How To Change Camera in Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

I’m going to teach you how to change camera in Google Chrome. If you have more than one webcam or you’ve plugged in a new external camera and Chrome keeps picking the wrong one for calls or recordings, setting your default camera in Chrome will make everything work the way you expect.

If you are also personalizing Chrome, you can quickly change Chrome’s color theme to match your setup.

Change Camera in Google Chrome [2026 Guide]

Open settings

Start with Chrome open on your computer.

Look to the top right corner of the window and click the three dot menu.

This opens the main Chrome menu where all the app settings live.

From here, choose Settings.

That will open a new tab dedicated to your browser preferences.

Privacy and security

On the left side of the Settings page, click Privacy and security.

This is where Chrome controls things like site permissions.

Next, select Site settings.

Site settings is where you decide what websites can access, such as your location, microphone, and camera.

Scroll down the page until you find Camera, then click it.

This takes you to a focused screen just for camera permissions and device selection.

While you are in Settings, you might also want to set your default browser for a smoother experience across apps.

Default behavior

At the top under Default behavior, make sure the option that allows sites to ask to use your camera is turned on.

With this enabled, websites can request access and you will see a small permission prompt the first time a site wants to use your camera.

If this is off, Chrome will block camera access entirely and your video will not show up, even if you selected the right device.

Select your camera

Below that, open the Default camera drop-down menu.

You will see the list of cameras that your computer currently recognizes, such as a built in webcam or any external USB camera you have connected.

Choose the camera you want Chrome to use by default.

If you are using an external webcam, make sure it is plugged in and powered on before you open this menu.

If you do not see the device you expect, try unplugging and reconnecting it.

Then reopen the Camera settings page or restart Chrome so it can refresh the list of available devices.

Once you have selected your default camera, you are set.

Chrome applies this choice immediately, and the next time a site asks for camera access, it will use the device you picked.

Troubleshooting

If you still do not see video after setting the default, confirm that you allowed the site’s permission prompt when it appeared.

Consider checking your operating system’s privacy settings to ensure Chrome has permission to use the camera.

If you are tuning Chrome for readability and comfort, you can also change the default font in Chrome.

Final Thoughts

Once you pick a default device and allow site access, Chrome remembers your choice and uses the camera you prefer. Keep the permission prompt enabled and verify system privacy settings if video still does not appear. These quick checks resolve most camera selection issues in Google Chrome.