ISight Camera light

My Isight camera light turns on randomly when the computer is first booted and the only way to make it go out is to completely shut the computer down. Even when restarted the light will remain on. Any idea what may be causing this?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93240

Similar Messages

Built-in iSight camera light on at startup

Every now and then when I start my macbook, the green iSight light is on, indicating the camera is in use, which it isn't. If I do try to use the camera (like in photobooth), it just shows black. The only way I have found to fix it is to shut down and hope it is off when I turn the computer back on. Has anyone else had this problem? Am I doing something wrong or is the camera defective? Any insight would help.
Thanks,
schmara

Welcome to Apple Discussions, schmara
Try the suggestions for the "exact same problem " in this thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1324068&tstart=0
One of them will help you, and, especially if your MacBook requires service by an Apple-Authorized Service Provider, you are wise to get the problem corrected ASAP.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.1) External iSight

Inbuilt isight camera, light fluctuating

Hi
I began using the inbuilt camera on my brand new imac and record for 1-6 minutes - but during that time the lighting level seems to fluctuate significantly and randomly. I am in evenly distributed artificial light but it seems like thunderclouds are passing over the room! Help appreciated.
Thanks, Eleanor

Hi Eleanor2,
I would guess that you are picking up fluctuations in the power at you location, similar to when you see TV or film shots of a video screen on the news or films on TV.
Your eyes are probably adjusting when it it happens about the computer is not and displaying it on play back.
I would use a closer non fluorescent bulb to try and eliminate this.
10:52 PM Wednesday; December 27, 2006
Happy Holidays

Isight camera self-activates?

my isight camera light flashes on for a second when i'm not using it.
i've checked photobooth and imovie, but they're not running.
my girlfriend's does this too (on 1st gen MB).
any thoughts on what's happening?

"yes also - i do have iAlertU_0.29b and LockdownV1.0.6 installed."
Well this is the cause of your issue. You will need to read iAlertU instruction manual and/or contact their tech support to confirm if if the iSight cam is suppose to self-activate when you are using the computer.
As for your girlfriend, is she there in the same house w/you when it happens to her or someplace else?
Has she tried all the suggestions mentioned in this thread?
It's possible she also has an anti-device installed that you don't know about!
Your girlfriend can take the computer to an Apple Store for them to check it out if the issue persists.

Make iSight camera take a snapshot of the user when keywords are typed

I work in an APR and we have a lot of trouble with people trying to look at adult content on our customer machines. Obviously we have blocked these types of sites, but we cannot keep tabs on all the proxies. We have also deleted Photo Booth off of the machines otherwise the machines are 3 people deep on weekends and we cant demo stuff to customers. does anyone know of any free apps that will take a snapshot of the user when they type in a keyword such as "Adult Games" or "Meatspin", save that file and the word they typed on the HD somewhere? Or, some way of making Automator do that? Don't forget that we do not have photo booth on the machines. And it would be nice if the App/automator didn't make the iSight camera light come on, and also notified us when a keyword has been entered.
Dan
Apple Premium Reseller, UK
Message was edited by: Nedanator

Oops
Step 4 should say save it an an application (not a script)
See also Neoporcupine's comments about Terminal being open

ISight camera shouts automatically

Before few days I installed a collection from new app on my MacBook, after that iSight camera light (the green light beside the camera) turn on for one or two seconds then tern off I think it's take a picture. This strange behavior repeat hour or something like that as I remember.
So any one have any idea about this issue?? or why this green light appear then disappear??
I'm afraid to be some kind off spyware or others!!
BTW: I installed the following programs:
1- Lockdown.app
2- salling Clicker
3- Adium book
4- Oops! (Game)
5- zend studio for eclipse

I think lockdown is the one. You may want to try deleting that app and see. To be safe, you might want to delete all the apps first and see if anything let's up.

HT3964 my built-in isight camera will still not work on my macbook pro after completing smc reset. The green light comes on but no video.

my built-in isight camera will still not work on my macbook pro after completing smc reset. The green light comes on but no video.
Any Suggestions?

Restart the computer.

ISight Camera not working and green light won't cut off

Ok, so I used to use macs all the time (exclusively) then I left for a few years, and now that I am back I have had a great experience so far except for this oddity...
I have no idea why but all of the sudden my little green light beside my built-in isight camera won't go away, I am not even trying to use it in any application. When I do, however, try to use it in photobooth for example it yields nothing but blackness. So, to troubleshoot I figured I'd try two things:
Re-installing Mac OS X from scratch using the CDs that came with it (no big loss, I wanted to customize the installation anyways)
Reset the SMC (I am used to resetting PRAM and stuff like that, so it's been a while for me)
Both of those have yielded no change.
I would have searched the forums for answers but apparently that feature has been turned off temporarily to help "improve support", or something I read rather quickly earlier lol
So I call upon you, Mac Geniuses, to please come to my aid...surely there is something else I can do to fix the isight on my macbook. I just got it, granted I got it refurbished from Apple, I expected nothing less than top notch from Apple as they have always delivered before.
Thanks in advance for any help!!
-Joshua

Ok, my mistake...When I went to reset the SMC I noticed when I upgraded the memory the retention bar that holds things *around the battery, I guess* into place wasn't in there the way it should be, the metal tab wasn't in it's little slot, so I fixed that error, then went on with the procedure and then no more problem
I'm an idiot, Apple rules, I'll be the first to admit it LOL
Have a great day!

Isight camera green light blink

My isight camera green light blinks every two seconds, when I try to use facetime or any other application of isight. And of course, the camera is not working.
I'm using a Macbook Pro, just bought it a month ago.
Does anyone have the same problem or have a way to solve this annoying issue?

Xiunei wrote:...Macbook Pro, just bought it a month ago.
Does anyone ... have a way to solve this annoying issue?
Yes. Your retailer does. He can either: (1) determine whether your new Mac needs repair or replacement, or (2) show you how to make your camera work correctly.

HT2090 hello, my eyesight issue happens occasionally, from time to time i run multiple apps that use the isight camera. when i close each app the isight camera's green light is still active. When that happens the only way to stop the isight camera is to r

hello, my eyesight issue happens occasionally, from time to time i run multiple apps that use the isight camera. when i close each app the isight camera's green light is still active. When that happens the only way to stop the isight camera is to reboot.
Is there a way to use activity monitor to identify and kill the process controlling the isight? My apologies in advance if this sounds windows (task manager) like.
Thanks

tqtclipper wrote:
hello, my eyesight issue happens occasionally, from time to time i run multiple apps that use the isight camera...
http://support.apple.
com/kb/HT2411: Your camera can be used by only one application at a time.
(Over time, Apple has changed the built-in camera's name on newer Macs from "iSight" to "FaceTime" and then to "FaceTime HD." Regardless of the name of your Mac's built-in camera, the same info and troubleshooting applies.)
tqtclipper wrote:
... Is there a way to use activity monitor to identify and kill the process controlling the isight? ...
http://support.apple.
com/kb/PH5147: You can quit any process you can see in those listed in the window that opens when you use Activity Mornitor's
Window >
Activity Monitor
menu command.
Message was edited by: EZ Jim
Mac OSX 10.8.3

Light for iSight camera?

I keep having a problem where if I am working on the couch or on the road, the lighting is too dim for anyone to see me on iChat. I remember there being a light for the old iSight camera, does anyone know if there is something similar for the built-in iSight camera? It would help out a lot.
Thanks in advance.

Hello BayArea MacFan
With the suggestions above, you have several good options.
I don't know of anything like the old Griffin SightLight for use with built-in iSight.
I have a SightLight, but use it only on the road. For daily use at home, I light my face with a small clamp-on lamp like this one. I tried several different bulbs and settled on a small (9 watt) "warm" toned fluorescent bulb that gave the best color balance without being too bright or too hot.
EZ Jim
PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OS X (10.4.11) G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OS X (10.5.1) External iSight

My isight camera was not working. so i tried to smc reset it as said in apples support community but now wat happened is my macbook pro don't charge, it don't show any light for checking charge, nor it starts up. please help. Thanks

my isight camera was not working. so i tried to smc reset it as said in apples support community but now wat happened is my macbook pro don't charge, it don't show any light for checking charge, nor it starts up. please help. Thanks

Try zapping the PRAM. See KB Article http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11243 OS X Mountain Lion: Reset your computer’s PRAM
If you are still under warranty and/or have AppleCare, call them. Let them deal w/it.

ISight camera indicator light is always on, unable to use camera function

I noticed today when I turned my imac on that my iSight camera indicator light is on and will not go away with reboot. I do not see any other programs running. I attempted to use the camera in iMovie but the screen stays blank. Any ideas?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2090
G5 DP 1.8 w/Mac OSX10.5.6 PowerBook 1.67 GHz w/Mac OSX10.4.11 iBookSE 366MHz OSX10.3.9 External iSight

ISight Camera Indicator Light

I use my integrated iSight camera periodically but I find that the green indicator light is rather annoying... any way of turning it off or dimming it?

Anyone of the following wll work. Opaque nailpolish, masking tape, duct tape or 3M Post It's work fine too.
Good luck.

Kisight: How do I get my iSight working ? Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)

Replacement for the second draft of this Thread   (To be removed if Published as Tip)
kisight: How do I get my iSight working ?
Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)
Hi,     On many subjects Apple has Articles and Documents that can help.
In some case they are written by an Engineer or similar and can miss the mark for the average user.
In other cases they are crafted, detailed responses to an issue that has popped up many times in the Apple Discussions and take the best from many responses in those User-to-User Discussions, creating something that can not be surpassed.
This is the case of the Apple Article HT2090 on Trouble Shooting an iSight.
It lists steps and processes to go through for both Internal iSights and External ones.
However as with most things it does sometime pay to reword things differently so that people grasp the points in language they understand.
The info here is a reworking itself of two pages at ralphjohns.co.uk/EZ Jim pages namely EZ JIm's page 2 Where can I Find Help With My iSight ? and his page 4, How Can I Test My iSight is Completely Functional ? which were written several years ago and predate the Apple Article, being aimed at the External iSight. They have been updated since to address the Internal iSight as well but some of the comments are useful between the two types.
External First. For Internal iSights Start at 2b) (you will need to adjust some options/steps as the Internal is USB)
Steps
1) Pre Purchase
If buying an External iSight you should if you an get to see it in action.Apple no longer sells the External iSight so you will be buying it second hand.If you cannot get to see the device plugged in and working on Mac then check the smaller print of the seller and selling site as to nature of Returns and Faulty Goods.
2) Does it work ?
a) First of all Plug it in. It should come with a suitable mount (although there are variants on this) and a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.
Ideally it should have it's own Firewire port/socket on your computer. Connecting it "DaisyChained" to other devices can be a problem as they do not all use Firewire at the same Data speed.
It will then go through some checks as the OS powers it up and checks it's firmware.
Do not be concerned that the little green indicator light atop your iSight illuminates for a few seconds and then goes dark when you first connect your iSight or power on your Mac. Do not be concerned if you hear a soft whir as iSight attempt to focus either. Both these occurrences are normal. If your iSight passes the following tests, do not worry about this sound or the status of the green light.
There is no ON switch as such. It does have an iris mechanism that can be controlled by the User. The iris should be turned so you can see the Lens for the iSight to send pictures to an application.
b) Pick an Application to see the picture the iSight produces.iChat is one application you can use. Photobooth is another. iMovie (Version 4 or above for external iSight -- Version 6 or above for in-built iSight) and Comic Book (if bundled on your Mac) are yet more.
See this Users Tip for more applications Or this page for yet more.
Photo Booth is probably the simplest as it has no Preferences to choose a camera in the original version and is done from the Menu items in later versions (nor is there any setting in the OS) and Photo Booth will default to the External Camera if one is plugged in before the application is started.     If you see your self or what the camera is pointing at, It Works !!
3) If it does Not Work
a) Check Cables/leads. Re-seat the cable at both ends. DO this carefully as although Firewire cables are keyed to fit the right way it has been known to force them the wrong way.
Try another 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable.
b) Unplug the cable from any other FireWire device and give the iSight it's Own FireWire port/socket on the Mac (exclude issues with other FireWire devices). It is important that this be a port/socket on your computer and that you know that it works. Do not use a port in a FireWire hub or another FireWire device or a FireWire port in an Apple Display for testing. (Also see d below if you have an 800 FIreWIre Computer)
c) Check System Profiler (Apple Icon menu top Left > About this Mac. > More Info Button)Open the Reveal Triangles to see the list and go to Hardware > FireWire. (Use USB for Internal Cameras)
If it appears here try booting or Logging in as another user on the Mac (Create a Test account if you don't have one) and try item 2b) above again.
d) With FireWire 800 computers you may have to change your FireWire 400 to 800 Adaptor or Cable to get full Audio functionality with Lion Apps
If it is not in the System Profiler you are almost certainly going to need the Trouble Shooting Article from Apple at this point. This Article may also be of help (number HT1317 What to do if your computer won't recognise a FireWire or USB device).
If you have not resolved things at this stage it is going to be time for an Engineer with Apple credentials.There are no user serviceable parts inside any iSight.
Other Items
Audio.
The External Camera has two mics inside.The volume it records at or plays through for iChat is controlled in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab (select device) and this should be set to get the blue response bar to at least half way (preferably three quarters) when you talk.The same applies to any other Mic, even the Internal one on laptops and some other Macs.
Firmware.
The System Profiler as detailed above should tell you the Firmware the iSight has. The current version is 1.0.3 and was updated in Panther. (Essentially it is an Audio compatibility update but does seem to help in other situations)
If your computer is running Panther (10.2.x) then use this Updater
If running Tiger (10.4.x) or Leopard (10.5.x) then navigate manually to your Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services/iSight Updater and run the updater found there.
If an iSight is Plugged in on the Computer when you do an OS update and the firmware needs updating on the iSight this app is supposed to be triggered but it seem it may need a hand at times.
Focusing on the External iSight
Essentially the External iSight is self or Autofocusing.
If in doubt then try better lighting and strong colours as opposes to light or pastels.
(All built-in iSights are fixed focus. Therefore, unless a built-in iSight lens cover is dirty or smudged, any built-in iSight whose image is blurry needs service by an Engineer with Apple credentials.)
EZ Jim has these more specific recommendations for piece of mind.
Make a cross whose lines are about one-half inch or more wide on a plain background to use as a focus target. (I have even used black electrical tape.)
Turn on plenty of light and hold the target very still at about two or three feet from the lens. Watch iSight focus. (You may need to use a tripod or brace yourself to hold the target still enough.)
Then quickly move the target and hold it very still at about one foot away from the lens. Watch iSight focus.
Finally, move in to about six inches from iSight, and check focus there, too. (Holding the target still is more important as you get closer to iSight.)
This Users Tip by Ian Bickerstaff can give you clues for any application really "Look and sound good in iChat"
Other Info and Links
iSight Support info at Apple Links to Users Guide, Manual and many other topics on the External iSight.
Apple's iSight Firewire Connectivity FAQs
Apple's iSight Service FAQs
If you feel you have not understood or think you have not grasped something here or in the links so far try the iSight Discussion Forum
1:13 PM      Saturday; October 8, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Replacement for the second draft of this Thread   (To be removed if Published as Tip)
kisight: How do I get my iSight working ?
Trouble Shooting an iSight Camera. (Version 3)
Hi,     On many subjects Apple has Articles and Documents that can help.
In some case they are written by an Engineer or similar and can miss the mark for the average user.
In other cases they are crafted, detailed responses to an issue that has popped up many times in the Apple Discussions and take the best from many responses in those User-to-User Discussions, creating something that can not be surpassed.
This is the case of the Apple Article HT2090 on Trouble Shooting an iSight.
It lists steps and processes to go through for both Internal iSights and External ones.
However as with most things it does sometime pay to reword things differently so that people grasp the points in language they understand.
The info here is a reworking itself of two pages at ralphjohns.co.uk/EZ Jim pages namely EZ JIm's page 2 Where can I Find Help With My iSight ? and his page 4, How Can I Test My iSight is Completely Functional ? which were written several years ago and predate the Apple Article, being aimed at the External iSight. They have been updated since to address the Internal iSight as well but some of the comments are useful between the two types.
External First. For Internal iSights Start at 2b) (you will need to adjust some options/steps as the Internal is USB)
Steps
1) Pre Purchase
If buying an External iSight you should if you an get to see it in action.Apple no longer sells the External iSight so you will be buying it second hand.If you cannot get to see the device plugged in and working on Mac then check the smaller print of the seller and selling site as to nature of Returns and Faulty Goods.
2) Does it work ?
a) First of all Plug it in. It should come with a suitable mount (although there are variants on this) and a 6 pin to 6 pin Firewire cable.
Ideally it should have it's own Firewire port/socket on your computer. Connecting it "DaisyChained" to other devices can be a problem as they do not all use Firewire at the same Data speed.
It will then go through some checks as the OS powers it up and checks it's firmware.
Do not be concerned that the little green indicator light atop your iSight illuminates for a few seconds and then goes dark when you first connect your iSight or power on your Mac. Do not be concerned if you hear a soft whir as iSight attempt to focus either. Both these occurrences are normal. If your iSight passes the following tests, do not worry about this sound or the status of the green light.
There is no ON switch as such. It does have an iris mechanism that can be controlled by the User. The iris should be turned so you can see the Lens for the iSight to send pictures to an application.
b) Pick an Application to see the picture the iSight produces.iChat is one application you can use. Photobooth is another. iMovie (Version 4 or above for external iSight -- Version 6 or above for in-built iSight) and Comic Book (if bundled on your Mac) are yet more.
See this Users Tip for more applications Or this page for yet more.
Photo Booth is probably the simplest as it has no Preferences to choose a camera in the original version and is done from the Menu items in later versions (nor is there any setting in the OS) and Photo Booth will default to the External Camera if one is plugged in before the application is started.     If you see your self or what the camera is pointing at, It Works !!
3) If it does Not Work
a) Check Cables/leads. Re-seat the cable at both ends. DO this carefully as although Firewire cables are keyed to fit the right way it has been known to force them the wrong way.
Try another 6 pin to 6 pin firewire cable.
b) Unplug the cable from any other FireWire device and give the iSight it's Own FireWire port/socket on the Mac (exclude issues with other FireWire devices). It is important that this be a port/socket on your computer and that you know that it works. Do not use a port in a FireWire hub or another FireWire device or a FireWire port in an Apple Display for testing. (Also see d below if you have an 800 FIreWIre Computer)
c) Check System Profiler (Apple Icon menu top Left > About this Mac. > More Info Button)Open the Reveal Triangles to see the list and go to Hardware > FireWire. (Use USB for Internal Cameras)
If it appears here try booting or Logging in as another user on the Mac (Create a Test account if you don't have one) and try item 2b) above again.
d) With FireWire 800 computers you may have to change your FireWire 400 to 800 Adaptor or Cable to get full Audio functionality with Lion Apps
If it is not in the System Profiler you are almost certainly going to need the Trouble Shooting Article from Apple at this point. This Article may also be of help (number HT1317 What to do if your computer won't recognise a FireWire or USB device).
If you have not resolved things at this stage it is going to be time for an Engineer with Apple credentials.There are no user serviceable parts inside any iSight.
Other Items
Audio.
The External Camera has two mics inside.The volume it records at or plays through for iChat is controlled in System Preferences > Sound > Input tab (select device) and this should be set to get the blue response bar to at least half way (preferably three quarters) when you talk.The same applies to any other Mic, even the Internal one on laptops and some other Macs.
Firmware.
The System Profiler as detailed above should tell you the Firmware the iSight has. The current version is 1.0.3 and was updated in Panther. (Essentially it is an Audio compatibility update but does seem to help in other situations)
If your computer is running Panther (10.2.x) then use this Updater
If running Tiger (10.4.x) or Leopard (10.5.x) then navigate manually to your Hard Drive/System/Library/Core Services/iSight Updater and run the updater found there.
If an iSight is Plugged in on the Computer when you do an OS update and the firmware needs updating on the iSight this app is supposed to be triggered but it seem it may need a hand at times.
Focusing on the External iSight
Essentially the External iSight is self or Autofocusing.
If in doubt then try better lighting and strong colours as opposes to light or pastels.
(All built-in iSights are fixed focus. Therefore, unless a built-in iSight lens cover is dirty or smudged, any built-in iSight whose image is blurry needs service by an Engineer with Apple credentials.)
EZ Jim has these more specific recommendations for piece of mind.
Make a cross whose lines are about one-half inch or more wide on a plain background to use as a focus target. (I have even used black electrical tape.)
Turn on plenty of light and hold the target very still at about two or three feet from the lens. Watch iSight focus. (You may need to use a tripod or brace yourself to hold the target still enough.)
Then quickly move the target and hold it very still at about one foot away from the lens. Watch iSight focus.
Finally, move in to about six inches from iSight, and check focus there, too. (Holding the target still is more important as you get closer to iSight.)
This Users Tip by Ian Bickerstaff can give you clues for any application really "Look and sound good in iChat"
Other Info and Links
iSight Support info at Apple Links to Users Guide, Manual and many other topics on the External iSight.
Apple's iSight Firewire Connectivity FAQs
Apple's iSight Service FAQs
If you feel you have not understood or think you have not grasped something here or in the links so far try the iSight Discussion Forum
1:13 PM      Saturday; October 8, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

ISight Camera light

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