the camera image is consistently soft or out of focus
If the live test passes, the investigation can usually move away from total hardware failure and toward the affected app, permissions, routing or configuration.
Try the simple causes first
- 1
Run the DeviceOK webcam test and note whether the camera is detected, permitted, and producing live video.
- 2
Confirm the intended camera is selected and any physical privacy shutter/switch is open.
- 3
Close other apps that may be using the camera.
Work through the problem in order
- 1
Run the DeviceOK webcam test and note whether the camera is detected, permitted, and producing live video.
- 2
Confirm the intended camera is selected and any physical privacy shutter/switch is open.
- 3
Close other apps that may be using the camera.
- 4
Check browser and operating-system camera permissions.
- 5
Reconnect an external camera or try another USB port if applicable.
- 6
If the camera fails in multiple trusted apps, follow the device manufacturer's official support/driver path.
If the camera passes the DeviceOK test, prioritize the affected application, permissions, routing, or configuration before assuming the hardware is dead.
If the camera also fails in DeviceOK and another trusted app, broaden the diagnosis to connection, OS settings, drivers/firmware, and then possible hardware failure.