My laptop camera is not working.

Question

I restarted my camera and my laptop also, but camera is still not working. I tried different methods, such as I removed camera on Device manager and restarted my laptop, but it was also the part of my failed methods. Please tell me how can I fix it? I really need my camera right now.

Answer 1

Hi,

Is it an internal or external camera?

If possible, do you have any third-party antivirus software? If so, which one?

If it's a laptop, what is the laptop model? If it's a desktop, what is the camera model?

Check the keyboard between the F1 and F12 keys to see if there's one with a camera icon. Press it to see if it unlocks. If that doesn't work, try Fn+F and the key with the camera icon.

Also check if it's a laptop; there should be a privacy palette located on top of the camera.

Thanks

Answer 2

Try these steps in order, testing the Camera app after each step:

1. Test the camera in the Camera app

• Select Start > Camera and check if the preview works.
• If the camera works here but not in another app, adjust that app’s camera/settings or permissions.

2. Check Windows Update

• Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
• If View optional updates appears, open it and install any camera-related or driver updates.
• Restart the PC and test the Camera app again.

3. Run the camera troubleshooter (Windows 10/11)

• Open Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.
• Under Find and fix other problems, select Camera > Run the troubleshooter and apply any fixes.
• Alternatively, use the Get Help app via Run the troubleshooter in Get Help from the camera support page.

4. Check antivirus/firewall

• Open the antivirus or firewall application.
• Temporarily disable or pause protection (for a short duration like 10 minutes) and test the camera.
• If the camera works only when protection is off, adjust that product’s camera/webcam protection settings.

5. Verify the camera is detected in Device Manager

• Select Start, type device manager, and open it.
• Look under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers for the camera.
• If it is missing:
  • In Device Manager, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
  • Wait for detection to complete, then restart and test the Camera app.

6. Roll back the camera driver (if the issue started after an update)

• In Device Manager, right-click the camera > Properties.
• Go to the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver (if available) > Yes.
• Restart the PC and test the Camera app.

7. Clean reinstall the camera driver

• In Device Manager, right-click the camera > Properties.
• On the Driver tab, select Uninstall Device.
• Check Attempt to remove/Delete the driver software for this device (if shown) > OK.
• In Device Manager, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
• Wait for Windows to reinstall the driver, restart, then test the Camera app.

8. Switch to the in-box UVC driver (for USB webcams)

• In Device Manager, locate the USB webcam under Cameras or Imaging devices.
• Right-click it > Update driver.
• Select Browse my computer for drivers.
• Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
• Choose USB Video Device > Next.
• Close Device Manager, restart, and test the Camera app.
  • Note: Some advanced features (for example, Windows Hello face recognition) may stop working with the generic UVC driver.

9. Check for very old/incompatible cameras

• In Device Manager, right-click the camera > Properties > Driver > Driver Details.
• If a file with stream.sys appears, the camera was designed before Windows 7 and is not compatible; replacing the camera is required.

If none of these steps restore the camera, contact the laptop or camera manufacturer and use their support page to download the exact webcam driver for the model or arrange hardware service.

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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
• New Teams crashes whenever I turn on a webcam in a meeting - Microsoft Q&A
• Camera fails in Teams - Microsoft Q&A
• device missing important security and quality issues - Microsoft Q&A