Hello, camera in my laptop is not working. I've tried reinstalling drivers, restarts Windows camera frame, camera is enabled from boot logon. Any recommendations?

Looks like privacy switch on keyboard is blocking the camera.

Check if you've same camera block icon on any key on your keyboard, pressing the key may unblock camera.

Thank you, Kapil! The privacy button was turned on the keyboard. It was so silly of me to not noticed the privacy button

Hi. I'm David, and I'm happy to help you.

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Please clarify the following:

When you reinstalled the drivers, did you let Windows reinstall them automatically, or did you download an installer? If you downloaded an installer, could you please confirm where it was from?

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What message is displayed in the camera's Device Status in Device Manager?

1. Press "Windows + X" and select "Device Manager";
2. Click on the "View" menu and select "Show hidden devices";
3. Expand "Cameras";

(If this category is not displayed, let me know.)

4. If the camera is listed, right-click and select "Properties". Check if there is an error in "Device Status".

If you prefer, share a screenshot. Use the shortcut "Windows + Shift + S" to use the screenshot tool.

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Also, share a screenshot of your system information.

• Press "Windows + R", type msinfo32 and press Enter.

Maximize the window and use the screenshot tool.

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I await your reply.

Try the following steps in order, focusing on hardware and drivers since software changes were already tried:

1. Check for a physical camera switch
   • On many laptops, a function key (F1–F12) has a camera icon. Press that key, or Fn + that key, to toggle the webcam on.
   • Check around the camera lens for a small privacy slider and make sure it is open.
2. Verify the camera appears in Device Manager
   1. Select Start, type device manager, and open it.
   2. Look for the camera under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers.
   3. If the camera is missing, on the Action menu select Scan for hardware changes, then restart and test the Camera app again.
3. Roll back the camera driver (if the issue started after an update)
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the camera → Properties.
   2. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver → Yes.
   3. Restart the device and test the Camera app.
4. Completely reinstall the camera driver
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the camera → Properties.
   2. Go to the Driver tab → Uninstall Device.
   3. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device) → OK.
   4. In Device Manager, open the Action menu → Scan for hardware changes.
   5. After Windows reinstalls the driver, restart and test the Camera app.
   6. If it still fails, download and install the webcam driver from the laptop manufacturer’s support site.
5. Check for very old/incompatible camera hardware (mainly for older devices)
   1. In Device Manager, open the camera Properties → Driver → Driver Details.
   2. If any listed file name includes stream.sys, the camera was designed before Windows 7 and needs to be replaced with a newer model.
6. Switch an external USB webcam to the in‑box UVC driver (if using an external camera)
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the webcam → Update driver.
   2. Select Browse my computer for drivers → Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
   3. Choose USB Video Device → Next.
   4. Close Device Manager and test the Camera app again.

If the camera still does not work after these steps and there is no physical privacy control enabled, the webcam hardware is likely faulty and may need service or replacement.

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References:

• Camera doesn't work in Windows
• my camera does not function in windows - Microsoft Q&A
• my camera is not listed under device manager camera is not listed and it's not under imaging devices - Microsoft Q&A