What to check before a call
That the right camera is selected, that the picture is not upside down, and that the light is in front of you rather than behind. A window at your back turns you into a silhouette, and no camera setting fixes it — turning ninety degrees does.
Camera height matters more than people expect: a laptop on a desk points upwards, which is unflattering and makes eye contact impossible. Raising it to eye level is the single biggest improvement available.
Nothing is captured
The video is displayed and discarded. Nothing is recorded, stored or sent. The browser shows its camera indicator while the page has access, and the stream ends when the tab closes.
When another application has it
Most cameras can only be used by one application at a time. If the picture is black, a video call still running in another window is the usual reason — close it and reload.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the picture black?
Another application probably has the camera. Most can only be used by one program at a time — close any other call and reload.
Is anything recorded?
No. The video is shown and discarded; nothing is saved or transmitted.
How do I look better on camera?
Light in front of you rather than behind, and the camera at eye level. Both matter far more than the camera itself.
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