turn off webcam with command

[chaopoch]

Is there any command to shutdown the integrated webcam? thanks.

[Giblet5]

It depends on what software is turning it on in the first place.

Ubuntu doesn't install anything, by default, to enable an integrate webcam, so only you know what's installed and turning it on. Assuming that it is on... Is the webcam light on?

Usually, you turn off the 'cam by stopping the software that turned it on.

Example: install, then start, qcam and the webcam light turns on. Exit qcam and the webcam shuts off.

[falconindy]

If you know what driver module is controlling the webcam, you could disable the driver with `modprobe -r`

[chaopoch]

It depends on what software is turning it on in the first place...

I use Cheese to capture pictures, however, the webcam light is still on when the Cheese is closed, the problem persists without any fix since Ubuntu 8.04.

If you know what driver module is controlling the webcam, you could disable the driver with `modprobe -r`

This command `modprobe -r` will remove driver from kernel, doesn't it? I don't want to remove the driver, I just want to shutdown the webcam.

[chaopoch]

No one knows how to make it?

[Tibuda]

I also would like to turn it off, so BUMP.

EDIT:

This command `modprobe -r` will remove driver from kernel, doesn't it? I don't want to remove the driver, I just want to shutdown the webcam.

I tested it and no, it don't uninstall the driver, only disables it. You can enable it again with `modprobe` For my camera, I had to run

sudo modprobe -r gspca_m5602

to disable the camera and

sudo modprobe gspca_m5602

to enable it.

I would like a GUI/non-root way to this if someone knows.

[Serious_Sally]

Easiest way to disable the webcam at boot is:

sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist.conf

*At the bottom of the file add this line:

blacklist uvcvideo

Save the file and reboot. Your webcam is no longer functioning.

(But I always put a piece of electrical tape over the aperture anyway.)

[overdrank]

Back to sleep thread .