My camera and pc both started having issues.

Question

Hi,
I am using a Lenovo laptop and the integrated camera for meetings and such. Since last week, my camera started randomly turning off in the middle of meetings/calls. Around the same time, computer started stuttering/lagging. I observed the performance on task manager and it is using around 12-30% of CPU, ~70% of memory and 3-4% of disk space usually. I have put forward the same issue with the computer provider as well, meanwhile I try to find a solution to my current issue as it is causing major inconvenience in my daily work life due to needing to be in meeting throughout the day.

Sincerely,
Aravind.

Answer 1

Hii,

What is the Lenovo laptop model?

Put msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take screenshot and post here

Open the command prompt (admin) and run the commands: sfc /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth, wait for the process to finish and restart the computer.

Then perform a clean boot and if you want to uninstall applications that you do not use.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-execute-a-simple-boot-start-in-windows-da2f9573-6eec-00ad-2f8a-a97a1807f3dd

Thanks

Answer 2

Follow these steps in order, testing the camera after each step (for example in the Camera app and in a meeting app like Teams):

1. Run the Windows camera troubleshooter
   • Select Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   • Find Camera and select Run.
   • Apply any fixes it suggests and restart the PC.
2. Check camera privacy and app access
   • Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera.
   • Under Allow access to the camera on this device, select Change and turn Camera access for this device On.
   • Make sure Allow apps to access your camera is On.
   • Turn on access for the meeting apps under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera.
   • Ensure Allow desktop apps to access your camera is On, since browsers and many meeting apps rely on this.
3. Update or reinstall the camera driver
   • Select Start > Device Manager.
   • Expand Cameras and locate the integrated camera.
   • Right‑click it and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
   • Restart the PC.
   • If the problem persists, in Device Manager right‑click the camera > Uninstall device. If available, check Delete the driver software for this device and select Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the default driver, then in Device Manager right‑click the camera again and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
4. Check for Windows and optional driver updates
   • Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   • Install all updates and restart.
   • If available, go to Advanced options > Optional updates and install any camera or system driver updates, then restart again.
5. Close background apps and check resource usage
   Camera freezing or turning off can be triggered by insufficient system resources.
   • Close unnecessary apps, especially those that might also use the camera (other meeting apps, browser tabs with video, etc.).
   • If the camera still freezes or crashes, follow the guidance for 0x800705AA: Insufficient system resources to run the camera:
     • Close unnecessary apps.
     • Restart the PC.
     • Ensure the camera driver is updated as in step 3.
6. Test the camera in different apps
   • Open Start > Camera and confirm the preview works consistently.
   • Join a test meeting in the main meeting app and in a browser version of the same service.
   • If the camera works reliably in the Camera app but fails only in one meeting app, adjust that app’s video settings or reinstall that specific app.
7. Check for security software interference
   Some antivirus or security tools can intermittently block the camera (similar to error 0xA00F4246 scenarios).
   • Temporarily disable antivirus/firewall protection from its Settings/Tools/Protection tab for a short period (for example, 10 minutes) and test a meeting.
   • If the camera becomes stable, update or reconfigure the security software so it does not block camera access.
8. Basic hardware checks
   • Ensure any physical privacy shutter on the Lenovo camera is fully open.
   • If the laptop has a function key with a camera icon (for example, F8 or F4 on some devices), press it (possibly with Fn) to make sure the camera is not being toggled off at the keyboard level.

If, after these steps, the camera still randomly turns off and the system continues to stutter, provide the laptop vendor with details of the troubleshooting already completed and any error codes seen (for example, from the Camera app) so they can investigate potential hardware or deeper driver issues.

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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
• Issue when going to a live teams meeting - Microsoft Q&A