iMac camera not detected and serial number not found for Mac support site

[christinedwarne]

Hello everyone, I recently bought an iMAC from a family on Craigslist and when I got it home everything works but the camera. It says it isn't detected. It wont work with any software. When I went to the Apple site to get IT support I had to type in my serial number before I could talk to anyone. When I tried to type in my serial number it said it wasn't found. Eventually I just found a serial number online so that at least I could talk to someone. I was able to chat then with someone from Apple but when I told them the real serial number that was written on my computer base and was also seen on the right hand side of the screen when I searched for it, they couldn't find anything. So they were unwilling to help me at all with the camera issue. I am not sure what is going on or how I can fix any of these issues. I think the computer is likely refurbished but I don't know what to do. I don't have the family's contact info anymore. When I type my actual serial number into one of those 2nd party sites that tells you everything about your Mac it comes right up with specs that are identical to my computer, so I don't know why it wouldn't so up in the Apple database. All I really want is for my camera to work.

 

[MacInWin]

Welcome to the forum. You might want to read the two threads in my sig, just in case.

As for the serial, what does About This Mac show? (Click the  symbol upper left corner, then About This Mac. It should give the serial number of the unit. And if you do a further examination by clicking System Report, then Camera, it will show any hardware it detects.

I have had an issue with the Apple database for my iPhone in the past. Errors can occur for anyone. You didn't say, but I'm going to assume this is a slightly older iMac, so it's probably out of warranty so getting the camera repaired is going to be somewhat expensive, I expect. Once you know exactly what Mac you have from About This Mac, you can see if the good folks at ifixit.com have a repair process for you.

 

[christinedwarne]

Repair

Hi Jake, thank you for responding to my question. It seems like ifixit is more of a hardware repair place. I think that this is a software issue although I suppose I don't really have a way of knowing that.

 

[Slydude]

I think that this is a software issue although I suppose I don't really have a way of knowing that.

That's what Jake is trying to sort out by having you go to the detailed System report and selecting Camera. This should give us an idea about whether the computer is even detecting the camera hardware.

 

[pigoo3]

Hello everyone, I recently bought an iMAC from a family on Craigslist and when I got it home everything works but the camera.

Just a "crazy" thought. It's not very common for folks to have camera hardware issues (sure it can happen...but not too often). Since you purchased this iMac from a family (which may have had smaller children)...I wonder if the parents installed some sort of camera disabling app. Can't do this with the macOS...would have to be done via a 3rd party app.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

and serial number not found for Mac support site

Does the serial number, if any, shown in the "System Information" screen match the serial number usually on the bottom of the iMac stand?

The latter should be the one that Apple uses.

PS: Those other serial number lookup sites use a more generalized deciphering method even though they can be quite specific. Just not exact.

PPS: If the serial numbers are different or the "System Information" software one is missing, most likely the logic board was replaced at some point and only Approved Apple Techs can reset it. Well in theory anyway.

PPPS: We still have an old white G5 iMac we were given some years ago, but not in active use now, and neither it's builtin camera nor microphone worked, but a cheap USB microphone and webcam fixed that problem easily.
I think we may have used some old ecamm software to enhance the webcam operation for about $12.00±.





- Patrick
======

 

[IWT]

I wonder if the parents installed some sort of camera disabling app. Can't do this with the macOS...would have to be done via a 3rd party app.

You may well be on to something here, Nick.

There is an app called iSight Disabler, which can find be found on GitHub: https://github.com/rthomson/isight-disabler

I also found this, possibly dated, article on using this app to disable/enable iSight (PhotoBooth): https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-disable-your-macbooks-isight-camera/

Ian

 

[MacInWin]

But even with iSight Disabler, the camera must be detectable by the OS to enable/disable it. And if it's working, it should appear in About This Mac. If it's not there, then it could be hardware failure, either camera or cable.

 

[ferrarr]

Maybe give these a shot?

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

 

[christinedwarne]

Welcome to the forum. You might want to read the two threads in my sig, just in case.

As for the serial, what does About This Mac show? (Click the  symbol upper left corner, then About This Mac. It should give the serial number of the unit. And if you do a further examination by clicking System Report, then Camera, it will show any hardware it detects.

I have had an issue with the Apple database for my iPhone in the past. Errors can occur for anyone. You didn't say, but I'm going to assume this is a slightly older iMac, so it's probably out of warranty so getting the camera repaired is going to be somewhat expensive, I expect. Once you know exactly what Mac you have from About This Mac, you can see if the good folks at ifixit.com have a repair process for you.

___

In about my Mac the serial number is this. It is the same one that is on the bottom of the computer on the little sticker. W80306P3DAS
When I go into system report and then camera it says no video capture devices were found.

 

[chscag]

___

In about my Mac the serial number is this. It is the same one that is on the bottom of the computer on the little sticker. W80306P3DAS
When I go into system report and then camera it says no video capture devices were found.

There's no doubt that the serial number is a valid one as it's being reported by the Apple system information dialog and matches the one on the bottom of the machine. It could be that when you entered it into the Apple data base you typed it in wrong?

I just entered that serial number into the Apple lookup data base and this is what it gave me:

iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010)
Serial Number: W80306P3DAS

The machine serial number is valid according to Apple. The only conclusion I can come to is that the camera is defective or the camera cable that's attached to the logic board is broken. So your camera problem it would seem is a hardware one not a software one. The machine may have been worked on at one time; perhaps the hard drive replaced, or whatever. Any kind of repairs made to an iMac requires a complete disassembly of the display from the chassis. It's very easy to break a cable or leave one detached. Unless you absolutely need the camera, I would not have it repaired as it may be costly unless you can do the work yourself.

 

[pm-r]

Unless you absolutely need the camera, I would not have it repaired as it may be costly unless you can do the work yourself.

Or just get a USB model that's Mac compatible and even in the $20.00 - $40.00 range and may also even include a microphone, either part sometimes better than the original. i.e.:
https://www.imore.com/best-webcams-mac

PS: Even some from the local "dollar store" may work!




- Patrick
======

 

[Slydude]

Charlie, assuming that the OP wants/needs a camera, would one of the third-party cameras work with that model. The Logitech cameras, for instance, start at about $50.00 US for some of the lower resolution models.

 

[chscag]

Charlie, assuming that the OP wants/needs a camera, would one of the third-party cameras work with that model. The Logitech cameras, for instance, start at about $50.00 US for some of the lower resolution models.

Logitech cameras for the most part are compatible but with the proper software, even the ones mentioned by Patrick should work OK. You know... and this is just my take on it, I have had 4 Macs over the past 8 years and have never once used the camera on any of them although they all worked just fine. The only camera I have employed is talking with my grand daughter via my iPhone using FaceTime.

 

[pm-r]

The only camera I have employed is talking with my grand daughter via my iPhone using FaceTime.

Odd that you mentioned that Charlie as I was just trying to get my Skype working to contact my son and his family in Alberta. They got hit with a very nasty snow/ice storm the other day and still happening.

But typically Skype has forced an update on me which is as usual God awful and actually worse than their previous version which seems impossible to imagine and missing some old features I often used. Anyway, at least my iMac camera works but it seems like no other Skype contact is online at present.




- Patrick
======

 

[christinedwarne]

Thank you so much everyone. It seems like I will just have to buy a new camera. Any recommendations?

 

[christinedwarne]

Thank you everyone for your help. I just bought an external camera. I appreciate it!

 

[pm-r]

Thank you everyone for your help. I just bought an external camera. I appreciate it!

Boy, that was fast.

BTW: Which make and model camera did you decide on that you purchased???




- Patrick
======

 

[christinedwarne]

Oh my goodness. I bought the logitech C650 and when i plugged it into the usb port and downloaded the software from their site nothing happened! it still says no connected camera. oh my goodness this is frustrating.

 

[christinedwarne]

Never mind it started working. Thank you everyone!