Photo Booth can't find camera

Question

Level 1

9 points

Photo Booth can't find camera

This is getting frustrating. I get a message at least once every time I try to open up Photo Booth. (see attachment). This is a new computer (iMac 5K) and this never happened to my 2006 iMac. I don't get it. It can't connect to camera. Only way I find it works again is if I turn the computer back on. This is ridiculous. I only have Safari opened and nothing. Anyone know what the problem is? I've found so many inconsistencies with El Capitan it's been really an annoying experience.

iMac with Retina 5K display, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Nov 23, 2016 8:08 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 12, 2017 11:08 AM in response to Ulexes138

My Facetime HD camera does not work in my Admin account but does work in other accounts. I have tried killall commands on camera assistants and I have closed all programs and restarted. I have tested three different programs that use the camera and it doesn't work in this one account. I have searched Apple help and found nothing to troubleshoot a camera that doesn't work in one account but works in others. Are there articles or solutions for this?

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Answer 2

Ulexes138

Community Specialist

Dec 2, 2016 3:57 PM in response to ArtEjector

Hello ArtEjector,

Thanks for reaching out to the Apple Support Community. I understand you've been unable to use your camera with Photobooth and I'd like to help. First, try resetting your Mac's SMC. It may also help to try to isolate the issue by testing in safe mode and using a new user account. This will help us determine if the issue is caused by any third party software and if it is isolated to just your user account, or the entire system. The articles below will guide you through that process.

Reset the System Management Controller (SMC) on your Mac

How to test an issue in another user account on your Mac

Try safe mode if your Mac doesn‘t finish starting up

If the behavior persists, or you run into any trouble we're here to help.
Best Regards.

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Answer 3

ArtEjector Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 2, 2016 3:58 PM in response to Ulexes138

Thank you for getting back to me. I followed the instructions on resetting the SMC on my iMac. So far so good. I also checked that the same thing is happening on other user accounts and it is.

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Answer 4

ArtEjector Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 2, 2016 5:28 PM in response to Ulexes138

After I put the computer to sleep and woke it back up with Photo Booth being on the whole time it stopped working again. Quit and relaunch and same thing as before. I usually have to restart the computer so it can work again. I'n not sure if the problem will be fixed if I update to the new OS. Sierra?

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,251 points

Dec 3, 2016 4:29 PM in response to ArtEjector

iSight - Troubleshoot

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Answer 6

ArtEjector Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 3, 2016 4:38 PM in response to Eric Root

I checked and saw under the System Information>USB that it is detected as FaceTime HD Camera. I think it stops working if it is left on and the computer goes to sleep. Then when it is awakened it stops working. I can close it and reopen and it still doesn't work. I have to restart the machine. I already did the SMC thing and yeah it works, but I think it's the same as restarting the computer at this point. So unplugging it doesn't do anything. I got this computer in March (2016).

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Answer 7

ArtEjector Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 5, 2016 10:56 AM in response to ArtEjector

After a couple of days of upgrading to Mac OS X Sierra the Photo Booth seems to be 100% responsive. I hope this continues without any more glitches. I did find one OS X bug so far in the finder, but it's workable.

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