If your Chromebook camera or microphone is not working properly, follow the steps below to identify and resolve common issues.
These instructions can help when using Google Meet or other approved district applications that require camera or microphone access.
Make sure your Chromebook is powered on and you are signed in. If the problem occurs in a specific application, note which application is affected before beginning troubleshooting.
1. Test Your Camera
First, determine whether the Chromebook camera works outside the application experiencing problems.
- Open the Launcher on your Chromebook.
- Search for Camera.
- Open the Camera application.
- Check whether the camera displays an image.
- Camera works: The issue may be related to the website or application permissions.
- Camera does not work: Continue checking the Chromebook's privacy and hardware settings.
2. Check Chromebook Privacy Controls
ChromeOS includes privacy controls that can restrict access to the camera and microphone.
- Click the status area in the bottom-right corner of your Chromebook.
- Select the Settings gear icon.
- Navigate to Privacy and security.
- Open Privacy controls.
- Check whether camera and microphone access are enabled.
- If an option is available and disabled, enable it as appropriate.
Some privacy settings may be controlled by the PBSD Technology Department. If a setting is unavailable or managed by your organization, contact Technology Support rather than attempting to bypass the restriction.
3. Check for ChromeOS Updates
Keeping your Chromebook updated may resolve software-related camera and microphone issues.
- Open your Chromebook's Settings.
- Select About ChromeOS.
- Click Check for updates, if available.
- Allow any available updates to install.
- Restart the Chromebook if prompted.
On district-managed devices, updates may be automatically scheduled or controlled by the Technology Department.
4. Restart Your Chromebook
Restarting your Chromebook can resolve temporary software or device issues.
- Save any open work.
- Close your applications.
- Open the Chromebook's status area.
- Select the power option to shut down the device.
- Wait until the Chromebook has completely powered off.
- Turn the Chromebook back on.
- Test the camera and microphone again.
5. If the Problem Continues
If the camera or microphone still does not work after completing the steps above, contact PBSD Technology Support.
When reporting the problem, please include:
- Your school or building
- The affected Chromebook
- Whether the camera, microphone, or both are affected
- The application or website where the problem occurs
- Whether the Camera app worked during testing
- Any error messages displayed
6. Need Help?
For assistance with Chromebook camera, microphone, or application issues, contact:
Please provide a brief description of the issue and the troubleshooting steps you have already tried.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article