ArisB
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: why did my isight camera come on by itself

My isight camera came on by itself. I admit that skype was running, but I was not talking to anyone.

The next day the isight cameara came on for less than a second and went off.

Why would this happen?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 5:33 AM

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ArisB

Q: why did my isight camera come on by itself

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  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Feb 14, 2012 7:15 AM in response to ArisB
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Feb 14, 2012 7:15 AM in response to ArisB

    ArisB wrote: ... Why would this happen?

    Because either:

     

    (1) you (or someone else) have added software that turns the camera on and off automatically, or

     

    (2) something is wrong with your Mac's hardware or software.

     

    If you did not do the first and have given others access to your Mac, you can eliminate (1).

     

    Here is how I would work the second possibility:  Uninstall (follow Skype's uninstall instructions) Skype.  Then restart Mac, use Disk Utility to repair permissions, and then test your camera again. Follow the suggestions inApple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090 article.

     

    If the camera works correctly now, reinstall the latest Skype that is compatible with your Mac.  If the problem returns when you install Skype and goes away whenever you uninstall it, Skype must be causing a conflict that results in your camera's unexpected behavior.  Search or post in Skype's dedicated support pages for help for this Skype-specific problem.

     

    If the problem continues even when Skype is properly uninstalled, post back with as much info as you can provide on the latest behavior.   Confirm that you have used the proper SMC/PMU reset from the Troubleshooting article, and tell us which (if any) apps and user accounts work properly and which do not.  We will offer more specific suggestions based on the details in your reply.

     

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

     

     

    Mac OSX 10.7.3

  • by Bobby Collins,

    Bobby Collins Bobby Collins Jun 28, 2012 5:08 PM in response to EZ Jim
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 28, 2012 5:08 PM in response to EZ Jim

    I just had the same problem with my mid-2007 MacBook, 10.7.4 - I've got Skype on my computer, but I've only used it once several months ago and have not activated it since. Sort of freaked me out to see the green light lit when the computer came on. No apps at all were running. My first thought was sort of conspiracy-theory-slanted (you know what I mean!).

    Any idea why this would happen?

  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Jun 29, 2012 5:39 AM in response to Bobby Collins
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Jun 29, 2012 5:39 AM in response to Bobby Collins

    Bobby Collins wrote:

     

    I just had the same problem with my mid-2007 MacBook,...Any idea why this would happen?

     

    Hello Bobby.

     

    Because either:

     

    (1) you (or someone else) have added software that turns the camera on and off by itself, or

     

    (2) something is wrong with your Mac's hardware or software.

     

    If restarting does not resolve your concerns, suggestions for a  fix are in my reply to ArisB. 

     

     

    Message was edited by: EZ Jim

     

     

    Mac OSX 10.7.4