FaceTime Camera Not Working: Quick And Applicable Solutions To Fix This Issue

FaceTime is an in-built video conference application of MacBook. It helps the user to interact with their friends and families. But, it is not free from technical flaws. ‘FaceTime camera not working’ is a common issue faced by several users while using this application. If you are also in the same condition and tired by searching the solutions for this issue, then you have arrived at the right place.

Here in this article, we are going to present some of the amazing tips and tricks to fix this issue. Hence, you are advised to go through the article given below.

Know the Root Causes of FaceTime Camera not Working

Before going to know the troubleshooting hacks, you need to know the probable causes behind your issue. And it’s become easier to fix an issue when you know the actual cause behind it. There are several causes behind the ‘FaceTime camera not working MacBook’ issue.

Sometimes, while using the webcam on your MacBook device, MacOS or OS X starts a process in the background called VDCAssistant. It helps the system to control the webcam and manages the network connection. This process stops automatically when you stop using the webcam.

But, in some situations, an issue occurs, and the VDCAssistant process continues. It prevents the device to connect the camera through any application. Whenever users try to open a service or program related to the webcam, then it shows the ‘No Connected Camera’ error on the screen. To solve this issue, you need to implement the steps discussed below.

Easy Tips and Tricks to Fix FaceTime Camera Not Working

There are a lot of ways to fix the ‘FaceTime camera not working MacBook’ issue. Hence, you need to have a look at the troubleshooting hacks explained below:

Fix 1: Check Apple Server

Sometimes, the Apple server goes down. It may also be the reason behind this issue. Hence, it’s a better way to check the System Status of Apple to see if there are any running service problem with FaceTime app, as well as, if there are any other issues with the services such as iCloud and iMessage.  

Fix 2: Restart the Wi-Fi Connection or Switch to Mobile Data

Most of the time, the ‘FaceTime camera not working’ issue happens due to the problems with the network connection. Hence, you should try to restart the broadcast connection that you are using with your device. Refresh the internet connection by turning it Off and then enable the Wi-Fi again. After that, you have to navigate to the Wi-Fi Settings. Next, tap on the Wi-Fi button and then toggle it Off.

Now, you need to wait for a minimum of 60 seconds. Then, turn the Wi-Fi On. Or if you prefer, you can also use the LTE Data. If you are using Cellular data instead of Wi-Fi connection, then first, you have to navigate to the Network Setting. Then, tap on the Cellular tab. After that, turn the Cellular Data Off. Wait for at least 3-5 minutes and turn it On again.

Fix 3: Change the DNS Setting

According to some users, they have solved this issue by changing the DNS settings of their device. To perform this, you need to follow the steps given below:

For MacBook:

At first, you have to navigate to the System Preferences. Then, go to the Network section. Choose the particular name of your Network from the list. Next, you have to tap on the ‘Advanced’ option.

Then, move the cursor to the upper right side of the screen and tap on the DNS Tab. Hit the ‘+’ button to add the Google DNS. After that, you have to enter 8.8.4.4 and  8.8.8.8. Tap on the OK button. Then, click on the Apply button. Now, restart the device to save the changes.

But, if you do not prefer the Public DNS of Google, then you should try to use Cloudflare or OpenDNS instead of Public DNS.

For iDevice:

First, go to the Settings. Navigate to the Wi-Fi tab from the current page. Now, you have to choose the name of your Network. Click on the ‘Configure DNS’ option. Select the option ‘Manual’ from the next page. Tap on the ‘Add Server’ button. Now, you have to enter 8.8.4.4 and 8.8.8.8 on the specific field. Then, tap on the Save button. After that, you have to make sure that you remove the current DNS by clicking on the red ‘-’ sign and then pressing the Delete key from the keyboard. Now, restart the system to apply the changes.

Fix 4: Restart the Device

A restart can fix a lot of issues for iDevices and MacBooks. But, if a restart doesn’t help, then you should try to restart the system forcefully.  

How to Restart a MacBook?  

At first, you have to navigate to the Apple Menu. Then, tap on the Restart or Shut Down button. Now, you have to wait for a few minutes and then turn the device On again.

How to Restart an iDevice?

For the iDevices, you have to click the Power button and hold it until you see the slider. Then, slide to turn it Off. Wait for a few seconds and turn it On again. To restart an iPhone X devices and Series without using the Home button, you should perform the steps as follows:

 

1. At first, you have to press either the Volume button or the Side/Top/Power button and hold it until you will see the slider.
2. Now, you have to drag the slider to turn it Off.
3. When the device turns Off, then you have to press the Side/Top/Power button and hold it until you will see the Apple logo.

If Utilizing iOS 11 and above, there is Another Way through the Settings Menu:

First, you have to navigate to the Settings. Then, tap on the General tab. Scroll down the list and click on the Shutdown button. Wait for a few seconds and turn it On again. After performing the above steps, you should try to open the FaceTime to check whether the issue is fixed or not. If you see that the issue is not resolved, then you should move on to further solutions.

Fix 6: Set the iDevice’s and Mac’s Date & Time to Automatic

Several FaceTime issues are happening because of the wrong times or dates on the devices. If Apple Servers get a mismatch between the date and time of the FaceTime server and device for the current location, then FaceTime may stop to run in a proper way, as well as, the verification fails. You should fix this issue by following the steps below:  

For MacBook:

At first, you have to navigate to the System Preferences. Then, tap on the “Date & Time”. Choose the ‘Set date and time automatically’ option from the current Window. Close the Window and restart the system to apply the changes.

For iDevices:

Go to the Setting. Tap on the General button. Navigate to the ‘Date & Time’ section. Tap on the ‘Set date and time automatically’ option. Restart the device to save the changes.

After setting the date and time, you should try to open the FaceTime to check if the ‘FaceTime camera not working MacBook’ issue persists or not. If the error still appears, then you should proceed to the further methods.  

Fix 7: Disable All Restrictions

If you are using any parental controls or restrictions on your device, then you should turn them off at least for a few minutes to check if it helps you to fix this issue. To disable the Restrictions, you should perform the steps as follows:

Using iOS 11 and Below Version:

First, you have to navigate to the Settings tab. Then, tap on the General tab. Next, tap on the ‘Restrictions’ option and turn off the restriction. Restart the device to save the changes.

With iOS 12 and Above Version:

At first, go to Settings. Then, you have to tap on the ‘Screen Time’ button. Navigate to the ‘Content & Privacy Restrictions’ section and disable the restriction. Restart the device to apply the changes.

For MacBook:

First, you have to navigate to the Apple Menu. Then, go to the ‘System Preferences’ section. Tap on the ‘Parental Controls’ option from the current Window. Now, turn Off the restriction. Restart the system to save the changes.

After turning off the restriction, you have to open the FaceTime application and try to make a video call. If it runs properly, then it’s ok. If it’s not, then you have to enable the restriction again by following the same steps. Otherwise, perform the next solutions.

Fix 8: Check the Firewall Ports

If you are using the firewall on your MacBook device, then you must need to enable some ports to run the FaceTime and other apps in a proper way. Hence, you need to check whether you enable the ports mentioned below for FaceTime while utilizing the firewall:

• 80 (TCP)
• Firewall Ports FaceTime
• 3478 through 3497 (UDP)
• 443 (TCP)
• 16384 through 16387 (UDP)
• 5223 (TCP)
• 16393 through 16402 (UDP)

After checking this, you need to check if the FaceTime is working properly or not. If you see that the ‘FaceTime camera not working’ issue persists, then you need to have a look at the further guide.

Additional Methods: If FaceTime Camera not Working due to Activation Problem

If you are not able to activate the FaceTime service on your device, then you should try the following steps:

• First, you have to make sure that you are using a stable internet connection through Cellular Data or Wi-Fi. Using the cellular data plan, you can use the FaceTime application without a broadcast network on an iPad and iPhone 4s or above. But, if the FaceTime is not activating using the broadcast network, then you should try the Cellular data. Or vice-versa if it doesn’t activate using Cellular, try to use Wi-Fi connection.

• Now, you have to try to reset all the settings of your device. Hence, navigate to the Settings. Then, go to the General tab. Tap on the Reset button. After that, you have to click on the ‘Reset All Settings’ option. You also need to reset the password of your broadcast network, as well as, try to change the personalized settings of your iDevice.

Check the Apple ID

Next, you should check if there are any issues with Apple ID. Hence, you have to make sure that the Apple ID lists the phone number of the iPhone’s but not the landline numbers. To check this, you have to navigate to the Settings. Then, tap on the Apple ID Profile. Go to the ‘Name, Phone Number, Email’ section. Tap on the ‘Reachable At’ option. Now, edit the list if needed. After that, you have to restart the FaceTime app and.

You also need to make sure that you are using a valid Apple ID. Or if you prefer you can also create a new Apple ID or navigate to the Apple ID account. Then, change the required setting by clicking on the ‘Manage Your Account’ section.

If you forget the password and the User name of your Apple account, then go to the Setting and tap on the ‘Forgot Apple ID or password’ option to reset them. Else you can also visit the iForgot website of Apple.  

Navigate to the Settings. Tap on the FaceTime to check that the email address you are using is verified by the Apple or not. If the status of this section is showing ‘verifying’, or ‘stuck connecting’ (through a spinning wheel), then you need to turn the FaceTime off. Wait for a few seconds and turn it on.

Final Recommendation

In the above discussion, we have provided some of the possible solutions to fix the ‘Facetime camera not working‘ issue. It is our hope that if you perform the above ways in their respective order, then it will definitely help you to put an end to this bug. After successfully performing the above ways, if you still face any kind of trouble, then you need to connect with a tech expert. In addition, you can also share your queries and valuable feedback through the comment box given at the end of this post.