How to test your webcam
- Click "Start webcam test" and allow camera access.
- Choose your camera and the resolution you want to check.
- Look at the badges in the corner for the live resolution and FPS.
- Take a snapshot or record a short clip to review sharpness and color.
Understanding resolution and FPS
Resolution is the number of pixels in each frame: 640 × 480 (480p), 1280 × 720 (720p HD), 1920 × 1080 (1080p Full HD) or 3840 × 2160 (4K). The test asks for the resolution you pick and shows what the camera actually delivers. Many webcams advertise 1080p but fall back to 720p in some browsers or under USB bandwidth limits.
FPS (frames per second) measures smoothness. 30 FPS is the standard for video calls and 60 FPS looks extra fluid. The FPS shown here is measured from real frames, not just reported by the driver, so it's a true picture of what others will see.
Camera not working or black screen?
- Close Zoom, Teams, Skype, OBS and any other tab using the camera. Most cameras can only be used by one app at a time.
- Open the physical privacy shutter, or press the camera key (often F8, F10 or Fn+F-key) on laptops.
- Windows 10/11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera → turn on "Camera access" and "Let apps access your camera".
- macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → enable your browser.
- iPhone / iPad: Settings → Safari → Camera → Allow. Android: App info → Permissions → Camera.
- Pick a lower resolution if the picture freezes, and plug USB cameras straight into the computer rather than a hub.
Look better on video calls
- Face a window or a soft lamp. Light from behind turns you into a silhouette.
- Raise the camera to eye level and use the grid to frame your eyes on the top third line.
- Low FPS in the evening? Add light. Webcams lengthen their exposure in the dark, which lowers the frame rate.
- Clean the lens: a fingerprint is the most common cause of a "soft" or hazy picture.