How to test your webcam
- Click “Test my webcam” and allow camera access.
- You'll see your live image plus resolution, frame rate (FPS) and aspect ratio.
- “Test max resolution” requests the highest resolution your camera supports.
- Several cameras? Pick one from the menu above.
What is good webcam quality?
| Resolution | Name | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| 640 × 480 | VGA | Outdated, very blurry |
| 1280 × 720 | HD / 720p | Fine for video calls |
| 1920 × 1080 | Full HD / 1080p | Good, today's standard |
| 3840 × 2160 | 4K | Excellent for streaming and content |
For frame rate, 30 FPS is smooth and 60 FPS is very smooth. Many webcams automatically drop to 15 FPS or lower in poor lighting to brighten the image.
Webcam not working? Try this
1. Allow camera access
Click the lock icon in the address bar and allow the camera. Also check your system settings:
- Windows 11/10: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera → allow desktop apps.
- macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera → enable your browser.
2. Camera is used by another app
On Windows only one app can use the camera at a time. Close Teams, Zoom, Skype, OBS or the Camera app and reload the page.
3. Privacy shutter or camera key
Many laptops have a physical shutter over the lens or a function key (often F8, F10 or a camera icon) that disables the webcam completely.
4. Black image or stuttering
A black image points to a covered lens, a broken driver or the wrong device (e.g. the OBS virtual camera). Stuttering is usually caused by poor lighting, an overloaded USB hub or a USB 2.0 port with a 4K camera.
5. Reinstall the driver
On Windows open Device Manager → Cameras, right-click your webcam → “Uninstall device” and restart. Windows reinstalls the driver automatically.