Reset your Mac’s system controller
If you find the camera on Mac not working still and nothing of the above seems to help, you may try resetting what’s known as the System Management Controller (SMC). The SMC manages a lot of hardware functions on your Mac and rebooting it may serve as a solution to your problems.
To reset the SMC on MacBook (2017 or earlier):
- Shut down your computer
- Plug in your power adapter
- Hold down Shift + Control + Options keys (alt) and the power button at the same time
- Allow 30 seconds to pass before releasing the keys, which will boot the Mac back up
Resetting the SMC on modern MacBook Air or Pro with the T2 security chip is different and involves a two-step process. Sometimes simply completing the first step will resolve the problem, but proceeding with both is generally a more solid approach for fixing the camera not working on MacBook issue.
The first step required to reset the SMC on MacBooks (of 2018 or later):
- Shut down your Mac
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds
- Release the power button and wait a few more seconds
- Turn the Mac on again
Check to see if you still have the Mac webcam not working problem. If the issue persists, proceed to the second part below.
The second step required to reset the SMC on MacBooks (2018 or later):
- Shut down your Mac
- After the computer is turned off, press and hold the right Shift key, and the left Option key, and the left Control key for seven seconds
- While still holding the keys, press and hold the power button for seven more seconds
- Release all and wait a few more seconds
- Press the power button again to turn the Mac on
Assuming the problem with MacBook Pro camera not working was with the SMC, whatever the issue was it should now be resolved.