FaceTime Black Screen? 9 Easy Fixes for Mac and iOS Devices

While the world goes through a global pandemic, more people are using video calling apps to stay connected with family members, colleagues, teachers, and others. Apple customers depend on the FaceTime application created by them to have a better video call experience.

Although FaceTime works perfectly most of the time, just like other applications available, it may have problems. One of these issues concerns the FaceTime black screen issue, which is often encountered when using Mac devices. Here are some of the best methods you can solve the FaceTime black screen on Mac. FaceTime dark screen issue on Mac:

Why Is My FaceTime Screen Black?

The FaceTime black screen issue could be caused by a variety of reasons that range from minor software glitches to hardware issues. Here are common reasons:

• Camera access is disabled for FaceTime
• Weak or unstable internet connection
• Temporary macOS or app glitches
• Another app is using the camera
• Outdated macOS or FaceTime version
• Hardware issues

Understanding the root cause will help you fix the issue quickly.

Also read: FaceTime Photos Not Saving? 9 Easy Solutions for iPhone Users

How to Fix FaceTime Black Screen on Mac

1. Force Quit and Restart FaceTime

The most efficient and initial method to eliminate your black screen on FaceTime is to stop with your “Command + Q” buttons on the keyboard. You can also do this simply by pressing “FaceTime” and choosing “Quit.” Launch it again with the application folder on your Mac.

2. Check Your Internet Connection

A weak Internet connection may also result in a black screen on FaceTime. If you’re using Wi-Fi, it is possible to disconnect and reconnect or restart the router to resolve the issue with your network. You can also switch to cell data. After that, you can start the FaceTime video call and verify whether the black screen issue has been resolved.

3. Make Sure You’re Using Video Call (Not Audio)

It may sound silly, but you need to ensure that you’re really making a video conference instead of calling using a voice. If you’re making a call using a voice call, FaceTime will show an empty screen. It happens to me a lot of times when I mistakenly make an audio call instead of making a video call. To make a video phone call, it is best to press the icon for video instead of pressing the phone icon.

4. Check Camera Permissions

When the FaceTime app isn’t able to gain access to the camera of your iPhone or iPad, a black screen will be displayed. To resolve this issue, navigate to the Settings menu, select Privacy, then Camera. Make sure that the toggle switch is on in your FaceTime app.

5. Test Your Webcam

Problems with your camera could cause a black FaceTime screen. To verify if your webcam is working, you can open and launch it using an alternative software like Skype or virtually any other application in which you can test your webcam. If your webcam isn’t working with any of the apps, there’s likely an issue with the hardware on your device.

6. Ask the Other Person to Check Their Device

If you are able to see yourself, and your webcam functions well on any other application that you test using it, and you can’t even see your partner, it could be a problem in the end. If the issue occurs on its own or for some other reason when the webcam doesn’t function correctly, it could show a black screen. You should inquire whether their webcam works perfectly, the software is up-to-date, and FaceTime is acess the permissions to connect to the webcam.

Also read: FaceTime Waiting for Activation? 9 Fixes You Should Try

8. Use Terminal to Reset Camera Processes (Advanced Fix)

Let’s now look at some advanced methods that may be effective. We’ll type several commands on Terminal, be sure that you are doing this with great caution. Failure to type the commands correctly could cause unwanted issues.

Before following these steps, be sure to close any programs that use your webcam. Since we’ll end some processes that the webcam is utilizing.

• Open the Terminal.
• Enter the following command, then hit Enter.
  sudo kill all VDCAssistant
• If asked, give your password.
• After that, run the following command.
  do killall AppleCameraAssistant
• Remember to enter the password again when you are asked.

Following the steps mentioned above, you can try opening FaceTime again. The issue could be resolved by determining the root cause. If the issue continues to persist, you can move to the next step.

9. Update macOS and FaceTime

If you have recently upgraded your software or the operating system, there is a chance that a glitch is the cause of the FaceTime not working problem. If this happens, try reverting to the previous working version or updating to the latest version, if it is available. The software that is outdated can cause problems if there are issues. Particularly if you haven’t been using your device for long, ensure that you update everything to the most recent version, including your operating system and the FaceTime software.

Tips to Prevent FaceTime Black Screen Issues

To avoid facing the FaceTime screen black issue again:

• Keep your macOS updated
• Avoid running too many apps simultaneously
• Restart your Mac regularly
• Use a stable internet connection
• Ensure your camera is not blocked

Final word

If you follow the FaceTime Black Screen fixes mentioned above, you can easily restore your FaceTime video and continue to enjoy uninterrupted contact. After this, if the issue persists, it’s best to determine if there are issues with your hardware or contact Apple Support.

FAQs: FaceTime Black Screen