Google Meet Camera Not Working? How to Fix the Problem

Your Google Meet camera may not be working in many ways:

• When you try to launch your video stream, there's no video.
• When you launch your video, there's an error message.
• You can launch your camera video, but there's no sound.
  

This problem usually happens to people when you first launch Google Meet, and they can't launch their webcam video—usually, all they see is a blank screen.

Reasons Why a Google Meet Camera Is Not Working

Most of the time, Google Meet works perfectly, but there are quite a few reasons your camera may not work on Google Meet.

• The Google Meet app doesn't have access to your camera.
• Other apps may be accessing the camera and blocking Google Meet.
• You have multiple cameras, and the wrong one is activated.
• Your camera isn't enabled.
• You're using an outdated version of Google Meet.
• Your internet connection isn't working.

Each of these has a specific fix, which you'll find in the list below.

How to Fix Google Meet Camera Not Working

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

1. As with most technical issues, the first thing you should always try is restarting your computer. If you're using a mobile device, restart your Android or restart your iOS device.
   

2. Make sure your computer or laptop camera is activated. This step may seem like common sense, but on Windows or Mac, your camera may not be on by default. Before launching Google Meet, activate your Windows camera or start the camera on your Mac and then try again.
   

3. Make sure Google Meet has access to your camera. If you're using Google Meet on Chrome, make sure you've enabled Chrome access to your camera. Once you've done this, log in to Google Meet and start a new meeting. Select the Camera Blocked icon at the upper right. Then select Always allow https://meet.google.com to access your camera and microphone. Select Done.

   If your camera doesn't work immediately, exit the meeting and then re-enter again. Test if the camera video is now working.

   
   

4. If you're using Google Meet on your mobile device, make sure you've enabled Google Meet permissions to access your camera. This process is similar to how you enable camera access for any other app like Snapchat. On Android, this is in Apps in Settings. Find Google Meet and provide Camera access. On iOS, this is found under Settings > Privacy > Camera. Find the Google Meet app and provide access.
   

5. Make sure none of your other apps that use your camera are currently running. On Android, close all of the apps that you have open. Also, make sure to close any Android apps that are running in the background. If you're using an iOS device, there's another process to close all iOS apps.
   

6. Check that Google Meet is using the correct camera. Most mobile devices have a front-facing camera and a rear-facing camera. In the Google Meet app, start or join a new video call. Tap the switch camera icon at the top right and select the camera you want to use.
   

   If neither front-facing nor rear-facing cameras are working, you'll need to troubleshoot your camera before Google Meet works. Try troubleshooting tips to fix your iPhone camera or get your Android camera working before retesting Google Meet.

7. Update your Google Meet app. An outdated app means not all features may work properly. Update all of your apps on your Android device or update the apps on your iOS device. Then relaunch Google Meet and your meeting to check if your camera now works.
   

   You can ensure your apps are always up-to-date by enabling automatic updates on your iOS device or enabling automatic updates on your Android.

8. If all else fails, your internet connection may not be working correctly. This issue will prevent any video streaming using Google Meet on any device. Work through troubleshooting steps to fix your internet connection. If you use a home Wi-Fi network, also make sure your Wi-Fi network is working correctly.
   

   FAQ

   • 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.