diff --git a/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue b/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
index d3d845ee59..5c09974bf4 100644
--- a/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
+++ b/src/components/ImageMethodDialog.vue
@@ -1,6 +1,37 @@
 <template>
   <div v-if="visible" class="dialog-overlay z-[60]">
     <div class="dialog relative">
+      <!-- Diagnostic Panel -->
+      <div
+        v-if="showDiagnostics"
+        class="absolute top-0 left-0 right-0 bg-black/80 text-white text-xs p-2 z-20 overflow-auto max-h-[30vh]"
+      >
+        <div class="grid grid-cols-2 gap-2">
+          <div>
+            <p><strong>Camera State:</strong> {{ cameraState }}</p>
+            <p><strong>State Message:</strong> {{ cameraStateMessage || 'None' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>Error:</strong> {{ error || 'None' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>Preview Active:</strong> {{ showCameraPreview ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>Stream Active:</strong> {{ !!cameraStream ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}</p>
+          </div>
+          <div>
+            <p><strong>Browser:</strong> {{ userAgent }}</p>
+            <p><strong>HTTPS:</strong> {{ isSecureContext ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>MediaDevices:</strong> {{ hasMediaDevices ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>GetUserMedia:</strong> {{ hasGetUserMedia ? 'Yes' : 'No' }}</p>
+            <p><strong>Platform:</strong> {{ platformCapabilities.isMobile ? 'Mobile' : 'Desktop' }}</p>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      <!-- Toggle Diagnostics Button -->
+      <button
+        @click="toggleDiagnostics"
+        class="absolute top-2 right-2 bg-black/50 text-white px-2 py-1 rounded text-xs z-30"
+      >
+        {{ showDiagnostics ? 'Hide Diagnostics' : 'Show Diagnostics' }}
+      </button>
+
       <div class="text-lg text-center font-bold relative">
         <h1 id="ViewHeading" class="text-center font-bold">
           <span v-if="uploading">Uploading Image&hellip;</span>
@@ -16,6 +47,28 @@
         </div>
       </div>
 
+      <!-- FEEDBACK: Show if camera preview is not visible after mounting -->
+      <div v-if="!showCameraPreview && !blob && isRegistered" class="bg-red-100 text-red-700 border border-red-400 rounded px-4 py-3 my-4 text-sm">
+        <strong>Camera preview not started.</strong>
+        <div v-if="cameraState === 'off'">
+          <span v-if="platformCapabilities.isMobile">
+            <b>Note:</b> This mobile browser may not support direct camera access, or the app is treating it as a native app.<br>
+            <b>Tip:</b> Try using a desktop browser, or check if your browser supports camera access for web apps.<br>
+            <b>Developer:</b> The platform detection logic may be skipping camera preview for mobile browsers. <br>
+            <b>Action:</b> Review <code>platformCapabilities.isMobile</code> and ensure web browsers on mobile are not treated as native apps.
+          </span>
+          <span v-else>
+            <b>Tip:</b> Your browser supports camera APIs, but the preview did not start. Try refreshing the page or checking browser permissions.
+          </span>
+        </div>
+        <div v-else-if="cameraState === 'error'">
+          <b>Error:</b> {{ error || cameraStateMessage }}
+        </div>
+        <div v-else>
+          <b>Status:</b> {{ cameraStateMessage || 'Unknown reason.' }}
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
       <div class="mt-4">
         <template v-if="isRegistered">
           <div v-if="!blob">
@@ -227,6 +280,16 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
 
   private platformCapabilities = this.platformService.getCapabilities();
 
+  // Add diagnostic properties
+  showDiagnostics = false;
+  userAgent = navigator.userAgent;
+  isSecureContext = window.isSecureContext;
+  hasMediaDevices = !!navigator.mediaDevices;
+  hasGetUserMedia = !!(navigator.mediaDevices && navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia);
+  cameraState: 'off' | 'initializing' | 'ready' | 'active' | 'error' | 'permission_denied' | 'not_found' | 'in_use' = 'off';
+  cameraStateMessage?: string;
+  error: string | null = null;
+
   /**
    * Lifecycle hook: Initializes component and retrieves user settings
    * @throws {Error} When settings retrieval fails
@@ -251,6 +314,14 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
         -1,
       );
     }
+    // Try to start camera preview automatically if not on mobile
+    if (!this.platformCapabilities.isNativeApp) {
+      this.startCameraPreview();
+    } else {
+      logger.warn("Camera preview not started: running in native app context.");
+      this.cameraState = 'off';
+      this.cameraStateMessage = 'Camera preview not started due to native app context.';
+    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -267,7 +338,7 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
     this.visible = true;
 
     // Start camera preview immediately if not on mobile
-    if (!this.platformCapabilities.isMobile) {
+    if (!this.platformCapabilities.isNativeApp) {
       this.startCameraPreview();
     }
   }
@@ -339,14 +410,21 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
     logger.debug("Current showCameraPreview state:", this.showCameraPreview);
     logger.debug("Platform capabilities:", this.platformCapabilities);
 
-    if (this.platformCapabilities.isMobile) {
+    if (this.platformCapabilities.isNativeApp) {
       logger.debug("Using platform service for mobile device");
+      this.cameraState = 'initializing';
+      this.cameraStateMessage = 'Using platform camera service...';
       try {
         const result = await this.platformService.takePicture();
         this.blob = result.blob;
         this.fileName = result.fileName;
+        this.cameraState = 'ready';
+        this.cameraStateMessage = 'Photo captured successfully';
       } catch (error) {
         logger.error("Error taking picture:", error);
+        this.cameraState = 'error';
+        this.cameraStateMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Failed to take picture';
+        this.error = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Failed to take picture';
         this.$notify(
           {
             group: "alert",
@@ -362,13 +440,18 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
 
     logger.debug("Starting camera preview for desktop browser");
     try {
+      this.cameraState = 'initializing';
+      this.cameraStateMessage = 'Requesting camera access...';
       this.showCameraPreview = true;
       await this.$nextTick();
 
       const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
         video: { facingMode: "environment" },
       });
+      logger.debug("Camera access granted");
       this.cameraStream = stream;
+      this.cameraState = 'active';
+      this.cameraStateMessage = 'Camera is active';
 
       await this.$nextTick();
 
@@ -385,6 +468,10 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
       }
     } catch (error) {
       logger.error("Error starting camera preview:", error);
+      const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Failed to access camera';
+      this.cameraState = 'error';
+      this.cameraStateMessage = errorMessage;
+      this.error = errorMessage;
       this.$notify(
         {
           group: "alert",
@@ -404,6 +491,9 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
       this.cameraStream = null;
     }
     this.showCameraPreview = false;
+    this.cameraState = 'off';
+    this.cameraStateMessage = 'Camera stopped';
+    this.error = null;
   }
 
   async capturePhoto() {
@@ -449,7 +539,7 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
 
   async retryImage() {
     this.blob = undefined;
-    if (!this.platformCapabilities.isMobile) {
+    if (!this.platformCapabilities.isNativeApp) {
       await this.startCameraPreview();
     }
   }
@@ -533,6 +623,11 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
       this.blob = undefined;
     }
   }
+
+  // Add toggle method
+  toggleDiagnostics() {
+    this.showDiagnostics = !this.showDiagnostics;
+  }
 }
 </script>
 
@@ -562,4 +657,11 @@ export default class ImageMethodDialog extends Vue {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
 }
+
+/* Add styles for diagnostic panel */
+.diagnostic-panel {
+  font-family: monospace;
+  white-space: pre-wrap;
+  word-break: break-all;
+}
 </style>
diff --git a/src/services/QRScanner/WebInlineQRScanner.ts b/src/services/QRScanner/WebInlineQRScanner.ts
index 3f71d95362..1b995b39b4 100644
--- a/src/services/QRScanner/WebInlineQRScanner.ts
+++ b/src/services/QRScanner/WebInlineQRScanner.ts
@@ -90,16 +90,57 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
       logger.error(
         `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Checking camera permissions...`,
       );
+
+      // First try the Permissions API if available
+      if (navigator.permissions && navigator.permissions.query) {
+        try {
       const permissions = await navigator.permissions.query({
         name: "camera" as PermissionName,
       });
       logger.error(
-        `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Permission state:`,
+            `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Permission state from Permissions API:`,
         permissions.state,
       );
-      const granted = permissions.state === "granted";
-      this.updateCameraState(granted ? "ready" : "permission_denied");
-      return granted;
+          if (permissions.state === "granted") {
+            this.updateCameraState("ready", "Camera permissions granted");
+            return true;
+          }
+        } catch (permError) {
+          // Permissions API might not be supported, continue with getUserMedia check
+          logger.error(
+            `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Permissions API not supported:`,
+            permError,
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      // If Permissions API is not available or didn't return granted,
+      // try a test getUserMedia call
+      try {
+        const testStream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
+          video: true,
+        });
+        // If we get here, we have permission
+        testStream.getTracks().forEach(track => track.stop());
+        this.updateCameraState("ready", "Camera permissions granted");
+        return true;
+      } catch (mediaError) {
+        const error = mediaError as Error;
+        logger.error(
+          `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] getUserMedia test failed:`,
+          {
+            name: error.name,
+            message: error.message,
+          },
+        );
+        
+        if (error.name === "NotAllowedError" || error.name === "PermissionDeniedError") {
+          this.updateCameraState("permission_denied", "Camera access denied");
+          return false;
+        }
+        // For other errors, we'll try requesting permissions explicitly
+        return false;
+      }
     } catch (error) {
       logger.error(
         `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Error checking camera permissions:`,
@@ -122,6 +163,7 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
       logger.error(
         `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Requesting camera permissions...`,
       );
+
       // First check if we have any video devices
       const devices = await navigator.mediaDevices.enumerateDevices();
       const videoDevices = devices.filter(
@@ -131,10 +173,12 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
       logger.error(`[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Found video devices:`, {
         count: videoDevices.length,
         devices: videoDevices.map((d) => ({ id: d.deviceId, label: d.label })),
+        userAgent: navigator.userAgent,
       });
 
       if (videoDevices.length === 0) {
         logger.error(`[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] No video devices found`);
+        this.updateCameraState("not_found", "No camera found on this device");
         throw new Error("No camera found on this device");
       }
 
@@ -148,6 +192,7 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
         },
       );
 
+      try {
       const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
         video: {
           facingMode: "environment",
@@ -168,28 +213,35 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
         track.stop();
       });
       return true;
-    } catch (error) {
-      const wrappedError =
-        error instanceof Error ? error : new Error(String(error));
+      } catch (mediaError) {
+        const error = mediaError as Error;
+        logger.error(
+          `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Error requesting camera access:`,
+          {
+            name: error.name,
+            message: error.message,
+            userAgent: navigator.userAgent,
+          },
+        );
 
       // Update state based on error type
       if (
-        wrappedError.name === "NotFoundError" ||
-        wrappedError.name === "DevicesNotFoundError"
+          error.name === "NotFoundError" ||
+          error.name === "DevicesNotFoundError"
       ) {
         this.updateCameraState("not_found", "No camera found on this device");
         throw new Error("No camera found on this device");
       } else if (
-        wrappedError.name === "NotAllowedError" ||
-        wrappedError.name === "PermissionDeniedError"
+          error.name === "NotAllowedError" ||
+          error.name === "PermissionDeniedError"
       ) {
         this.updateCameraState("permission_denied", "Camera access denied");
         throw new Error(
           "Camera access denied. Please grant camera permission and try again",
         );
       } else if (
-        wrappedError.name === "NotReadableError" ||
-        wrappedError.name === "TrackStartError"
+          error.name === "NotReadableError" ||
+          error.name === "TrackStartError"
       ) {
         this.updateCameraState(
           "in_use",
@@ -197,9 +249,22 @@ export class WebInlineQRScanner implements QRScannerService {
         );
         throw new Error("Camera is in use by another application");
       } else {
-        this.updateCameraState("error", wrappedError.message);
-        throw new Error(`Camera error: ${wrappedError.message}`);
+          this.updateCameraState("error", error.message);
+          throw new Error(`Camera error: ${error.message}`);
+        }
       }
+    } catch (error) {
+      const wrappedError =
+        error instanceof Error ? error : new Error(String(error));
+      logger.error(
+        `[WebInlineQRScanner:${this.id}] Error in requestPermissions:`,
+        {
+          error: wrappedError.message,
+          stack: wrappedError.stack,
+          userAgent: navigator.userAgent,
+        },
+      );
+      throw wrappedError;
     }
   }