When the camera isn't working in a Google Meet call, you might just see a black box or an error message. It's also possible for Google Meet audio to work but not the video. Below are proven fixes for a broken Google Meet camera so you can get back to your calls.

How to Fix Your Google Meet Camera Not Working

These fixes will work for Google Meet on the web and the mobile app. We've noted any exceptions for each step.

1. Give Google Meet access to your camera. This step is necessary before you can use it in calls.

   If you just see your profile image and not your live face, tap thevideo buttonunder the call to toggle the camera on. If that doesn't work, try this:

   • Browser: If the call is in Chrome, give Chrome access to your webcam, and don't forget that your computer (Windows and Mac) needs permission, too.
   • Mobile: If you're on your phone or a tablet, open the Settings app, search forMeet, and then check the permissions to ensureCamerais chosen.

2. Close any other programs or apps that might be using your camera.

   If you're on a computer, exit browser tabs or desktop apps that could be attempting to access your camera, especially if you were just using one before you tried your Google Meet call.

   For phones and tablets, you can swipe to close other apps. This works similarly on both platforms: Android [Close Android Apps] and iOS [Close iPhone Apps].
   

3. Select the right camera. Most mobile devices have a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera. If the Google Meet video doesn't work from the mobile app, tap thecamera swapbutton (at the top) to switch to the other camera.

   Your computer might also have two cameras, especially if you're using an external webcam on a laptop with a built-in camera. To see if this is why your camera doesn't work in Google Meet, click thearrownext to the camera button during a call to see if there is a different camera you can pick.
   

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4. Confirm that your webcam is plugged in. This isn't relevant if you're on a laptop, phone, or tablet with a built-in cam. But if you have an external webcam, check that it's attached to your computer and put it into a different USB port if you can.

   Test your webcam after completing this step. If it works, then you'll need to keep troubleshooting this as a Google Meet issue, specifically. If it doesn't work, fix your webcam first.

5. Close and reopen Google Meet. Its connection to your camera could be restored with a simple refresh.

   Don't just minimize the app, actually close it. If you're on a computer, exit that tab. You'll need to rejoin the meeting, but at this point, it's the next best option.

6. Update your Google Meet app. Ideally, you wouldn't do thisduringa meeting, but if you're running a really old version of the app, there are probably some pending bug fixes that could address this camera problem.

   Head over to your device's app store to get the latest version: Android [Update Android Apps] and iOS [Update iPhone Apps].
   

   Both app stores let you turn on automatic app updates to guarantee that you'll always have the latest version of Google Meet and your other apps.

7. Restart your device. This is definitely a pain to do during a Google Meet call, but it's one of your last solutions after trying all the above fixes.

   Every device can be rebooted: Windows [Restart a PC], Android [Restart Android], and iOS [Restart an iPhone].
   

8. Fix network lag. If you were able to join the meeting and it's just the Google Meet video not working, there's likely a bandwidth-related issue that you need to address.
   

Causes of the Camera Not Working in Google Meet

The Google Meet service itself is hardly ever the reason for camera issues. Here are the most likely causes for the camera not working:

• Google Meet doesn't have access to your camera.
• Other apps are accessing the camera instead.
• You have multiple cameras, and the wrong one is activated.
• Software bugs are affecting the Google Meet app.
• Your internet connection isn't working.

If Google Meet won't open at all, then this is more than just a camera problem. Check our general guide for fixing Google Meet issues for better solutions.

• Why is my audio not working on Google Meet?

  If audio isn't working on Google Meet, the problem could lie with your Google Meet audio settings, your audio drivers, or even your microphone. It's a good idea to test your audio before each meeting.

• Why is Google Meet not working?

  If Google Meet won't work, it could be due to software issues, like the app crashing, or hardware issues related to your webcam and microphone. There could also be a problem with your internet connection or Google Meet's online services.
  

• Why is screen sharing not working in Google Meet?

  If you can't share your screen on Google Meet, make sure the window you're sharing isn't minimized, then restart the app or refresh the browser page. If the screen sharing option is greyed out, then the host has it disabled.

• Why is grid view not working in Google Meet?

  There is likely a problem with the Grid View extension. Disable the extension in Google Chrome, then turn it back on. If you're still having problems, remove the extension and reinstall it.