Ricklaus

Q: Facetime Camera Not Working.

After installing OSX Mavericks, The facetime camera stopped working. I tried everything, reseted PRAM, changed the time and no sucess. Only appears "No camera Available, to use Facetime Install a new camera." Something like that.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Macbook Pro 13" Early 2011

Posted on Oct 23, 2013 10:00 AM

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Q: Facetime Camera Not Working.

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  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Mar 29, 2014 12:45 PM in response to vmedishetty
    Level 9 (73,239 points)
    Applications
    Mar 29, 2014 12:45 PM in response to vmedishetty

    Hi,

     

    There are already several suggested "fixes" in this thread including EZ Jim's links to the Trouble Shooting Apple document.

     

    Which of these have you tried ?

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:45 pm      Saturday; March 29, 2014

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     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
  • by jonchui,

    jonchui jonchui Mar 29, 2014 4:37 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 29, 2014 4:37 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    Just to add my 2 cents.

     

    I've had this exact same problem (for Facetime & PhotoBooth ONLY)

     

    It works for skype, google hangouts, and any other non-apple apps.

     

    Here's a screenshot showing it not working for Factime/Photobooth, but WORKING in skype:

     

    http://cl.ly/image/340C2m1O2k0Y

     

    The exact error messages:

    Facetime: "No Camera Available. To use FaceTime, connect a camera"

    Photo Booth: "There is no connected camera"

     

    Things i've tried & it's still not working.

    - re-installing mavericks

    - re-installed 1.9.2 combo update

    - removed AirParrot (i had that installed)

    - keychain reset

    - Commadn+Option+P+R after reset

    - safe mode

     

    I have:

    - late iMac 2009, 27", upgraded to 128GB SSD hard drive

  • by EZ Jim,

    EZ Jim EZ Jim Mar 30, 2014 9:09 AM in response to vmedishetty
    Level 7 (22,547 points)
    Mar 30, 2014 9:09 AM in response to vmedishetty

    vmedishetty wrote:...I am having the exact same issue since i have installed Maverics....

     

    Latest User Tip for camera issues in OS X 10.9: iSight camera failure after OS X 10.9 Mavericks update

  • by BRMPhoto,

    BRMPhoto BRMPhoto Mar 31, 2014 9:09 PM in response to Ricklaus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2014 9:09 PM in response to Ricklaus

    I have same issue. I also had a J5 create Monitor adapter on here but removed it to no avail. I cant find the driver to rmove it for a last ditch effort. Mine is a late 08 MacBook Pro but I have had it nicely upgraded to 4gb ram, 500gb hd and rn Mavericks. I have tried pretty much everything,

     

    Only luck I had was my camera did work when I booted in safe mode. Other than that still says no camera connected. I am at my wits end now. I did SMC, PRAM reset, Keychain reset, updates, reinstalled OSX, etc.

  • by HartlessHarts,

    HartlessHarts HartlessHarts Jun 29, 2014 12:25 PM in response to Ricklaus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 29, 2014 12:25 PM in response to Ricklaus

    MY METHOD TO FIX ISSUE

     

    Hi,

     

    Not sure if this is still an issue but it was for me and I tried reinstalling it from the app store but it came up with a message 'cannot install as you OSX is too new'

     

    So instead I fixed it by fixed it by:

     

    1. Checking on my time machine HD in applications to see if I had an older version of Facetime

    2. Moving current Facetime into trash (

    3. Going on my Time Machine HD and dragging the older version into applications

     

    After that it seemed to have fixed the issue. I hope this helps anyone

  • by kesmed2001,

    kesmed2001 kesmed2001 Aug 31, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Ricklaus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 31, 2014 1:06 PM in response to Ricklaus

    Terminal:

     

    sudo killall VDCAssistant

  • by Bibsnab,

    Bibsnab Bibsnab Sep 20, 2014 9:52 AM in response to Ricklaus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 20, 2014 9:52 AM in response to Ricklaus

    When you run a program that uses your Mac's webcam, OS X will launch a background process called VDCAssistant, which manages the connection and control of the camera. While this process should quit when the program stops using the camera, it may persist if an error occurs, and prevent future connections to the camera, either by the same program or by others.

    Camera error in OS XWhen the camera is unavailable, you will see a "no connected camera" error in programs and services that use it.Screenshot by Topher Kessler/CNET

    The fix in this case is to force-quit the VDCAssistant process, so relevant programs can again launch it normally and establish connections to the webcam. To do this, you will need to perform the following steps:

    1. Quit the app using the camera like facetime or skype

    2. Open Terminal and run the command: sudo killall VDCAssistant

    3. Supply your password when prompted but remember your password won't show

    4. Then reload the application using the camera.

     

    This should fix the problem the problem.

     

    In addition to the VDCAssistant process as the root cause for camera connectivity problems, other system configurations and problems may lead to similar behavior. For one, if you use a MacBook and have an external monitor attached, then one option is to use the system in "clamshell" mode where you keep the lid closed and only use the external monitor as a display. If you do this, then even though the built-in speakers and microphone will work, the camera will be shut off and unavailable to programs that need it. In this case, programs like Messages will allow audio chats, but not video options.

    The next option is USB connectivity issues that may occur from incompatibility with third-party USB devices, or an error that may have occurred with the drivers in your system. This may happen if you use a third-party USB driver, or if the device itself is simply causing faults in your USB system. While poor coding may contribute to this, often its simply a temporary issue that can be fixed by turning off (and unplugging) third-party USB devices and then plugging them back in, or by restarting your Mac.

    Alternatively, try unplugging all but the necessary USB devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.) from your system, restarting, and seeing if the problem continues. Troubleshooting in this manner can help identify a specific device that may be spurring the problem. If you do find the culprit, try leaving this device unplugged, updating its included drivers and other software, applying any firmware updates (if available), or contacting the manufacturer to see if a known solution is available. Sometimes such problems occur with the use of USB hubs and other daisy-chained solutions, so in addition to identifying specific devices, try changing the order in which they are connected to your system (bypass a USB hub, if used, or swap USB ports).

  • by amanncik,

    amanncik amanncik Jul 12, 2015 11:25 PM in response to Ricklaus
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 12, 2015 11:25 PM in response to Ricklaus

    If you are having this problem, the fix is easy:

    1. Close all the applications that are using the camera (such as FaceTime and Skype).

    2. Open a terminal (Launchpad -> Terminal).

    3. Type the following command:

     

    sudo killall VDCAssistant

     

    4. Re-open your application. You should see that the camera is working now.

    The reason for this hack is because Mac OS X launches a background process called “VDCAssistant” when an application that requires the camera is launched. When this background process is not closed properly when the application is closed, it will hog up the resources and prevent other apps from accessing the camera. By force closing this background process, you are freeing up the resources to make the camera available again for applications.

    This hack should fix the “No camera available” issue 99% of the time. For the remaining 1%, you might just need to restart your Mac or make sure the driver is installed properly (for external camera). Alternatively, check if the camera is spoilt or if you have plugged in the USB cable properly.

    Let me know if this trick works for you.

  • by Francoisguire,

    Francoisguire Francoisguire Oct 29, 2015 4:25 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 29, 2015 4:25 PM in response to Ralph Johns (UK)

    The PRAM trick worked for me. Had an issue after installing OS 10.11 (El Capitan).

     

    Thanks.

  • by Ralph Johns (UK),

    Ralph Johns (UK) Ralph Johns (UK) Oct 30, 2015 12:33 PM in response to Francoisguire
    Level 9 (73,239 points)
    Applications
    Oct 30, 2015 12:33 PM in response to Francoisguire

    HI,

     

    You're welcome.

     

     

    3Sigcopy2.png

    7:33 pm      Friday; October 30, 2015

     

      iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
     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
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