Google Meet Camera Not Working? How to Fix the Problem

When the camera isn't working in a Google Meet call, you might just see a black box or an error message. It's also possible for Google Meet audio to work but not the video. Below are proven fixes for a broken Google Meet camera so you can get back to your calls.

Why the Camera Isn't Working in Google Meet

The Google Meet service itself is hardly ever the reason for camera issues. Here are the most likely causes for the camera not working:

• Google Meet doesn't have access to your camera.
• Other apps are accessing the camera instead.
• You have multiple cameras, and the wrong one is activated.
• Software bugs are affecting the Google Meet app.
• Your internet connection isn't working.

Each of these has a specific fix, which you'll find in the list below.

How to Fix Google Meet Camera Not Working

These fixes will work for Google Meet on the web and the mobile app. We've noted any exceptions for each step.

1. Give Google Meet access to your camera. This is necessary before other people in your call can see your camera.

   If you just see your profile image and not your live face, tap the video button under the call to toggle the camera on. If that doesn't work, try this:

   • Browser: If the call is in Chrome, give Chrome access to your webcam, and don't forget that your computer (Windows and Mac) needs permission, too.
   • Mobile: If you're on your phone or a tablet, open the Settings app, search for Meet, and then check the permissions to ensure Camera is chosen.

2. Close any other programs or apps that might be using your camera.

   If you're on a computer, exit browser tabs or desktop apps that could be attempting to access your camera, especially if you were just using one before you tried your Google Meet call.

   For phones and tablets, you can swipe to close other apps. This works similarly on both platforms: Android [Close Android Apps] and iOS [Close iPhone Apps].
   

3. Select the right camera. Most mobile devices have a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera. If the Google Meet video doesn't work from the mobile app, tap the camera swap button (at the top) to switch to the other camera.

   Your computer might also have two cameras, especially if you're using an external webcam on a laptop with a built-in camera. To see if this is why your camera doesn't work in Google Meet, click the arrow next to the camera button during a call to see if there is a different camera you can pick.
   

   10 Ways to Fix It When an iPhone Camera Is Not Working

4. Confirm that your webcam is plugged in. This isn't relevant if you're on a laptop, phone, or tablet with a built-in cam. But if you have an external webcam, check that it's attached to your computer and put it into a different USB port if you can.

   Test your webcam after completing this step. If it works, then you'll need to keep troubleshooting this as a Google Meet issue, specifically. If it doesn't work, fix your webcam first.

5. Close and reopen Google Meet. Its connection to your camera could be restored with a simple refresh.

   Don't just minimize the app, actually close it. If you're on a computer, exit that tab. You'll need to rejoin the meeting, but at this point, it's the next best option.

6. Update your Google Meet app. Ideally, you wouldn't do this during a meeting, but if you're running a really old version of the app, there are probably some pending bug fixes that could address this camera problem.

   Head over to your device's app store to get the latest version: Android [Update Android Apps] and iOS [Update iPhone Apps].
   

   Both app stores let you turn on automatic app updates to guarantee that you'll always have the latest version of Google Meet and your other apps.

7. Restart your device. This is definitely a pain to do during a Google Meet call, but it's one of your last solutions after trying all the above fixes.

   Every device can be rebooted: Windows [Restart a PC], Android [Restart Android], and iOS [Restart an iPhone].
   

8. Fix network lag. If you were able to join the meeting and it's just the Google Meet video not working, there's likely a bandwidth-related issue that you need to address.