Windows operating system can automatically detect and configure both built-in and external Cameras to work properly with the computer.
However, it is also not uncommon to find both built-in Laptop Camera and external Camera attached to desktop computer can stop working due to outdated or corrupted drivers, privacy settings and other reasons.
Camera Not Working in Windows 11/10
If the built-in Laptop Camera or the External Camera attached to your Windows 11/10 computer is not working, you should be able to fix the problem using the following troubleshooting steps.
1. Check Camera Connection
If the external Camera attached to your Desktop computer is not working, start by making sure that the Camera is properly connected to the computer.
If the connection looks right, remove the Camera from its current USB Port and plug it to another USB port.
Certain Cameras come equipped with a physical ON/OFF button. Hence, make sure the switch is in the ON position.
2. Allow Apps to Access Camera
Make sure that Apps have the permission to Access Camera on your computer.
1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera > move the toggle under “Allow Apps to access Camera” to ON position.
2. Next, scroll down on the same screen and enable the required Apps (Skype, Zoom, etc,) to access Camera.
3. On the same screen, scroll down further and Allow Desktop Apps to access your Camera.
3. Enable Camera Using Device Manager
If the Camera has been disabled on your computer, it can be enabled using Device Manager.
1. Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
2. On the Device Manager screen, expand the entry for Cameras > right-click on the Camera and click on Enable Device option.
3. Restart the computer and see if the Camera is now working properly on your computer.
4. Update Camera Drivers
As mentioned above, the problem could be due to the Camera drivers not being updated.
1. Open the Device Manager on your computer.
2. On the Device Manager screen, expand the entry for Cameras (or Imaging Devices), right-click on your Camera and click on Update Driver.
3. On the next screen, click on Search Automatically for updated driver software option and follow the onscreen prompts to install updated drivers (If available).
4. Restart your Computer and see if you are now able to use the Camera on your computer.
5. Reset the Camera App
It is possible that the error message is being caused by a software glitch or a bug in the Camera App.
1. Go to Settings > Apps > select Apps & Features in the left pane. In the right-pane, scroll down and click on Camera > Advanced options.
2. On the next screen, scroll down and click on the Reset button.
3. On the pop-up, click on Reset again to confirm.
Restart the computer to implement this change.
6. Roll Back Camera Driver
If the problem has started after installing updates, try to Roll Back the Camera Driver and see if this helps in fixing the issue.
1. Open the Device Manager on your computer.
2. On the Device Manager screen, expand the entry for Cameras (or Imaging Devices), right-click on your Camera and click on Properties.
3. On Properties screen, select the Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver option.
If Roll Back Driver option is not available, it means that your computer does not have any previous driver that it can Roll Back to.
7. Install Updates
Make sure that your computer is up-to-date with the latest updates.
1. Go to Settings > Windows Update > click on Check for Updates button in the right-pane.
Windows 10: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update (left-pane) > click on Check For Updates.
3. Wait for Windows to check for updates > Install the Updates (if available).
8. Create New User Profile
If above solutions did not help, create a New Admin User Account and see if the Camera is working.
If the Camera is working under New User Profile, it is most likely that the problem is due to your User Profile being corrupted.