Google Meet Camera Failing – Here Are The Best Fixes

How frustrating is it when you try to join a meeting via Google Meet and see a camera failed error on a black screen? If this has happened to you, don't worry, we're here to help you get started.

This article focuses on troubleshooting common causes of camera failure. We'll show you how to allow access to your camera and microphone from your desktop through various operating systems and browsers.


What to check when you see camera failure in Google Meet

Before reviewing your permissions, here are a few things to check:


  • Check that your camera is connected
  • Make sure no other app is currently accessing your camera – this can be done in task manager
  • If you have multiple cameras installed, make sure the one you want to use is set to active
  • Make sure you're using the latest version of Google Meet
  • Make sure your camera is on just before joining the meeting

How to Fix Camera Failure in Google Meet on Windows 10

To allow Google Meet to access your camera through Windows 10, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start menu and select Parameters in the options list, it's the cog icon.
  2. Then click Intimité.
  3. Now, in the left part of the menu, click on Camera.
  4. Then select Change located under Allow access to the camera on this device.
  5. Now click on the toggle switch to Au for Camera access for this device.
  6. Du Camera settings, light up Allow apps to access your camera.
  7. Choose which Microsoft apps can access your camera, enable the Google Meet app.

To allow access to the microphone:



  1. Once again, from Start menu, select Parameters > Intimité.
  2. On the left side of the menu, click Microphone.
  3. Select Change in Allow access to the microphone on this device.
  4. Click the toggle switch to Au for Microphone access for this device.
  5. Likewise, from Microphone settings, light up Allow apps to access your microphone.
  6. Choose which Microsoft apps can access your microphone, enable the Google Meet app.

How to Fix Camera Failure in Google Meet on Windows 8/8.1

To allow Google Meet to access your camera through Windows 8/8.1, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Charms bar and then click the Search icon.
  2. Next, click the down arrow to change Everywhere to Settings.
  3. Now, in the Search Webcam input bar.
  4. From the list of options, select Webcam privacy settings.
  5. Next to the Google Meet app, hover over Au.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Again, open the Charms bar and then click the Search icon.
  2. Click the down arrow to change Everywhere to Settings.
  3. This time, type Microphone in the Search Pub.
  4. From the list of options, select Microphone privacy settings.
  5. Next to the Google Meet app, hover the slider to On.

How to Fix Camera Failure in Google Meet on Chromebook

To allow Google Meet to access your camera through Chromebook, follow these steps:



  1. Click on Parameters in the system tray.
  2. Now select Confidentialité et sécurité.
  3. Then select Site Settings.
  4. Click the arrow on the far left of the Camera option.
  5. Scroll down to https://meet.google.com/ under the Block section.
  6. On Camera, click the down arrow and change the permission to Allow.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Again, click Parameters in the system tray.
  2. Select Confidentialité et sécurité.
  3. Select Site Settings.
  4. Click the arrow on the far left of the Microphone option.
  5. Scroll down to https://meet.google.com/ under the Block section.
  6. At the microphone, click the down arrow and change the permission to Allow.

How to Fix Camera Failure in Google Meet on MacOS

To allow Google Meet to access your camera through macOS, follow these steps:

  1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
  2. Then select Security and privacy > Privacy.
  3. Now click on Camera.
  4. Allow Google Meet to access your camera by checking the box next to it.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Select System Preferences from the Apple menu.
  2. Select Security and privacy > Privacy.
  3. Select Microphone.
  4. Allow Google Meet to access your microphone by checking the box next to it.

How to Fix Google Meet Camera Failure in Microsoft Edge

To allow Google Meet to access your camera through Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:



  1. Go to https://meet.google.com/.
  2. Then click on the lock next to the link in the address bar.
  3. Now select Site permissions.
  4. Then click on the Camera drop-down menu and select Allow from the list of permissions.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Again navigate to https://meet.google.com/.
  2. Select the lock next to the link in the address bar.
  3. Click on Site permissions.
  4. Now click on the Microphone drop-down menu and select Allow from the list of permissions.

How to Fix Google Meet Camera Failure in Chrome

To allow Google Meet to access your camera from Google Chrome, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Chrome browser.
  2. At the top right, select More> Settings.
  3. Now under Confidentialité et sécurité, select Site Settings.
  4. Then under Permissions, select Camera.
  5. Under Not allowed to use your camera, select the arrow for https://meet.google.com/.
  6. Click on the drop-down menu to Camera and change the permissions to Allow.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. At the top right, select More> Settings.
  2. Sous Confidentialité et sécurité, select Site Settings.
  3. Sous Permissions, select Microphone.
  4. Under Not allowed to use your microphone, select the arrow for https://meet.google.com/.
  5. Click on the drop-down menu to Microphone and change the permissions to Allow.

How to Fix Google Meet Camera Failure in Firefox

To allow Google Meet to access your camera from Firefox, follow these steps:

  1. Open Firefox, click on the menu in the upper right corner and select Parameters. You can also type “about:preferences“, without quotes, in the search bar and press Enter.
  2. Now select Confidentialité et sécurité in the menu on the left side of the screen.
  3. Then under the Permissions section, click Settings…. for the Camera option. Currently allowed or blocked websites will be listed.
  4. Then for https://meet.google.com/ select Allow in the Allow/Block selector.
  5. Finally, click Save changes.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Select Parameters in the top right menu.
  2. Again, select Confidentialité et sécurité in the left menu.
  3. Au Permissions section, click Settings… for the Microphone option.
  4. Next to https://meet.google.com/ select Allow from the Allow/Block selector.
  5. Then click Save changes.

How to Fix Camera Failure in Google Meet in Safari

To allow Google Meet to access your camera from Safari, follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://meet.google.com/.
  2. Click on the Safari option.
  3. Select Preferences > Websites.
  4. Sous General, on the left side, select Camera.
  5. Click the down arrow next to Google Meet and select Allow.

To allow access to the microphone:

  1. Again navigate to https://meet.google.com/.
  2. Click on the Safari option.
  3. Select Preferences > Websites.
  4. Then under General on the left side, select Microphone.
  5. Click the down arrow next to Google Meet and select Allow.

Additional FAQs

What is the difference between Google Meet and Google Hangout?

Both are very popular web video conferencing apps, but let's take a look at some of the differences between them:

• Google Meets is a paid service, while Google Hangouts is free.

• In a single meeting, Google Meet allows up to 250 people, while the limit for Google Hangout is 150. It only allows 10 video participants, therefore others will need to join via voice.

• You must be a G Suite user to access Google Meet. Google Hangouts is available to anyone with a Gmail account.

• Google Meets allows you to access a meeting without the need for the Internet; by dialing the meeting number and entering the code. Google Hangouts does not have this feature.

How do I activate my camera in Google Meet?

Once you've granted permissions to your camera and microphone:

1. Join a meeting or start a new meeting yourself.

2. Next, in the call control options at the bottom center of the screen, click on the camera icon to the right of the phone icon.

3. The camera icon will appear red with a line through it when disabled; and only the camera is displayed on a light background when activated. During meetings, you can switch between ON/OFF as you wish.

How do I fix "Google Meet failed to join a meeting?" »

If, after making sure you've granted permissions to your camera and microphone, you're unable to join a meeting, consider the following:

• Make sure you are trying to join the meeting using your connected account; or else you will need to ask the host to allow you to join.

• Make sure you have been provided with the correct meeting code and, if you need to enter it manually, check that you have done so correctly.

• The host may have removed you from the meeting, you will need to check with them.

• The number of participants in the meeting may have been exceeded; again, check with the host.

Now we can see you Google Meet

Video calling apps have become increasingly popular these days as more and more of us are getting used to virtual meetings and conferences. Now that you know how to fix the camera failed issue; there's no need to worry that people can't see or hear you.

Have you ever had trouble with your Google Meet camera breaking down? If yes, how did you solve the problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

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