Camera not working in Big Sur

My recent thoughts on this issue:

same with me

Just updated to ios 15, still unresolved.

So 35 pages and Apple doesn´t give any solution. This should go to the tv ,newspaper news somehow.

I'm having the same problem ever since I updated to macOS Big Sur. I spoke with Apple Support and we tried 1) reset SMC, 2) start in Safe Mode 3) Run Diagnostics (no issues) 4) factory reset to macOS Big Sur and the issue still persists. I was told it was a hardware issue and that it was estimated to cost $600 to replace the camera -- this was surprising because my laptop hasn't left my desk in months and was working fine up until I updated.

The camera itself appears under Hardware but whenever I open FaceTime I see the green light, a black screen and the error "FaceTime has not received any video from the connected camera. Restarting your computer may fix this issue". Other applications (Zoom, Teams, Safari, Chrome) also recognize the camera but show no picture.

Well, it took quite a while for Apple to officially admit that the butterfly keyboard design might have a flaw in it. (I had a Macbook Pro less than a month old at that time and was asked a ridiculous amount of money to repair a broken key). Hopefully it does not take so long this time and the "hardware fault" gets a fix soon. Although it is getting a bit ridiculous already and I am really left in doubt if Apple's (premium-priced) products are really worth it. Would be a very weird coincidence if so many people are having hardware failures right after Big Sur update..

What does it show if you select > About this Mac > System report > Camera.

It should look something like this:

FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in):

  Model ID: UVC Camera VendorID_1452 ProductID_34304

  Unique ID: 0x1420000005ac8600

I just updated to Big Sur and now my Camera also does not work on any application - I also verified that the applications have access under the security panel. Will keep looking - and waiting for an update I guess.

Currently experiencing the same issue. I've read through this entire thread and tried everything... booting from recovery partition, upgrading Big Sur to 11.2.1, checking my firewall settings, checking my screen share settings... you name it. No luck. I'm running a 2020 M1 MacBook Air, and everything worked great until I updated Zoom and Ecamm on Feb. 4th. The webcam was working fine on the 11.2 Public Beta until I update those apps. It's super important my webcam works as I work with teams virtually for video production. I can use a USB camera but its really not convenient at all.

Has anyone had luck bringing their MacBook in for repair since some users on here are being told its a hardware issue?

Maybe some encouraging news for those experiencing this issue with 2016 13' MBPs. I had noticed backlight issues with my MacBook a while ago but waited until things got untenable to take it in for service under the backlight quality program (https://support.apple.com/13-inch-macbook-pro-display-backlight-service). The fix provided, which I believe replaces the connector between the display and the body of the computer, also fixed my camera. Note that quality program repairs are free of charge--but the program is ending soon.

Sadly, this suggests that in some cases this really is a hardware problem that coincided with the Big Sur release (my camera failed a day or two after updating). But at least there is a fix, free of charge if you are also experiencing backlight issues (look carefully, as backlight problems can be subtle).

On the other hand I cannot account for why other models not affected by this problem are also experiencing issues with the camera.

I have had the same issue for 3 months.

I've been through 4 different tech support calls.

I went to the Apple Store and had my hardware tested to prove there's no hardware issue.

Finally, after a 6 hour call with one high level engineer, he informed me that the latest update was not just a software update. It alters your hardware, to the point that it has disabled cameras on Macbooks. Apple, this is on you. You have to solve it or replace our machines. My camera worked fine until I installed YOUR update. Fix my machine.

Listen, everyone needs to read this.

There is NO work around. Any of the comments about “this worked for me” or “do this” they are all temporary fixes. As soon as the computer sleeps, the camera will be disabled again. I went to the Apple tech, they verified my camera is fully functional, and it’s not a hardware issue, but Apple still hasn’t owned the problem.

Apple caused this, and they have to either solve it, or give us new machines. It’s insane. We can’t even rollback updates like we used to. I work 100% remotely and am completely unable to use my computer for the very purpose with which I purchased it. If they don’t solve this problem for us I’ll leave and never go back.

Just a little update: tried safe mode and webcam works well. I found another issue with Big Sur: system seems unable to enter sleep mode and power light remains on. Apple should rename "Big Sur" in "Big Trouble".....after almost 1 year they have still to solve a software problem. Shameful behavior.

Here's the best part of my story so far.

For those of you who are new here to this thread, or to everyone who has been following along, this issue started for me in March (2018 MacBook Pro) and every 4 weeks or so I try to get a new resolution from above.

Recently I tried again. My recent Support Specialist Carlo said he hadn't heard of this problem, so during a screen share session I showed it to him, and I sent him the link to this thread. They ran another diagnostic test on my machine (3rd one to date) and at the conclusion of that they told me that they would be in touch with me once it was reviewed by senior level engineer(s). In between that review I updated to Mojave. I was like "OMG please let this be the solution!" No such luck.

Here comes the best part: the diagnostic review came. back with the following info and I'm going to cut and paste it:

Hi James,

Thanks for your patience. I tried to contact you by phone but was unable to reach you.

I received an update about your case. The Apple Engineer who is in charge of your case have reviewed the information that was provided and concurred that this would appear to be a hardware issue with the MacBook Pro camera.

We recommend servicing the MacBook through one of our Apple Retail Stores or to an Apple Authorize Service Provider. You also have the option to request it to be mailed to the Apple Repair Center if you choose to have it sent it.

You may set up a repair request at: https://getsupport.apple.com

Please let me know if you have questions.

Thanks,

Carlo

Apple Support

So, that would be cool, if they were going to accept responsibility, but they're not. My machine is out of warranty, so to fix it I have to pay for it. There has never been a hardware issue with my camera in any of the diagnostic tests that were done previously, and my camera worked fine without any issue prior to the Big Sur update in March. I'm so angry right now that I'm beyond words. I will never, ever buy another apple product. Since 2012 when I made the switch to apple I've purchased 15 iPhones, 5 iPads, 4 iMacs, and 2 MacBooks. I'm shopping for a new machine, and when my contract is up a new phone for everyone in my house and business. I've never seen such blatant disregard for consumer loyalty. The proof of Apple's responsibility is crystal clear in the radio silence from them in this thread. Find any other thread here with a technical issue and you'll see an Apple rep respond within 3 or 4 comments. But not here.

I honestly don't see why anyone would buy a product from this company moving forward if they can disable your hardware (especially at a time when so many of us are working remote) and put the responsibility on the consumer.

Good luck everyone

Same here, keyboard light is off as well as camera....FFS!