iSight camera not detected after sleep

I'm having apparently the same problem. I'm not 100% that the sleep is the cause, but I'm almost certain.

I have a MBA 2012 since June, but this problem only appeared around September. I tried resetting the SMC, following articles about iSight cameras on these forums, but it doesn't work. Help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Flv

I'm having the same problem with my MacBook Air Mid 2011.

It's been going on for over a year.

I have upgraded to Mountain Lion - hasn't helped.

I spent time with Apple support on the phone and took anything they didn't recognize from the startup items - also didn't help.

Apple has said they will take it and diagnose it - perhaps replace logic board and/or clamshell and return after a week, but I also hope I can figure this out without having to resort to this.

I have been experimenting with a separate login account, which leads me to believe that this is some kind of software issue.

If anyone can figure this out - I would be very happy.

More things that haven't helped:

I have done the SMC and PRAM reset

I tried removing com.apple.mio.VDCAssistant.plist based on this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2472

There's a pretty good thread about ideas to try here: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3065308

The 2 people that seem to know the most about these issues on the discussion boards are:

Ralph Johns https://discussions.apple.com/profile/Ralph%20Johns%20(UK)

EZ Jim https://discussions.apple.com/profile/EZ%20Jim

Hi geraldholdsworth,

I would start with a PRAM reset. (you do not mention that you have done it)

Shut down the computer.

Restart it holding down Apple/CMD ( or ⌘)+ALT( ⌥)+P+R Keys until you have heard three Start Up Bongs.

If this seems not to work then I would do a SMC/PMU reset

Port Reset.

There used to be a "trick" to reset the Firewire ports (the System gives them IP type numbers) and it can also work for USB items (And the internal iSight is an USB item)

Shut down the the computer for 15 mins. This allows the power in certain capacitors to discharge.

If a Laptop also Unplug the power cord (apparently leaving it plugged in causes the Ports to hold on to their info).

Whilst you try those I will look to see what .plists it might be as it appears to effect your main Mac User Accounts only

9:04 PM Thursday; September 27, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and and iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

HI,

In Hard Drive/Users/(your account)/Library/Preferences to give it is full path

Also ~/Library/Preferences describes it in a more familiar way to Apple Users.

Basically your Home Folder where you can see the Pictures , Document, Movies and other folders, has a Library folder.

In Lion and Mountain Lion this is Hidden

Two access methods.

1) Finder > Go Menu > Go to Folder and type in (or Copy) ~/Library/Preferences

2) Finder > Hold down ALT key whilst menu is open/dropped

Select Library that appears

Navigate to Preferences (in this case)

These Preferences (mostly .plists for apps) are those settings for your Mac User Account.

In Hard Drive/Library (top level where you can see Applications and System) you have another Preferences Folder but these are global settings for every user.

8:39 PM Friday; September 28, 2012

Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.2)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

We have also installed the android file transfer utility for Mac and the problem manifested after this.

HI,

This thread was started in September 2012.

It has had no new posts since the 29th of that month.

I am also not sure how a File Transfer app is effecting the iSight/FaceTime camera.

8:09 PM Sunday; August 25, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

HI,

This thread was started in September 2012.

It has had no new posts since the 29th of that month.

It is still the number 1 google result for macbook air camera problem after sleep

Interesting.

I would not of thought of looking that way.

8:58 PM Sunday; August 25, 2013

 iMac 2.5Ghz 5i 2011 (Mountain Lion 10.8.4)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

I posted about this about a year ago.

Since then my problem has been solved. Sometimes end of last year. Unfortunately i don't remember exactly what could have solved it, but it probably was one of the 3-4 updates that were released by apple at the time.

Macbook Air, 13", mid-2012, os x mountain lion 10.8.4 with all updates.

Hope this will get solved for you guys as well!

Cheers

Flv

Mine is still giving me problems. I have to logout and login and then the camera start working again.

I have tried everything including taking to Apple store where they are willing to switch out the main board.

I still think this is a software issue though.

I have the latest updates 10.8.4, although an older Macbook Air, 13", mid-2011.

I have uninstalled Android File Transfer and will see if that helps.