# Ubuntu Webcam Troubleshooting Guide

> If youre having trouble with your webcam here are some things you can do  Is your webcam in use already This is a useful test if youre finding out even if 

Source: https://knowledgebase.frame.work/en_us/ubuntu-webcam-By0SfgGno

Last updated: 2023-01-31T01:46:44.981Z

If you're having trouble with your webcam, here are some things you can do.

Is your webcam in use already? This is a useful test if you're finding out even if you don't believe it is:

  

sudo fuser -v /dev/video\*

  

  

If it's not showing as being used, are we sure it's accurately being detected?

sudo lsmod | grep uvcvideo

  

If it's showing as loaded (it'll appear multiple times), fantastic.

Now let's check to make sure the hardware switch isn't toggled off.

**Webcam is toggled off:**

![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/6047cd84502177bce9fccae2/e10bada4bc83d51c02601964beed800f.jpg)

  

**Webcam is toggled on:**

**![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/6047cd84502177bce9fccae2/1f5212e7f2ca88df7b2183804ce7f8ad.jpg)**  

  

Working now? Let's make sure the webcam is setup for optimal settings.

  

sudo apt install v4l-utils

  

then

  

v4l2-ctl --list-devices

  

You should see "Laptop Camera" at the top. 

  

If you do, now let's make sure the webcam defaults area set up for the best possible picture.

  

sudo apt install guvcview

  

Then run guvcview, set the hardware defaults:

  

![](https://cdn.kustomerhostedcontent.com/media/6047cd84502177bce9fccae2/b6a3a9e0d3f8a68d83d0e961fdc4aae4.png)