View a markdown version of this page

Using a webcam on Windows, Linux and macOS clients - Amazon DCV
Selecting a webcamEnabling the webcamDisabling the webcamTroubleshooting
Services or capabilities described in Amazon Web Services documentation might vary by Region. To see the differences applicable to the China Regions, see Getting Started with Amazon Web Services in China (PDF).

Using a webcam on Windows, Linux and macOS clients

Note

The webcam option is available only if the following conditions are met:

  • You're authorized to use a webcam in the session.

  • You have at least one webcam connected to your local computer.

  • No other users enabled a webcam for use in the session.

Selecting a webcam

Launch the client, connect to the Amazon DCV session, and do one of the following depending on your client.

Important

You can't change the webcam selection while the webcam is in use, or while another client enabled a webcam in the session.

Windows

  1. Choose the Settings icon.

  2. Select Camera.

  3. Select the camera from the drop-down list.

    Webcam menu option
macOS

  1. Choose the Devices toolbar button.

  2. Select the webcam from the Camera menu.

    Tip

    A live preview shows the camera feed when a webcam is selected.

    Devices toolbar showing the Camera selection menu with live preview.
Tip

You can also select the webcam from the menu bar. Choose the Connection menu, then select Devices, Camera, and choose the desired device.

Linux

  1. Click on the Devices menu icon from the toolbar at the top.

  2. Select the camera from the drop-down list below the Camera toggle.

    Devices menu showing the Camera toggle and a camera selection drop-down.

Enabling the webcam

After selecting a webcam, enable it. The steps depend on the client used.

Windows

Choose the webcam icon on the toolbar.

Tip

You can also use the webcam icon to determine its current state.

Toolbar icon Description
Webcam disabled

Your webcam is disabled in the session. Other clients can enable a webcam for use in the session.

Click the icon to enable your webcam in the session. If you didn't previously select the webcam to use, the default webcam is used.
Webcam enabled

Your webcam is enabled in the session, but it isn't in use. While your webcam is enabled, no other clients that are connected to the session can use a webcam.

Click the icon to disable your webcam in the session.
Webcam in use

Your webcam is in use by a remote application in the Amazon DCV session. No other clients can enable a webcam while your webcam is in use.

Click the icon to disable your webcam in the session.
macOS

The webcam is enabled automatically when you select a camera.

Linux

Turn on the Camera toggle.

Tip

When you turn on the Camera toggle, a preview of the selected camera appears.

Disabling the webcam

Do one of the following depending on your client.

Windows

Choose the webcam icon on the toolbar.

macOS

  1. Choose the Devices toolbar button.

  2. Set the Camera selection back to None.

Linux

Turn off the Camera toggle.

Troubleshooting

Webcam doesn't work on Windows 10

Windows 10 provides built-in privacy settings that manage access to the device camera. If you're running Windows 10 on your client computer, these privacy settings might prevent use of the webcam.

Note

If you're connecting to a Windows 2019 Amazon DCV server, you might need to perform these steps on the Amazon DCV server as well.

To modify the privacy settings on your computer, do the following:

  1. Choose the search icon on the toolbar.

  2. Enter Settings and press Enter.

  3. In the left-hand panel, choose Camera.

  4. For Allow apps to access your camera, switch the toggle to the On position.

  5. You might need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Client application says that the webcam is in use

Only one application can use the webcam at a time. If you're using the webcam in multiple applications, first close the applications where it's no longer needed.