How do I fix the issue of my camera not turning on?

Question

I am not able to turn on my camera and I have a virtual job interview tomorrow morning. I continue to get a message indicating that "Your camera might be covered" followed by "To use your camera, you might need to slide a shutter near the camera, press a camera button on the keyboard, or slide a camera switch on your device."

I do not have a camera shutter slider or a camera button located on F8 or F7. I have updated all drivers, I have uninstalled the camera device after going to the device manager settings. I have ensured that all apps have permissions to use the camera. I have updated through Lenovo and Microsoft and nothing seems to work. Please see attached for visual error I am receiving.

What is the solution to this problem?

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Moved from System Center Service Manager

Answer 1

To troubleshoot the issue of your camera not turning on, consider the following steps:

1. Check for Hardware Privacy Controls: Some devices have a camera kill switch that physically disconnects the camera. Ensure that this switch is not turned off. If your device has a physical shutter, make sure it is open.
2. Camera Settings: Open the camera settings page in Windows. You can do this by searching for Settings and navigating to Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. Ensure that your camera is listed as connected and not disabled. If it is disabled, select it and enable it.
3. Troubleshoot the Camera: On the camera settings page, select your camera and look for a Troubleshoot option. This will guide you through some common issues.
4. Check USB Connections: If your camera is an external device, ensure that it is securely connected to the USB port. If you are using a USB extender, try connecting the camera directly to the computer without the extender.
5. Power Supply: If your camera requires an external power supply, ensure that it is connected properly.
6. Antivirus Software: Sometimes, antivirus software can block camera access. Check your antivirus settings to ensure that it is not preventing the camera from being used.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to contact your device manufacturer for further assistance.

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References:

• Camera privacy shutters and kill switches
• Camera settings page

Answer 2

Hello Matthew S,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

I understand that you are having issue with your camera. Before we proceed, may I know did you used the camera before and whether is there anything changes since that point if you did?

If this is a brand new computer or you never used the camera before. Many manufacturers will include a small protective film in the webcam area to prevent dust and scratch while shipping. This can also trigger the message.

Please check and let me know your reply.

Answer 3

If there is no shutter on the webcam and also none of the function keys (F1 - F12) on the keyboard have a camera icon, click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.