Camera is not working

Question

My camera is not working in Google Meet but works great in Zoom

Answer 1

Since the camera works in Zoom, the camera hardware is likely working. For Google Meet on Windows 11, check Windows camera access first:

1. Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
2. Make sure Camera access is On.
3. Make sure Let apps access your camera is On.

If that is already enabled, run the automated camera troubleshooter:

1. Open Get Help.
2. Run the camera troubleshooter so diagnostics can detect and fix common camera problems automatically.

Also check the Surface app if this is a Surface device:

1. Open the Surface app.
2. Expand Help & support to check update status.
3. If updates are available, select Check for updates and install them.
4. Select Get help and describe the camera problem.

If the issue continues, force a restart:

1. Select Start > Power > Shut down.
2. Wait for the device to turn off.
3. Press and hold the power button for 20 seconds. If the logo appears earlier, keep holding until it appears again.

If this is a Surface device and the built-in camera driver appears under Device Manager > Cameras as Intel(R) TGL AVStream Camera or Intel(R) AVStream Camera, reinstall it:

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Expand Cameras.
3. Double-click the camera.
4. Open the Driver tab.
5. Select Uninstall Device.
6. Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device and then Uninstall.
7. Restart the device.

Warning: Do not uninstall camera drivers on Surface Pro X. Restoring them requires a full system reset.

If none of these steps help, use the Surface app or Get Help for support. If the device is managed by an organization, contact the IT helpdesk or admin.

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References:

• Surface camera not working

Answer 2

Hi! Let me help you.

Have you tried checking the Google Meet permissions?

First, check your browser's camera permission for Google Meet. In Chrome, click the little camera or lock icon in the address bar while you're on the Meet tab, and make sure camera access is set to allow. Then also check Windows privacy settings under Settings, Privacy and security, Camera, and confirm that desktop apps and browser apps are both allowed to access the camera.

Another common cause is that Zoom or another app is still holding onto the camera in the background, which blocks the browser from grabbing it. Close Zoom completely, along with any other app that might use the camera like Skype or an antivirus's video protection feature, then reload the Meet tab.

If that doesn't fix it, go into Meet itself and click the three dots or the settings gear before or during a call, go to the video section, and check that the correct camera is selected from the dropdown, since Meet sometimes defaults to the wrong device or a virtual one.