Problems with Facebook video chat -

Question

Problems with Facebook video chat -

I have tried to video chat on facebook and am having problems on this particular computer.

When my friends and I call they can see me but I can't see them. All I can see is a large frozen picture of me and hundreds of smaller pictures of me in the corner!!!

I have tried to re- instal the video calling but still a problem.

Any ideas what I can do. The apple lady at PC world didn't even know we could video chat from Face book-great help.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Nov 24, 2012 9:58 AM

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Answer 1

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Nov 24, 2012 10:40 AM in response to mysentimentis

What web browser are you using? Have you tried a different supported browser? I'm pretty sure Facebook partnered with Skype for their video chat, are you able to use Skype video chat without any issues? Has it ever worked? Have you tried it anywhere else besides your current location with these friends?

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Answer 2

Nov 24, 2012 12:23 PM in response to JasonFear

Thanks very much for your instant message.

I am using Safari.

Not tried another browser as yet - which one would you

suggest? Would Google Chrome be a better option?

I have been able to use video chat on Facebook with my Mac desktop and another mac laptop I have. Just baffled why it

doesn't work on this particular laptop.

I am able to skype with no problems.

I have tried it elsewhere too and it doesn't work.

Will try and use another browser first.

Thanks -

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Answer 3

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Nov 24, 2012 1:04 PM in response to mysentimentis

A few additional questions:

1.) What version of OS X are you running?

2.) What version of Safari are you running?

Your signature indicates OS X 10.7.5 but the machine is a MacBook. Is the MacBook Air also running 10.7.5 or is it running Mt. Lion?

As far as a secondary browser is concern, either Chrome or Firefox. Just something that's not Safari to try and pinpoint if the issue is with the browser or something else. The fact that Skype works on this computer and other computers work (I suspect they're all behind the same router?) would indicate it's not a port or NAT issue so that's good.

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Answer 4

Nov 24, 2012 1:36 PM in response to JasonFear

Well Jason it seems you may have picked up on something as my I-Mac is on the 10.6.8 and the laptop in question ie: that doesn't work is on the 10.6.8 Mac OS X Lion!

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Answer 5

Nov 24, 2012 1:39 PM in response to JasonFear

Oh an the laptop is on Safari 6.0.2

whilst the I mac is on Safari 5.1.7.

Not going to update The I-mac I think...

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Answer 6

Nov 24, 2012 1:54 PM in response to JasonFear

Just used Google Chrome and still no luck :(

Frustrating on say the least.

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Answer 7

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Nov 24, 2012 10:37 PM in response to mysentimentis

Well the good news, Safari is most likely not the problem. The bad news, I think there's some confusion on what version of what you're running. So let's go over some terminology:

1.) If you're running OS X 10.6.x then that's Snow Leopard, if you're running 10.7.x that's Lion and if you're running 10.8.x that's Mt. Lion.

2.) If you're running Safari 6.x.x then that machine is on at least 10.7.x (Lion). Safari 6.0.2 is the latest and greatest version so that's up-to-date. Is the laptop running Lion or Mt. Lion?

3.) The iMac is running either Snow Leopard or Lion as Mt. Lion can't run Safari 5.1.7 but the OS is irrelevant for the purposes of troubleshooting as 5.1.7 is the latest version.

There's no mention of troubleshooting in Facebook video chat's documentation other than the standard and customary. I downloaded it on a 10.6.8 machine running 5.1.7 and it fired right up immediately. I do know that it runs on Java and there was a recent-ish Java update. So that'd be the next thing to check.

You can try downloading it and installing. - http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572

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Answer 8

Nov 25, 2012 3:44 AM in response to JasonFear

Thanks Jason for clarifying things for me.

I am about to download the Java OS 2012-006 onto the MacBook Pro that I am having problems with.

This is running on the 10.7.5 version 6.0.2 Safari (ie:Lion)

I hope that is what you meant?

I have no problems with the I-mac as it is running on snow leopard according to your analysis ( 10.6.8/5.1.7)

S

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Answer 9

Nov 25, 2012 1:25 PM in response to mysentimentis

unfortunately....the same problem of not being able to see them..a frozen screen of me and a smaller window of me too. They can see me though.

Up to a brick wall on this one or do you have any other options I could try? 😕

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Answer 10

JasonFear

Level 5

4,965 points

Nov 27, 2012 9:31 AM in response to mysentimentis

If the Java update and a restart still didn't fix it, I'm out of ideas. Truthfully I'm just relaying the troubleshooting steps off of Facebook's page for video chat issues and that's the only steps. As I'm unable to replicate the issue on my end I can't think of any other steps to pursue. Maybe someone else can chime in.

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Answer 11

Nov 27, 2012 10:36 AM in response to JasonFear

Thank very much for trying. Great as its helped me eliminate certain avenues.

Possible option I may look into are recent updates as the laptop used to work up to a couple of months ago so wondering if that did it!

Thanks again.

S

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