How to Resolve Firefox Browser Not Showing OBS as a Camera?

OBS Studio is one of the most popular tools for livestreamers, educators, and creators who want to use custom video scenes inside video-conferencing apps or browsers. One of its most useful features is the OBS Virtual Camera, which lets users output the OBS video feed as a webcam device. However, Firefox users often encounter a frustrating problem: the OBS Virtual Camera does not appear in Firefox’s camera list.

Fortunately, the fix is usually simple once you know where to look. This article explains all the reliable ways to fix Firefox not showing OBS Virtual Camera, along with a lightweight alternative, perfect for users who want a simpler and more stable screen recording solution.

1. How to Resolve Firefox Browser Not Showing OBS as a Camera ?

Below are the most effective solutions, starting from the simplest and moving toward more advanced troubleshooting.

1.1 Start OBS Virtual Camera Before Opening Firefox

Firefox only scans for new camera devices when it launches . If OBS Virtual Camera is started after Firefox is open, the browser often won’t detect it.

Fix :

Close Firefox completely > Open OBS Studio and click Start Virtual Camera (bottom-right) > Reopen Firefox > Visit your camera-enabled website again and open the camera dropdown.

This alone solves the issue for many users.

1.2 Reset Firefox Camera Permissions

Sometimes Firefox will hide devices if you previously blocked camera access on a site.

Reset Method :

• Open Firefox and type: about:preferences#privacy
• Under Permissions , find Camera > Click Settings…
• Remove blocked sites or click Remove All Websites .
• Reload the camera website.

After resetting permissions, Firefox will rescan for available webcams, including the OBS Virtual Camera.

1.3 Allow Camera Access in the Operating System

Both Windows and macOS now have strict privacy controls that can block webcam devices—even virtual ones.

Unter Windows :

• Go to Settings → Privacy → Camera .
• Ensure Allow apps to access your camera is enabled.
• Make sure “Desktop apps” also have camera access.
• Restart Firefox.

On macOS :

• Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera .
• Ensure Firefox is allowed.
• Scroll down and check if macOS is blocking OBS’s virtual camera extension.
• If so, allow it and restart your system.

macOS users are especially likely to experience this issue due to blocked kernel extensions.

1.4 Update OBS Studio to the Latest Version

Older OBS versions may use outdated virtual camera drivers that Firefox no longer supports.

Steps :

• Go to OBS → Help → Check for Updates .
• Install the latest version.
• Restart your computer.

Once updated, start the virtual camera before launching Firefox.

1.5 Reinstall or Repair OBS Virtual Camera (Windows)

If the driver is corrupted, Firefox won’t detect it at all.

Fix :

• Download the latest OBS installer from the official website.
• Run it and choose Uninstall (this also removes the virtual camera driver).
• Reinstall OBS.
• Open OBS → Start Virtual Camera .

1.6 Close Other Apps That Might Be Using the Camera

Only one application can use a camera source in Firefox at a time.

Apps such as: Zoom, Teams, Discord…can block virtual camera access.

Fix :

Close all apps that may be using a camera and restart Firefox.

1.7 Reset Firefox’s Internal Device Cache

If Firefox is not detecting new webcams, you may need to clear the browser’s hidden device lists.

Steps :

• Enter the address bar: about:support
• Click Refresh Firefox .
• Follow the prompts to reset.

This keeps your bookmarks and passwords but refreshes the browser’s internal configuration—including how it detects webcams.

1.8 Test the Camera in Another Browser

To confirm whether OBS Virtual Camera is detectable on your system:

• Try in Chrome
• Try in Edge
• Try in Zoom or Discord

If OBS Virtual Camera shows up in other apps, the issue is specific to Firefox.
If it doesn’t show anywhere, the driver itself is broken → reinstall OBS.

1.9 Try Firefox Troubleshoot Mode for Extension Conflicts

Some privacy extensions block virtual webcams.

Steps :

• Menu → Help → Choose Troubleshoot Mode…
• Firefox restarts with extensions disabled.
• Test the camera website.

If OBS appears now, an extension is the cause. The most common offenders are:

• Privacy Badger
• uBlock Origin (rare)
• NoScript
• Hardening extensions
• Camera background blur add-ons

Disable the problematic extension and restart Firefox normally.

2. Try the Simple OBS Alternative — Swyshare Recordit

OBS is powerful, but it can be overly complex for users who simply want a clean, easy-to-use screen recorder for browser meetings, teaching, or screen presentations.

If you want a straightforward solution with fewer technical problems, Swyshare Recordit is an excellent lightweight alternative.

What Makes Recordit a Good Replacement :

• Simple setup without complex scene management
• Screen recording + webcam
• Record both system audio and microphone on Mac and Windows
• Multiple output formats (MP4, GIF, MP3, etc.)
• Mouse highlight & drawing & editing tools for tutorials
• Custom hotkeys for quick control

How to use Recordit :

• Download and install Swyshare Recordit .
• Open Recordit and choose your mode (Screen, Webcam, and Audio).
• Set recording options like resolution, mouse effects, and hotkeys.
• Click Start Recording (or use your hotkey). When finished, click Stop Recording.
• Find recordings under the “Files” tab, and edit the video using Recordit ’s built-in editor if needed.

3. Conclusion

Getting OBS Virtual Camera to work in Firefox can be frustrating, but with the right sequence—starting OBS first, checking permissions, and updating drivers—you can usually fix it quickly. For those who want a simpler, more reliable workflow, Swyshare Recordit provides an easy-to-use virtual camera and recording solution, eliminating the technical headaches while still offering powerful recording and annotation features.