11 Effective Solutions to Fix Google Chrome Camera or Microphone Not Working

ByJim Miller

Ever since the pandemic, virtual meetings have become an essential part of our lives. However, there may be times when your camera and microphone stop working on Google Chrome, which can be frustrating. Don't worry, though, as we have compiled a list of troubleshooting tips that should help you resolve this issue. Let's dive in!

1. Check If Camera Is Being Used

Ensure that your camera and microphone are not being used by any other application such as Camera, Skype, or Microsoft Teams. Close any apps that might be using them and check if they work fine in Chrome.

2. Restart Your PC

A simple restart can often resolve minor glitches and background processes that may be causing the issue. Restart your computer and try using the camera and microphone on Google Chrome again.

3. Allow Chrome to Use Camera and Mic

If restarting your PC doesn't help, you'll need to check if you've allowed Chrome access to your camera and microphone on Windows. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Privacy & Security tab and select Camera.
  3. Make sure your PC is allowed to access the camera.
  4. Additionally, verify that desktop apps, including Google Chrome, are allowed to access the camera.
  5. Repeat the above steps for the Microphone option.

Restart Chrome and see if the camera and microphone are working properly now.

4. Check Site Permissions

If you've granted all necessary system permissions but still can't access the camera or microphone in Chrome, you need to check the Site permissions. Here's how:

  1. Open Chrome and click on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
  2. Go to Settings, then switch to the Privacy and security tab and select Site settings.
  3. Scroll down to the Permissions section and click on Camera.
  4. Select the site you wish to allow access to the camera.
  5. Change the Camera and Microphone permission to Allow for that site.

5. Disable Antivirus

Some antivirus programs have privacy settings that can prevent apps from accessing the camera or microphone. Check your antivirus settings and disable any such restrictions if necessary.

6. Disable Extensions

Certain extensions in Chrome can interfere with browser processes, causing issues with the camera and microphone. To check if this is the problem, try using Chrome in incognito mode. If it works fine there, it's likely due to one of the extensions.

To disable extensions, type “chrome://extensions” in the address bar and press Enter. Disable all extensions and enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

7. Clear Cache and Cookies

Outdated or corrupted cache data can conflict with Chrome's operation and cause camera and microphone issues. Clearing the cache and cookies might resolve the problem. Here's how:

  1. Launch Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Del to open the Clear Browsing Data panel.
  2. Select “All time” from the Time range dropdown menu.
  3. Check the boxes for “Cookies and other site data” and “Cached images and files”.
  4. Click the “Clear data” button.

Once cleared, check if the camera and microphone work properly.

8. Try Another Browser

If the issue persists, try using another browser like Microsoft Edge or Firefox to see if you can access the camera and microphone there. If they work, you may need to reset Chrome.

9. Reset Chrome

If other browsers function well with the camera and microphone, resetting Chrome might be necessary. Remember that resetting Chrome will remove all extensions, cache, and history. Follow these steps:

  1. Type “chrome://settings/reset” in the address bar and press Enter.
  2. Click on “Restore settings to their original defaults”.
  3. Confirm by clicking “Reset settings”.

After resetting Chrome, check if the camera and microphone are working properly.

10. Run Camera Troubleshooter

If you're still unable to use the camera and microphone in Chrome, there may be a system-level issue. Windows 11 has built-in troubleshooters that can detect and fix problems. Follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + S to open Windows Search and type “troubleshoot settings”.
  2. Go to Other troubleshooters.
  3. Click on the Run button next to Camera and follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. Repeat the process for Recording Audio.

11. Update or Reinstall Camera and Microphone Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause camera and microphone problems. Try updating the drivers:

  1. Click on the Search icon in the Taskbar and type “device manager”.
  2. Expand Cameras, right-click on your webcam, and select Update driver.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
  4. Repeat the process for the Microphone option.

If the problem persists, uninstall the drivers and let Windows reinstall them after a reboot.

That's it! We hope these solutions have helped you fix the camera and microphone issues in Google Chrome. Now you can confidently attend your virtual meetings.