camer not working on windows laptop

Question

My laptop camera is not working. I tried restarting the device and checking the settings, but it still does not work. Please help.

Answer 1

If you open the Camera app, what does it say? Any error message? Or is it just a black screen? Any additional information would be helpful if you don't mind.

Most camera issues can be due to a physical privacy cover covering the lens. Make sure that's not the case.

Otherwise there is usually a physical button/key/switch you can use to turn the camera on or off. For example, most Lenovo uses F8 or Fn+F8, or a switch above the lens, HP has a camera key or a button on the side of the laptop, MSI uses F6 or Fn+F6, etc.

If you are not sure, tell me what the camera app says/shows, and then please hold down Windows + R keys, type in msinfo32.exe and hit enter. Then share a screenshot of the System Information window. Thanks!

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order on the Windows 11 laptop:

1. Test the camera in the Camera app
   • Select Start > Camera.
   • If asked to allow access, choose Yes.
   • If the preview works here but not in other apps, the issue is with those apps’ settings.
2. Check camera privacy permissions
   • Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
   • Under Allow access to the camera on this device, select Change and turn On.
   • Make sure Allow apps to access your camera is On.
   • Under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera, turn On for the apps needed.
   • If using desktop apps (browsers, Teams, etc.), ensure Allow desktop apps to access your camera is On.
3. Check for Windows and driver updates
   • Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • If available, select Advanced options > Optional updates and install any camera or driver updates.
   • Restart the PC after updates.
   • Test again with the Camera app.
4. Run the Camera troubleshooter
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • Find Camera and select Run.
   • Apply any fixes it suggests and test again.
5. Update or reinstall the camera driver
   • Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
   • Expand Cameras (or Imaging devices) and locate the laptop camera.
   • Right-click the camera > Update driver > Search automatically for drivers. Restart and test.
   • If still not working:
     1. In Device Manager, right-click the camera > Uninstall device.
     2. If available, check Delete the driver software for this device and select OK.
     3. In Device Manager, select the Action menu > Scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver.
     4. Restart the PC and open the Camera app again.
6. Check antivirus or security software
   • Open the antivirus/firewall app.
   • Look for any camera/webcam protection setting and temporarily disable it.
   • Test the camera in the Camera app.
   • Re‑enable protection after testing.
7. If the screen is black or video quality is poor
   • Make sure nothing is blocking the lens and that any physical privacy shutter is open.
   • Clean the camera lens.
   • If video is blurry or low quality, adjust resolution in the app being used and ensure a stable internet connection for calls.

If the camera still does not work after these steps, check the laptop manufacturer’s support site for model‑specific camera drivers or hardware diagnostics.

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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