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Error "To get started, connect a camera" while launching Windows camera app or Skype

Anonymous
2014-05-25T19:05:50+00:00

Original Title: Sony Vaio Pro Webcam Issues

Hi,

I'm probably not the first with the issue, I've seen similar topics all around, however, no fixes for my issue so far.

I have a Sony Vaio Pro laptop (SVP1321C5E model) and for a while now, probably since the update to windows 8.1, my webcam hasn't been working. When I start the Windows camera app, I get a message stating "To get started, connect a camera", similar issues with Skype etc., it doesn't see my webcam. However, there's and integrated webcam in my laptop.

I've tried finding drivers, but the Sony website isn't really helpful with that. And when I was reading online, I found this 'tip' that said that I had to uninstall the only thing I still saw in my Imaging Devices (in Device Manager), the USB 2.0 webcam (or something like that, I can't really remember what the exact name was). After I did that, it didn't fix anything. I wanted to do a system restore, but that somehow (probably my own fault) it didn't work and now I can't make a system restore anymore to a point before I uninstalled the USB 2.0 webcam thingy.

I'm quite desperate.. Can anyone please help me on how to fix this problem?

Much appreciated!

Jeroen

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-09-01T07:30:34+00:00

    Hello Stephanie,

    Thank you for visiting Microsoft Community Forum.

    I understand you’re facing similar issue as the original Poster “Jeroende Korte” and you’ve already tried a number of troubleshooting steps but that didn’t solve the problem.

    Please reply to the questions below to help us understand the problem specific to your machine: 

    1. Is this problem restricted to Skype only? Does the webcam work fine in other applications?
    2. Have you checked plugging any external camera? Does that work?
    3. You mentioned that your camera works in recording mode, then you got some error message (Win_20140831-143651.MP4) and got back to White board? What was the complete error message and what do you mean when you say “got back to white board’?

    Let’s check the status of Camera drivers in device managers.

    Open Device Manager by clicking the Startbutton, clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Device Manager.‌ (If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation).

    Click on Scanning and Imaging device in Device Manager and check if there is any yellow exclamation or a red X mark under that.

    If you see any yellow exclamation mark or a red X mark we need to download the driver from the computer manufacture website and install.

    If the device shows that the driver is installed properly, let’s uninstall the device driver from the device manager and check if it’s get installed automatically.

    Follow the steps below to uninstall the troubling device driver from Device Manger. 

    1. Click on Start.
    2. Type “Device Manager” without quotes in the search bar.
    3. Click on Device Manager.
    4. Select the “Scanning and Imaging devices” in the Device Manager window and uninstall.
    5. You can also uninstall by right clicking on the device and selecting Uninstall from the context menu. A dialog box will appear asking if you really wish to uninstall the driver. Click Yes, then OK in the next window.

    After successfully uninstalling the driver from device manager, restart the computer and check if the device driver gets installed automatically.

    If Windows fails to find the appropriate device driver or if the problem persists even after Windows installing the driver, download the best compatible Webcam driver from your computer manufacturer website and install manually.

    Hope this helps. Please let us know the results. Feel free to write us back for any further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-09-25T23:04:49+00:00

    I took the advice of the user who pressed slightly his touchscreen and it worked for me.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-05-31T07:03:51+00:00

    Hi,

    I have the same problem. Now, I can't find my bluetooth. When I type Bluetooth on Searh box, there is nothing. I don't know what to do. Pls help me.

    By the way, I see no yellow exclamation mark or red x mark or unknown devices under imaging devices in device manager.

    I also have Sony Vaio laptop. I'm quite depressed now. Can you help me fix this problem.

    Thanks so much!

    Trang

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-01T09:33:05+00:00

    Hi Mann,

    Thanks for your reply. I've tried your 4 methods, however, they did not work. I still have some issues getting the correct drivers from Sony though, their website isn't extremely helpful.

    I did manage to get the USB Webcam (default thing) back in my device manager, not sure how. But it's greyed out, and if I try to update the drivers of it, nothings happens. It says it has Microsoft Drivers, from 2006. Do you know if it's possible to update those? Or do you have any other suggestions?

    Thanks again!

    Jeroen

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-05-26T12:46:29+00:00

    Hello Jeroen,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community Forum.

    As per the description, I understand that your Sony Vaio webcam is not working. You get “To get started, connect a camera” message while trying to start Windows 8.1 camera app or Skype etc. In the process of troubleshooting this issue you uninstalled USB 2.0 webcam from device manager and are unable to install again or perform system restore.

    I would appreciate if you can provide us the following information to help us understand the issue better.

    1. Do you see any yellow exclamation mark or red x mark or unknown devices under imaging devices in device manager?
    2. Are you able to install Windows updates on your computer?

    A majority of these problems are caused due to missing, outdated, incompatible or corrupt device drivers. Drivers are needed to get the device recognized and run properly in the computer. Without the right drivers installed, the computer won't know how to get the data processed to the device. Most computers come with the drivers already installed, but these can become outdated or even accidentally corrupted.

    Possibly the webcam drivers were causing the problem and you uninstalled the webcam driver and not able to install again.

    If your computer is connected to internet you can get the webcam drivers updated or can download and install the latest webcam drivers from computer manufacturer website.

    Let’s try these methods below and check if that solves the problem.

    Method 1:

    Let’s run the hardware and device troubleshooter to get the problem automatically detected and fixed. Follow the steps in the article below to run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

    Follow the section “Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter” ****http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/what-device-isnt-installed-properly

    Method 2:

    If hardware and devices troubleshooter does not help and Windows is not able to pick the appropriate camera drivers through Windows update, download the best compatible webcam drivers from manufacturer website and install manually.

    Download and install drivers.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/all-drivers

    Method 3:

    If you are accessing the camera using camera app, I would suggest you to check if settings to use camera with the app has been set. Refer to the link to set the required permission:

    “Camera app and webcams: FAQ”

    Follow the section “How do I give the Camera app permission to use my camera?” ****http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/camera-app-faq 

    Method 4:

    If issue persists even after updating the webcam drivers and running Camera app troubleshooter, I would suggest you to run the Modern User Interface of app troubleshooter and check if it helps.

    http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/2/4/F24D0C03-4181-4E5B-A23B-5C3A6B5974E3/apps.diagcab

    **Note:**The troubleshooter automatically fixes some issues that might prevent your apps from running, including suboptimal screen resolution and incorrect security or account settings.

    Hope this helps. Please let us know the results. Feel free to write us back for any further assistance, we’ll be glad to assist you.

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