why is my built in isight camera is not detected

me too, same problem.

did you figure it out?

I have had the same problem. It started when I was on skype with my mom a few weeks ago, it cut out mid-call and has never worked again on any app. The camera is undetected. HELP!

troubleshooting for all!

Important: Follow these instructions in order. Test the camera between steps to see if the issue is resolved.

Built-in iSight cameras

These steps are for iSight cameras that are built into a computer, such as the iMac G5 (iSight) or later, the MacBook, or MacBook Pro.

1. See if the issue is application-specific.
   Try another application (iSight works with applications like iChat, PhotoBooth, and iMovie HD 6) to see if the iSight camera exhibits the same behavior in all applications. If it only happens in one application, try reinstalling that application.
2. See if the issue is user-specific.
   Test your iSight camera in another user account. If the issue only occurs in one user, the issue would be isolated to user settings.
3. Find out if the computer recognizes the iSight
   Check System Profiler (in the Utilities folder, inside the Applications folder). Under the USB header, check to see if the iSight camera is detected.
4. Reset SMC or PMU
   Reset your computer's SMC or PMU, and then check System Profiler again. (SMC reset instructions for iMac G5 (iSight), Intel-based iMacs; PMU reset instructions for MacBook and MacBook Pro.)

If your built-in iSight camera is still not behaving correctly after trying all these steps, you may need to contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for service.

link to full article: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2090

iSight is not working with iPhoto, iChat, facebook, Photobooth or Skype. I reset the SMC and still no luck. When I look in the Utilities folder, there is nothing for USB. Now what?

Well, it says if none of the steps I listed work, you probably need to bring it in for repair. Wait and see if anyone else has other ideas first of course, I don't know everything mac (yet) 🙂

gabj wrote:

iSight is not working with iPhoto, iChat, facebook, Photobooth or Skype. I reset the SMC and still no luck. When I look in the Utilities folder, there is nothing for USB. Now what?

If you have followed all the instructions, including checking multiple apps in more than one user account to eliminate the user-specific possibility, and if your System Profiler still does not show any USB hardware, you likely have a hardware problem. Backup all your important files and contact an Apple-Authorized Service Provider for professional service.

If you need help creating new users accounts for testing, see this Apple Article:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8235.html