I cannot get my camera to unlock.

Question

My camera has a square with a diagional line through it. How do I unlock my camera?

Answer 1

Hi, I'm John! I will help you with this.

Are you using a laptop? If yes, please check the top row of your keyboard (F1–F12) for a key with a camera icon (sometimes with a line through it), then press that key once. If nothing happens, try pressing Fn + that key, and also check if there’s a physical camera shutter near the webcam and make sure it’s open.

If issue persists:

• Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X, then click "Device Manager"
• If you don’t see the Camera driver, click the "View" tab at the top and select "Show hidden devices" to check again.
• In Device Manager, right-click your PC name at the top and choose Scan for hardware changes to see if Windows detects the camera.

For more troubleshooting steps please see "Camera doesn't work in Windows" https://support.microsoft.com/windows/camera-doesn-t-work-in-windows-32adb016-b29c-a928-0073-53d31da0dad5

If issue persists, I recommend to update everything. Go to Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

To check for driver updates please go to Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Optional updates.

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If the issue still persists, please provide more details by answering my questions.

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Regards,

John J.D.

Answer 2

The square with a diagonal line usually means the camera is physically turned off or blocked.

Try these steps in order:

1. Check for a physical camera switch or slider
   • Look around the laptop’s edges and near the camera lens for a small switch or slider.
   • If found, slide it to open/unblock the camera (often reveals the lens or removes the “camera with slash” icon).
2. Check keyboard camera key
   • Look at the function keys (F1–F12) for a key with a camera icon.
   • Press that key (sometimes together with the Fn key) to turn the camera on.
3. Confirm Windows sees the camera and it’s enabled
   • Select Start > Device Manager.
   • Expand Cameras.
   • Right‑click the camera and, if Enable device is shown, select it to enable the camera.
4. Check camera privacy settings
   • 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 app access to the camera is also turned on.

If the camera still shows the blocked icon after these steps, re‑check for any physical shutter or slider directly on the camera area, as many devices build the privacy shutter into the bezel.

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References:

• Camera doesn't work in Windows
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