Surface Go 4 - PhotoCaptureStartFailed

Question

A recent windows update has broken the camera on five surface go 4 tablets that we recently purchased. Is there a fix available for this? Or one coming?

I managed to load an eval copy of Windows 11 LTSC but seeing the same behavior - that doesn't make sense to me, how can an OS update permanently break hardware?

Is there any info available on what has happened here? Will there be a fix?

Answer 1

Hi Bill,

I apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. What OS versions does the other five Surface Go 4 tablets have?

While LTSC works on Surface Go 4, there are some trade-offs:

• Limited Feature Updates: You won’t get regular Windows features like Direct Ink improvements or Surface app enhancements.
• App Compatibility: Some apps like Microsoft Edge, OneNote, Camera, and Calendar may not work optimally.
• Driver Support: Firmware and drivers for Surface Go 4 are not always tested against LTSC editions, which may cause compatibility issues 

Are you using the tablets for special use case like kiosks, medical systems or single fixed usage scenarios?

You can, check revert from a recent update which was the camera was still working. And disconnect the tables from the internet and pause windows updates.

Pause Updates Temporarily

1. Open Settings (Win + I)
2. Go to Windows Update
3. Under More options, find Pause updates
4. Choose a date to pause updates (up to 5 weeks)

You can also check this link; Pause updates in Windows - Microsoft Support

 

Via Registry

NOTE: Create a system restore point first before proceeding.

Go to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsUpdate\UX\Settings"

Add a DWORD entry and name it "FlightSettingsMaxPauseDays"

Change it to a DECIMAL (IMPORTANT) value that is a multiple of 7 for the amount of days you want to pause updates for. Do it for 1-10 years, depending on your liking.

Open Windows Updates and extend the pause for as long as you want. This pauses the update. Other MS Store apps can still update even if its paused.

Disable Updates via Group Policy (for Pro, LTSC and Enterprise) – May break the update and your Windows. Do this at your own risk.

Only available on Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or LTSC

1. Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter
2. Navigate to:
3. Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage end user experience
4. Double-click Configure Automatic Updates
5. Select Disabled or Notify for download and auto install
6. Click Apply and OK

 

I hope the steps above address your issue. Let me know what happens.

All the best,

Restee Mar Miranda

Microsoft Community Contributor