mark27411

Q: Green indicator light for camera comes on whenever I exit fullscreen

Noticed this for first time tonight -

 

Whenever I am in fullscreen mode, whether an app or a video (youtube, Plex), when I exit the fullscreen mode, the green camera indicator light on my Macbook Pro Retina mid-2014 flashes on and off once. This is quite concerning if it's only happening to me : (

 

I'm running the latest version of El Capitan. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? It's happening no matter what app I exit out of from fullscreen - the green camera light flashes on and off.

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), OS X El Capitan (10.11.3)

Posted on Feb 28, 2016 7:43 PM

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Q: Green indicator light for camera comes on whenever I exit fullscreen

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Feb 29, 2016 10:08 AM in response to mark27411
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Feb 29, 2016 10:08 AM in response to mark27411

    Mine doesn't flash, but if it only happens once, I wouldn't worry about it.

     

    If you're still concerned, one of these will fix any user-correctable camera problem:

     

    (1) If restarting your Mac doesn't fix your camera problem,

     

    (2) use Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090.

     

    (BTW - The Troubleshooting article calls the camera an "iSight".  However, after the article was published, Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD."  Regardless of the name of your built-in camera, the same info and troubleshooting applies.)

     

    Be sure to test more than one Apple app (Photo Booth, FaceTime, iMovie, QuickTime Player, etc.) in more than one user account.  Do NOT use the "Guest" account for this test.  If you do not have more than one user account for the testing, create a new one now.  If you need help, how to do it is explained in http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201754.

     

    A "Standard" user account is all you need for testing.

     

    (3) If your cam won't work properly even with Apple apps, use OS X Recovery to completely reinstall your Mac OS from the Recovery System stored on your startup drive.  Don't bother testing Skype or other third-party apps until you have your camera working with Apple apps.

     

    (4) If none of the user suggestions above resolve your trouble, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider to have your Mac professionally serviced. Be sure to backup your Mac and deauthorize iTunes before tendering it for service.

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

    Mac OSX 10.11.3

  • by mark27411,

    mark27411 mark27411 Feb 29, 2016 10:30 AM in response to EZ Jim
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Feb 29, 2016 10:30 AM in response to EZ Jim

    My camera works fine. The concern is that it is working by snapping pics when it shouldn't be!

  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Mar 1, 2016 10:01 AM in response to mark27411
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 10:01 AM in response to mark27411

    mark27411 wrote:  My camera works fine. The concern is that it is working by snapping pics when it shouldn't be!

     

    It seems to me that if your camera works fine, it does not snap pics when it shouldn't.

     

    If you can tell me where the pics snapped when they shouldn't be are stored, perhaps someone here can give you an answer more to your liking.


    Cheers.

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

    Mac OSX 10.11.3

  • by mark27411,Solvedanswer

    mark27411 mark27411 Mar 1, 2016 10:39 AM in response to mark27411
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 10:39 AM in response to mark27411

    Figured it out - I had left the Facetime app open in the background, and this causes the camera to activate every time any other application is exited from fullscreen.