Camera doesn't work in Windows (2024)

• If you're using an external camera, ensure it is securely connected to the USB port. Check for any loose cords or cables and confirm all connections are properly plugged in.

• To rule out hardware issues, test the camera on a different 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:

• A button on the keyboard that's activated with the Fn key

• A dedicated camera button on thekeyboard
  

• A sliding switch on the side of a laptop
  

• A small slider for a shutter, built right into the camera
  

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:

1. Select Start >Settings >Privacy & security >Camera .

   Allow access to the camera on this device

2. 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.

3. Make sure Let apps access your camerais turned on.

4. 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.

For more information, visit Manage app permissions for camera in Windows.

Use the Camera app in Windows to check if the issue is specific to a certain app.

• Open Start > Camera and see if the preview works.

• If the camera works in one app but not another, the issue lies with the app settings.

• Check for updates. Select Start >Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.

  See Also

  Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft EdgeFix Bluetooth problems in WindowsTroubleshoot Windows Media Player ErrorsCustomer service phone numbers - Microsoft Support

  • 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.

• 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.

• 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

The camera troubleshooter might be able to fix camera problems automatically. To run the troubleshooter:

1. Select Start > Settings > System.

2. Scroll down and clickTroubleshoot,then selectOther troubleshooters.

3. Locate theCamera section and click theRunbutton to launch the camera troubleshooter

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:

1. Select Start , typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.

2. Find your cameraunder Cameras, Imaging devices,or Sound, video and game controllers.

3. If you can't find your camera, select theAction menu, then selectScan for hardware changes.

4. Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your device, then open the Camera app again to test it.

5. 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:

1. In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, then select Properties.

2. 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.)

3. After the roll back is complete, restart your device, and then try opening the Camera app again.

4. If rolling back didn’t work or isn’t available, continue to the next steps.

Uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes:​​​​​​​

1. In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, and then select Properties.

2. Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device. Select the check box for Attempt to removethe driverfor this device, then select OK.

3. In Device Manager, on the Action menu, select Scan for hardware changes.

4. 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 external USB camera to use 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.

1. Select Start , typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.

2. Find the problem webcam from the list of devices shown in the Device Manager. It should appear either under Cameras or Imaging devices.

3. Right-click the webcam deviceand select Update driver.

4. Select Browse my computer for drivers.

5. SelectLet me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

6. SelectUSB Video Device and then selectNextto complete the driver update.

7. SelectCloseto acknowledge settings choices and go back to Device Manager. The webcam will now appear under the Cameras category in the Device Manager list.

• If you're using an external camera, ensure it is securely connected to the USB port. Check for any loose cords or cables and confirm all connections are properly plugged in.

• To rule out hardware issues, test the camera on a different 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
  

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.

For more information, visit Manage app permissions for camera in Windows.

Use the Camera app in Windows to check if the issue is specific to a certain app.

• OpenStart>Cameraand see if the preview works.

• If the camera works in one app but not another, the issue lies with the app settings.

1. Select Start > Settings > Update & security.

2. From the left-hand menu, select Troubleshoot.

3. Go to Find and fix other problems section and click on Camera and then select Run the troubleshooter.

TryadifferentUSBportandscanforhardwarechanges:

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:

1. In Search on the taskbar, typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.

2. Find your cameraunder Cameras,Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers.

3. If you can't find your camera, select theAction menu, then selectScan for hardware changes.

4. Wait for it to scan and reinstall updated drivers, restart your device, then try opening the Camera app again.

5. If these steps don't fix your issue, continue to the next steps.

Checkforanincompatiblecameradriver:

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:

1. In Device Manager, look for your cameraunder Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers.

2. Right-click (or press and hold) onthe name of your camera, and then select Properties.

3. 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.

4. 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:

1. In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) onyour camera, and then select Properties.

2. 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.)

3. After the roll back is complete, restart your device, and then try opening the Camera app again.

4. If rolling back didn’t work or isn’t available, continue to the next steps.

Uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes:

1. In Device Manager, right-click (or press and hold) on your camera, and then select Properties.

2. Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device. Select the check box for Deletethe driver software for this device, then select OK.

3. In Device Manager, on the Action menu, select Scan for hardware changes.

4. 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.

1. In Search on the taskbar, typedevice manager, then select itfrom the search results.

2. Find the problem webcam from the list of devices shown in the Device Manager. It should appear either under Cameras or Imaging devices.

3. Right-click the webcam device with your mouse and select Update driver.

4. Select Browse my computer for drivers.

5. SelectLet me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

6. SelectUSB Video Device and then selectNextto complete the driver update.

7. SelectCloseto acknowledge settings choices and go back to Device Manager. The webcam will now appear under the Cameras category in the Device Manager list.