Camera Not Working

Question

My camera is not working. The light comes on as if it is, Device Manager reads "this device is connected and working properly" but it's not, it's just a black screen.

Answer 1

If your camera is showing a black screen despite being recognized as connected and working properly, you can try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Check Camera Settings: Ensure that the camera is not disabled in the camera settings. You can access this by searching for Settings in Windows, then navigating to Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. Make sure the camera is enabled.
2. Restart the Camera: Sometimes, simply restarting the camera can resolve the issue. If your camera has a reset option, use it.
3. Check for Driver Issues: Ensure that the camera drivers are up to date. You can do this through Device Manager by right-clicking on the camera and selecting Update driver.
4. Test with Different Applications: Try using the camera with different applications (like the Camera app or video conferencing tools) to see if the issue persists across all platforms.
5. Check for Conflicts with Other Software: Sometimes, other applications may interfere with the camera. Make sure no other software is using the camera at the same time.
6. USB Connection: If your camera is external, ensure that the USB connection is secure. If using a USB extender, try connecting the camera directly to the computer.
7. Power Supply: If your camera requires an external power supply, ensure it is properly connected.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may need to contact the camera's manufacturer for further assistance.

Answer 2

Hi Emily Deano,

Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A forum. I understand how frustrating it is when your camera light turns on and Device Manager says everything’s fine, but you’re still seeing a black screen.

Let’s try a few steps that often fix this:

• Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Camera and click Run. This tool checks for common problems and applies fixes automatically, so it’s a quick first step.
• Head to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Camera > Advanced options > Reset. This clears any corrupted data and restores the app to its default settings, which often resolves black screen issues.
• Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI menu (usually by pressing F2, Del, or Esc during startup). Make sure the integrated camera is enabled—sometimes it’s turned off at the firmware level for security reasons.
• Instead of using Windows Update, download the latest camera driver from your device manufacturer’s support site. After downloading, uninstall the current driver in Device Manager, restart your PC, and install the new one. This ensures you’re using the most compatible version.
• If you have access to an external USB webcam, try connecting it and see if it works. This helps confirm whether the issue is with the built-in camera or something else in the system.

If these steps don’t solve the problem, it might be a hardware issue. Please keep me posted on how it goes, and feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance.

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