Let’s face it; built-in webcams aren’t always the best. If you are using a Chromebook, your integrated webcam may be plaguing you with fuzzy, low-quality webcam footage. If this is the case, you may have thought about adding an external webcam. Adding an external webcam can be a great way to add a high-quality vibe to your next video call.
You can connect an external webcam to a Chromebook, although, unfortunately, not all webcams can work with ChromeOS. But, if you do a little research ahead of time, you can easily find a compatible webcam and follow some simple steps to get it set up.
You may have been using the built-in webcam and are worried about the low-quality footage. If you’re the type of person who is constantly on video calls or doing streamed content, you know how vital a good webcam can be. Chromebooks have become a popular alternative to Windows and OSX machines but they come with their own instructions and requirements for webcams. To learn more and to find out how to connect a webcam to your Chromebook, read on.
How to Connect a Webcam to your Chromebook in 6 Steps
Chromebooks are great devices that simplify the computer experience. They give us access to what we want: the internet. But, with more and more applications using some form of video recording, it has become essential to have a high-quality webcam. This means that sometimes your built-in webcam just won’t cut it. If you want to add an external webcam to a Chromebook, follow the steps shown below:
- Plug the webcam into one of the external USB ports.
- Open up the Google Chrome web browser from the menu bar.
- From the menu bar, you should see a Settings button toward the top right corner of the screen. Click it and select Show Advanced Settings.
- Next, within the privacy section, click Content Settings.
- Scroll through all the media options in the menu and select the webcam in the drop-down menu labeled Camera.
- This should connect your USB webcam to the computer and allow you to use it the next time you need a video source.
Chromebooks are all about simplicity. The aim is to provide an experience that is easy to use for all users. This means that a task like adding a new webcam should be easy and straightforward. However, problems do occur. If you are having trouble connecting your new webcam to your Chromebook, there could be a few issues.
Troubleshooting a Webcam Connection to Your Chromebook
While the process to get a webcam setup is relatively painless, that does not mean you won’t run into problems. If this is the case, it can be frustrating, but, don’t worry, we have found a few common ways to fix the problems with webcams and Chromebooks.
Your first line of support is to try and reset the webcam itself. Sometimes, an outdated driver or something similar is causing the problem. If this is the case, a simple reset could alleviate a lot of issues. To reset your webcam settings on a Chromebook:
- Open the Chrome browser
- Find and click the Start Menu
- From here, find Settings
- Under Settings, you should see a Show Advanced Settings tab; click it.
- From here, you can use the Reset Settings option to get everything back to factory settings.
Keep in mind that these are not necessarily webcam-specific directions. These directions reset all of your settings in Chrome. Consequently, it may affect some other applications, so be careful when using this method.
If that doesn’t work, you can try one more troubleshooting path that has helped some users (forum). The detail is that we’re going to try again from the Chrome browser, but from a different path. Sometimes, if it’s a specific website (not an extension) trying to use the camera, you need to managing the individual site permissions like this:
- In the top right corner, click the three dots of the browser page
- Click settings
- Click privacy and security
- Next, look for an option for site settings, and find the camera option in the permissions section
- Next select your camera from the list
How to Record Video With a Webcam and a Chromebook
Unfortunately, Chromebooks don’t come pre-installed with software that can easily record video through your webcam. To accomplish this task, you need to find an app that can handle video recording.
The Google Chrome store offers several options when it comes to handling this type of task. One popular option is Google Meet. This app allows you to talk face-to-face over the internet using either your built-in webcam or your external webcam. Since this is a Google product, it works with Chromebooks without any additional installations.
Other options that would allow some screen-recording using the webcam like Zoom will likely require you to download the Chrome extension. You can try services like Skype too, but some users (forum) report the Sykpe Chrome app being especially finicky.
Once you’re up and running, simply start a “meeting” and click record.
Great Webcams to Use With Chromebooks
If you are on the lookout for a webcam for your Chromebook, you have a few options to choose from.
There are budget options, ones that offer a higher-quality image and even ones that provide additional features like an integrated light. While there are differences, you will almost certainly get higher-quality video no matter which webcam you choose. Below you will find some stellar options that will be compatible with your Chromebook.
A Great Budget Webcam for Using with Your Chromebook
Logitech is one of the more popular webcam manufacturers out there. They consistently produce reliable products that are reasonably priced and can last for years. Additionally, Logitech has worked closely with the Google team to make sure their webcams will be plug-and-play. This means you don’t need to worry about too much setup other than just plugging the device in and selecting it in your settings.
For an excellent budget webcam under $40, look no further than to the Logitech HD C310 (on Amazon). This webcam is perfect for many different situations and light conditions. While this webcam tends to fall in the lower end of Logitech’s offerings, it is still an excellent choice for most users. Some of the features it comes with include a 5-megapixel camera, 720p video calling, a built-in microphone, and automatic light correction.
A High-Quality Webcam for Use With a Chromebook
If you are looking for the best of the best, then the Logitech HD Pro Webcam (on Amazon) is an excellent choice. This webcam offers users unparalleled video conferencing capabilities compared to other budget cameras.
It comes equipped with a highly proficient video compression protocol that helps you achieve fast upload and streaming speeds with less stress on your computer. The Logitech HD Pro features: full 1080p video, built-In noise-reducing microphone, a two-megapixel camera, and cross-platform compatibility
A Webcam Option for When You Need an Integrated Light
If you are working in low-light settings—or recording a lot at night—you might want to source a webcam with an integrated light. This will help others see you clearly in the video, even if it’s too dark for your integrated webcam to pick up your face.
This Micro USB HD Webcam 1080P (on Amazon) is a fantastic option that will provide the light you need. It also comes jam-packed with other features like a five-layer glass 1080p lens, four LED lights to brighten up dark environments, and a built-in noise-canceling microphone.
Why Get an External Webcam for Chromebook?
Perhaps you’re wondering, ‘My Chromebook has a built-in webcam. Why should I bother with an external one?’ This is a fair question. For casual video calls, the built-in webcam should suffice. But there are some compelling reasons to consider adding an external webcam to your Chromebook setup.
Firstly, the image quality. External webcams often provide much higher resolution than their built-in counterparts. They are designed to deliver clearer video, brighter colors, and a wider field of view.
Next, let’s talk about audio. Many external webcams come with built-in noise-reducing microphones. This can drastically improve the audio quality of your calls, making sure your voice is heard loud and clear.
So, you’re starting to see a theme here: better picture…better audio…a webcam is the tool that you use to present yourself to people, and for some, better picture and audio quality really matter.
Pro Tip: The camera is the tool that is used to present you to the world, so, if you’re in a professional environment, it’s more likely that you would benefit from a higher quality camera.
Is it Worth It to Get an External Webcam for Your Chromebook?
If you have already been using your integrated webcam, you may be wondering why you would need to add an external webcam to your setup. Well, to put it simply, you are going to get an image that is far better than your built-in webcam. It will be clearer and feature brighter colors, a wider field of view, and provide richer and fuller colors.
If you are using your webcam for work, it can add a professional quality to your video conferencing. People will not only be able to see you better but more often than not, they will also hear you better. Your built-in webcam is sufficient for some tasks but ultimately will offer: fuzzy video, blurry images, poor color saturation, and a limited field of view. Nothing communicates professionalism like high-quality video and audio.
Wrapping It All Up
Google’s Chromebook offers users a relatively easy and straightforward computer experience. With most Chromebooks coming equipped with a built-in webcam, you get video conference fairly easily. While the built-in camera can work well, to get the most out of your video conferencing, you need to get an external webcam.
And these Chromebooks are so flexible…we’ve even seen some users (forum) use a Chromebook as the access point for the NVR security system (another topic we’ve covered in detail on the site). But it just goes to show that these are very flexible tools allowing you to add webcams too!