My Laptop camera is not working

Question

My laptop camera is not working. If i want to start zoom meeting or without any meeting camera is not showing me.

Answer 1

Hi Rana Eijaz Ahmad,

Thanks for reaching out to Microsoft Q&A Forum. I understand that your laptop camera is not working and does not show video when you try to start a Zoom meeting or open the camera outside of meetings on Windows 11.

Please make sure you already tried the Q&A Assist steps. In addition, please try the following.

Before we proceed, I would like to narrow this down a bit:

1. Is this the built‑in laptop camera or an external USB webcam?
2. Does the camera appear at all in Device Manager under Cameras or Imaging devices?

In the meantime, you can try these steps:

1, Reset the Camera app

• Open Settings, go to Apps, then Installed apps
• Find Camera, select Advanced options, then choose Repair first and Reset if needed

2, Check for camera disablement at firmware level

• Fully shut down the laptop
• Power it back on and immediately press the BIOS key repeatedly
• Common keys are F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Del (depends on the manufacturer)
• Once in BIOS or UEFI, use the arrow keys or mouse to navigate
• Open sections such as Advanced, Advanced Settings, Integrated Peripherals, or Security
• Look for options related to Camera, Webcam, or Integrated Camera
• Make sure the camera is set to Enabled
• Save changes and exit (usually F10), then let Windows start normally

3, Run system file checks

• Open Command Prompt as administrator
• Run sfc /scannow and wait for it to complete
• After that, run DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and restart

4, Temporarily disable Windows Hello camera usage

• Open Settings, go to Accounts, then Sign‑in options
• Temporarily turn off Windows Hello Face if it is enabled, then restart and test the camera

5, Check manufacturer‑specific camera utilities

• Look for any preinstalled camera or privacy utility from the device manufacturer
• Ensure the camera is not blocked or disabled within that application

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Answer 2

Hi,

What is the exact error message or code when you open the camera?

What is the make and model of your device? In the search bar, type MSINFO32 and hit Enter. Please share a screenshot of that window.

1. Could you list the troubleshooting steps you have tried, if any, so I can avoid repeating them?

Answer 3

Try these steps in order on Windows 11:

1. Test the camera in Windows
   • Select Start > Camera.
   • If the preview works here but not in Zoom, the problem is with Zoom’s settings (select the correct camera in Zoom’s video settings).
2. Check physical camera controls
   • Make sure there is no hardware shutter/slider covering the lens.
   • Check the function keys (F1–F12) for a camera icon; if present, press that key (or Fn + that key) to enable the camera.
3. Check connection (for external webcams)
   • Ensure the USB plug is firmly connected.
   • Try a different USB port.
   • If possible, test the camera on another device to rule out hardware failure.
4. Check Windows privacy and app access
   • Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security.
   • Under App permissions, select Camera.
   • Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera.
   • Scroll down and ensure Zoom (and other needed apps) are allowed to use the camera.
5. Update Windows and camera drivers
   • Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • If View optional updates appears, select it and install any camera/driver updates, then restart.
   • Open Device Manager (search for it from Start).
   • Expand Cameras (or Imaging devices / Sound, video and game controllers), right‑click the camera, choose Update driver > Search automatically for drivers, then restart.
6. Reinstall or roll back the camera driver (if it stopped after an update)
   • In Device Manager, right‑click the camera > Properties > Driver.
   • If available, select Roll Back Driver, confirm, then restart and test.
   • If rollback is not available or doesn’t help:
     • In Device Manager, right‑click the camera > Uninstall device and check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (if shown), then OK.
     • In Device Manager, select the Action menu > Scan for hardware changes and let Windows reinstall the driver, then restart.
7. Run the camera troubleshooter
   • Use the automated troubleshooter in the Get Help app: Run the troubleshooter in Get Help.
8. Check antivirus/firewall
   • Open the antivirus or firewall app.
   • Temporarily disable or pause protection and test the camera.
   • If the camera works only when protection is off, adjust that product’s camera/webcam protection settings.

If the camera still shows only a black screen or no video in all apps after these steps, the camera hardware or compatibility may be the issue; in that case, check the laptop manufacturer’s support site for specific camera driver updates 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
• Camera fails in Teams - Microsoft Q&A
• New Teams crashes whenever I turn on a webcam in a meeting - Microsoft Q&A
• Ipad Pro M5 Teams Issue Upside Down Camera - Microsoft Q&A