If your webcam icon is green and your webcam has a light that is indicating it's on, but you cannot see yourself in your webcam feed, this may be due to something covering your webcam lens.
Examples of the Issue
Below are a few examples of what this problem might look like from the class lobby screen:
- Example 1 - The webcam button is green, indicating the webcam is on, but instead of seeing yourself, you see a black or blank video/box.
- Example 2 - The webcam button is green, indicating the webcam is on, but instead of seeing yourself, you only see your virtual background.
- Example 3 - The webcam button is green, indicating the webcam is on, but instead of seeing yourself, you see a picture of a webcam or laptop.
In all these scenarios, the issue is likely that you have something covering your webcam lens, such as a privacy cover. This is common when using a laptop.
How to Address the Issue
The solution is to closely inspect your laptop's webcam and see if there is any latch or slider to uncover your webcam lens. Below are few pictures of what these privacy covers might look like on a laptop:
- Example 1 - A raised circle that slides side to side to cover/uncover the camera lens. In this picture, the camera lens appears red, indicating its being covered by the privacy shutter.
- Example 2 - A notch above the camera that slides side to side to cover/uncover the lens. In this picture, the camera lens appears red, indicating its being covered by the privacy shutter.