Windows 11Windows 10
When your camera isn'tworking inWindows11,it mightbe missing drivers after a recent update. It's also possible thatyourantivirus program is blocking thecamera, your privacy settings don't allow camera access for some apps, or there's a problem with the app you want to use.
Before you begin
Start by running the automated camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most camera issues.
If the Get Help app is unable to resolve your camera issue, do these steps first before working through the possible solutions listed:
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Check for updates. Select Start >Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
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If there are no updates for your camera, try to select Advanced options > Optional updates, and look for any driver updates for your camera. Allow available updates to install, then restart your device when it's ready.
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Restart your PC. If you haven't restarted your device since the camera stopped working, you should do so. SelectStart >Power >Restart . Waking up your device from sleep isn't the same thing as a restart.
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Test your camera with the Camera app. SelectStart ,then choose Camera from your apps. If you're asked to allow access to the Camera, select Yes. If the camera works in the Camera app, the problem might be with the app you're trying to use.
Open Camera
If your camera still doesn’t work, here are some other things to try. For thebest results, try the possible fixes in the order presented.
Check for a camera switch or button on your device
Some laptops and portable devices have a physical switch or button that turns the camera on or off. When it's turned off, your device may notrecognize that there's a camera installed, or it may cause your camera to show an image of a camera with a slash through it. If your laptop has a switch or button, make sure it's in the on position before using your camera.
Those switches or buttons may not be easy to find, so make sure you check all possible places. For example, it could be:
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A button on the keyboard that's activated with the Fn key
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A dedicated camera button on thekeyboard
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A sliding switch on the side of a laptop
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A small slider for a shutter, built right into the camera
Check your settings
Give your apps permission
If you recently updated Windows 11, you might need to give apps permission to use the camera. In newer versions of Windows 11, some apps won't have default access to the camera.
Here's how to let your appsaccess the camera:
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Select Start >Settings >Privacy & security >Camera .
Allow access to the camera on this device
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Make sure Camera access is turned on.
Note:If camera access for the device is turned off and greyed out, you'll need an administrator on the device to turn on camera access for you.
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Make sure Let apps access your camerais turned on.
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Choose which apps should have access. Only apps that were installed from the Microsoft Store will appearin this list.
If you're having problems with an app that you did not install fromMicrosoft Store, make sure thatLet desktop apps access your camerais turned on. You can't turn off camera access for individual desktop apps. Internet browsers, like Microsoft Edge, and many video conferencing apps, like Microsoft Teams, are desktop apps that require this setting to be turned on.
Check your antivirus software
In your antivirus software settings, look for settings that blockaccess to your camera or permission to use your camera.For help, visit your antivirus software company’s website.
Check your hardware drivers
Try a different USB port and scan for hardware changes
If you're using an external camera, tryusing it witha different USB port on your device first.If that doesn't work, or your camera is built in onyour device, try this:
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Select Start , typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.
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Find your cameraunder Cameras, Imaging devices,or Sound, video and game controllers.
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If you can't find your camera, select theAction menu, then selectScan for hardware changes.
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Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your device, then open the Camera app again to test it.
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If these steps don't fix your issue, continue to the next steps.
Roll back the camera driver
If your camera stopped working after an update, try these steps:
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In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, then select Properties.
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Select the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and then choose Yes. (Some drivers don’t provide thisoption.If your driver doesn’t have Roll Back Driver available, go ahead to the next fix.)
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After the roll back is complete, restart your device, and then try opening the Camera app again.
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If rolling back didn’t work or isn’t available, continue to the next steps.
Uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes
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In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, and then select Properties.
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Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device. Select the check box for Attempt to removethe driverfor this device, then select OK.
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In Device Manager, on the Action menu, select Scan for hardware changes.
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Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your PC, and then try opening the Camera app again.
Note:If your camera still doesn’t work, look for help on the cameramanufacturer’s website.
Switch to UVC driver
Most available USB webcams are UVC (standard USB Video Class) compatible cameras. They will work with the UVC driver that is included in Windows (the in-box UVC driver). If your webcam is not working correctly, swapping to the in-box UVC driver may resolve the issue. Please follow the steps below to change drivers (admin rights are required).
Note:The in-box UVC driver may not support all the features of your camera. For example, Windows Hello face recognition may no longer work if it was supported by the camera manufacturer's driver using custom USB extensions not supported by the in-box driver.
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Select Start , typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.
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Find the problem webcam from the list of devices shown in the Device Manager. It should appear either under Cameras or Imaging devices.
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Right-click the webcam deviceand select Update driver.
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Select Browse my computer for drivers.
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SelectLet me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
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SelectUSB Video Device and then selectNextto complete the driver update.
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SelectCloseto acknowledge settings choices and go back to Device Manager. The webcam will now appear under the Cameras category in the Device Manager list.
Need more help?
If you'd like to learn about the basics of using the camera, seeHow to use the Camera app.
Find answers in the forums
If the previous solutions didn't work, try searching for similar problems in the Microsoft Community forumand search for Camera. If you don’t find a solution, go ahead and share details about your experience there, then check back later for responses.
Submit feedback
If you've tried the steps in this article and don't find a solution that works, use Windows Feedback Hub to report anissue. This will help Microsoft findthe cause of this problem and improve your experience.
Include details about what you were doing,or specific steps you were taking, when theproblem occurred. Be sure to useRecreate my problemwhen you submityour feedback in theFeedback Hub.
Related topics
-
How to use the Camera app
-
Import photos and videos from phone to PC
When your camera isn'tworking inWindows10,it mightbe missing drivers after a recent update. It's also possible thatyourantivirus program is blocking thecamera, your privacy settings don't allow camera access for some apps, or there's a problem with the app you want to use.
Before you begin
Start by running the automated camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app. Get Help automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most camera issues.
If the Get Help app is unable to resolve your camera issue, do these steps first before working through the possible solutions listed:
-
Check for updates. Select Start, then select Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates. If you see the option toView optional updates, select it to see if there are updates available for your camera. Allow available updates to install, then restart your device when it's ready.
-
Restart your PC. If you haven't restarted your device since the camera stopped working, you should do so. SelectStart, then selectPower >Restart. Waking up your device from sleep isn't the same thing as a restart.
-
Test your camera with the Camera app. SelectStart, then choose Camera from the list of apps. If you're asked to allow access to the Camera, select Yes. If the camera works in the Camera app, the problem might be with the app you're trying to use.
(Video) Camera not working in Windows 11 FixOpen Camera
If your camera still doesn’t work, here are some other things to try. For best results, try the possible fixes in the order presented.
Check for a camera switch or button on your device
Some laptops and portable devices have a physical switch or button that turns the camera on or off. When turned off, your device won't recognize that there's a camera installed, or may cause your camera to show an image of a camera with a slash through it. If your computer has a switch or button, make sure it's in the on position before using your camera.
Those switches or buttons may not be easy to find, so make sure you check all possible places. For example, it could be:
-
A sliding switch on the side of a laptop
-
A button on a keyboard with a camera icon
-
A small slider for a shutter, built right into the camera
Check your settings
Give your apps permission
If you recently updated Windows 10, you might need to give apps permission to use the camera. In newer versions of Windows 10, some apps don’t have default access to the camera.
To let your device access the camera, select Start , then selectSettings>Privacy>Camera. InAllow access to the camera on this device, if Camera access for this deviceis turned off, select Change and turn on Camera access for this device.
Allow access to the camera on this device
Note:If camera access for the device is turned off and you can't select Change, you'll need an administrator on the device to turn on camera access for you.
Before any app can access your camera, make sure camera access is turned on for apps in your user account. Make sure thatAllow apps to access your camera is turned on.
After allowing access to the camera, go to Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera and turn on camera access for the apps you want. Only apps installed from the Microsoft Store will show in this list.
If you installed the app from the internet, a disc, a USB drive, or your IT administrator installed the app for you,it might not be a Microsoft Store app. To check, go toAllow desktop apps to accessyour cameraand make sure it's turned on. Internet browsers (like Microsoft Edge)and many video conferencing apps (like Microsoft Teams)are desktop apps that require this setting to be turned on.
Check your antivirus software
In your antivirus software settings, look for settings that blockaccess to your camera or permission to use your camera.For help, visit your antivirus software company’s website.
Check your hardware drivers
Try a different USB port and scan for hardware changes
If you're using an external camera, tryusing it witha different USB port on your device first.If that doesn't work, or your camera is built in onyour device, try this:
-
In Search on the taskbar, typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.
-
Find your cameraunder Cameras,Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers.
-
If you can't find your camera, select theAction menu, then selectScan for hardware changes.
-
Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your device, then try opening the Camera app again.
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If these steps don't fix your issue, continue to the next steps.
Check for an incompatible cameradriver
Some older cameras that were designed for older devices aren't compatible with Windows 10. Here's how to check if your camera is compatible:
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In Device Manager, look for your cameraunder Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers.
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Right-click (or press and hold) onthe name of your camera, and then select Properties.
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Select the Driver tab, select the Driver Details button, and look for a file name that includes stream.sys. If it’s there, your camera was designed before Windows7 and you'll have to replace it with a newer camera.
(Video) ✅100% SOLVED - We Can't Find Your Camera(0xA00F4244) On Windows10 - 2022|| Laptop Camera Not Working -
If you don't find a file name that includes stream.sys, continue to the next steps.
Roll back the camera driver
If your camera stopped working after an update, try these steps:
-
In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, and then select Properties.
-
Select the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, and then choose Yes. (Some drivers don’t provide thisoption.If your driver doesn’t have Roll Back Driver available, go ahead to the next fix.)
-
After the roll back is complete, restart your device, and then try opening the Camera app again.
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If rolling back didn’t work or isn’t available, continue to the next steps.
Uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes
-
In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) on your camera, and then select Properties.
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Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device. Select the check box for Deletethe driver software for this device, then select OK.
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In Device Manager, on the Action menu, select Scan for hardware changes.
-
Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your PC, and then try opening the Camera app again.
Note:If your camera still doesn’t work, look for help on the cameramanufacturer’s website.
Switch to UVC driver
Most available USB webcams are UVC (standard USB Video Class) compatible cameras. They will work with the UVC driver that is included in Windows (the in-box UVC driver). If your webcam is not working correctly, swapping to the in-box UVC driver may resolve the issue. Please follow the steps below to change drivers (admin rights are required).
Note:The in-box UVC driver may not support all the features of your camera. For example, Windows Hello face recognition may no longer work if it was supported by the camera manufacturer's driver using custom USB extensions not supported by the in-box driver.
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In Search on the taskbar, typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.
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Find the problem webcam from the list of devices shown in the Device Manager. It should appear either under Cameras or Imaging devices.
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Right-click the webcam device with your mouse and select Update driver.
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Select Browse my computer for drivers.
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SelectLet me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
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SelectUSB Video Device and then selectNextto complete the driver update.
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SelectCloseto acknowledge settings choices and go back to Device Manager. The webcam will now appear under the Cameras category in the Device Manager list.
Need more help?
If you'd like to learn about the basics of using the camera, seeHow to use the Camera app.
Find answers in the forums
If the previous solutions don’t work, try searching for similar problems in the Microsoft Community forumand search for Camera. If you don’t find a solution, go ahead and share details about your experience there, then check back later for responses.
Submit feedback
If you've tried the steps in this article and don't find a solution that works, use Windows Feedback Hub to file a bug. This helps Microsoft findthe root cause of this problem.
Include details about what you were doing,or specific steps you were taking, when theproblem occurred. Be sure to useRecreate my problemwhen you submityour feedback in theFeedback Hub.
For help submitting feedback with Feedback Hub, seeSend feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app.
Related topics
-
Fix a missing Camera Roll in Windows10
-
Import photos and videos from phone to PC
FAQs
Camera doesn't work in Windows? ›
When your camera isn't working in Windows 10, it might be missing drivers after a recent update. It's also possible that your antivirus program is blocking the camera, your privacy settings don't allow camera access for some apps, or there's a problem with the app you want to use.
Why is my camera not working on my windows? ›When your camera isn't working in Windows 10, it might be missing drivers after a recent update. It's also possible that your antivirus program is blocking the camera, your privacy settings don't allow camera access for some apps, or there's a problem with the app you want to use.
Why is my computer camera suddenly not working? ›A non-working webcam may be due to malfunctioning hardware, missing or outdated drivers, issues with your privacy settings, or problems with your antivirus software. Windows usually installs device drivers automatically when it detects new hardware.
How do I enable my camera on Windows? ›Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, then make sure Camera access is turned on.
How do I restore my Windows camera? ›Reseting camera app can fix system glitches that may make camera not working on Windows 10 and give the app a fresh restart. Step 1 On your PC, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features > Camera. Step 2 Select Camera app and click Advanced options. Step 3 Click Reset.
Why is my camera showing a black screen on laptop? ›Laptop Camera Showing Black Screen
Make sure that your webcam is not blocked by an object or dust. If your webcam lens looks dirty, give it a good clean with a clean rag. If your webcam has a privacy shutter, make sure it is completely open.
How to Turn on the Webcam in Windows 10. To turn on your webcam in Windows 10, press Win + S, type "Camera", and select the appropriate option to open the Windows Camera App. The camera will automatically start when you do so.
Why has my camera stopped? ›Sometimes, the issue is your cache and data files. These files could be corrupt and the reason why your camera isnt working. To fix unfortunately, camera has stopped on Android, you should clear the camera cache and data files.
Why is my camera showing a black screen? ›Sometimes, the black screen in the Camera app can be resolved by just switching between the rear and front-facing selfie camera. The black screen could be caused by the app not loading properly, and each time you switch cameras, it forces the app to load again, so this could help.
How do I fix my camera settings on my computer? ›Select Start . Type manage cameras in the search bar on the Start menu, and then select Manage cameras from the results. Select the camera from the list of connected cameras. Windows will start the camera, display a preview, and show controls to adjust various settings.
Why is my camera screen black on Windows 10? ›
The webcam black screen issue on Windows 10 is usually down to driver issues. Updating your drivers should help fix the issue in this case. Remember to restart your PC after the update.
How do I update my camera driver Windows 10? ›- In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager.
- Select a category to see names of devices, then right-click (or press and hold) the one you'd like to update.
- Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
- Select Update Driver.
Windows. Ctrl + e turn on or off camera.
How do I allow access to camera? ›- On your Android device, go to the home page and tap Settings.
- Tap Apps & notifications.
- Tap the icon for the web browser you are using.
- Tap Permissions.
- Turn on permissions for camera.
- Return to the web page and refresh the screen to try to take a selfie.
Android Chrome
Tap Site Settings. Tap Microphone or Camera. Tap to turn the microphone or camera on or off.
- Type "Device Manager" in Windows Search and open the Device Manager app.
- Go to the Action tab and click on Add legacy hardware.
- Click Next.
- Select Search for and install the hardware automatically (Recommended) and click Next.
Click Start -> Settings -> Apps -> Apps & features.
Scroll down to find Camera app in the app list. Click it. Next click Advanced options link under Camera app. In the new Camera settings window, you can click Reset button under Reset section to revert the Camera app to its default settings.
Turn off your digital camera. Remove the battery for a few minutes and reinsert it. Make sure the camera battery is fully charged and properly inserted. Now check if the camera exposure issue in pictures is resolved or not.
How do I install a camera driver on Windows 10? ›In Device Manager, expand Imaging devices, Cameras or Sound, video and game controllers. Find and right-click your webcam, select Update driver. Click Search automatically for updated driver software to install the latest webcam driver software on Windows 10.
Why is my camera not working on my HP laptop? ›Right-click the Start button, and then click Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Make sure that the setting in the Camera access section is set to On. Under Let apps access your camera, select On for the apps that you want to have access to the webcam.
What is PC camera mode? ›
In Camera mode, shooting from the camera is possible, but changing certain settings within the app is not. This depends on the camera but typically auto exposure mode, metering mode, and focus modes can only be changed while in PC mode. When live view is turned on, the camera will temporarily be put into PC mode.
Why is my camera screen black and not working? ›If your photos have suddenly shown a black screen, there's a good chance that your camera's autofocus mechanism is stuck. The fix is easy: Turn off your camera, remove the SD card, remove the battery, and then reinsert the battery. Wait for the device to boot back up, and then turn the camera power back on.
How do I know if my antivirus is blocking my camera? ›Well, if your Antivirus is blocking your camera, it means that this setting is enabled by default for all apps. You just have to change the setting under the privacy tab of your Antivirus. Depending on what antivirus solution you have, you can disable this setting universally or pick the apps that can use your webcam.
Do cameras need software updates? ›If you are a digital photographer, it is a good idea to make sure your camera's firmware is up to date to ensure you have a reliable device with the latest features and fixes. In this article, we will guide you step-by-step through updating your camera firmware.
Why is my F8 camera key not working? ›Find the button on your keyboard that shows a camera with a strike through it, usually the F8 key. Tap this button and you should be able to use your camera again. Scroll down until you see Camera Privacy Mode and make sure it is Off. You should be able to use the camera now!
How do I unlock my camera on my laptop? ›- Click the Start Button (Windows icon) in bottom left of desktop.
- Select Settings.
- Click Privacy.
- Scroll through the list on the left to find Camera and select Camera.
- Under Allow Device To Access Camera click the Change button and make sure it is switched on.
If you're not able to turn on your microphone or camera and/or you're seeing a red cross next to your microphone and camera buttons in your bottom menu toolbar... it's likely that you haven't given your browser permission to access your microphone and camera.
Why has the camera stopped working? ›Sometimes, the issue is your cache and data files. These files could be corrupt and the reason why your camera isnt working. To fix unfortunately, camera has stopped on Android, you should clear the camera cache and data files.
Why is my camera black on Windows? ›Most of the time, a black screen issue is caused by an outdated webcam or graphics driver. If you can't remember when was the last time you updated your drivers, definitely do it right away. This may be the best shot you can take without much troubleshooting.
Why is my camera not working for Omegle? ›The error with camera Omegle may happen when the camera is being used by some other applications. To fix this issue, you can try disabling other programs that are using the camera.
Why is my HP computer camera black? ›
If your webcam shows a black screen, simply use a flashlight or any other light source, and point it at your camera. After doing that your webcam should start working again, let me know if it doesn't, as it could be a hardware malfunction.
How do I enable my camera? ›Settings. Tap Site Settings. Tap Microphone or Camera. Tap to turn the microphone or camera on or off.
How do I enable my camera on Chrome? ›- Open the Settings app on your phone and go to Apps and notifications. Scroll down to locate Chrome on the app list.
- Next, go to Permissions. ...
- Tap on the Camera option and select Allow only while using the app.
- Now go back to the App Permissions page.
- Open Chrome .
- At the top right, click More. Settings.
- Click Privacy and security Site settings. Camera or Microphone.
- Select the option that you want as your default setting. Review your blocked and allowed sites.