MacBookPro (2019) camera not working

Question

Level 1

8 points

MacBookPro (2019) camera not working

No app receives video input from the built-in camera (tried FaceTime, Photo Booth, Teams, Skype, FB Messenger). The "FaceTime Camera" component does show up in the Hardware List, so it is recognised. No green light.

Ticked all debugging checkboxes:

no restrictions in security/privacy settings for Camera (Accessibility settings)
killed all apps possibly using the camera from two Terminal commands (VDCAssistant, AppleCameraAssistant);
obviously restarted, shut down several times;
performed the SMC (System Management Controller) reset;
reset the NVRAM;
checked in Safe Mode: no camera;
ran Apple Diagnostics with a "no issues found" result;
Mac OS X has the freshest possibleupdates installed;
No malware (ran CleanMyMac)
ran Onyx

Any further hints in addition to above would be apprciated.

Posted on Oct 20, 2021 11:55 PM

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Answer 1

TheLittles

Level 10

195,196 points

Oct 21, 2021 7:43 PM in response to llager

llager Said:

"MacBookPro (2019) camera not working: No app receives video input from the built-in camera (tried FaceTime, Photo Booth, Teams, Skype, FB Messenger). The 'FaceTime Camera' component does show up in the Hardware List, so it is recognised. No green light.[...]"

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Reinstall the macOS:

The files went missing somehow. So, reinstall the macOS. Nothing would be deleted. It's just that items that have become corrupted or deleted, would be replaced or reinstalled back to where they should be. Go Here: How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support.

Important: Be certain to create a backup of your Mac prior to all of this. That way, you can have something to restore from the Mac from, should anything go wrong with the reinstall.

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Answer 2

DerekM87

Community Specialist

Oct 21, 2021 6:09 PM in response to llager

Hi llager,

We see the camera on your MacBook Pro is not working across multiple apps, both Apple and third-party.

Given the steps you've taken so far, the best recommendation we can make from here would be to contact Apple Support directly for additional assistance.

You can see contact options here:

Get Support

Take care.

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Answer 3

Oct 21, 2021 7:38 PM in response to DerekM87

It could be the cable that connects the camera to the logic board. In rare cases, this cable breaks. You can not replace the individual cable, as it is soldered down to the display. To get it fixed, take it to the Apple Store. Hope this solves your problem!

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Answer 4

llager Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2021 12:21 AM in response to cosimoaho

Thx cosimoaho, that cable, it may be the reason. I lack the talent and tools to dismount objects carefully glued together in industrial/laboratory environments, so this choice, as you say, leads me back to the previous reply: I should contact Apple Support.

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Answer 5

llager Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2021 12:22 AM in response to TheLittles

Thanks, TheLittles. You are completely right about reinstalling. I am aware that I haven't tried this one, but I just didn't feel patient enough to perfrom it – plus it sounds a very Windows-ish solution from Win2000/WinXP/Vista times :-)

In addition, the MBP is my working horse and I need it to be ready all times.

Luckily, I can accept that the camera is missing for the time being.

When I'm at my desk, I don't miss it because the MPB is connected to an external monitor whose camera works seamlessly.

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Answer 6

llager Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 23, 2021 12:19 AM in response to DerekM87

Thank you Derek87. Contacting Apple Support seems to be the last remaining option.

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