Macbook Air 2013 camera not working in certain applications

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Macbook Air 2013 camera not working in certain applications

I have a 2013 Macbook Air and the built in camera is not working in certain applications anymore, specifically Skype and Chrome. These were working fine earlier this week, but now are not.

The only thing I can think of that changed was an OSX update that prompted me to restart the computer. I'm on OSX 10.8.5.

The camera seems to work in all of the Apple programs (PhotoBooth, FaceTime, even Safari). When in the Skype preferences, the camera option is blank and I can't select any cameras. In Chrome, when I go to a site that requires Flash and uses the camera(www.cameroid.com for example), the settings for the camera also don't list any available cameras.

In Safari, the settings DO show the camera.

I tried restarting, and resetting the SMC settings.

I've read that the camera should show up in the system profiler under USB, but I don't think it is and I believe that is the problem.

Clearly, the camera is working fine since I am able to use the Apple applications, even Flash based sites in Safari. The problem seems to be in third party applications. I'm taking a guess and thinking that they are looking at the USB devices and aren't seeing any cameras. Unless I'm reading the USB section wrong, I don't see the camera listed.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to get the camera working for third party applications again?

Thanks.

MacBook Air (13-inch Mid 2013), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Sep 13, 2013 9:37 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Naixn

Level 1

5 points

Sep 14, 2013 3:53 AM in response to hughesti

Chrome is a 32-bits application, such as Skype or iMovie, and 10.8.5 broke compatibility with 32-bits app and the Mid-2013 MacBook Air Facetime HD Camera.

Hopefully Apple will release an update fixing that issue :-)

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Answer 2

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Sep 14, 2013 10:08 AM in response to hughesti

Click ->MacBook Air (Mid 2013): FaceTime HD Camera may not work with some applications

Message was edited by: EZ Ji m

Mac OSX 10.8.5

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Answer 3

Sep 25, 2013 6:19 AM in response to hughesti

Switched for Macbook 2 years ago from Windows, but looks they started to enjoy their position both in Mac and mobile iOS and ignoring even the biggest third-party products compatibility. It is awful and with such attitude Apple will fell back to between Steve times. I bought a new Macbook Air to enjoy, but not for headache! And Apple send us to third party vendors. Next time DIY Macbook? 😠

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Answer 4

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Sep 25, 2013 6:48 AM in response to IgorfromTokyo

IgorfromTokyo wrote: ...Macbook ... is awful and ... Apple will fell back ...

You can send your comments and suggestions directly to Apple via Apple MacBook Feedback. You will not likely get a direct answer, but you can be confident that the responsible Apple people will see your input for consideration in future updates and product offerings.

You can offer feedback for Apple products other than your MB via the Apple Feedback page.

BTW, for other readers: workaround for the MacBook Air / OS X 10.8.5 problem at http://discussions.apple.com/thread/5306216?tstart=0

Message was edited by: EZ Ji m

Mac OSX 10.8.5

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Answer 5

bob0821

Level 1

2 points

Sep 27, 2013 3:04 PM in response to hughesti

When will Apple finally comment on this issue in a meaningful way?

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Answer 6

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Sep 27, 2013 6:10 PM in response to bob0821

bob0821 wrote:

When will Apple finally comment on this issue in a meaningful way?

None of us users who post here know the answer to your question. Moreover, ¶2.1 of Apple Support Communities - Terms of Use prohibits us from speculating here, so you will not get an authoritative answer until Apple makes one official.

According to Apple's technical support article entitled "MacBook Air (Mid 2013): FaceTime HD Camera might not work after OS X 10.8.5 update", Apple is investigating this issue.

Until Apple publishes a "comment on this issue in a meaningful way", the best you can do is use the workaround at http://discussions.apple.com/thread/5306216?tstart=0.

Message was edited by: EZ Ji m

Mac OSX 10.8.5

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Answer 7

protica

Level 1

0 points

Oct 15, 2013 12:54 PM in response to hughesti

My camera stopped working a while ago on skype and I´ve solved the problem with a help from a user. Today after updateing my Macbook Air 10.8.5 camera stopped working on skype and othet app like Facetime and Photo Booth! What´s going on?

Any help?

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Answer 8

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Oct 16, 2013 8:01 AM in response to protica

protica wrote: ... What´s going on?

Something is wrong.

protica wrote: ... Any help?

You will need to troubleshoot to find the cause of the problem so you know what to fix.

(1) Restart Mac, repair permissions, then download and install OS X Mountain Lion Update v10.8.5 (Combo) (even though you have already updated.) Repair permissions again immediately following the restart that completes the Combo update. Test camera function. If you still encounter a problem with Skype, test more than one Apple camera app in more than one user account.

(2) If your problem continues, use OS X Recovery to reinstall Mac OS X Mountain Lion. Then use  > Software Update… to verify that all your software is up to date. Install any needed updates and repair permissions one more time.

(3) if Skype continues to be the ONLY app that does not work in any user account you test, be sure you have the latest version of Skype properly installed. If the problem continues ONLY in Skype, seek help in Skype Customer Support.

Message was edited by: EZ Ji m

Mac OSX 10.8.5

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