimize)

    2. Restart Zoom

    3. Rejoin the meeting

    💡 On Windows, check the system tray.
    💡 On Mac, also close browser tabs that use the camera.

     

    2. Wrong camera selected in Zoom

    Zoom might be pointed at a disabled or virtual camera.

    Fix

    1. Click ^ next to Start Video

    2. Under Select a Camera, choose:

      • Built-in camera

      • Or your actual external webcam (Logitech, Dell, etc.)

    3. Avoid anything labeled:

      • Virtual

      • OBS

      • Snap

      • ManyCam

    3. Camera permissions are blocked (VERY common on Mac)

    If permissions were revoked, Zoom shows exactly this behavior.

    On Mac

    1. System Settings → Privacy & Security

    2. Click Camera

    3. Make sure Zoom is enabled

    4. Quit Zoom completely and reopen

    On Windows

    1. Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera

    2. Turn ON:

      • Camera access

      • Let desktop apps access the camera

    3. Make sure Zoom is listed and allowed

     

    1. Camera driver or OS glitch

      Quick test:

    2. Open the Camera app (Windows) or Photo Booth (Mac)

    3. If the camera:

    4. ❌ Shows black → driver/hardware issue

    5. ✅ Works → Zoom-specific issue

    6. Fixes

    7. Restart your computer

    8. Update Zoom

    9. Update camera drivers (Windows)

     

    I hope this helps!

    New Member
    January 29, 2026

    Sometimes the camera shows only a black screen if the app doesn’t have proper permissions. Checking app permissions in settings usually fixes this issue.

    New Member
    January 31, 2026

    Still it is not working after checking everything