Fixing Camera Issues After Kernel Update on MacBook With Ubuntu OS

If you’re using Ubuntu as your operating system on a MacBook and have recently updated the kernel, you might encounter issues with your camera not working. This problem can be resolved by reinstalling the necessary drivers. We will guide you through the steps to fix the camera problem and get it up and running again.

Step 1: Open Terminal

To begin, open the Terminal on your MacBook. You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in the Applications menu or by using the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T.

Step 2: Change Directory

In the Terminal, navigate to the ‘bcwc_pcie’ directory. You can do this by entering the following command:

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cd bcwc_pcie

Step 3: Compile the Drivers

Once you’re in the ‘bcwc_pcie’ directory, compile the camera drivers by running the following command:

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make

Step 4: Install the Drivers

After the compilation process is complete, install the drivers using the following command:

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sudo make install

Step 5: Update Kernel Modules

To update the kernel modules, enter the following commands one by one:

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sudo depmod
sudo modprobe -r bdc_pci
sudo modprobe facetimehd

Step 6: Configure Module Loading

To ensure the ‘facetimehd’ module loads automatically on startup, execute the following command:

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echo facetimehd | sudo tee -a /etc/modules > /dev/null

Conclusion

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve camera issues caused by a kernel update on your MacBook running Ubuntu. Reinstalling the camera drivers and updating the kernel modules will help restore the functionality of your camera. If you encounter any difficulties during the process, feel free to seek assistance from the Ubuntu community or consult the documentation.

Remember to always keep your system and drivers up to date to avoid potential compatibility issues.