Programs and websites to test the webcam of our PC

When we buy a laptop, one of the hardware elements that always comes with it is a webcam. This tool will help us to telecommute and hold conferences or record and transmit videos of our games online through the Internet. It can also be purchased as an external peripheral and connected to our PC through the USB port and with it we achieve better versatility of our equipment.

Web cameras are generally “plug & play”, so when we connect it or use it with any application, it will ask for permission to use it, since it is normal for it to recognize it immediately, without need to perform additional driver installations. Rare is the case that some configuration has to be done for this device to work.

Programs and websites to test the webcam of our PC

Why do we need to test our webcam

There are various reasons why we may need to test our webcam before using it. For example, if we have just bought or connected a new one and we want to check if it works correctly or if we have questions about the parameters and characteristics. In the case that we have several cameras, we can compare it to discover which is the best and we can even test its microphone or integrated speaker. Another interesting option is to get the FPS that it is capable of emitting, since a few frames per second low can cause delays when broadcasting videos. In addition, we can confirm other data such as how many colors a photo taken with the webcam has, what resolution it has and verify its quality compared to other options on the market.

To verify that it works correctly, there are certain types of softwares and web applications. From them we can test them and check that everything works correctly before using it and getting the most out of it. In this way, especially if we have bought it, we can carry out the relevant operations to check that everything works as it should.

When carrying out these checks, it is essential that we have the webcam connected to our computer and that we do not have it in use by another application or service that may interfere with its operation.

Programs to check the webcam

Next, we are going to different software tools that will help us to check if the webcam that we have connected to our equipment works correctly.

Windows Camera

The most comfortable way to carry out checks to see if our webcam is working correctly is to do it through the “Camera” application that comes pre-installed with Windows. You just need to type camera in the search box on the Start menu and select it. Once opened it should automatically turn on and work. It also has buttons with which to test it to take photos or record videos . From its Settings button we can see the maximum resolution that it is capable of accepting and change it if necessary.

In the event that the application is not installed on your Windows or you have deleted it, you can download it for free from the Microsoft Store.

Developer: Microsoft Corporation

Cámara de Windows configuración

OBS Studio, live recorder to test the camera

It is a free, open source, live recording and screencasting application. It is multiplatform, so in addition to being compatible with Windows, it can also be used on computers with Linux and macOS operating systems. It is not a test tool, but it helps us to connect our webcam and transmit from it, and in this way verify that everything works correctly . In case the webcam does not work with OBS, it is likely that it has some problem or that we need to configure it. In addition, if it has a built-in microphone, we can test it together in video transmission. We just have to select it from the list of devices and see a preview to check that it works as it should.

We can download OBS Studio for free by clicking on this link to its main website .

OBS Studio

Skype, see a preview and control its properties

This is one of the pioneering and most popular tools for broadcasting images over the Internet developed by Microsoft. This application can also be used to check its use in advance and if everything works as it should, as well as the microphone. For this, within its Configuration section, we can select the “Audio & Video” section. Here we can see a preview and test the audio. It also has a Settings section, from where we can make changes to the brightness, contrast, saturation, etc., as well as a control section.

Skype propiedades

Skype comes installed by default in Windows 10. Even so, you can always download it for free from the Windows Store.

Developer: Skype

Web applications for testing

When it comes to making checks to see if our webcam works correctly, we can also make use of various web applications that are run from web pages, such as the ones we can see below. Also, these work on Windows and other types of operating systems such as macOS and Linux.

Webcammictest.com, view and make adjustments

We are talking about a website specialized in testing our webcam quickly and easily. Through this website, if it works correctly, we will see ourselves on our screen so that we can check the quality of the image. It also has grid adjustments, so that we can check its position and point it in the correct direction or center it so that it focuses correctly where it should shoot. In addition, it will allow us to determine where the quarters and halves of the screen are located. Along with all this, it allows us to carry out image effects to check how it would look if the lighting in our environment were higher or lower, thus being able to change the brightness.

To test the Webcammictest site, just go to its official website .

Webcammictest

Webcamtest.com, complete and useful information

From this website we can have access to a free tool from where we can test our webcam and see if it works correctly. As a result of the tests we will be able to know, not only if it works, but also other useful information , such as the model, its resolution, number of colors, frame rate, image quality among other specifications. Likewise, in the event that this test tool detects a problem that you may have and will provide us with some tips to solve it. After testing is done, we can take photos and download them.

Using Webcamtest.com is completely free and we can access it by clicking on this link to its main page .

Webcamtest

Google Meet, verify and make necessary adjustments

Although it is not a test tool itself, we are facing one of the most common and popular applications for online videoconferencing, and it also has integrated tools that will allow us to know if the camera works correctly before to make a video call. We can use this online application to create an empty meeting from where to test if our webcam is perfectly enabled. It will only be necessary to create a new meeting and access the Configuration section. From the Video tab we can select our webcam and preview. It also allows us to adjust the video lighting , the maximum send resolution, and the maximum receive resolution.

Using Google Meet is free and to do so, all you have to do is go to its main website .

Google Meet para probar la webcam

Onlinemictest.com, the simplest option

From this simple web page we will be able to check if our webcam is configured correctly. We just have to click on the “Allow” button of the browser to give the page permission to use it. Later, in the “Test result” section, we can see a preview of what we are seeing , as well as some numbers that inform us of the amount of CPS (frames per second) that are being recorded. In addition, we must know that everything that happens on our PC is confidential and no information is sent to its servers to safeguard our privacy.

We can use the Onlinemictest.com service for free, so it is only necessary to click on this link to access the developer’s website .

Online Mic Test

What program or website should we use?

As we can see, we have several options to be able to check if it works correctly and all of them are free. The easiest way may be to use the Windows Camera application as it is pre-installed by default and you should be able to detect it and use it to record audio and video. In addition, it has some interesting configuration options.

But without a doubt, the one that has surprised us the most is the Webcamtest.com website, not only because of the possibility of seeing a preview of our camera without the need to install any software but because of all the additional information that it provides us, such as the resolution. , FPS, model, image quality, etc. All this makes it a very complete option not only to check if it works correctly but to know many details that we may not know.