how to reinstall camera

Question

I can not longer see the built in camera in devices manager so no access to camera

Answer 1

1

Look at the function keys (F1 - F12) on your keyboard, if one of them has a camera icon, press that key or Fn + that key to unlock the webcam.

2.

If that was not the problem, look at the camera lens above your screen, is there a small privacy slider that needs to be opened to access the webcam?

3.

If the webcam is still not working, go to the support page for your laptop on the manufacturers website, then from there, download and re-install the version of webcam drivers they provide

If you have any difficulty locating that support page, click your Start Button, then just type msinfo and press Enter, please provide a screenshot of the resulting System Information window.

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order on Windows:

1. Check for a physical camera switch or function key
   Many laptops have a hardware camera kill switch or a function key (for example F4) with a camera icon that disables/enables the webcam. Press that key (sometimes together with the Fn key) to turn the camera back on.
2. Try a different USB port (for external cameras)
   If using an external USB webcam, unplug it and plug it into a different USB port.
3. Scan for hardware changes in Device Manager
   1. Select Start, type device manager, then select it.
   2. In Device Manager, on the Action menu, select Scan for hardware changes.
   3. Wait for the scan to complete, then restart the PC and test the Camera app.
4. Update the camera driver (if the device appears)
   If the camera shows up under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers:
   1. In Device Manager, expand Cameras (or Imaging devices).
   2. Right‑click the camera and select Update driver.
   3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
   4. After the update, restart the PC and test again.
5. Uninstall and let Windows reinstall the driver
   If the camera appears but does not work:
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the camera and select Properties.
   2. Go to the Driver tab and select Uninstall Device.
   3. Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device (or Delete the driver software for this device), then select OK.
   4. In Device Manager, open the Action menu and select Scan for hardware changes.
   5. Wait for Windows to reinstall the driver, then restart the PC and test the Camera app.
6. Switch an external USB camera to the in‑box UVC driver
   If using a USB webcam that appears in Device Manager but behaves incorrectly:
   1. In Device Manager, right‑click the webcam and select Update driver.
   2. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
   3. Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
   4. Choose USB Video Device, then select Next.
   5. Close the dialog, then restart the PC and test.
      Note: The in‑box UVC driver may not support all camera features (for example, Windows Hello face recognition).
7. If the camera is still missing from Device Manager
   If the built‑in camera does not appear even after scanning for hardware changes and checking the function key/privacy shutter, this usually indicates a hardware or firmware issue. In that case, go to the laptop manufacturer’s support site and install the latest webcam/chipset drivers for the exact model, or contact the manufacturer for hardware diagnostics.

---

References:

• Camera doesn't work in Windows
• my camera is not listed under device manager camera is not listed and it's not under imaging devices - Microsoft Q&A
• my camera does not function in windows - Microsoft Q&A