Camera not working

Question

My camera reports it is blocked or turned off by a switch or button on my device. How do I unblock it?

Answer 1

Most camera issues can be due to a physical privacy cover covering the lens. Make sure that's not the case.

Otherwise there is usually a physical button/key/switch you can use to turn the camera on or off. For example, most Lenovo uses F8 or Fn+F8, or a switch above the lens, HP has a camera key or a button on the side of the laptop, MSI uses F6 or Fn+F6, etc.

If you are not sure, please hold down Windows + R keys, type in msinfo32.exe and hit enter. Then share a screenshot of the System Information window. That way I can see the model info, and find out sepcifically what you need to press.

Answer 2

Most likely the physical camera switch or button on the device is set to Off. To unblock it, check and turn on any hardware controls for the camera:

1. Look along the edges of the laptop for a small sliding switch with a camera icon and slide it to the On position.
2. Check the keyboard for a key with a camera icon (often one of the F1–F12 keys). If present, press it, or press Fn + that key, to enable the camera.
3. Inspect the camera area above the screen for a small privacy shutter or slider built into the camera and slide it open so the lens is visible.

Once the switch/button/shutter is set to On/open, the camera should no longer report that it is blocked or turned off.

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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