Chromebooks are simpler, deliberately
On Windows, camera problems are usually drivers. ChromeOS has no user-manageable drivers at all: camera support is built into the operating system and updated with it. There is no Device Manager, nothing to reinstall and nothing to roll back.
That leaves a much shorter list of possible causes, which is good news when something goes wrong.
Camera permission on ChromeOS
Permission is handled by Chrome itself, per site.
- On the site that needs the camera, click the icon at the left of the address bar.
- Set Camera to Allow, then reload the page.
- For a site-wide view, open Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Camera and check the blocked list.
There is also a system-level camera control in ChromeOS Settings under Privacy and security. Newer Chromebooks include a camera switch there that overrides site permissions, and it is worth checking if the camera fails everywhere.
Many Chromebooks have a physical shutter. Look for a small sliding tab beside the camera on the bezel. A closed shutter produces a perfectly black image with no error message, which looks exactly like a software fault.
The built-in Camera app
ChromeOS includes a Camera app in the launcher. Open it as a second opinion, then check the microphone the same way. If it works there but not in a browser tab, the problem is a site permission. If it fails in both, check the system camera switch and the physical shutter.
Android apps on a Chromebook
Chromebooks that run Android apps handle camera permission separately for those apps. An Android version of Zoom or Skype has its own permission under Settings, Apps, rather than using the Chrome site permission. If an Android app cannot see the camera while browser tabs can, that is where to look.
Powerwash as a last resort
If the camera fails in every app including the built-in Camera app, and the shutter is open and the system switch is on, a Powerwash resets ChromeOS to factory state. Back up anything stored locally first, since Powerwash erases local files. Given that ChromeOS keeps most things in the cloud, this is usually less disruptive than it sounds.
If the camera still fails after a Powerwash, the hardware has failed and the device needs service.
Other tests
The microphone, keyboard and screen tests all work on ChromeOS with no setup.
Common questions
Where are camera settings on a Chromebook?
Chrome handles them per site through the address bar icon, or under Settings, Privacy and security, Site settings, Camera. Newer Chromebooks also have a system camera switch under Privacy and security.
Do I need to install a driver?
No. ChromeOS includes camera support and updates it with the system. There are no drivers to install, reset or roll back, which eliminates the most common Windows camera problem.
The camera is black in every app.
Check the physical shutter on the bezel first, then the system camera switch in Settings. A closed shutter gives a black image with no error.
Will a Powerwash fix my camera?
It resolves software-level faults that survive everything else, but it erases local files, so back them up first. If the camera still fails afterwards, the hardware has failed.