8 Ways to Fix It When Your Webcam Isn’t Working

Faulty webcams are the source of many different problems, but a thorough troubleshooting approach solves most of them.

This article applies to most internal and external webcams for PCs running Windows 10 8, and 7. For help with cameras on Apple computers, see Section «What to do if the Mac camera is not working» .

Why is your webcam not working?

Upon attempt turn on camera you can see the error code like 0xA00F4244 or 0x200F4244, as well as the message » Can’t find your camera» . This information on its own isn’t very helpful, so you’ll have to follow some troubleshooting steps.

Windows usually installs drivers automatically when it detects new hardware, but if you recently upgraded to Windows 10, there’s a good chance you need to manually update your hardware drivers. Some Windows Store apps only support newer webcam models, so your older device might not be compatible. However, most desktop programs still support older cameras.

Windows 10 offers a feature that disables the internal webcam. Keeping your webcam turned off when not in use is actually a great idea to protect your privacy, but it can cause problems if you accidentally turn this feature on.

What to do if your webcam is not working

The appropriate steps to troubleshoot your webcam may vary slightly depending on your version of Windows, but most of the following fixes apply to all webcams and operating systems:

1. Check your antivirus settings . Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with webcams. Examine the software options to make sure your antivirus is not running your camera.

2. Connect your webcam to another computer . If you are using an external camera, please connect it to another device to make sure it works. If you’re having trouble with this on multiple computers, the problem is likely coming from the hardware.

3. Check device connection . Shuffling the cable or simply unplugging and replugging can work wonders.

4. Check the USB port . Of course, connection issues occur at the end of your computer as well, so try plugging something else into the USB port to rule out a bad or misconnected port.

5. Make sure the correct device is on . If you have a built-in camera and an external webcam connected, then apps can get confused about which one to use. Check the app settings and look for the option to select your preferred device.

6. Consult manufacturer . For external webcams, refer to the user manual or manufacturer’s website for further instructions. Many manufacturers offer troubleshooting apps that check the general settings of the device.

7. Update your webcam drivers . Follow the instructions below for your version of Windows.

   You must be logged in as the administrator of your device to change driver settings.

8. Change your system settings . Follow the instructions below for your version of Windows.

How to change webcam settings in Windows 10

1. Right-click the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen and select » Settings» on the menu.

   

2. Select Confidentiality in the Settings menu.

   

3. Select Camera on the left panel.

   

4. Make sure that camera access for this device and Allow apps to access your camera included.

   

5. Scroll down and look under Choose which apps can access your camera, to make sure the app you want to use is enabled.

   

6. Close the settings menu, then right-click the Start button again and select » Device Manager» on the menu.

   

7. double-click camerasthen double-click your device from the drop-down list to open its properties.

   If you’re using an external webcam, it might be listed under Sound, video, and game controllers or Imaging devices instead of cameras.

8. look in the device status box under the General tab to make sure the camera is enabled. If it isn’t, exit the properties menu and right click the device, then select Enable Device.

9. If the above steps do not help, try updating the drivers.

How to Update Webcam Drivers in Windows 10

1. Right click the Start button in the lower-left corner of your screen and select device manager from the menu.

2. Find your device under cameras or Sound, video, and game controllers and right click it.

3. Select update driverthen follow the prompts.

4. If update driver is grayed out, double click your device in the device manager list and select Roll back driver under the driver tab if it’s available.

5. If Windows cannot find drivers for your device, visit the manufacturer’s website to see if they are available.