Teams for Linux sees camera, but can not use it

George Willegers 16 Reputation points
2020-11-03T13:27:00.75+00:00

I just installed Teams for Linux, version 1.3.00.25560, 64-bit deb-package, on Linux Mint 20 (based on Ubuntu 20.04).
Everything seems to be working, except the camera. Teams recognizes the camera (A Mobius, connected as webcam via USB), but says it can not use the camera. The screen stays black.
Camera is switched on and can be used by a Python script (did this as a test).
The Teams log does not contain the words camera, video or Mobius.
Why can't Teams use my camera, or at least tell me why it can not use the camera?

I already tried unplugging the camera, killing Teams, reconnecting the camera, starting Teams, without success.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Skype for Business | Linux
Microsoft 365 and Office | Skype for Business | Linux

A Microsoft communications service that provides communications capabilities across presence, instant messaging, audio/video calling, and an online meeting experience that includes audio, video, and web conferencing.

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  1. Sharon Zhao-MSFT 25,776 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2020-11-04T02:43:40.323+00:00

    @George Willegers , @Fabien Tremblay ,

    The certified web camera for Microsoft Teams are listed here.
    Mobius and OBS are not included in it. So, it recommends you change a certified camera.

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  2. Sharon Zhao-MSFT 25,776 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff
    2020-11-06T09:43:39.95+00:00

    @George Willegers ,

    It maybe the compatibility problem between Teams app and your camera devices.

    So, it’s better to use the certified camera device.

    Besides, I have created a feedback to request more certified device for Teams in this link: https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/41873938-need-more-certified-devices-for-microsoft-teams. You could vote for it.

    Microsoft will always focus on customer’s feedback and experience. Some new features would be added to the services based on customers' feedback in the future, and your good ideas will be very helpful for them to improve the service.

    Your time, understanding and cooperation will be highly appreciated.

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  3. Martin Emrich 11 Reputation points
    2021-03-20T13:30:20.98+00:00

    Hi George!

    I just found out that Teams on Linux apparently only supports resolutions up to 1280x720. So if your webcam, OBS or loopback device outputs e.g. 1080p video, the screen stays black in teams.
    If that's the case, try lowering the resolution in your source if possible.

    See also https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/908686-bug-reports/suggestions/42405061-linux-application-shows-black-video-on-webcam-with

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  4. Reinier Post 11 Reputation points
    2021-06-10T13:51:40.67+00:00

    I just experienced the same problem on Ubuntu 18.04 with the Teams client installed from package (not snap) and a dirt cheap 20 year old webcam (lsusb says it's an ID 093a:2468 Pixart Imaging, Inc. SoC PC-Camera). The Teams client sees it, but sees no image; camorama sees it just fine.

    In the past, with other video applications, I've been able to fix this by preloading a compatibility library, so I just tried to do the same with Teams:

    env LD_PRELOAD=/usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libv4l/v4l1compat.so teams

    No luck. It must be something else. Time to buy a new webcam :) The built-in webcam on my HP Zbook works fine.

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  5. Florian Widder 21 Reputation points
    2021-09-08T06:43:09.877+00:00

    I was able to solve the Problem using a virtual video Device and ffmpeg. 

    sudo apt install v4l2loopback-dkms
sudo modprobe v4l2loopback

ffmpeg -f v4l2 -i /dev/video0 -vf format=yuv420p,scale=1280x720 -f v4l2 /dev/video1

    It changes size of the Video so Teams is able to use it.

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    4 people found this answer helpful.

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