Internal Camera won't start after Upgrading to OS X El Capitan

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Level 1

8 points

Internal Camera won't start after Upgrading to OS X El Capitan

I own a MacBook Pro previously running OS X Yosemite and recently upgraded to OS X El Capitan. I have a built-in Camera that automatically turns on when I open apps like FaceTime and Photo Booth. Since the upgrade, I'm getting messages that the camera isn't available is is off. There is no switch to turn on the internal camera that I'm aware of.

Checked the system report under USB and it recognizes my FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in).

I've also attempted to run diagnostics using both Apple Hardware Test and Apple Diagnostics but both won't execute the diagnostics tool.

I created a new use account with Admin privileges and that didn't work either.

I also installed Skype to no avail.

How do I get my camera to work.

MacBook Pro (17-inch Early 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Oct 13, 2015 8:28 AM

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Answer 1

ljsniko

Level 1

4 points

Apr 4, 2017 6:14 PM in response to SamuraiUFC

I went to an Apple store and was told the camera wasn't hardware driven, it's driven by code! Then I was told to clear out the cache in my Safari and/or Chrome browsers and restart. After restarting, that solved the problem for Facetime, Photo Booth and Skype. It was "up" for 3 weeks only to happen again. But the clearing of cache worked. My last Imac never did this and I'm disappointed that Apple hasn't fixed this glitch!

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Answer 2

EZ Jim

Level 7

22,590 points

Oct 13, 2015 12:32 PM in response to SamuraiUFC

One of these will fix your problem:

(1) If restarting your Mac doesn't fix the problem,

(2) use Apple's http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090.

(BTW - The Troubleshooting article calls the camera an "iSight". However, after the article was published, Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD." Regardless of the name of your built-in camera, the same info and troubleshooting applies.)

Be sure to test more than one Apple app (Photo Booth, FaceTime, iMovie, QuickTime Player, etc.) in more than one user account. Do NOT use the "Guest" account for this test. If you do not have more than one user account for the testing, create a new one now. If you need help, how to do it is explained in http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201754.

A "Standard" user account is all you need for testing.

(3) If your cam won't work properly even with Apple apps, use OS X Recovery to completely reinstall your Mac OS. Don't bother testing Skype or other third-party apps until you have your camera working with Apple apps.

(4) If none of the above suggestions resolve your trouble, contact Apple or an Apple-Authorized Service Provider to have your Mac professionally serviced. Be sure to backup your Mac and deauthorize iTunes before tendering it for service.

Message was edited by: EZ Jim

Mac OSX 10.11

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