QuickDeviceTest Device test / Webcam test
Webcam test
Check your camera online: see the live picture, the resolution it really delivers and the frame rate we measure, not the one printed on the box.
Press start and allow the camera when your browser asks. The picture stays on this page.
What the numbers mean
Actual resolution is the size of the frames the browser receives. Request 1080p and a 720p-only camera will quietly answer with 1280×720. Measured fps counts frames as they arrive (in Chrome, Edge and Safari); where that isn't possible we show the rate the camera reports and label it as such.
Look better on camera in 60 seconds
- Light in front, not behind. A window behind you turns your face into a silhouette as the camera exposes for the bright background.
- Camera at eye level. Stack a few books under the laptop.
- Clean the lens. A fingerprint smear causes the hazy, glowing look people blame on "a bad webcam".
A webcam can only record light that actually reaches it, which is also why the Moon seems to vanish at new moon: its sunlit half faces away from us. ahaboo’s narrated explainer on why the Moon has phases goes further.
Camera not found?
- Check for a physical shutter or a camera key (often F8 or F10 with a slashed camera icon).
- Windows: Settings > Privacy & security > Camera: allow access and desktop apps. macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
- Close every app that might use the camera, then press Restart here.
- External webcams: try another USB port directly on the computer, not a hub.
Questions
How do I test my webcam?
Press "Start camera test" and allow access. If you see yourself, the camera works. The readouts show the resolution and frame rate the camera is really delivering, which is often lower than the box claims.
Why is my webcam black?
Most often a privacy shutter or lens cover, a laptop function key that disables the camera, or another app (Zoom, Teams, OBS) holding it. On Windows also check Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
Why is my 1080p webcam showing 720p?
Browsers ask for a resolution and the camera answers with the nearest mode it supports. Choose 1080p in the Request menu. Some cameras only deliver 1080p at a lower frame rate or in a compressed format the browser does not request, and a USB 2.0 hub can limit bandwidth.
Why is the frame rate low?
In dim light many webcams lengthen exposure and drop from 30 to 15 fps. Add light in front of you. A busy USB bus or a slow computer can also lower the measured rate.
Is my video recorded?
No. The preview is drawn locally. The snapshot button creates an image in this page that you can save; it is never uploaded.
Why is my picture mirrored?
Previews are mirrored by default so moving right feels natural, the way a mirror behaves. Others on a call normally see you un-mirrored. Toggle "Mirrored" to compare.