This online webcam test shows a live preview from your camera so you can confirm it works before a video call, interview or stream. Grant camera access and you see yourself in real time, along with the actual resolution the browser is receiving and the name of the active camera. A device picker lets you switch between a built-in laptop camera and an external USB webcam, which is the quickest way to make sure the right one is selected.
Seeing a live preview answers the questions that matter most before a call: is the camera pointing where you expect, is the lens clean, is the lighting acceptable, and is the framing right. The resolution readout tells you the width and height the browser is actually capturing, which is handy when a camera claims to be high definition but is negotiating a lower mode. If the preview looks soft or the resolution is lower than you expect, try a different camera in the picker or check that another app is not holding the camera at a reduced setting.
Camera access is permission gated, and this test is careful about it. If you deny access or the browser blocks the camera, you get a plain explanation of how to re-enable it instead of an empty black box. The video stream never leaves your device: it is shown in the page and nothing is recorded or uploaded. When you stop the test or close the page, the camera is released and its indicator light turns off, so you are never left wondering whether it is still active.
Running a webcam check here is a fast way to separate a hardware problem from an app problem. If your camera shows a clear picture in this test but a meeting app shows a black screen, the issue is that app's camera selection or permission, not the webcam. If the preview is black here too, work back through the privacy settings, the device picker and the physical connection or privacy shutter until the image appears.
How to use the webcam test
- Click the button to start the webcam test and allow camera access when prompted.
- Select the camera you want from the device picker if more than one is available.
- Check the live preview for a clear, correctly oriented image.
- Read the resolution readout to confirm the capture size.
- Stop the test to release the camera and turn off its indicator light.
Frequently asked questions
Is my webcam footage recorded or uploaded?
No. The camera stream is only displayed live in your browser to create the preview. Nothing is recorded, saved or sent anywhere, and the camera is released the moment you stop the test or leave the page.
The preview is black. What is wrong?
A black preview usually means another application is already using the camera, the browser lacks permission, or a physical privacy shutter is closed. Close other video apps, check the site camera permission in your browser, and make sure any lens cover is open, then reload.
Can I switch between cameras?
Yes. After you grant access, the device picker lists every camera the browser can detect, so you can switch between a built-in camera and an external USB webcam to test each one.
How do I know the camera is off afterwards?
When you stop the test, the browser releases the camera and its hardware indicator light, if it has one, turns off. Closing the page has the same effect, so the camera is never left running in the background.
More hardware tests
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