Zoom will not use camera or microphone on windows 11.

Question

My windows 10 computer was automatically updated to windows 11. I had a Zoom meeting that I was able to log onto as usual, but my camera and microphone would not function. Any suggestions to fix this?

Answer 1

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

May I know what troubleshooting steps have you already taken? This will help me avoid recommending them again.

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If you haven't tried anything yet please start by:

• While you’re in the meeting in Zoom, click the arrow next to Start/Stop Video and choose Video Settings.
• If your device has more than one camera, you’ll see them listed under Camera. Click the drop-down menu and try selecting a different camera to see if that resolves the issue.
• Sometimes Zoom simply selects the wrong camera by default, especially if you have a virtual camera or external camera connected.

If issue still persists, check Windows Camera Permissions:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera
• Make sure Camera access is turned On
• Turn On Let apps access your camera
• Scroll down and confirm Zoom (or the meeting app you’re using) is allowed.

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

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

Click "Add comment" below to let me know.

Answer 2

Use the built-in privacy and device settings in Windows 11 to re‑enable camera and microphone access for Zoom, then verify the devices work at the system level.

1. Allow microphone access in Windows 11
   1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
   2. Make sure Microphone access is turned on.
   3. Make sure Let apps access your microphone is turned on.
   4. Make sure Let desktop apps access your microphone is turned on so desktop apps like Zoom can use it.
2. Allow camera access in Windows 11
   1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
   2. Make sure Camera access is turned on.
   3. Make sure Let apps access your camera is turned on.
   4. Make sure Let desktop apps access your camera is turned on so Zoom can use it.
3. Test the camera in Windows
   1. Open Start > Camera.
   2. Confirm that the preview shows the image correctly. If the camera works here but not in Zoom, the issue is likely Zoom’s own settings.
4. Test and adjust the microphone in Windows
   1. Select Start > Settings > System > Sound.
   2. Under Input, select the desired microphone and check that it shows input activity when speaking.
   3. Under Input settings, select Start test, speak normally, then Stop test and Play the sample. Adjust the Input volume slider if needed.
5. If the microphone or camera is not detected at all
   1. For the microphone, reinstall audio drivers:
      • Right‑click Start and select Device Manager.
      • Expand Sound, video and game controllers.
      • Right‑click the audio device and select Uninstall device; check Attempt to remove the driver for this device and select Uninstall.
      • Repeat for other audio devices if needed.
      • Restart the PC so Windows reinstalls the audio devices and drivers automatically. If it does not, in Device Manager right‑click Sound, video and game controllers and select Scan for hardware changes, then right‑click the audio driver and select Update driver.
   2. For the camera, ensure it is connected (if external) and that any physical camera switch, keyboard camera key, or privacy slider is set to on/open.

After these steps, reopen Zoom and select the correct camera and microphone from Zoom’s audio and video settings.

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References:

• Fix microphone problems
• Camera doesn't work in Windows