Camera not working in Big Sur

I took my 2016 MBP into the Apple Store and the Genius told me that I wasn't the first person experiencing this issue with Big Sur, so it's definitely something that Apple is aware of but hasn't taken any action on...

They took it in to inspect the computer, factory reset it, and downgraded it to Catalina but the issue persisted. Was told it was a hardware failure and would have to pay *$560* to replace the display with the built-in camera (surprising because my laptop hasn't been moved from my desk in months).

I found a solution that worked for me. I created a new user on my computer, made it an ADMIN and then was able to get Zoom to recognize the camera. Access shows up now in privacy under system preferences. This worked for me... hope it works for others. MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 Ports)

Managed to resolve this issue by doing scm restart after updating to 11.5.2 os. Normally shutdown you mac then press and hold power button for 10 seconds and let go. Wait for a few seconds again and press power button like normal to power on your Mac.

Hello all! It seems 11.2 fixed this issue! My friend updated to 11.2 Release Candidate last night and his camera works again in zoom app.

HAHAHA that was my exact problem!

You rock! I tried every other troubleshooting mentioned on Reddit and Apple Support, but none of that was required if I had just checked Kaspersky first!

Thanks again for saving my second semester!

I think we need to distinguish between two different types of the problem here:

1. after the update the camera does not work anymore in apps, but it is still listed in the system report.

2. the camera is not even listed in the system report.

Type 1 is most likely a pure configuration problem after the update. Here you should check the security, the screen time and existing virus scanner software settings.

Type 2 for me can only be explained by the fact that a new firmware is loaded onto the camera during the update and this "fails" and leads to a camera that can no longer be found by the system.

same issue after updating, no camera - (zoom/photobooth/facetime)

re-installed big sur still no camera.

Talked to apple customer service, they told me its a hardware problem, so I need to replace my LCD monitor!

MACBOOK PRO 2016

MY CAMERA NOW WORKS!

I updated to 11.2.3 the other day and tried it out this morning. I hope some or all of us following can have the same result.

Here's what I'm running:

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015)

2.9 GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5

8 GB 1867 MHz DDR3

Jacob,

I have the same problem, I created a new user and it works fine on that ID but not on my primary ID.

just a thought to try...

Ray

OMG bro i love you. I updated to Big Sur in orden to install the lastest version of KASPERSKY and then it started to give me this error. I’ve just changed the permissions in the Kaspersky app and I recovered my cam. I don’t know if everyone here have Kaspersky installed but IT F****** WORKED!!! Just change your privacy settings in your profile unlocking the camera.

I installed 11.2, no change.

After re-installing Microsoft Teams, the camera works fine so maybe re-installing the software using the camera is what fixes it. Something in the OS changed for the App and a re-install allows it to find the change.

Seeing how you resolved your issue makes me think that users in this discussion have multiple root causes to their web cam issues.

My issue is characterized by the MacBook Pro Built-In webcam (not USB) stops working randomly. I leave my computer unattended for a period of time, and the camera is unusable later when I try to use it. I have seen it happen a couple of ways:

1. The Camera's green light lights up, but the video preview is black;
2. The Camera "hardware" completely disappears from the System Report.

When I get that issue, I can resolve it this way only: I have to do a complete shutdown, and start the laptop back up. At the most, I had to do two complete shutdowns in a row to "bring the camera back to life". This started happening only after upgrading to Big Sur.

Hello, another one with the same problem.

• If you boot into safe mode without AC, the keyboard backlighting and camera sometimes will work again after SMC, PRAM and repair permissions
• If it works you will lose your camera and backlight keyboard by plugging the computer to AC

We expect Apple to release a firmware update soon. So, come on!

[Edited by Moderator]

An earlier post mentioned using Camo. My wife has an old iPhone (I got her a new one for Xmas), it works brilliantly. I've positioned the phone on a small stand behind my MacBook so that the lens just peeps over the screen edge.

There is a free version or a Euros 40/year subscription to unlock other features.

Recommended.