my camera is just pitch black and I've tried reinstalling the drivers, shutting down the device, I even tried to contact support and thought they fixed the problem but it still persists i dont think its the hardware because the camera sometimes flashes on

Question

my camera is just pitch black and I've tried reinstalling the drivers, shutting down the device, I even tried to contact support and thought they fixed the problem but it still persists i dont think its the hardware because the camera sometimes flashes on

Ahio Muhire 0

Screenshot 2026-03-19 093621

Screenshot 2026-03-19 093248

Screenshot 2026-03-19 093226

Screenshot 2026-03-18 152706

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Answer 1

DaveM121 863.2K Independent Advisor

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, you indicate you have re-installed the webcam drivers, where did you get the drivers, is that from the official support page for your laptop on the HP website.

Please provide a screenshot of the full Device Manager window with the Cameras section expanded.

Ahio Muhire 0 Reputation points

2026-03-19T16:24:19.9866667+00:00

So far, for the drivers, I've done pretty much everything. I disabled and re-enabled it; I updated automatically and manually. I've reset my computer after uninstalling the drivers, but so far, nothing.
DaveM121 863.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-19T16:28:30.7166667+00:00

Thank you for the screenshot, the webcam drivers are installed correctly, so that is not causing the problem and also all other drivers are installed correctly.

If there is no privacy shutter on the webcam and also no function key with a camera icon, open the Settings App, go to Privacy & Security - Camera, are all apps enabled in there for permission to access the webcam?

You indicate the webcam works intermittently, please provide some more information on that.
Ahio Muhire 0 Reputation points

2026-03-19T17:02:29.14+00:00

When I was resetting the computer, the camera worked for a few seconds, then defaulted to the black screen. Even now, it flickers once every so often when I check on it, but then defaults to the black screen. It doesn't have an FN key that turns it on or off, and it doesn't have any other switches. It's an HP Victus 15 gaming laptop.
DaveM121 863.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-19T17:27:31.9466667+00:00

If your webcam does flicker on/off, I think that may indicate a hardware fault, not a software problem, there is a small tape connector that runs up the back of the screen to the webcam, it may be loose in the connector, since all drivers are installed correctly, and all settings are correct, the best option would be to take your laptop to a PC Shop to have the webcam tested.

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my camera is just pitch black and I've tried reinstalling the drivers, shutting down the device, I even tried to contact support and thought they fixed the problem but it still persists i dont think its the hardware because the camera sometimes flashes on

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