"No Camera available" on Mac Book Pro

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Level 1

4 points

"No Camera available" on Mac Book Pro

Trying to solve the problem "FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting your computer may fix this issue" I've updated to Catalina 10.15.4 my MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports). Now I have "No Camera Available" with all the Apps trying to connect the built in Camera. Tried every possible software reset suggested in the web. Apple support (only by phone due to the COVID limitations) believe it is an hardware problem and suggested to replace the screen for about 500€... I'm not really convinced. My MBP hardly move from my desk and did not have any unusual occurrence. Unfortunately video calls and web conferences are even more essentials during this period. Please Help

Posted on Apr 5, 2020 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Pactricia666

Level 6

12,826 points

Apr 9, 2020 12:47 PM in response to luc571

Hey, sorry for the late reply...i thought somebody else would see this when I'm away for work.

You can try this solution:

Open Terminal from Applications > Utilities.
Click inside the terminal window and type “sudo killall VDCAssistant” (without the quotation marks) and hit enter on your keyboard.

Note: You may be prompted for your admin password. If everything goes right, you won’t see any confirmation message. If an error occurs, you will see an error message in the terminal window.

Open any app that uses the camera, such as Photo Booth, to confirm that the fix worked.

You can also try to contact Apple Support for immediate assistance. Click the "Contact Support" button on the upper right of this page.

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Answer 2

Apr 5, 2020 4:59 PM in response to luc571

Aside from Face Time, have you tried any other applications that can use your camera? Photo library for example.

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Answer 3

Apr 10, 2020 10:39 AM in response to luc571

Even the green indicator light to the right of it doesn't lit up?

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Answer 4

luc571 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 6, 2020 3:33 AM in response to Pactricia666

yes, I've been trying every single app the requires the camera, but unfortunately none finds the camera.

any way to fiscally unplug and reconnect the camera? could help? looks like that the OS doesn't recognise that there is a built in camera any longer

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Answer 5

luc571 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 9, 2020 1:07 PM in response to Pactricia666

thanks a lot for the replay and for spending your precious time in answering my questions.

Yes I tried that too, but unfortunately it didn't work. I tried also different resets such as NVRAM / PRAM or SMC.

Lastly, I reinstalled the OS (Catalina 10.15.4) but still nothing. None of the apps using the camera won't work, including also the PhotoBooth, FaceTime, Skype, ...

I checked also in the System Report page and it shows "No video capture devices were found"

I'm tempted to open the case and try to disconnect and reconnect the camera cable, but still don't know if it's a recommended practice of any good.

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Answer 6

luc571 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 10, 2020 11:36 AM in response to Pactricia666

no, no signs of life.

when I started having problems with the camera, the green dot lighted after launching any app using the camera only for few seconds.

At that time the Camera was showing in the System Report page (serial number, manufacturer, id...). Apple support suggested to reinstall the OS and since then the light hasn't turned on any more and the system report page doesn't show any camera available.

I noticed that the auto screen auto brightness doesn't work any more, and the True Tone selection is no longer available in the display settings.

Surfing in the community, looks like there are several similar problems with the "camera not available".

Apple has reported a possible problem with the 2016 13' MBP, but nothing about the camera.

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Answer 7

trina08

Level 1

4 points

Apr 10, 2020 11:41 AM in response to luc571

I have had the exact same issue. I have a 2016 Macbook pro and I have never used the camera before but now I have become basically an online instructor and I have no way of getting my camera to work. I have tried all of the trouble shooting ideas on the internet and nothing. Very very frustrating for such an expensive machine!! My students think I'm lying =( lol

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Answer 8

luc571 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 12, 2020 2:52 PM in response to luc571

the more I dig in and the more I find.

I just realised that the ambient light sensor isn't working any more. three signs:

in low light conditions, if the "Adjust keyboard brightness in low light" is selected, the keyboard backlight shut off;
the Touch Bar is always in full brightness (and this is very annoying in low light conditions)
selecting the display "Automatically adjust brightness" goes to full brightness even in low light conditions

....together with the unsolved camera issue.

This expensive MBP messy machine is convincing me that maybe cheaper PC was not a bad choice...

😢😢

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Answer 9

Apr 13, 2020 4:21 PM in response to luc571

This could be one of defective products. I'm not quite sure but its better to bring it to a shop. And it could be limited for the happenings (COVID) in the world.

You could also consider buying an external camera.

This expensive MBP messy machine is convincing me that maybe cheaper PC was not a bad choice...

But, yeah, I agree, PCs at some point are better.

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Answer 10

luc571 Author

Level 1

4 points

Apr 9, 2020 3:06 AM in response to luc571

Anybody could Help?

😢

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"No Camera available" on Mac Book Pro

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