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Windows 10 Camera Opens, but closes in 5 Seconds

Anonymous
2019-03-19T13:15:20+00:00

MS-Windows 'Camera Window' opens, but only for about 5 Seconds, then closes. 

Haven't previously used the Windows Camera on my Laptop. (Rely on my Tablet). Today, pinned Windows Camera to Task Bar, checked 'Settings\Privacy\Camera' set to 'Allow Access' and that Settings\Camera shows 'Camera Switched On'.

Every time I attempt to use the Camera, a Window Opens displaying it, but only for about 5 Seconds, then closes.

During the 5 Seconds the Window stays open, I tried clicking the Camera Settings Cog (which responds by opening to show a list of settings) but the Camera Window still closes before anything else can be done / clicked. (Can't keep it open for longer than 5 Seconds, literally).

Running latest 64bit Windows 10 Professional on an elderly Sony VAIO Laptop (9 Years Old). Everything else working fine, as far as I can tell. Thoughts? (Thanks in advance for any Comments).

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. VARADHARAJAN K 9,676 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-03-19T15:51:21+00:00

    some times , antivirus  might blocking webcam access ,  enable webcam access on antivirus software.

    I using kaspersky total security, by default settings, webcam access is blocked

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Vijay A. Verma 104.8K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2019-03-19T13:22:18+00:00

    Hi Pixelme

    I am Vijay, an Independent Advisor. I am here to work with you on this problem.

    Let's execute following steps for this problem. Please update me once done.

    1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to invoke Task Manager > Go to the “Processes” tab > See which programs are currently running in the background of the system and If you found an app that uses Camera, end that program
    2. Reset Camera app

    Right click on Windows Start > Apps & features > Scroll down and click Camera> Click Advanced options > Click Reset > Restart your computer

    1. Uninstall and Reinstall Camera app

    A. Uninstall

    Right click on Windows Start > Click Windows Powershell (Admin) > Copy the below command and right click in Powershell to paste > Enter

    Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Remove-AppxPackage

    B. Reinstall

    Right click on Windows Start > Click Windows Powershell (Admin) > Copy the below command and right click in Powershell to paste > Enter

    Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

    4.Windows Key+X > Device Manager > View tab > Show hidden devices

    Locate your Webcam

    Right click > Roll Back

    If Roll back doesn't work - Right click > Update Driver

    If above doesn't work, go to your computer manufacturer's website, download latest webcam driver and install

    1. Turn off your Antivirus temporarily and test. Your camera may get blocked by AV. Don't forget to turn on AV after the testing is over.

    Do let me know if you require any further help on this. Will be glad to help you.

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2019-03-19T17:51:48+00:00

    Very much appreciate your detailed suggestions (Thank You)

    Implemented 1,2 & 3 but (unfortunately) without success.

    Strangely, after following the Uninstall Windows Camera steps, then Restarting my PC, when I opened Device Manager the Camera still appeared in there. (It's Properties said is was 'working').

    Tried uninstalling it several times, using slightly different methods in Power Shell Admin, but each time after Restart, the Camera continues to appear in Device Manager (assuming it's called USB 2.0 Camera - Manufacturer Microsoft).

    I even installed a fresh version of the Camera from MS Store, but after - yet another - Restart, Device Manager ‘still’ showed it, with the original Driver Date (2006!!). Tried Driver Update but that returned a result saying I had the most compatible Driver (Still 2006!!).

    Unable to try your Point ‘4’ because, sometime ago, Sony stopped Supporting VAIO and never got round to Supporting Windows 10 for VAIO.

    Accordingly, as far as I can guess, there won't be a Windows 10 Compatible VAIO Driver provided by Sony for their VAIO.

    Can only think I need to install a 3rd Party Camera App, but haven’t a clue which one might be a safe bet. Guess I’ll need to start Researching 3rd Party Cameras.

    Thanks again.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-03-19T17:46:40+00:00

    Very much appreciate your suggestion (Thank You)

    I'm using Windows Security so would hope that would not be causing the problem.

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