Level 1

18 points

External camera video is laggy/choppy in conferencing apps until Photo Booth is opened

More details

After upgrading to macOS Tahoe, my external camera shows noticeably lagging/choppy video when used in video conferencing apps like Google Meet.

However, if I open the built-in Photo Booth app, the video instantly becomes smooth - not only in Photo Booth itself but also in whichever conferencing app is open at the same time. Once Photo Booth has been opened, the improved performance persists across apps until the apps are closed and re-opened.

I have tested and confirmed this behavior multiple times. Additionally, I have shared this workaround in two separate Reddit threads where other users reported experiencing the same issue and confirmed that opening Photo Booth fixed it for them as well.

Steps to reproduce

Upgrade to macOS Tahoe.
Connect an external USB camera.
Join a Google Meet call - video appears laggy/choppy.
Open the Photo Booth app - video smooths out.
Switch back to the conferencing app - video is now also smooth.

Expected result

External camera video should appear smooth in all apps without needing to open Photo Booth.

Actual result

Video is laggy/choppy in conferencing apps until Photo Booth is opened, after which video performance improves system-wide.

Reddit Threads

https://old.reddit.com/r/logitech/comments/1nij5tw/brio_500_webcam_laggy_after_updating_to_macos/

Edit

This might only be in Chrome. A user in one of the reddit threads mentioned they are not seeing the same issue if they switch to Safari.

[Edited by Moderator]

MacBook Pro 16″

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 9:03 AM

Top-ranking reply

Alphafoxtrot01

Level 1

20 points

Posted on Sep 24, 2025 7:28 AM

Seems to be fixed in Chrome 140.0.7339.208

Update and hopefully it works for you.

Just to note I saw the issue in Brave too, which uses Chromium under the hood. It hasn’t updated yet so still broken in Brave for now.

View in context

25 replies

Sep 18, 2025 3:01 AM in response to jerhinesmith

Same issue here; my device is a Mac Mini M4 base, and the webcam model is AIRHUG 3 in 1 Webcam—1080P Webcam with Microphone and Speaker, USB Webcam with Privacy Cover, for Video Conferencing/Online Class/Game Live

AWHughes

Level 1

26 points

Sep 18, 2025 4:15 PM in response to zdigitalbd

Interesting and you didn't have issues in previous OS versions? Out of everyone here you are the first to report an issue with a device that isn't Logitech.

I have a few users with other webcam brands who aren't reporting any issues so this is interesting.

Sep 19, 2025 7:39 AM in response to jerhinesmith

Hello everyone,

I am writing about an issue I'm experiencing with my Logitech Brio 500 camera while using conferencing applications. Specifically, the video from my external camera becomes laggy or choppy when using these applications, until I open Photo Booth.

This issue only started occurring after I upgraded my macOS to version 26. Is there already a solution to the problem?

Sep 19, 2025 8:01 AM in response to AWHughes

I dont have a Logitech camera and its worked perfectly until the point of updating to Tahoe. My camera now either lags with a pixelated image or doesn't even come on at all across zoom, google and FaceTime (I've tested it on a windows PC and its fine so definitely a MacOS issue rather than a faulty camera)

Sep 20, 2025 11:07 AM in response to jerhinesmith

I have a Logitech Brio 505 which works phenomenally on my work-provided Windows laptop. On my M4 Pro MBP, the video is choppy and worse quality than the on-board webcam - which is concerning. I am on the latest OS (Tahoe).

Sep 17, 2025 10:20 AM in response to jerhinesmith

I also have lag and choppiness with my Logitech C920 cam since i have upgraded to Tahoe.

jerhinesmith Author

Level 1

18 points

Sep 17, 2025 11:15 AM in response to leroydouglas

Filed. Thank you!

Sep 29, 2025 10:02 PM in response to chrisheath

And I spoke too soon after upgrading to Mac OS 26.0.1. All was fine until I opened Logi Tune, then it went laggy again.

Sep 30, 2025 1:00 AM in response to jerhinesmith

Updated to version Tahoe 26.0.1 and the lags remained.

I can understand, a small company with a small staff of developers.

Oct 7, 2025 2:13 PM in response to richardagilbert

I’m finding the issue is now on FaceTime only - the image quality and lag is really poor. Since the most recent update, the problem appears sorted on google meet and Teams just not with FaceTime!

External camera video is laggy/choppy in conferencing apps until Photo Booth is opened