Elgato Facecam: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-29

Summary

Owners most often report freezes, dropped connections and lag, especially on Apple Silicon or during OBS and Teams use, and image quality depends heavily on lighting and a direct USB 3.0 port. Recurring cost is $0 a year: Camera Hub is free and there are no scheduled consumables. A verified working used unit is a good buy at $60 or less, new old stock at $90 or less; above that the Facecam MK.2 at $119.99 is the safer choice.

Common problems and fixes

Freezing or dropped connection shortly after purchase — a September 2021 owner reported the camera did not enumerate reliably, disconnected after a couple of minutes and Camera Hub froze; it later worked on the main PC after troubleshooting. Workarounds include a direct USB 3.0 port, a separate USB controller and changing transfer mode; no universal fix is verified. Warranty may apply within the two-year Corsair hardware warranty with serial and receipt, but used units should not be assumed covered. [21][3][5][9]
Camera Hub freezes and the camera stops working after months — an owner who bought around November 2022 reported the camera stopped in April 2023 (about five months later), with black video or a frozen utility after reinstalling drivers, rolling back Camera Hub, trying other cables and apps; no permanent fix was established. [24]
Recurring video lag after about a month — a September 2023 Teams user reported lag about one month after purchase, cleared for roughly a day by unplugging USB; other owners described similar symptoms, but no verified hardware diagnosis or installed-base frequency exists. [23]
Persistent freezing despite cable and port changes — an August 2022 owner reported constant freeze or shutoff; an Elgato account recommended trying a different USB transfer mode. Because hubs, ports and cables can be involved, the symptom alone does not prove a defective sensor. [22][5]
Stuttering or frozen video on Apple Silicon Macs — Elgato documents affected systems and recommends updating firmware, selecting bulk or isochronous transfer mode and connecting directly instead of through a dock or hub. [8][4][5]
Settings not saving and shutter-speed reset — firmware 2.33 fixed settings saving, 2.52 fixed shutter resetting to 1/125 s, 4.06 revised exposure and flicker handling and introduced transfer-mode selection, and 4.09 added an MJPEG fallback and reduced bright-pixel artifacts; 4.09 was the newest version listed. Never interrupt firmware installation. [4]
OBS lip-sync drift at 30 fps — the original can deliver variable-frame-rate output at 30 fps; Elgato recommends forcing 60 or 59.94 fps and, if needed, disabling OBS source buffering. [7]

Parts and consumables

Original Elgato Facecam USB 3.0 cable, 2 m USB-C-to-USB-A (no verified replacement part number) — included in the box; Elgato will not manufacture new spares for discontinued units. Replace only if lost or damaged. [1][2][3]
Insignia NS-PCKAC3 USB-A-to-USB-C cable (third-party, 3.3 ft / 1 m, 10 Gbps) — $19.99 at Best Buy, October 2026; a possible replacement if the supplied cable is lost, but fit and full compatibility with an original Facecam were not verified and it is shorter. [20][1][3]
No scheduled consumables — no filters, batteries or cartridges; scheduled replacement cost is $0. [1][3]

Yearly running cost

A typical owner spends $0 a year: Camera Hub is free, there is no subscription, and there are no scheduled consumables. Electricity use from the USB host was not measured, so no yearly power cost can be stated. Conditional costs are not annual: a possible third-party cable is $19.99 if the supplied cable is lost or damaged, and a microphone, lighting, tripod or USB adapter are separate purchases for buyers who need them. [1][3][20]

When it is a good buy

Elgato lists the original page at $129.99 but marks it discontinued and no longer available, so that is a legacy page price, not a buyable offer. Best Buy marks model 10WAA9901 no longer available in new condition, Micro Center no longer carries it, and B&H lists it no longer available while pointing to the Facecam MK.2 at $119.99. eBay shows mixed-condition asking prices from $54.99 to $110, not verified sold prices. Editorial thresholds from those checks: a verified working used unit with the correct 5 Gbps cable, mount and cap is attractive at $60 or less, defensible at $61–$80 only with return rights, and poor value above $80; new old stock is worthwhile at $90 or less, and at $100 or more the Facecam MK.2 at $119.99 is the better buy. Shipping and tax can reverse a close call. The 2021 launch price was $199.99, but that is not a 2026 market value. [1][13][14][15][19][2][16][26]

Alternatives: Elgato Facecam MK.2 (10WAC9901) at $119.99 from Elgato, October 2026, for almost anyone shopping now, with HDR up to 1080p30, an integrated sliding privacy shutter and ongoing availability, though still no microphone or autofocus. Logitech Brio 500 at $129.99 from Staples, October 2026, for meeting users who want integrated noise-reducing microphones, auto-light correction and auto-framing. Elgato Facecam 4K at $199.99 from Elgato, October 2026, for creators who need up to 4K60 and more cropping room, noting its 4K60 is MJPEG-only and focus remains fixed. [16][17][18]