Click the button and allow camera access to begin.
Nothing you see here is recorded or uploaded – the stream stays on your device.
Quick answer: Click Start camera and allow access. If you see yourself, your webcam works – the tool also shows the real resolution and frame rate your camera is delivering, lets you switch between cameras, mirror the view and save a snapshot. The video never leaves your device.
This webcam test shows exactly what your camera sends to video-call apps: the live picture, the true resolution being delivered (which is often lower than the megapixels on the box) and the frame rate. It's the fastest way to check a new laptop, an external USB camera or a phone camera before a meeting or interview – and to catch a lens still covered by a privacy shutter or sticker.
Like every GadgetsFocus tool, it runs completely in your browser. The video stream goes from your camera to your screen and nowhere else – there is no recording, no upload and no server involved, which you can verify by loading this page and switching off Wi-Fi: the preview keeps working.
How to test your webcam online
- Click Start camera and choose Allow in the browser permission popup.
- Check the live preview – the resolution and frame rate detected appear below it.
- If your device has several cameras (front/back, external USB), switch with the dropdown.
- Use Mirror to flip the view and Take snapshot to download a test photo.
Why use the GadgetsFocus webcam test?
- Live preview with the camera's actual delivered resolution and frame rate.
- Camera switcher for phones (front/rear) and PCs with multiple webcams.
- Mirror toggle – see yourself the way apps like Zoom display you.
- One-click snapshot saved as a PNG so you can inspect sharpness and lighting.
- Zero upload: the stream stays between your camera and your screen.
Honest limitations
- Camera access requires HTTPS and your permission; if you blocked it before, re-enable it via the padlock icon in the address bar.
- The resolution shown is what the browser negotiated – many 4K cameras deliver 1080p or 720p in browsers, which is normal and matches what call apps receive.
- If another program (Zoom, Teams, OBS) is already using the camera, Windows may refuse to share it – close the other app and retry.
- This tests the camera hardware and browser pipeline; app-specific problems (wrong camera selected inside Zoom, virtual-camera drivers) need fixing in that app.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my webcam showing a black screen?
In order of likelihood: a physical privacy shutter or sticker over the lens, another app currently holding the camera, blocked browser permission, or (on Windows) Settings → Privacy → Camera set to off. Laptop function keys (often F8/F10) can also disable the camera at hardware level.
Is this webcam test private?
Completely. The video is displayed straight from your camera inside your browser tab. Nothing is recorded, stored or transmitted – the page works even with the internet disconnected once loaded.
Why does it show 720p when my camera is 1080p or 4K?
Browsers request a resolution and the camera driver picks the closest efficient mode; many default to 1280×720 for smooth frame rates. Your camera can still deliver its full resolution in software that requests it explicitly.
Can I test my phone's front and back cameras?
Yes – tap Start camera, then use the camera dropdown to switch between front and rear lenses. Both work on Android and iPhone in Chrome and Safari.
Does the snapshot get saved on your server?
No. The snapshot is generated by your own browser from the live preview and downloads directly to your device as a PNG file.
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Last updated: July 11, 2026. Built and tested by the GadgetsFocus team on Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari (desktop & mobile). Everything on this page runs locally in your browser — we never see, store or transmit your files.