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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

Jun 4, 2020 2:00 AM in response to JCohen919190

You seem to be having the same issues as me. I resolved mine by going to Sys Preference on the Mac, then Screen Time, click on Content & Privacy, make sure it is off if you do not use it. Else, leave it on but go on to the "Apps" tabs within the Content & Privacy, then sure there is a tick beside "camera".


Try your FaceTime or Photo Booth app and see if the camera works.

Jun 7, 2020 8:11 PM in response to lauri112

Until yesterday the camera of my MacBook Pro 2016 stopped working. Y did update the Mac to the last Sierra iOS, I did reboot the computer and still no working at all.

when I Initiate zoom the light goes green for 5 seconds then goes off and the screen goes black and people can’t see me. How can I fix the issue. Please step by step I’m not a computer tech so I need to know where to find each step

thank you

Jun 10, 2020 9:46 AM in response to lauri112

Hi, guys!


So Apple finished investigation on my case. In total, I had 4 calls with them. The first call was very positive and gave some hope that this problem might be solved very soon but unfortunately, the last two ones were not that positive. Customer support sent my reports to the engineering team and they told that it's a hardware issue because everything works normally. I tried to explain how it's possible that after three months, my camera started working for a moment when I added camera apps under "Security & Privacy" --> Accessibility (one user suggested this solution earlier this year). Customer support asked engineers to dig into this question even more but today they called me back and told me that they think it's still a hardware issue (not giving any other specific details about why) and I should let my laptop to be checked at local Apple Care. However, I asked them whether they have had any experience with cases where next major update (I mean Sierra, Mojave, Catalina) may fix the problem and they told me that there have been several cases where next major update solved the issue.


I still doubt that it's a hardware issue because how lagging and not properly working Facetime (left panel doesn't open in normal mode) is related to camera issue. Even if I open Quicktime player and try to record a new movie, I can start recording but it freezes and it doesn't count seconds. Of course, I understand that every one of us has different things that are a bit different but it feels like the core issue is still the same. After certain updates (was it 15.2, 15.3 or 15.4) camera just stopped working.


So my next steps probably would be going to local Apple Care to check the issue and test the external camera. If they find that all cables are working properly then I won't allow changing my display/camera. If next major update still doesn't fix the issue, probably will change it then or buy a new device (not sure if it's going to Apple anymore). Before my Pro, I used Dell Vostro for 7 years. It dropped to the ground at least 5 times during this time and everything worked well until the end despite the major external damages. Now some guys in Apple say that my Pro may have hardware issue although in two years it never dropped down or got any other damages (dust, liquids etc.)


All in all, I still have hope that someday this problem is going to be solved. The last update showed that Apple has some problems with cameras. I will keep posting to this thread if I find anything useful or if indeed it was a hardware issue. Hope you are guys doing the same. If anybody finds anything, I appreciate a lot if you share your experience. We are on the same boat. Good luck!

Jun 11, 2020 12:53 AM in response to lauri112

I've just updated to 10.15.5 tonight and came to realize the camera is still not functioning properly. I reckon this must be an Apple software issue as the built-in camera on my macbook pro was still working fine about two weeks ago before I updated it to 10.15.4.


This is indeed very very frustrating, I wonder what sort of support I could get as my warranty is already over.

Jun 17, 2020 12:37 PM in response to lauri112

I have the same issues on my Macbook from 2017. The camera won't turn on and the green light stays off. I still hope that it is a software issue or that Apple will start a repair program since my machine is out of warranty. It is very annoying that the webcam doesn't work in times of the pandemic related Homeoffice.

Jun 17, 2020 2:24 PM in response to Lureut

I'm considering fixing my issue by just purchasing a new MBP 13 2020. I currently have a 2016, and while it still works ok, I'm starting to need the camera more and more. (And wouldn't mind a speed boost and rid myself of this terrible keyboard)


I'm just curious if anyone here has this issue with the latest models? Specifically the 13 Pro that came out a couple months ago, but any recent machine might give me pause. Still hoping for a solution, but not going to wait too long for it. Thanks in advance.

Jun 21, 2020 7:21 AM in response to lauri112

Hi, just a quick update. I brought the laptop to the Apple store and they are now doing some checks and in 3/5 days I should receive a feedback. However they did the fist high level check and everything was fine. They was also quite surprised as the laptop seems really brand new. Not even a scratch. however I was quite disappointed on the Apple policy. They told me that in case the issue is due to the display, it would be changed at cost of £460. I asked them, if they will give me back the display with the camera not working. They said no, the Apple policy doesn’t allow this request. I mean, it’s my display, it’s my property, and I want it back.

I could sell it and make some money to compensate the cost of the replacement. So I actually told them to just check the issue but I do not want any part replaced if needed. With £460 I would rather buy an external webcam plus a windows laptop.


I a


Jun 23, 2020 11:10 PM in response to lauri112

Same issue with the camera. USB in system report shows it with a ? on serial number but obviously it is there. Shows no video devices in camera in system report. MacBook Pro 13 2018 with Catalina 10.15.5. Suddenly stopped working yesterday after a clean install and hasn't turned on since. Have tried reinstalling clean but still does not show up. Terrible hardware if this is the case.

Jun 27, 2020 2:26 PM in response to lauri112

Finding this thread has been a lifesaver! I'm not going mad!

Been racking my brain trying to figure out when/why the camera decided to stop working, seeing that its potentially linked to the 10.15.5 version of Catalina has somewhat put me at ease.

Have had my 2016 13" Touch Bar model for almost 4 years now and never had an issue. From this post I have seen the link that apple will replace certain models due to the backlight problem, not sure if that applies to me as its just my camera, not even listed in the hardware of the Mac anymore!

Please tell me there's a light at the end of the tunnel and there is an update imminent to resolve it, as I'm not willing to pay to take it to apple to have them investigate!

Jun 27, 2020 2:41 PM in response to JoeStaggs

Guys, don’t bother going to Apple for now cos they’ll simply do a test and claim the hardware has to be replaced.


They told me it will cost me $700 CAD to replace the entire monitor (can’t just replace the camera alone) with only 30 days of warranty so my solution for now is to get an external web cam and wait for enough people to file complaints to Apple and hopefully they’ll start a recall program or provide a solution soon enough.

Jun 27, 2020 3:10 PM in response to Triple-E

You know, sometimes I feel like I am trapped by Apple. I just had an iPad break. I knew what was wrong with it. The charger insert frayed and a little piece got stuck in the port. 649$ to get it fixed? No way. I ended up buy an iPad mini. Still a ripoff but I read from it. It is nice to travel with. I updated my software, Catalina 10.15.5 like a good lemming and now my camera can't be detected. It worked fine up until that moment. I tried everything that was suggested and was told I need to get the camera replaced. I am thinking about getting an external camera since it is a lot cheaper than getting new hardware, which I really don't think is the problem. It was definitely something to do with the updated software. It is annoying that this happens. I was 3 weeks past my AppleCare contract. I can't go to an Apple store because of Covid and I am really in the serious risk pool. So I am stuck. So annoying. Especially when you can't leave your home, because you might die.

Jun 27, 2020 3:20 PM in response to ekrall

So, I really hate to post this, but I’m gonna. After Apple contacted me to get several screenshots and logs from my MB Air 2015, they contacted me again last week and have asked that I send my laptop to the them so their engineers can further troubleshoot the camera issue. In return, they have shipped me a brand new 2020 MB Air with upgraded specs from my old one. Kinda feels like I won the lottery. Why did they choose me?

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

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