One of the great features of a Mac is the FaceTime camera, when it works correctly. Unfortunately, you can run into an issue where you get the dreaded “There is no connected camera” error when trying to use your Mac FaceTime camera. By reading the message, you might think this is a hardware issue, but it is usually caused by the software or an application that is already using your camera. The screen you’ll see is similar to the image above. This problem has been around since Mac OS X Lion and even up to macOS High Sierra, macOS Mojave, and macOS Catalina.
How To Fix The “There is no connected camera” Error
First, try a simple reboot of your Mac. If a reboot doesn’t fix the error message, then try the steps below:
- Quit all open apps that may try to use the FaceTime camera
- Open Terminal and enter the following commands, pressing return after each one:
sudo killall VDCAssistant
sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant
- Enter the administrator password when requested
- Relaunch the app that was attempting to use the camera
Check Activity Monitor to fix “There is no connected camera” Error
- Close the Applications which needed a camera
- Open the Applications folder and go to Utilities
- Open Activity Monitor
- Click on Process Name to sort in alphabetical order
- Find VDC Assistant and click to open it
- Click on (X) which is located on the top left corner and close the program
Check Camera Privacy Settings
Navigate to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Camera and check if your application is not checked. Edit the list to enabled your application.
Fix Issues With MDM Like JAMF
If you’re using an MDM solution like JAMF, there’s been recent kernel changes in macOS High Sierra that require you to create a Restrictions Profile and explicitly allow access to the camera. Previously, you wouldn’t have to create this profile and macOS would allow access whether it was defined or not. Refer to your MDM documentation for instructions on how to create a Restrictions Profile where you would allow access to the camera.
MacOS Catalina Fix Camera Not Working
Apple has just released MacOS Catalina 10.15.5 and according to the changelog, includes a fix for “Resolves an issue where the built-in camera may not be detected when trying to use it after using a video conferencing app“. For those of you who have commented below about the camera no working on MacOS Catalina, please try to update to 10.15.5 and report back if you’re still having the issues.
i tried this command in the terminal but it’s not working in my mac os x 10.6.8
I am having the same issue. Have you found a fix for it yet?
Go to Activity Monitor, find VDCAssistant, double-click and quit process. It may take a minute for the dust to settle.
Is anybody found solution for this? Camera doesn’t work anywhere, only green light blinks after couple of seconds and then disappears again.
same as here, i don know, that new Catalina made it crap
I updated last week to 10.15.5 and now my camera won’t work either and the other end of my facebook call gets a message that the connection is weak.
I’ve added some instructions on how to kill the VDC Assistant using Activity Monitor.
what should I do now
same here. Tried everything, nothing seems to work.
Doesn’t work in 10.11. Occasionally Flash messages come up????? but nothing i can find in Flash helps so far.
same nothing seems to work for me as well after the update
, but my camera works on the safe mood.
I don’t see VDA Assistant come up on the Activity Monitor Page. Is it possible it got deleted somehow and this is why I am having the issue? The only 3 Process Names that start with “V” are “VTDecorderXPCService”, and two “ViewBridgeAuxiliary” processes
has anybody found a solution yet, I just bought a brand new Mac 5 days after receiving I am having this issue
Apple has released MacOS Catalina 10.15.5 which Resolves an issue where the built-in camera may not be detected when trying to use it after using a video conferencing app. Please try to update your OS to 10.15.5.
My camera failed after I installed Zoom app. Does the above people has the same reason? Camera not fixed yet.
Apple has released MacOS Catalina 10.15.5 which Resolves an issue where the built-in camera may not be detected when trying to use it after using a video conferencing app. Please try to update your OS to 10.15.5.
10.15.5 Update did nothing… same issue. Worst MacOs release in long while….
I tried all the above steps and also updated to MacOS Catalina 10.15.5. Still no luck. Still gives me the same error.
i typed in vdc assistant in activity monitor but can’t find anything.
I’m running 10.15.5 and tried all the suggestions above (no VDC Assistant in activity monitor) and still nothing. System Report (via About This Mac) still says “No video capture devices were found.” Please help!
I’ll try deleting Zoom and see if that makes a difference.
Same problem with Tracy. I’m on Catalina 10.15.5 and with no camera for phone booth, FaceTime, nor Zoom. Pleas advise solution ASAP.
Hi Bob. I am running on Catalina 10.15.5 but my camera is still out on FaceTime, Photo Booth, zoom, etc. Tried the recommended 14 ways to fix to no avail. Please advise what to do.Is this a software issue?
My Lightning display camera just *stopped* working for me after I upgraded to Catalina 10.15.5. Now before every video meeting (so 3-5 times/day) I have to restart my computer or do the sudo killall VDCAssistant. Has anyone found a more permanent solution?
I’m running Catalina 10.15.6 and Photo Booth doesn’t show up under Security & Privacy, which is probably why the it says there is no connected camera.
I am running Catalina 10.15.6 and photo booth isn’t even an option under Security and Privacy….Help!
Updated to big sur and cam is stil not working
Ah! Somebody post if they found a solution!
— no vdc assistant found in activity monitor
— kill command in terminal worked in the past but no longer works
— mid 2012 macbook built in camera “there is no connected camera”
:(
Looks like this conversation died with no solution for some.