Macbook built in Camera not working

Try resetting the SMC:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

That often does the trick. Good luck!

tcatz5 wrote:
My Macbook has been working perfectly for just over a year. Now the built in isight/camera is not recognised by Skype, photo booth or other cam apps. This is a bit of a surprise. I tried login in as a guest user to see if it was software but now I'm not sure. Has anyone had this problem or has ideas on checking this out.
Maybe firmware?
Hope u can help. T

It seems that Jay's suggestion has got your iSight working again, but I see you have not yet marked your topic "Answered", so perhaps you are waiting for other input.

If you have future problem with your iSight, you can check out all of Apple's Troubleshooting tips:

  http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090

EZ Jim



Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display  G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)  iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight

I have the same problem as this person had with iSight. It happened 2 times, once in December 09 and once Feb 2010. Both times I was told to reset the SMC and the procedure worked. But I would like your opinion whether something insidiously wrong with the SMC or other hardwares in my MacBook 13-inch alum late 2008 model. Or do I need to re-install the OS, which I upgraded it from 10.5 to Snow leopard (10.6) back in Sept. 2009. Thanks.

Gary Leung wrote:
I have the same problem as this person had with iSight. It happened 2 times, once in December 09 and once Feb 2010. Both times I was told to reset the SMC and the procedure worked. But I would like your opinion whether something insidiously wrong with the SMC or other hardwares in my MacBook 13-inch alum late 2008 model. Or do I need to re-install the OS, which I upgraded it from 10.5 to Snow leopard (10.6) back in Sept. 2009. Thanks.

Hello, Gary.

Twice since Sep 2009 would not be a problem to me, but if you only used it twice (or a few times), I suppose I might re-think that.

OS X is now so reliable that many of us who let our Macs run or sleep rather than shutting down between uses tend to forget that computer "temp" files can get a bit scrambled as usage continues. If you restart regularly but still experience problems with increasing frequency, you might want to consider doing some troubleshooting. I would start with  > Software Update... and then verify that all third-party software you have installed is updated to the latest version that is compatible with your Mac OS.

If you use no or a few third-party software, an occasional restart will likely help OS X keep your Mac working at best efficiency. If you still experience any difficulty with your iSight, the troubleshooting suggestions in Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 should help you determine what needs to be fixed.

If you experience problems in addition to iSight, http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1388 may help you.

The instructions that came with your Snow Leopard upgrade can help if you need to reinstall.

EZ Jim



Mac Pro Quad Core (Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/Mac OS X (10.6.2)  MacBook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009) 2.26GHz (10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display  G4 PowerBook 1.67GHz (10.4.11)  iBookSE 366MHz (10.3.9)  External iSight

Thanks, EZJim. I did the Apple hardware test and it found nothing wrong. I also regularly do software update. However, as you say, I tend to leave my computer on sleep most of the time rather than shutting it down between use. But I do the same with my older MacBook (on OS Tiger) and it never has this kind of issue with iSight. That's why I am paranoid.

One more thing. I do use video chats with iChat every day ever since I got the Mac. So I guess that answers your first question.

Hi, EZ Jim,
After I wrote the last post, I turned on Photo Booth and tried to take some portraits. photo booth said that it did not recognize the iSight and was black.. I restarted the computer and check the system profiler. No iSight camera could be found. Then I did a SMC reset and rebooted. I found the iSight in profiler and iSight-related programs would start with long pauses before image appeared. I called Apple Care. They suggested doing a 'archive and install' of the OS 10.6. I did it and things seem to be fine at the moment. I hope this re-installation works for a longer time. I am suspecting this computer I got is a lemon and I think I should get a new one. What do you think?
Gary

Hey Gary,

Sorry to hear about the iSight problem.
One thing to keep in mind, is if this started happening "after" 10.6, is that many times the updates that come later ie: 10.6.1, 10.6.2, 10.6.3...etc, will most likely address these types of issues.
I for one am NOT an early adopter of new OS's. As you can see by my profile, none of my computers are on SL and we have 2 Intel MacBooks.
I tend to wait for 6-12 months after an upgrade comes out, so that there are plenty of update fixes for any new OS issues.

Good Luck.

Adam

Gary Leung wrote:
Hi, EZ Jim,
... I think I should get a new one. What do you think?
Gary

Sounds like great reasoning to me. Getting a new one is always a good idea.

EZ Jim



MacPro QuadCore(Early 2009) 2.93Ghz w/MacOSX (10.6.2)  MacBookPro(13inch,Mid2009) 2.26GHz(10.6.2)
LED Cinema Display  G4PowerBook1.67GHz(10.4.11)  iBookSE366MHz(10.3.9)  External iSight