---
title: "Camera is in use by another application"
description: "Fix the camera is in use error. Find which program is holding your webcam on Windows, macOS or Linux, release it, and stop it happening again."
url: https://www.test-webcamp.com/fix/camera-in-use-by-another-app.html
site: Webcamp
updated: 2026-08-28
---

# Camera is in use by another application

_Most webcams serve one program at a time. This error means something else already has it, and the culprit is usually an app you thought was closed._

## Why this happens

Unlike speakers, which mix audio from many sources, most webcams grant exclusive access to a single application. When a second one asks, it is refused. Some apps report this clearly; others just show a black image.

The complication is that closing a window does not always quit the program. Teams, Discord, Zoom and Skype all continue running in the system tray or menu bar, holding the camera the whole time.

## The usual suspects, in order

1. **Microsoft Teams.** By far the most common. Closing the window minimises it to the system tray. Right-click the tray icon and choose Quit.
2. **Zoom.** Also persists in the tray. Quit it properly rather than closing the window.
3. **Discord.** Minimises to tray by default and holds the camera during a call.
4. **Another browser tab.** A forgotten Meet or Teams tab, possibly in a different browser entirely.
5. **OBS Studio.** Holds the camera whenever a video capture source is active, even without recording.
6. **Camera or Photo Booth.** Easy to leave open in the background.

**Quickest reliable fix: restart the computer.** If you are short of time before a call, this releases every camera handle at once and takes less time than hunting through processes.

## Finding the culprit on Windows

Windows tells you which apps have recently used the camera, which is more helpful than it sounds.

1. Open **Settings, Privacy & security, Camera**.
2. Expand **Recent activity**. Apps currently using the camera are marked as in use now.
3. Quit whatever is listed, checking the system tray for anything still running.
4. If nothing obvious appears, open Task Manager and end Teams, Zoom, Discord and Skype processes directly.

## Finding it on macOS

The green light next to the camera is your indicator: if it is on, something has the camera. Check the dock for apps with a dot beneath the icon and quit each with Command-Q.

If the light is off but apps still report the camera as in use, the camera process is stuck. Open Terminal and run **sudo killall VDCAssistant**, then retest.

## Finding it on Linux

Run **sudo fuser -v /dev/video0** to list the processes holding the device, substituting the correct node if you have several. That gives you a process ID you can stop directly. **lsof /dev/video0** does the same job if fuser is unavailable.

## Preventing it

- Change Teams, Zoom and Discord settings so they exit rather than minimise to the tray on close.
- Close video call tabs when the call ends rather than leaving them open.
- Quit OBS when you are not streaming.
- Before an important call, quit everything else that uses the camera first.

## Related

- [Webcam shows a black screen](https://www.test-webcamp.com/fix/webcam-black-screen.html)
- [Webcam test for Microsoft Teams](https://www.test-webcamp.com/webcam-test/microsoft-teams.html)

## Common questions

Which app is using my camera?

On Windows, check Recent activity under Settings, Privacy & security, Camera. On macOS, look for apps with a dot beneath their dock icon while the green light is on. On Linux, run sudo fuser -v /dev/video0.

Can two apps share a webcam?

Rarely. Most cameras grant exclusive access to one application. Some virtual camera software can duplicate a stream to several apps, but that is a workaround rather than standard behaviour.

I closed everything and still get the error.

The app is probably still running in the system tray or menu bar. Failing that, the camera process is stuck; restart the computer, or on macOS run sudo killall VDCAssistant.

Why does this happen with Teams so often?

Because closing the Teams window minimises it rather than quitting. It keeps running in the background and can hold the camera indefinitely.