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Macbook Pro camera doesn't work. "No Video".

For some months already, I have been facing a problem where I can't use the Mac built-in camera. It doesn't work with Facetime, Skype and either Photo Booth.


The message that I get after opening Facetime is "No video. FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting your computer may fix this issue". Only green light is blinking every couple of seconds.



I have been using this laptop for 2 months and it doesn't have any damages that could affect the hardware. Camera and other minor problems started in January 2020 after additional Catalina updates.


I have Googled solution for this problem and tried different solutions but none of them didn't work. Here is the list of solutions that I have tried:


  1.  Kill VDCAssistant in Terminal. It didn't work because I even can't find VDCAssistant from Activity Monitor which should control the camera.
  2. Simply restarting my Mac.
  3. Done all software updates.
  4. Run First Aid option in Disk Utility


Could anybody suggest any other solutions that can be done at home buy general user?


Thanks in advance!


MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.15

Posted on Mar 15, 2020 9:06 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Mar 15, 2020 9:42 AM

Hello, Laurii112.


Sorry to know you're having this problem with your MacBook Pro.


If you haven't rebooted into safe mode anytime recently you should try that to see if it helps. Let the Mac OS do drive directory repair, cache clearing and other misc housekeeping. Often just booting into safe mode and logging in, then immediately rebooting normally will resolve an issue.  You should do this with all your external peripherals disconnected but the keyboard and mouse.


Booting into Safe Mode… 

Use safe mode to isolate issues - Apple Support


What Safe mode does:

  • Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
  • Loads only required kernel extensions
  • Prevents startup items and login items from opening automatically
  • Disables user-installed fonts 
  • Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files


Restarting in Safe mode can often eliminate a problem or help identify the cause.


You can verify that you have started in Safe mode by clicking the Apple () menu > About This Mac > System Report. Then find >Software< in the left column and look at >Boot Mode: Safe vs Normal< in the right pane.


Note– starting up in Safe mode could take 10 minutes or more. Be patient.


Does the problem persist while in Safe mode? 

Restart your Macintosh and re-evaluate the issue.

399 replies

May 4, 2020 12:53 PM in response to Giu53pp3

Another news.


Today I have realised that also the keyboard light is not working anymore as it should. If the "adjust the keyboard brightness in low light sensor" is ticked the keyboard light is off. I have tried in a dark room, and still no light. I suppose there is an issue with the light sensor as well.


I am starting thinking that my laptop has a due date and I am almost there.


So summary:


  1. Issue with the keyboard. Every few weeks some letter are not responsive as should be. For example few weeks ago I had problem with the letter B and N. Now they are ok, but the letter Y has this problem. This should be covered by the keyboard Service Program, even if my keyboard was already replaced in 2019.
  2. Blacklight issue. It is not very frequent but sometime lifting the laptop the monitor is completely black. Also here there should be a Service program ongoing.
  3. Now the issue with the Camera, which I agree should be a software/firmware issue. But at this point I do not really know what to do.
  4. Keyboard light off when "adjust the keyboard brightness in low light sensor" is ticked


:(



May 18, 2020 3:19 AM in response to BenJam1990

One thing I am aware of, if the NVRAM does not work, is that having more than one program open at a time that needs access to the camera can create problems. Be sure to command-tab through the programs that are open to ensure no other programs are open that need it. Many people like to add programs such as eCamm's enhancements, and this may need to be updated to match your operating system.


The fact an erase and install fails to work on some but not all the cases, says, those that are not working need to look at other possible hardware issues.


  1. The lid of the computer has cables that run through it to manage both the display and the camera. If the cable that manages the camera gets frayed through either the lid opening too far, or something leaning against it at the wrong spot, or liquid damage, then it would require replacement by Apple.
  2. A power surge on the logic board can cause components on the computer to fail at random. Make sure your computer's power cable shows no signs of fraying or being bent out of whack. Make sure you are using the correct wattage power adapter for your model too.
  3. Not so common an issue, but related is third party peripherals and energy saver's low powered mode. If your machine is put to sleep when the lid is closed, it is possible that if there is a device drawing too much power on the computer after it wakes up could affect other components on the computer. Restart the machine with nothing attached to verify that this is not the issue.


Individual key issues such as noticed on one of the posts of this thread, are typically an issue with the keyboard membrane. Unfortunately for most keyboards, this requires an entire replacement of the top case. Any spill or drop could cause this. I have also noticed condensation develop inside computers in the right conditions. If a machine was in for hardware service, and it was not put back together tightly, that can happen.


I am an Apple certified tech, just sharing my thoughts on your issues.

May 30, 2020 11:45 PM in response to lauri112

*CAVEAT - My problem is still pending Apple Support to resolve it, below is to help you understand your issues a little more*


Hope I'll be able to bring clarity to anyone facing the same issues.. Just bought a MacBook Pro last week and it came with 10.15.4 where the built-in camera was working fine for video conferencing and all until I updated it to 10.15.5 where it stopped working. Like some of you, I believe it is a more of a software rather than a hardware issue.


I have tried virtually everything that is posted online such as reinstalling Mac OS, resetting SMC, booting into Safe Mode and reinstalling all application that utilises the camera but to no positive results. Chatted with Apple Support thrice and the last method kinda worked, or at least proved that the camera works under certain scenarios:


Steps:

  1. Open System Preferences and click Users & Groups.
  2. Click the lock in the bottom left if it's not already unlocked.
  3. Click the + icon in the bottom left corner.
  4. Select the type of account (standard, admin, managed, etc.)
  5. Enter the account details, click Create User.
  6. Use fast user switching menu (top right hand corner of your screen where it shows your name/current user - click on it) to select the newly created account.
  7. Once inside the new account, try using FaceTime/ photo booth/any applications that utilises the camera.
  8. If it works, then your camera is fine.


Next, Apple Support suggested a callback from a senior advisor to advise on uploading the error logs from my system for the engineers to troubleshoot. While I have a hunch its the new updates which is causing the issue, I'll update back here when it is resolved.

Jul 27, 2020 1:03 AM in response to ReaderMac

@ReaderMac - you say "my camera stopped working and I have a black screen" - the important clue is, is it detected when booted into safe mode?

System Information.app >Hardware > Camera should show:

FaceTime HD Camera (Built in):

Model ID: ...

UniqueId .....

Or does it say something like "No camera detected"


It sounds from your description, giving a black screen, that it is probably detected OK by software - which would suggest the exceptional case, that you actually may have faulty hardware unfortunately. This could be a cracked cable at the hinge joint, or just a bad connection that needs a clean and re-plug-in. Unfortunately, user-servicable they 'aint (ifixit score 1/10: https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13%22_Touch_Bar_2018)


The software issue manifests as being unable to even select the camera in any application, since it's undetected - not a black screen.

  • Reboot in safe mode, see whether it's detected at all
  • If it isn't detected in safe mode, try shutdown, reset the NVRAM and reboot in safe mode, check again
  • If still not detected in safe mode, you probably have a hardware fault (there is inimal software interference)
  • If detected in safe mode but black screen running Photo Booth, again you probably have faulty hardware.
  • You also could try plugging in an external USB webcam if you have one knocking around or can borrow from a friend - this may clarify the software situation.

Hope this helps.

Aug 8, 2020 9:36 AM in response to sidney37

Well, it looks like I might be out of options. My machine passed all tests in Apple’s in house ASD diagnostics.


I guess I could try restoring a previous Time Machine backup - before the trouble started. But I have serious doubts that will be effective.


Seems my only other options are:


  • Try an external USB camera (not hopeful, based on others’ comments/experiences).
  • Replace the screen assembly (cost prohibitive).
  • Buy a new machine



Apr 1, 2020 2:01 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

Hi,


I have exactly the same problem that appeared after update from Mojave to Catalina (10.15.4). I restarted in Safe Mode and launched FaceTime app and the camera was working. However, after restart in normal mode, the problem is still there.


Is there anything that I need to do, other that just starting in Safe Mode?


I also have an annoying issue, I don't know if it is related, but is abnormal so I thought is worth mentioning: System Preferences shows that an update is available. There is also a red badge over the System Update icon, but when I go into it, there is none - it says that may mac is up to date.


Thanks!

Apr 8, 2020 7:43 AM in response to marcopace_br

Thanks for joining


However, I am sad that you have this problem as well. I doubt that you have a hardware issue. I read from another thread that you can easily check whether you Mac recognizes the camera or not. You have to go "About your Mac" --> "System Report" and from hardware's column fin "Camera". If you see that the camera information is there, then everything should be fine with hardware. So most likely it's still software issue. Of course, I am not a tech guy but at least that's what I have read. I covered my unique ID just in case.




May 4, 2020 12:46 AM in response to lauri112

Quick Update.


The original issue, camera found but unable to start the video capture: "FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting your computer may fix this issue." now has changed. The camera is not recognised anymore.


Till yesterday, this was the error message I had:



I have just tried and basically it looks like the camera is not connected anymore:



Is anyone experiencing the same?


Thank you


Oct 23, 2020 5:57 AM in response to lauri112

I don't know why but i found solution for me: I installed Movavi Screen Recorder (it's not an advertisement lol), go to settings -> web cam -> pick my built-in face-time camera at first popup, and change the resolution at second popup, and it starts working!


Hope it helps somebody, cheers


(don't afraid, it's just russian language at screenshoot)

Oct 28, 2020 10:43 AM in response to Simonron

bruh.. I mean, this "solution" is a bandaid on the real problem.


@apple tech support. Help us!


MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

running latest catalina

I was quoted a price that is more than half for what I originally bought the laptop for!


something like CAD $900 for the lcd screen replacement and CAD $176 for a cable???


I got the mbp for CAD $1600..


last time I used my camera from FaceTime was august 10,


time went on, and I opened FaceTime, It showed "no camera available, to use FaceTime connect a camera"


Photo Booth same thing. Photobooth says "there is no connected camera


under system information, no camera is detected


wiped Mac clean, first aid on the drive, reinstalled macOS, latest Catalina, safe mode, NOTHING!

Macbook Pro camera doesn't work. "No Video".

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