solve the problem with your camera

Camera doesn't work in Windows

When your camera isn't working in Windows 11, 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.

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.

Open Get Help

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 >  Settings  > Windows Update  > Check for updates .

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. Select  Start >  Power  >  Restart . Waking up your device from sleep isn't the same thing as a restart.

Test your camera with the Camera app. Select  Start , 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 the 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 it's turned off, your device may not recognize 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

Shows the keyboard key that turns off the camera. It's in the top row and it's the third key from the right edge.

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 apps access the camera:

Select Start >  Settings  >  Privacy & security  >  Camera . Allow access to the camera on this device

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.

Make sure Let apps access your camera  is turned on.

Choose which apps should have access. Only apps that were installed from the Microsoft Store will appear in this list.

If you're having problems with an app that you did not install from Microsoft Store, make sure that  Let desktop apps access your camera  is 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 block access 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, try using it with a different USB port on your device first. If that doesn't work, or your camera is built in on your device, try this: 

Select Start , type  device manager , then select it from the search results.

Find your camera under Cameras , Imaging devices , or Sound, video and game controllers .

If you can't find your camera, select the  Action menu, then select  Scan for hardware changes .

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

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:

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

Select the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver , and then choose Yes . (Some drivers don’t provide this option. 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.

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 .

Select the Driver tab, then select Uninstall Device . Select the check box for Attempt to remove the driver for this device , then select OK .

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 camera manufacturer’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.

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

Right-click the webcam device and select Update driver .

Select Browse my computer for drivers .

Select  Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer .

Select  USB Video Device and then select  Next  to complete the driver update.

Select  Close  to 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, see  How 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 forum  and 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 an issue. This will help Microsoft find the cause of this problem and improve your experience. 

Include details about what you were doing, or specific steps you were taking, when the problem occurred. Be sure to use  Recreate my problem  when you submit your feedback in the Feedback Hub.  

Open the Feedback Hub

Related topics

How to use the Camera app

Import photos and videos from phone to PC

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.

Check for updates. Select Start  , then select Settings  > Update & Security  > Windows Update  > Check for updates . If you see the option to  View 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. Select  Start  , then select  Power  >  Restart . Waking up your device from sleep isn't the same thing as a restart.

Test your camera with the Camera app. Select  Start  , 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.  Open 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.

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.

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 select  Settings    >  Privacy    >  Camera  . In  Allow access to the camera on this device , if Camera access for this device  is 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 that  Allow 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 to  Allow desktop apps to access your camera  and 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.  

In Search on the taskbar, type  device manager , then select it from the search results.

Find your camera under Cameras ,  Imaging devices , or Sound, video and game controllers .

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

Check for an incompatible camera driver

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:

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

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

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 Windows 7 and you'll have to replace it with a newer camera.

If you don't find a file name that includes stream.sys , continue to the next steps.

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

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

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

Select  USB Video Device and then select  Next  to complete the driver update.

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

If the previous solutions don’t work, try searching for similar problems in the Microsoft Community forum  and 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.

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 find the root cause of this problem. 

For help submitting feedback with Feedback Hub, see  Send feedback to Microsoft with the Feedback Hub app .

Fix a missing Camera Roll in Windows 10

Facebook

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

solve the problem with your camera

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

solve the problem with your camera

Microsoft 365 training

solve the problem with your camera

Microsoft security

solve the problem with your camera

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

solve the problem with your camera

Ask the Microsoft Community

solve the problem with your camera

Microsoft Tech Community

solve the problem with your camera

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

solve the problem with your camera

Online support

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

How to fix common camera problems on Windows 10

If the webcam no longer works on your computer, use these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue on Windows 10 quickly.

Windows 10 with webcam problem

Although Windows 10 can automatically configure most cameras, it does not mean they will continue operating with issues indefinitely. Sometimes, peripherals can stop working for many reasons. For instance, it could be due to a problem with the driver, recent system updates, privacy settings blocking access to the camera, or hardware-related issues.

If you notice problems with the built-in webcam on your laptop or USB camera on a desktop computer, Windows 10 includes several ways to fix the most common issues using Device Manager, Settings, or correcting the software privacy settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through serveral ways to troubleshoot and fix problems with a built-in or USB webcam.

How to fix camera detection on Windows 10

How to allow apps access to camera using privacy settings, how to update camera driver using device manager, how to rollback camera driver using device manager, how to reinstall camera driver using device manager.

  • How to fix apps camera access using antivirus *

To confirm the peripheral is getting detected, connect the camera to the device (if applicable) and use these steps:

  • Open Start .
  • Search for Device Manager , and click the top result to open the app.
  • Expand the Imaging devices , Cameras or the Sound, video, and game controllers branch.
  • Check the camera appears in the list to confirm that Windows 10 is detecting it.
  • (Optional) If the camera is not available, click on Actions from the top menu.
  • Click the Scan for hardware changes option.

Once you complete the steps, if the camera is not listed, disconnect it, restart the computer, connect the camera again, and follow the above steps one more time. If possible, you can also try a different USB port to confirm it is not a problem with the port. Or try to connect the camera directly to the device if you are using a USB hub.

If the camera is still not working, try connecting it to another device to confirm that it is not a hardware problem.

If the camera no longer works, or you are ready for an upgrade, we recommended the Logitech BRIO webcam because of its 4K resolution and HDR support, as well as for its compatibility for Windows Hello authentication on Windows 10.

If you're looking for the best camera for meetings and video chat, the BRIO from Logitech is the one for you since it was the first webcam in the market with 4K support and offers pretty nifty features like background replacement and Windows Hello support.

On Windows 10, the system can automatically limit apps (such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype) access to the microphone and camera to help you protect your privacy and improve security. If the camera is working, but you cannot access it from a specific application, you revise the privacy settings.

To allow apps to access the camera on Windows 10, use these steps:

  • Open Settings .
  • Click on Privacy .
  • Click on Camera .
  • Under the "Allow access to the camera on this device" section, click the Change button.
  • Turn on the Camera access for this device toggle switch.
  • Turn on the Allow apps to access your camera toggle switch.
  • Under the "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera" section, turn on the toggle switch for the program you want to allow camera access – for instance, Camera, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc.

After you complete the steps, the camera should be accessible from the apps you selected.

The above instructions are to allow camera access for Microsoft Store apps. If the problem is with a classic desktop application, turn on the Allow desktop apps to access your camera toggle switch at the bottom of the page.

If the camera stops working after installing a cumulative update or new version of Windows 10, there's a chance that the camera driver is causing compatibility issues.

To update the driver to fix camera problems on Windows 10, use these steps:

  • Click on Update & security .
  • Click the View optional updates option.
  • Under the "Driver updates" section, select the newer driver update for the webcam.
  • Click the Download and install button.

Once you complete the steps, the driver's new update will download and install automatically, resolving the problem.

Sometimes Windows Update may not have the most up-to-date drivers available. If this is the case, you may need to check the manufacturer support website to get the newest drivers available and the instructions to apply them.

Remove quality update of Windows 10

If the problem appeared after installing a system update, you could remove the update to get the camera working quickly.

To remove a system update on Windows 10, use these steps:

  • Click on Update & Security .
  • Click on Windows Update.
  • Click on View update history .
  • Click the Uninstall updates option.
  • Click the Installed On column header to show the updates in chronological order.
  • Select the most recent update and click the Uninstall button.
  • Click the Yes button.

After you complete the steps, the update causing the issue will be removed from the computer, resolving the webcam issue.

Rollback previous version of Windows 10

If the camera stopped responding after installing the latest version of Windows 10, you could remove the feature update to resolve the issue, and when you know that the problem has a permanent fix, you can upgrade again.

To uninstall a version of Windows 10 to fix the camera problem, use these steps:

  • Click on Recovery .
  • Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button. Quick note: If the option is not available, then you cannot roll back to the previous version.
  • Check any of the reasons from the list.
  • Click the Next button.
  • Click the No, thanks button.
  • Click the Next button again.
  • Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will roll back to the previous version when the webcam worked correctly.

Sometimes hardware manufacturers will roll out driver updates that may still contain compatibility issues. If the camera was working before a recent driver update, restoring the previous version can resolve the problem.

To roll back the camera driver to its previous version, use these steps:

  • Expand the Imaging devices , Cameras , or Sound, video, and game controllers branch.
  • Right-click the camera and select the Properties option.
  • Click on the Driver tab.
  • Click the Roll Back Driver button. Quick note: If the option is not available, then you cannot roll back to the previous version of the driver.
  • Select one of the reasons from the list.
  • Click the Yes button again.
  • Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, the older driver will be restored, allowing the camera to work again.

These instructions will also prevent Windows Update from downloading the same camera again. However, when a new driver becomes available, it will download and install automatically.

When the camera stops working on Windows 10 because of a damaged driver or problem with the configuration, you can use Device Manager to reinstall the peripheral to resolve the issue.

To uninstall and reinstall the camera driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

  • Right-click the webcam and select the Uninstall driver option.
  • Click the Uninstall button. Quick tip: You can also check the Delete the driver software for this device option to force the system to re-download the driver from Windows Update. However, if the driver is not listed on Windows Update, you will have to download it manually from the manufacturer support website.
  • Click the Actions menu.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will reinstall the driver, and the camera should start working again.

How to fix apps camera access using antivirus

Some antivirus and other third-party security software come with privacy settings that can prevent apps from accessing the webcam. If you use a security solution that offers such features (such as the case of the Kaspersky Total Security), you need to dive into the privacy settings to allow apps access to the camera.

To configure the antivirus (for example, Kaspersky) to allow apps access to the camera on Windows 10, use these steps:

  • Open Kaspersky .
  • Click on Privacy Protection .
  • Turn off the Webcam Protection toggle switch.
  • Click the Yes button to confirm.

After you complete the steps, the antivirus will no longer interfere, and you should now be able to use the camera with any app on Windows 10.

If you use a different antivirus, and you suspect it is blocking access to the camera, you may need to check the manufacturer support website for specific details to change the settings to fix the issue.

Get the Windows Central Newsletter

All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.

Mauro Huculak

Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he's a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.

  • 2 Sony is working to bring PlayStation VR2 to Windows PC
  • 3 For less than 50 cents per game, you can grab an Xbox Series S and 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate
  • 4 Microsoft is forcefully auto-upgrading 'eligible' users running older versions of Windows 11 to 23H2 ahead of 'Moment 5'
  • 5 The best Wi-Fi 6 mesh router I've ever tested is discounted to an all-time low, and it STILL powers my home network two years later

solve the problem with your camera

site logo

Windows Camera Not Working? 9 Ways to Fix

From the easy to the complex

Author avatar

You need a functional camera on your Windows PC to record videos and make video calls. Although the built-in webcam on Windows devices is stable, you might run into using it in third-party applications. External webcams can also malfunction when you least expect.

We’ll help you understand why your Windows camera isn’t working and show you different ways to fix the problem.

External webcam affixed to a computer

Why Your Windows Camera Isn’t Working

The integrated camera on Windows computers won’t work when disabled or turned off. You might also encounter using your webcam in third-party applications if they don’t have camera access.

Expect your camera to malfunction if its driver gets corrupt or outdated. Malware infection, outdated operating systems, and app conflict or interference are other factors that can affect your computer’s camera.

Follow the troubleshooting steps below to get your Windows camera or external webcam working again.

1. Verify That Your Camera Is Connected

It’s essential to check your camera connection before trying software-related fixes. If using a USB camera, plug it into your PC’s USB port and ensure the connection is secure. Try switching the camera to a different USB port if it doesn’t work.

USB A connector

For wireless cameras, ensure your computer’s Bluetooth is turned on. You also want to ensure the camera is paired and connected to your computer via Bluetooth.

Head to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Devices , turn on Bluetooth, and select Connect next to the camera.

If your camera isn’t on the list of paired devices, select Add device to connect it to your computer.

Windows 11 Bluetooth and devices settings menu

In Windows 10, head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices , and select Add Bluetooth or other device to pair your wireless camera.

Windows Camera Not Working? 9 Ways to Fix image 4

2. Enable Your Webcam or External Camera

Your webcam won’t work in any app if it is disabled or turned off. Follow the steps below to turn on your webcam or any camera connected to your Windows PC.

Open the Settings app and select Bluetooth & devices on the sidebar. If your camera is disabled, select the Enable button to turn it back on.

Cameras settings page in Windows

3. Run the Windows Camera Troubleshooter

Windows has a built-in troubleshooting tool that automatically diagnoses and fixes camera problems. Connect your computer to the internet and follow the steps below.

  • Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot and select Other troubleshooters .

Troubleshoot menu in Windows Settings

  • Select the Run button next to “Camera.” That’ll launch the camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app.

Camera Troubleshooter page in Windows 11 settings

  • Select Yes to grant the troubleshooter permission to run diagnostic on your webcam or connected camera.

Camera Problems Troubleshooter in Windows Get Help app

The troubleshooter will reset your PC’s camera services and run other diagnostic checks. Check if your camera works after the first diagnostic check.

  • Return to the troubleshooter and select No on the “Did this solve your problem?” prompt if your camera issue persists.

Camera Problems Troubleshooter in Windows Get Help app

Wait for the troubleshooter to run further diagnostics, and try using your camera. Follow the prompts and answer follow-up questions correctly until your camera works again.

Try the troubleshooting fix in the next section or select the Contact Support button to get technical assistance.

Windows Get Help app

4. Check Your Camera Lens

A common way to protect your privacy is to place a sticker or other obstacles over a camera lens (especially if you’re using a built-in camera on a laptop).

If you often cover your webcam, remember to take off the cover when you need to make video calls. Otherwise, your camera feed will keep showing a black screen.

Windows PC showing the Start menu

Check your computer’s webcam and remove any obstacle or sticker covering the lens. Wipe the lens with a clean and dry cloth to remove dust or dirt. Dampen the fabric to remove gunk or other stubborn/sticky material.

5. Allow Camera Access in Windows Privacy Settings

Turning off camera access for unneeded or suspicious applications is one way to protect your privacy . If your webcam doesn’t work in a specific application, it’s likely because the app doesn’t have camera access/permission.

Follow the steps below to check the application’s camera permission in your PC’s privacy settings menu.

Configure Camera Privacy Settings in Windows 11

  • Head to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and toggle on Camera access .
  • Next, toggle on Let apps access your camera , expand the section, and toggle on Camera .

Windows 11 Privacy and security settings menu

That’ll turn on camera access for your PC’s built-in webcam. Go through the list and toggle on camera access for the affected application(s).

Configure Camera Privacy Settings in Windows 10

  • To begin, right-click the Start menu and select the Settings option.

Windows Quick Access menu

  • Select Privacy > Camera , select the Change button and toggle on the Camera access for this device .

Windows 11 Camera Privacy settings

  • You’ll also need to grant camera access to apps by turning on the Allow apps to access your camera option.

Camera access/permission in Windows 10

  • To grant camera access to apps from the Microsoft Store, scroll down to the “Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera” section. Select the slider next to a listed app to grant camera access.

Camera Permission in Windows 10

  • To grant standard desktop apps camera access, scroll down to the “Allow desktop apps to access your camera” section, then set the slider to On .

Camera access for Desktop apps in Windows 10

Certain apps, like your web browser, can also be configured to block camera access for extra privacy. You’ll need to enable camera access within your browser to allow specific websites to use your webcam.

6. Close Unneeded Camera Apps (or Try Alternatives)

You’d think your webcam should work in any application if it works in the Windows Camera app. That isn’t always the case. Unknown bugs and app conflicts sometimes prevent your webcam from working in third-party applications.

If two open apps attempt to use your webcam simultaneously, the camera feed may be inaccessible in one of the apps. Close unneeded applications and ensure that only one app uses your webcam.

Group video call on a Windows PC

We recommend testing or accessing your webcam from different applications. That’ll help you determine if the issue stems from the affected application(s) or your computer.

For instance, if your webcam works in the Windows Camera app but not in a specific video calling app, that tells you the app is the problem.

Ensure that the application has camera access in your device’s privacy settings. You should also update the application to the latest version to fix software-related malfunctions.

7. Restart Your Camera Driver

If your Windows camera isn’t working, re-enabling its driver in Windows Device Manager can fix the issue.

  • Right-click the Start menu (or press the Windows key + X ) and select Device Manager .

Device Manager option in Windows Quick Access  menu

  • Expand the Cameras category and find your built-in webcam driver. If you’re using a Bluetooth camera, you’ll find its driver listed under the Bluetooth category instead. Right-click the driver and select Properties .

Camera driver properties in Windows Device Manager

  • Open the Driver tab, select Disable Device , and choose Yes on the confirmation pop-up.

Camera driver properties in Windows Device Manager

  • Once disabled, select the Enable Device option in the same menu to re-enable your camera.

Enabling camera driver in Windows Device Manager

Open the Camera app or any video calling apps to check if your webcam or Bluetooth camera works.

8. Update or Reinstall Your Camera Driver

Your webcam or external camera might stop working if there’s a problem with its driver. Updating your camera driver to the latest version can fix bugs causing it to malfunction.

Removing and reinstalling the driver can also get the camera working correctly again. Connect your PC to the internet and follow the steps below to update or reinstall your camera driver.

  • Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager in the Quick Access menu.

Device Manager option in Windows Quick Access menu

  • Expand the “Cameras” category, right-click your webcam driver, and select Update driver .

Camera driver update in Windows Device Manager

If you’re using a wireless webcam, expand the Bluetooth category, right-click your webcam, and select Update driver .

  • Select Search automatically for drivers .

Update Drivers window in Windows Device Manager

Uninstall the driver from your computer (see step #4) if the camera still doesn’t work. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when you restart your computer.

  • Right-click the camera driver and select Uninstall device .

Camera driver context menu in Windows Device Manager

  • Select Uninstall on the confirmation window to proceed.

Camera driver uninstallation pop-up window in Windows Device Manager

Reboot your computer and check if your webcam or external camera works as expected. Update your computer’s operating system if the issue persists.

9. Install Windows Updates

Updating your computer can resolve camera failure caused by software bugs. Microsoft regularly releases Windows updates that introduce new features and bug fixes. These updates sometimes include driver updates for hardware components like webcam.

Install Windows Updates in Windows 11

Open the Settings app, select Windows Update on the sidebar, and select Check for updates or Download and install .

Windows Update settings in Windows 11

Install Windows Updates in Windows 10

  • Right-click the Start menu and select Settings .

Windows Quick Access menu

  • Next, head to Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for Updates or Download and install .

Windows Update settings page

Windows will scan and download software and driver updates available for your PC. If your device is new, supported drivers may not be available through the Windows Update system. If so, download the camera driver update from your PC manufacturer’s website instead.

Fix Windows Camera Issues

These troubleshooting recommendations should resolve camera issues in Windows. We also recommend running a malware scan using Microsoft Security ( Windows Defender ) or reputable third-party antivirus software. Contact Microsoft Surface or visit a repair shop if the problem persists.

' src=

Ben Stockton is a freelance technology writer based in the United Kingdom. In a past life, Ben was a college lecturer in the UK, training teens and adults. Since leaving the classroom, Ben has taken his teaching experience and applied it to writing tech how-to guides and tutorials, specialising in Linux, Windows, and Android. He has a degree in History and a postgraduate qualification in Computing. Read Ben's Full Bio

Read More Posts:

solve the problem with your camera

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

shotkitlogo

The leading authority in photography and camera gear.

Become a better photographer.

12.9 Million

Annual Readers

Newsletter Subscribers

Featured Photographers

Photography Guides & Gear Reviews

The New York Times

Camera Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It

From DSLRs to iPhones and laptops to Google Meet - this is the guide to fixing every popular camera under the sun, so make sure to bookmark it for emergencies!

Learn | By Ana Mireles

I get it – when your camera’s not working, it’s one of the most frustrating things!

Don’t worry, though – I’m here to help.

I put together this article with fixes to all the most common camera problems on various devices and software.

So, stop pulling your hair out and keep reading for the fixes.

Table of Contents

What To Do When Your Camera’s Not Working

Camera not working on your laptop? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Use the automated Get Help app to run diagnostics and fix any issues it may find.
  • If the app didn’t fix the problem, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
  • Update the system. If it wasn’t the problem, go to Select Advanced options > Optional updates.
  • Look for driver updates for the camera and install them.
  • Restart the computer.
  • If the camera is still not working, check your privacy settings. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
  • Make sure the Camera access is ON.
  • Make sure “Let apps access your camera” is ON.
  • If none of these solutions has fixed the problem, it’s probably the antivirus blocking the access. To solve this issue, you need to go to the antivirus software website and look for Help or Troubleshooting.

Camera not working on Zoom? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Close any other apps that might be using the camera.
  • Double-check that Zoom is using the right camera. To do so, click on the arrow next to the Start Video button and select the camera you want.
  • Make sure Zoom has access to use the camera. You can check this on your device settings.
  • If everything is OK so far, but the camera is not working, restart your device.
  • The camera is still not working on Zoom? See if you have the latest version of the Zoom app. If not – update it.
  • If there aren’t any Zoom updates, try re-installing the app.

Trail camera

Is your trail camera not working? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Before you go out on the field and leave your trail camera , you should test it at home. If the trail camera isn’t working, start by checking the batteries. This is the best way to start because it’s the easiest fix. Simply put in new batteries.
  • If the trail camera is still not working, check the battery box for corrosion. This could cause some connectivity problems. If there is corrosion, clean it or take it to a specialist for some maintenance.
  • If everything is OK with the batteries, but the camera is still not working, it might be a problem with the SD card. Make sure you’re using one that’s suited for your camera. This means that it doesn’t have a larger capacity than the one supported by the trail camera.
  • If you have the right type of SD card, make sure it’s unlocked. You can check this in a physical switch on the card.
  • Once you’re sure that everything is as it should be, reformat the SD card. You can do this on the camera or your computer. Simply back up any files before formatting the card because everything in it will be deleted.
  • If your SD card is very old, or it’s suffered water, shock, or other type of damage – it’s best if you get a new one.
  • Another issue that might prevent your trail camera from working properly is the settings. Here you should check that it’s set to suit your needs. Review the camera mode, interval, burst number, etc.
  • If the trail camera was working before you took it out on the field, yet it didn’t record anything – the problem might be the placement. Trail cameras have a maximum range; if your subject was too far away, maybe it didn’t trigger the camera. The angle of view is also important. You need to ensure that the camera is properly aimed at where the subject is set to pass.

Rear backup camera

Is your rear backup camera not working? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Rear backup cameras are highly exposed to the environment. So, if your rear backup camera isn’t working, start by checking for physical damage. See if the lens or any part of the hardware is scratched or dented – you might have to dismount it to have a good look. If this is the problem, you’ll need to send it to a repair shop or buy a new one if the damage is too big.
  • If there’s no external damage, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a problem due to the environment. Water can make its way to the inside and cause malfunctioning. See if there’s any condensation – not just on the lens.
  • The last hardware checkup you can do is the connections. Make sure everything is plugged in and tightened.
  • If the backup camera is still not working, it’s time to check the software. Restart the camera and the screen on your dashboard.
  • If none of these generic fixes has solved your problem, it’s time to check the manual. Each manufacturer includes a troubleshooting section that you can use to fix your backup camera.

Canon / Nikon camera

Is your DSLR camera not working? Here’s how to fix it:

  • The number one reason why a DSLR is not turning on is the battery. Start by charging the battery and see if this fixes the problem.
  • A faulty battery might be the problem too. To check for this, you can see if the light in the battery charger turns on when you insert it. Otherwise, borrow another battery from a friend or a shop and put it on your camera – or put your battery in a different camera and see if it works.
  • A third-party battery might cause problems as well because they’re often not compatible with your camera.
  • If there’s no problem with the battery, then check the battery case. Make sure there isn’t anything preventing good connectivity.
  • When your camera is turning but it’s not recording photos or videos, the problem might be the memory card. While it may sound obvious, start by checking there’s a memory card inside the camera.
  • If there is, but your Canon or Nikon camera is still not working, take out the memory card and insert it again. Make sure the camera is off before taking out the card.
  • Another common fix is to format the card. You can do this with the camera – just make sure you’ve backed up all your photos and videos. When you format the memory card, the camera deletes all the files.
  • If the problem with the camera is not that it’s not recording but the quality of the photos and videos – then check the settings. Make sure the size, quality, and type of format meet the requirements you want.
  • Often with DSLR cameras , the problem is a specific type of error reported in the LCD screen. You can look at the user’s manual and look for the error number to see what’s wrong with your camera and how to fix it. For example, Canon Err 01 is a communication problem between the camera and the lens. In Nikon, the FEE error means that the lens isn’t properly connected. All these errors are reported in the manufacturer’s troubleshooting guide.

Security camera

Is your security camera not working? Here’s how to fix it:

  • If your security camera isn’t working, start with the easiest problem to fix – connectivity. If you have a wireless security camera, make sure the Internet connection is working. If it’s a wired one, check that everything is in place and none of the cables have loosened.
  • If everything looks OK, but your security camera is still not working, reboot it.
  • The next thing you can do to fix a security camera that isn’t working is to update the software and firmware. You can check for updates on the provider’s website.
  • When everything is up to date, but you’re still having problems – check the settings. Ensure that all the necessary features are set up and enabled. You might want to reverse everything to the factory settings and start over.
  • If none of these common fixes have worked, contact the tech support of your security provider.

Spypoint camera

Is your Spypoint camera not working? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Start by replacing the batteries of your Spypoint trail camera. Make sure you’re using Alkaline batteries. Often the reason why a Spypoint camera is not working is that you use NiMh rechargeable batteries, which don’t provide enough voltage.
  • Double-check the points of contact of each battery. If one of them is not making contact, you can carefully bend it until it does.
  • If the Spypoint camera is turning on but is not recording pictures, then check the SD card. Make sure you’ve inserted it correctly, and it’s properly formatted. If this is correct but still doesn’t work, try with a different SD card.
  • When your Spypoint camera is only recording black pictures, update the software.
  • If the problem is that you can’t activate the camera, try restarting the app. Otherwise, delete and re-install the app.
  • If you can’t scan the activation code, you can input it manually. Type everything continuously without hyphens.
  • When the Spypoint camera is working, but it’s not sending the pictures, check the battery. Below 30% battery, the camera won’t send the pictures.
  • If the battery is fine, check on the app that the Mobile Radio is enabled and the configuration of the schedule.
  • Lastly, check for any updates.
  • If none of these solutions have fixed your Spypoint camera not working issue, please contact customer support.

Teams camera

Is your camera not working on Teams? Here’s how to fix it:

  • If your camera isn’t working on Microsoft Teams, check that it’s not being used by other programs or apps.
  • To test your camera, you can go to Settings and more > Settings > Devices > Audio Devices > Make a test call.
  • Try updating your operating system and the Teams app.
  • If you use Windows, check for app permissions in Settings > Privacy > Camera. Make sure that Camera access is ON.
  • On Mac, you can check for app permissions in System Preferences > Security and Privacy > Privacy > Camera. Then, select Microsoft Teams.
  • If you’re using Teams on the web, check your browser’s settings and allow permission to use the camera.

Is your camera not working on your Mac? Here’s how to fix it:

  • The first thing to do if the built-in camera on your Mac is not working is check the apps permissions. Go to the Apple menu > System Preferences / System Settings > Privacy & Security > Turn on any app you want to allow.
  • If the apps are allowed, you can try to update the operating system.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Is the camera on Mac still not working? Contact Apple .

Is your camera not working on Chromebook? Here’s how to fix it:

  • If the camera on your Chromebook isn’t working, you might see a sign that says, “Camera not found.” The first thing to try to fix this problem is to restart it.
  • Now, open the program where the camera was failing and see if it works. If not, try to use the camera on a different app. If it works, uninstall the app where the camera doesn’t work and re-install it.
  • If this doesn’t fix the problem, or the camera didn’t open on any app – try doing a factory reset on your Chromebook. Make sure you back up your files first. To do this, press Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R.  Select Restart > Powerwash > Continue and follow the instructions.
  • Lastly, if nothing has fixed the camera, you can recover your Chromebook. This will remove and re-install the OS – so back up everything before you do this. Always leave this step as a last resort. If you’re unsure if you should be doing it, contact customer support first.

Is your camera not working on a Samsung phone? Here’s how to fix it:

  • To determine whether it’s the camera or just the app that it’s not working, download a third-party camera app. See if you can take photos using this new app.
  • If the problem is the camera app, start by checking that you have the latest update.
  • Also, go to your Samsung settings and find the Camera app. Then, tap on Storage and Cache and clear both of them.
  • You can also check the permissions in Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy. Grant all the permissions needed for the app to work.
  • If the camera isn’t working yet, restart your phone. To do this, press and hold the power button – then tap on Restart.
  • The above steps should work if the problem were the camera app, but what if the camera didn’t work with a third-party app either? Then, start your phone in Safety Mode.
  • Press the power button until you see the menu. Then, tap and hold Power Off. Then, tap on Safety mode.
  • Try to use the camera now. If it works, the problem is caused by one of the apps you’ve downloaded. So, you can disable or delete one by one until the camera starts working. Afterwards, you can re-install the other apps that weren’t responsible for the problem.
  • Suppose the camera didn’t work in Safety Mode. You can try a factory reset or maybe take your phone to a repair shop.

Lenovo Laptop

Is your camera not working on a Lenovo Laptop? Here’s how to fix it:

  • Most times, a camera is not working in a Lenovo laptop because it’s disabled. On the Lenovo computers, you can manually enable and disable the camera. Find the button with the camera icon (usually F8) and press it. The camera was disabled; this should fix it.
  • If that wasn’t the problem, make sure the Camera Privacy Mode is off. To do so, you should open the Lenovo Vantage application and go to Hardware Settings > Audio/Visual > Camera Privacy Mode.
  • If your camera is still not working, go to the Lenovo website, where you can input the model of your computer and get specific troubleshooting instructions.

Is your camera not working on iPhone? Here’s how to fix it:

  • If the screen of your iPhone is black when you turn on the camera or you get blurry photos – you may need to clean or unblock the lens. Remove the case and make sure there’s nothing blocking the camera. Use a microfiber cloth to clean the lens .
  • If the flash isn’t firing or it only fires sometimes – open the camera app and change the flash settings.
  • Restart your iPhone.
  • Update the camera app and the iOS.
  • If none of these solutions gets your camera working again, you can try factory resetting. However, this isn’t advised by Apple. What they encourage you to do is to contact them if not of the non-invasive solutions worked.

Is your camera not working on HP Laptop? Here’s how to fix it:

  • If the camera is not working on your HP laptop, start by checking your privacy settings. Press the Windows logo key. In the search bar, type camera. Choose Camera Privacy Settings on the options. Then, enable Allow apps to access your camera.
  • Once you enabled this feature in the privacy settings, make sure the app you want to use is allowed, as you can select which apps can access the camera.
  • If the settings weren’t the problem – try re-installing the camera app . When you bought your computer, it was already installed. However, you can find it in the Microsoft store for free.
  • If you use multiple programs to record videos and photos, make sure that only one is active. Maybe they’re creating conflict between apps. You can also restart your computer to solve this issue.
  • Another solution is to update the driver. You can use HP Support Assistant or manually find the latest versions of each driver on the HP website.
  • If none of these solutions gets your camera working – contact HP help support.

Google Meet

Is your camera not working on Google Meet? Here’s how to fix it:

How Much Do You REALLY Know About Photography?! 🤔

Test your photography knowledge with this quick quiz!

See how much you really know about photography...

solve the problem with your camera

Your answer:

Correct answer:

SHARE YOUR RESULTS

Your Answers

  • If you’re trying to use Google Meet and you get the message “Camera fail”, you probably need to grant access to your browser.
  • Using Google Chrome, you’re prompted to grant access to your camera the first time you join a video meeting. If you didn’t give access then, you can click on the camera icon on the address bar and change the settings to allow it.
  • If this didn’t solve the problem, make sure the camera cover or privacy switch is in the right position. Note that not all devices have these.
  • Your camera is still not working? Make sure there aren’t any other apps using it.
  • Try restarting your browser to see if that fixes the problem.
  • Otherwise, restart the computer.

wed

Check out these 8 essential tools to help you succeed as a professional photographer.

Includes limited-time discounts.

You'll Also Like These:

solve the problem with your camera

Ana Mireles is a Mexican researcher that specializes in photography and communications for the arts and culture sector.

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

WELCOME TO SHOTKIT

Enter your email to be sent today's Welcome Gift: 19 Photography Tools

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

A black and white advertisement with a couple of black and white objects.

🔥 Popular NOW:

ipa-cover

Unlock the EXACT blueprint to capture breathtaking iPhone photos!

Shotkit may earn a commission on affiliate links. Learn more.

  • iPhone 15 Plus vs. Pro Max
  • 3 Key Tech Trends to Watch in 2024

Windows 11 Webcam Not Working? 14 Ways to Fix It

Troubleshooting common issues with webcams

solve the problem with your camera

  • Emporia State University

solve the problem with your camera

  • Western Governors University
  • Accessories & Hardware

A webcam not working in Windows 11 can apply to a built-in camera or an external one. How to tell if the camera isn't detected? Simple: it could be displaying a black screen, the camera light might be off, or nothing happens when you try reaching the webcam.

Why Your Windows 11 Camera Isn't Working

There are two possible broad reasons: hardware or software. Unlike something within Windows malfunctioning, a webcam is a physical device, so the issue could lie in the device itself or in your computer's understanding of how to connect to it.

Most Windows webcam issues have something to do with software. That is, Windows 11 doesn't understand the camera is plugged in or the software you're using (like a browser or video program) doesn't have the right permissions enabled, effectively blocking access to the camera.

How to Fix a Webcam Not Working in Windows 11

If you've already connected and set up the webcam with Windows , but your computer isn't detecting it, walk through these troubleshooting steps to identify where the fault is and what you can do about it. Test the webcam after each step to see if it's fixed before moving on to the next tip.

Check the camera manufacturer's website to confirm it's compatible with Windows 11. Most webcams show the maker somewhere on the front.

Really old cameras likely won't work with newer versions of Windows and won't respond to any of these troubleshooting tips. Your only option in that case is to purchase a newer camera.

Restart your computer . A reboot is often the fix for problems which don't have a clear source. If you haven't tried this yet, don't overlook it as being too simple a solution; it might be all you need to do.

Plus, there might be another app or browser tab already using the camera. Restarting the whole PC ensures the webcam gets disconnected from those sources.

One quick way to reboot Windows 11 is through the Start menu: right-click it and go to Shut down or sign out > Restart .

If the webcam is attached through a cord, unplug it and then plug it back in. Take this opportunity to use a different port to eliminate the first port as the problem.

Also unplug unnecessary USB devices (e.g., external hard drive, printer). Although unlikely, other plugged-in devices could be interfering with the camera's ability to communicate with Windows.

Although it might seem obvious, it's important for the camera lens to be free from debris. If it's new and has plastic over it, or includes a privacy cover, ensure those aren't in the way.

This could be the fix for a camera which appears to be really low quality or shows only a black screen.

Verify the application you're using the webcam with is set up properly. This might be a web browser or desktop program, so how this is done differs for everyone.

If you're using Chrome, for example, ensure the webcam isn't blocked . If there's webcam software installed, look through the menus to confirm the camera isn't disabled.

Windows 11 has its own controls: Settings > Privacy & security > Camera . Toggle on both Camera access and Let apps access your camera . A bit further down the page are toggles for specific apps; check the apps you need are have enabled rights to use the webcam.

Temporarily disable antivirus, firewall, and privacy software. Some programs have webcam protection built-in, which could be what's blocking it.

If turning off these programs makes the camera work, examine their settings to find out what needs to be changed, and then promptly re-enable them. There's probably a Webcam Protection option enabled, or something similar that's preventing your apps from using the camera.

Test your webcam to see if your computer can even recognize it. If you use an online tester like webcammictest.com , assuming the browser isn't blocking camera access, this will confirm the webcam is functioning and your computer can effectively use it.

If this works , but you still can't get the webcam to work with a different program, reinstall the software. Starting fresh will delete any customizations you've made in the program and re-establish a connection to the webcam.

If this doesn't work , there could be a problem with the camera hardware or there might be another software issue at play. Continue with these steps.

Open Device Manager and either enable or disable the camera, depending on your situation:

  • Enable the webcam if it's disabled. This is an unlikely solution unless you disabled yourself, but it's still something you can check. The hardware must be enabled for Windows 11 to use it.
  • Disable the webcam if there's an internal and external one installed and the wrong one is being used. Windows won't use both webcams at once, and some apps don't let you pick which one to prioritize. For example, if the built-in camera is active, but you'd rather use the external one, disable the internal webcam in Device Manager.

Even if the camera is already enabled and only one is installed, use this time to disable the webcam in Device Manager, and then enable it again. This could 'wake it up' to Windows 11 and allow access again.

Uninstall the camera from Device Manager to force Windows to reinstall the driver.

To do this, open the Imaging devices area of Device Manager, right-click the camera, and choose Uninstall device > Uninstall . Finish by restarting the computer.

Run a driver updater tool . This will check for missing, corrupt, and outdated drivers, and install them for you. One of them could be related to your webcam.

Upgrade the software that's using the webcam. This might be a dedicated app from the camera company, a program like Zoom or Skype, your web browser, etc.

Run Windows Update . Microsoft might have a webcam fix available.

If there's a driver update, it might be accessible only through the Advanced options > Optional updates link when checking for updates.

Run the built-in camera troubleshooter to have Windows attempt to automatically diagnose and fix the webcam problem. It will likely use some of the same techniques you tried above, but will also reset services and try other methods.

Get there through Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters ; select Run next to Camera .

Plug the webcam into a different computer, if possible. If it works there, revisit the steps above. If it doesn't work on another system, assuming it's properly set up there, the camera itself is more than likely damaged, and your only option is to use a new/working one.

To fix your Windows microphone , make sure the mic isn't muted and check the connections. Also, check to make sure the mic is enabled for the specific app you're using. If you're still having problems, run Windows Troubleshooter.

Disable your Windows webcam in the Device Manager. Choose your webcam, go to the Drivers tab, then select Disable .

Windows should set up your external webcam as soon as you plug it in. If it doesn't, you may need to install software from the manufacturer.

Go to a website like webcammictest.com ,  turncameraon.com , or webcamtests.com . Alternatively, use Skype or the Windows camera app.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

  • How to Fix It When Your Surface Pro Camera Is Not Working
  • How to Fix the Microphone on an HP Laptop
  • How to Fix It When a Windows 11 Microphone Is Not Working
  • How to Fix it When Windows 11 Won't Install
  • How to Fix It When a Lenovo Laptop Isn't Working
  • 9 Ways to Fix DPC Watchdog Violation in Windows 11
  • How to Fix It When There Is No Sound From Your Computer Speakers
  • Windows 10 Webcam Not Working? 15 Ways to Fix It
  • How to Unlock the Touchpad on a Lenovo Laptop
  • How to Unlock a Frozen Mouse on an HP Laptop
  • How to Fix It When the Cursor Disappears in Windows 10
  • How to Fix It When Windows 11 Is Not Detecting Headphones
  • How to Fix Incorrect Windows 11 Audio Icons
  • How to Flip the Camera on a Surface Pro
  • How to Fix It When Bluetooth Headphones Keep Cutting Out in Windows 11
  • How to Fix It When the Windows 11 Clock Isn't Showing

solve the problem with your camera

Windows 10 Camera Not Working – How to Fix

author

Quick Navigation

Why Is My Camera Not Working?

Replace built-in camera app with another webcam app, check for a camera switch or button on your device, install or update camera driver using device manager, roll back webcam driver, check the windows 10 camera privacy settings, error codes lead to windows 10 camera not working.

fixed

Screen Recorder + Video Converter Ultimate

Many people reported that the integrated camera of their laptops or external webcam such as Logitech, Alienware stopped working after Windows 10 update. Actually, it’s never difficult to solve integrated camera not working because there are multiple solutions. This post is going to show you how to fix Windows 10 camera not working in various situations . Hope you can find the solutions that work for your built-in or external camera.

[Jan. 13, 2022 Updated!] Same as Windows 10, after upgrading the Operating System to Windows 11 , the issue of camera not working has become widespread. The system fails to recognize the in-built camera, enabled privacy, hardware issues, or recent installations cumulative updates may also trigger this bug on Windows 11. Whatever the reason is in your case, you can also follow the guidelines below and find a way out.

  • 4 Ways to Record Video with Webcam [Easy to Follow]
  • Top 12 Webcam Recording Software [For All Platforms]

Before we start to fix the problem, let’s take a look at what causes the camera driver to not work properly.

In some cases, the camera can't start with the error codes 0xA00F4244(0x200F4244) or 0xA00F4246 or shows an image with a grey background and a white camera with a cross through it. Also, there are users who get the error code 0xA00F4243(0xC00D3704) because "it looks like another app is using a camera already."

The main causes of this error are:

  • The update of Windows 10;
  • Improper settings configuration;
  • It is blocked by apps;
  • System files are missing or corrupted;
  • Hardware issues;
  • Other unknown reasons.

In the following parts, we will show you 6 feasible ways to fix the camera not working problem on Windows 10 . Or, if you are faced with an unworkable camera due to a specific error code, you can directly try the methods in Error Codes and Fixes in the last part, where we list some common errors and the solutions.

You may find that after Windows 10 update , your laptop camera can work with Skype and other camera apps, but not the built-in Camera app of Windows 10. If that’s the case, it’s probably that there’s something wrong with your Camera app on Windows 10 but not the camera itself. So, the easiest solution is to use a third-party webcam application to replace the Camera app when you don’t want to try the fixes one by one.

Besides, you can also use this way to test again whether the camera not working problem is due to your Camera app or the camera.

Free Download Buy with 20% off Free Download Buy with 20% off

FonePaw Webcam Recorder is a recommended camera app. The recorder enables you to not only take photos or record videos with a webcam but also record screen activities with audio and webcam on your Windows PC. Compared with the built-in Camera app, it’s more versatile as it can:

  • Record online meetings for offline watching/listening.
  • Provide annotation function to make demonstration videos.
  • Save your videos in 7 formats and screenshots in 5 formats.
  • Available to record long-time streaming videos/audios.
  • Support advanced recording like setting record length, lock and record video, task schedule, etc.

Now let’s see how to record a video or take snapshots with this tool.

  • Before recording, you can do the sound check to make sure your system sound and microphone work well. FonePaw provides noise cancellation and enhancement.
  • If you forget to save the video after recording, FonePaw Webcam Recorder will help you restore the unsaved video when you launch the program again.

Step 1. Run FonePaw Webcam Recorder. Toggle on the Webcam button.

Step 2. To take a photo of whatever in front of your laptop camera, click Take Photo.

Take Photos with Webcam

Step 3. To take video with the camera on your computer, click Rec button start capturing video. It can capture system sound and microphone voice at the same time.

Record Video with Webcam

In addition to using the alternative camera app, you can also try to focus on hardware settings and try to fix your original camera app. Just read on and operate with the following steps.

Some laptops and portable devices have a physical switch or button that turns the camera on or off. When turned off, camera not detected by your device may happens or may display an image of a camera with a slash through it or a black screen. Before using your camera, make sure your computer's switch or button is turned on.

Those switches or buttons may be difficult to locate, so make sure you look in all possible places. For example, it could be:

- A sliding switch on the side of a laptop

Sliding Camera Switch

- A button on a keyboard with a camera icon

Camera Button on Keyboard

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

Sliding Camera Shutter

If your camera stops working after installing a cumulative update or new version of Windows 10, there's a chance that the camera driver Windows 10 is causing compatibility issues. So how to update camera drivers on Windows 10? To install or update the camera driver to fix webcam problems on Windows 10:

Step 1. Open Settings . And then click on Update & security .

Step 2. Click on View optional updates in blue.

view optional updates

Step 3. Under the "Driver updates" section, select the newer driver update for the camera windows.

Step 4. Click the Download and install button.

After installing the latest camera driver, now you can go to test your camera using the Microsoft Camera app.

Sometimes, updating your camera drivers for Windows 10 may cause issues. This is usually because the camera was working before a recent driver update. You can fix this problem by restoring and rolling the driver back to the previous version using Device Manager.

Step 1. Open Start . Type " Device Manager " to search it and then click on the top result.

Step 2. Expand the categories of Imaging devices, Cameras , or Sound, video, and game controllers .

Step 3. Right-click the camera and select the Properties option.

Camera Properties

Step 4. And then in the “ Driver ” tab, select “ Roll Back Driver ”

Step 5. Tick "My apps don’t work with this driver" and press " Yes ", and then restart your computer.

After you complete the steps above, the older version of the webcam driver will be restored, allowing your camera to work again.

Give Your Apps Permission

Sometimes, the problem isn’t that the camera isn’t working but that the camera is disabled for certain apps (such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Skype) due to your Windows 10 privacy settings. When your camera is working, but you cannot access it from a specific application, you can choose to check the privacy settings first.

Step 1. Open Settings . Click on Privacy . And then click on Camera .

Step 2. Under the "Allow access to the camera on this device" section, click the Change button and switch “Camera access for this device” to “ On ”.

privacy settings camera

Step 3. Under the "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera" section, turn on the toggle switch for the program you want to allow camera access.

After completing the steps above, the camera should now be accessible from the apps you selected.

Check your antivirus software

In your antivirus software settings, look for settings that block access to your camera or permission to use your camera. Visit the website of your antivirus software provider for assistance.

Error 0xA00F4244 or 0x200F4244: Can't Find or Start Your Camera

As the error message "Can't Find or Start Your Camera (0xA00F4244 or 0x200F4244)" suggests, Windows 10 camera can't be found or started probably because it is blocked by antivirus service or the webcam driver is outdated. Here are a few things you can try to fix the Windows camera that is not working.

Windows 10 Camera Error 0xA00F4244

Solution 1. Allow apps to access your camera

After updating Windows 10, some apps may don't have access to your camera, thus the apps can't find or start the camera.

Step 1. On your computer, click the Start button and then select Settings > Privacy > Camera .

Step 2. Toggle on the button for Allow apps to access your camera and select the apps that can access the camera.

Camera Privacy Settings

  • Don't forget to check your antivirus software as well. It can block access to the camera as part of privacy protection.

Solution 2. Press F8

It is still not clear why it works but some users found that the Windows camera started to work after pressing the F8 key. The F8 method doesn't always work, but it is a trick that is very simple to try.

Solution 3. Reset camera app on Windows 10

Resetting the camera app can fix system glitches that may make the 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.

Reset Camera App

Solution 4. Check Microsoft webcam driver

It is likely that there is a problem with the webcam driver that making Windows 10 camera not working. So have a look at the webcam driver first.

Step 1. Open Device Manager.

Step 2. Navigate to Cameras .

Step 3 Right-click your webcam driver and select Properties .

Step 4. Under the Driver tab, click Driver Details and see if there is a stream.sys file. If there is, your webcam is outdated and cannot work with Windows 10. You have to get a new webcam.

Camera Driver Details

Solution 5. Roll back or update webcam driver

If there is no stream.sys in your webcam driver, the webcam is workable but you have to update or roll back the webcam driver.

Step 1. On the Device Manager, find your webcam driver.

Step 2. Right-click on it and select Properties .

Step 3. Click the Driver tab. If there is Roll Back Driver option, click it to get the driver to an older version.

Step 4. If there is no Roll Back option, click Uninstall > Delete the driver software for this device. After deleting, go back to Device Manager, click Action> Scan for hardware changes and reinstall the webcam driver.

Roll Back Camera Driver

Restart the computer for the change to take effect.

If there is no imaging device or integrated camera in Device Manager, you may want to scan for hardware changes to reinstall the driver. Also, if none of the methods above work, check if there is antivirus software enabled, if there is, temporarily disable it and see if the camera is working when antivirus software is disabled.

Error 0xA00F4246 or 0x887A0004: Laptop webcam not working

After installing a new Windows 10, the camera app stops working with the error 0xA00F4246(0x887A0004). To fix this error, you can try:

Solution 1. Reset camera app in Settings > System > Apps & features.

Solution 2. Check Privacy in Windows Settings and make sure you have allowed Camera app and other apps to use the camera.

Solution 3. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter : right-click Start menu > click Search > enter Troubleshooting > open the tool and click Hardware and Devices. Run this troubleshooter.

Solution 4. Reinstall or update webcam driver . Open Device Manager, select Imaging Devices or Integrated webcam. Update the driver. If there is no update available, delete it and reinstall the driver.

If none of the methods above, you can try to fix integrated or external cameras that are not working by adding a new registry value.

Solution 5. Add a new registry value

Step 1. Open Registry Editor. Press Windows + R to open Run window. Type regedit and hit Enter.

Step 2. Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows Media Foundation > Platform.

Step 3. Right-click on the empty space under Platform, click New > DWORD (32-bit) value and create a new value named EnableFrameServerMode .

Step 4. Double click EnableFrameServerMode value and enter 0 into its Value data. Click OK.

Create A New Value

Restart your computer and you'll find the camera starts working again after restart.

Error 0xA00F4243: Webcam driver Windows 10 not working

After Windows 10 update, you can't use the Camera app or apps like Skype with your laptop built-in camera because the error code 0xA00F4243 that says: Close other apps. It looks like another app is using the camera already.

Windows Camera Not Working Error 0xA00F4243

If you are dealing with a camera issue like this, try the following solutions.

Solution 1. Disable apps that use the camera

Step 1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera .

Step 2. Toggle off all apps that are allowed to use the camera.

When you open an app that needs to use the camera, it will ask for your permission. In this way, you can start the camera without another app is using the camera.

Solution 2. Check Task Manager

Step 1. Right-click on the empty space of toolbar and select Task Manager .

Step 2. When Task Manager is open, check Processes and close the apps that may be using your camera.

Task Manager

Other users suggested that if you find services like Intel(R)RealSense(TM)Depth camera Manager Services is stopped under the Services tab, run the services and the camera will start to work.

Solution 3. Reset or reinstall camera app

First, go to Settings > Apps & feature > Camera > Advanced and click Reset to reset the app. If the camera is still not working after the reset, you can reinstall the app.

To uninstall Windows' default applications like Camera, you need to use PowerShell .

  • Run Windows PowerShell as administrator.
  • Enter the following command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Remove-AppxPackage. Hit Enter.

Windows PowerShell

The Camera app is uninstalled. You can reinstall it from Microsoft Store.

Solution 4. Update camera driver

The error 0xA00F4243 can be triggered by an outdated or corrupted camera driver.

That's why you should update the camera driver to get the Windows 10 camera working again.

Step 1. Open Device Manager > Imaging devices.

Step 2. Right-click the driver of your webcam and select Update Driver Software. Follow the on-screen instruction to update the webcam driver.

FAQs of Laptop Webcam Not Working on Windows 10

The detailed information above has told you complete solution to webcam showing no activity with Windows 10. If you still have some puzzles, you can check this part for answers.

How Do I Enable My Camera on Windows 10?

To directly open Camera on Windows 10, you just need to click the Start button and choose Camera in the app list.

If you want to manage app permission for camera, just go Start > Settings > Privacy > Camera. When you see Allow access to the camera on this device, select Change and make sure Camera access for this device is turned on.

Note that if your laptop has a physical button or switch to turn on or off your camera, you need to make sure it’s on before you use your camera.

How Do I Reset My Camera on Windows 10?

First, you also need to find the Camera app on Windows 10. Then, right-click it and choose advanced settings to find the Reset option. This choice will turn the camera settings to the default ones.

Which Function Key Turns on Camera?

Actually, it varies from different PCs and your own hotkey settings. Therefore, if you are not sure about the function key to activate or turn off camera on Windows 10, just open and close it in the app list. It’s also very easy.

Hope your Windows 10 camera is working now. If your Windows 10 camera is not working, FonePaw Webcam Recorder can be a great alternative for the Camera app. You can use it to take photos and record videos of high quality. Have a try of this hassle-free solution.

Screen Recorder

Hot Articles

  • Facecam Recorder: How to Record Screen with Facecam
  • FonePaw Screen Recorder Review [In-Depth 2022]
  • How to Record a FaceTime Call with Audio (Mac & iPhone)

How to Fix Your Webcam Not Working in Your Browser on Windows

Sometimes your browser and your webcam have issues talking to one another. Get them paired up again using these tips for Windows.

In this day and age, getting your webcam working with your browser is more important than ever. From business meetings to entertainment, there's a lot you can do with a webcam through your browser.

As such, if your Windows camera isn't working on your browser, here's how to fix the problem for good.

1. End Other Camera-Related Processes

Sometimes, camera-dependent applications like Skype and Google Meet can be the main reason why the camera isn't working on your browser. These applications can interfere with the necessary permissions required for your browser to use the gamer.

As a solution, you will have to close all the camera-dependent applications from the background. To do this, open the Task Manager , and in the Processes tab, right-click on all the camera-dependent programs and choose End Task .

Closing Skype using the Task Manager

Once you are done with closing all those applications that can be using the camera, check whether the camera is working on the browser or not.

2. Try the Camera Troubleshooter

Windows comes with a number of built-in troubleshooters that can instantly detect and solve issues without any significant user input. Fortunately, there's a dedicated camera troubleshooter which you can run to solve issues like the one at hand.

To run the camera troubleshooter, open the Start Menu , type Troubleshoot Settings and press Enter. Choose Other troubleshooters , and click on Run next to Camera.

Run button next to Camera troubleshooter

In the Troubleshoot window, click on Yes to allow some automated troubleshooting. The troubleshooter will look for available issues; if it finds any, it will suggest fixes that might solve the problem.

3. Provide the Camera the Required Permissions

There's a chance that your browser doesn't have the proper permissions to access the camera. As such, all you need to do is provide both the camera and the browser with adequate permissions.

Here's how you can do that:

  • Open Settings and choose Privacy and Security from the left pane.

Camera permissions in Settings menu

  • Enable the toggle next to Camera access and Let apps access your camera .

Allow browser to Access Camera

Now close the settings menu and check if you are still facing the problem.

4. Download the Latest Camera Driver Update

Your computer may have camera issues if you are using an outdated or corrupted camera driver. Not only will it throw error messages, but it can also decrease your camera's performacne.

If you haven't downloaded your camera's latest driver update, follow the below steps to do it.

  • Press the Win + X hotkeys to open the Power Menu , and choose Device Manager from the list.
  • In the Device Manager window, double-click the Camera option to expand it.

Update Camera app from Device Manager

  • Select Search automatically for drivers .
  • Windows will now look for the available update; if any is found, it will install it without much user input.

Once you are done updating the camera driver, reboot the system.

If Windows can't find the drivers, search for your camera manufacturer's website online and check for driver updates there.

5. Repair the Camera App

Repair Camera app from Settings

If you're still facing the issue, there's probably something wrong with the camera app itself. The solution, in this case, is to repair the camera app.

To repair the camera app, open the Settings menu and navigate Apps > Installed apps . Click on the three dots next to the Camera app and choose Advanced options from the context menu. Scroll down to the Reset section and click on Repair.

6 . Temporarily Disable Your Antivirus Program

An overzealous antivirus program can prevent your camera from working in your browser. In this situation, the solution is to disable the antivirus program temporarily.

You can usually right-click on the antivirus icon in the system tray and choose to disable it from the context menu. If you're using Microsoft Defender as your security program, consider checking out our guide on disabling Defender on Windows .

7. Clear the Browser Cookies and Cache Data

Google Chrome Clear Cache Data Option

Browsers save your browsing data in the form of files known as cookies. Conversely, the cache helps to load a website faster by remembering parts of it.

With time, cookies and cache can become corrupt and cause various issues. To solve this, you can clear the cookies and cache from your browser.

The procedure of clearing cache is different for different browsers. As such, check out our guide on clearing cookies and cache on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox . If you are using any other browser, visit its help center to learn more.

8. Update the Browser

The camera may not work due to corruption or issues within the browser files. In this situation, downloading the latest browser update can prove to be an effective solution. Updating the browser will not only eliminate the problematic bug but also introduce new features to the browser.

To download the latest Google Chrome update, click on the three dots at the top-right corner and Settings from the context menu. Click on About Chrome from the left pane. Google Chrome will look for and automatically install any available update.

Google Chrome About page

If you want to update Firefox or Edge, you can check out our guide on updating Chrome and Firefox on Windows .

9. Try a Different Browser

The probability is low, but if none of the above solutions was helpful, there's something wrong with the browser you are using. You will have to switch to a different browser to continue using camera-demanding websites.

If you don't know which browser you should choose, consider checking our guide on the best internet browsers for Windows 11 .

Use Your Camera On a Browser Without Any Issue

People who use cameras frequently to access camera-demanding websites might find it frustrating when the camera stops working suddenly. Fortunately, it's a cakewalk to solve this issue. Just follow the above fixes to troubleshoot the problem for good.

Meet Photomath.

solve the problem with your camera

Anytime. Anywhere.

You may feel like the only one who’s confused, but you’re not alone. Every single month Photomath helps millions of learners understand their math.

solve the problem with your camera

Math, explained.

For elementary through college..

Elementary math

Trigonometry

Build your math mind

Math from all angles: Photomath for different learning styles

Math from all angles: Photomath for different learning styles

Study Tips to Find Your Focus and Ace Your Next Math Test

Study Tips to Find Your Focus and Ace Your Next Math Test

Overcoming Math Anxiety: How to Conquer Fear & Build Confidence

Overcoming Math Anxiety: How to Conquer Fear & Build Confidence

How Photomath Helps with More than Just Homework

How Photomath Helps with More than Just Homework

Explore your options.

Step-by-step explanations

Custom visual aids

Extra “how” and “why” tips

Deep-dive solutions for hundreds of textbooks

  • Start trial

solve the problem with your camera

Windows Camera Not Working? Ultimate Fix And Troubleshooting Guide 2024

Diagnose and resolve windows camera issues with our comprehensive troubleshooting guide and online camera testing tool.

This site uses cookies. Learn more .

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

Updated on January 12, 2024

How to Fix Windows Camera Not Working

  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
  • Make sure the "Allow apps to access your camera" toggle is enabled.
  • If specific apps are blocked, enable access for the ones you want to use the camera with.
  • Go to Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu).
  • Expand the "Cameras" or "Imaging devices" section.
  • Right-click your camera and select "Update driver".
  • Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and follow the prompts.
  • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > App permissions.
  • Select "Camera" from the left menu.
  • Make sure the toggle for the apps you want to use the camera with is enabled.
  • Click the Start menu and select the Power icon.
  • Choose "Restart" and wait for your computer to restart.
  • After restarting, check if your camera is working properly.
  • Try connecting an external webcam to your computer. If it works, the issue is likely with your built-in camera.
  • Check if the camera lens is clean and unobstructed.
  • Make sure the camera cable is securely connected to your computer (if applicable).

If you have tried all the steps above and your camera is still not working, you may need to contact Microsoft Support or a qualified technician for further assistance.

Windows guides to fix your camera not working

When you're facing camera issues on Windows within specific applications, it's crucial to find targeted solutions. Our collection of app-specific guides is here to help you troubleshoot and resolve camera problems. Each guide is tailored to address common and unique camera issues within different applications on Windows.

Our comprehensive guides cover camera troubleshooting for a wide range of apps, including:

IF YOU ARE NEW TO PHOTODOTO START HERE: Start

Photodoto

Quick Fixes: How to Resolve Camera Not Working in Windows 10

Figuring out how to fix a camera not working on Windows 10 problem can feel like navigating through a maze. You’ve got your important Zoom meeting in an hour, and suddenly, your trusty webcam decides it’s time for a break. Panic sets in.

Windows computer

The good news? You’re not alone. And better yet – there are solutions at hand that could get you back online before you know it. We get the annoyance of attempting to address technical difficulties when all you need is for things to operate without a hitch. So let’s dive right into tackling this camera not working i n Windows 10 issue .

Understanding the Causes of Camera Not Working on Windows 10

If you’re a Windows 10 user and your camera stops working, it can be quite exasperating. This issue might arise due to various factors such as recent driver updates or incorrect settings configuration.

The Impact of Windows Updates

A newer driver update or even a regular Windows 10 update may sometimes lead to compatibility issues with your camera drivers. These updates aim to enhance performance, but they could also inadvertently cause problems like incompatibility with existing hardware.

To determine if an update is behind your webcam issue, consider rolling back to a previous version of the driver temporarily. After every major system upgrade, ensure that all the latest drivers are installed for both integrated and external cameras. Staying ahead of the game is essential for success in this tech-driven age.

Role of Settings Configuration and App Blocking

In some cases, improper configurations within camera settings can result in malfunctioning webcams. Be sure that you’ve selected the correct device (either integrated webcam or external cameras) within default apps used for video calls, etc. Otherwise, it could potentially lead to these issues too.

Sometimes, certain applications block access without proper permissions configured under privacy settings, leading to similar complications. Therefore, granting appropriate camera access to those necessary applications becomes vital here.

Checking for Physical Switches or Buttons on Your Device

A commonly overlooked aspect when dealing with a camera issue is the presence of physical switches or buttons that control your webcam. Many laptop models come equipped with such features, providing an extra layer of privacy and control over your integrated webcam.

If you’re grappling with why your Windows 10 PC’s camera stops working, it might be worth checking if there’s a switch involved. It could turn out to be as simple as flicking this button back into action.

Finding and Using Webcam Switches

The location and design of these controls can vary significantly between devices. On laptops, they are typically located along the sides or near the screen hinge area at the top edge; whereas desktops may have them placed close to USB ports where external cameras connect.

To identify whether there’s any hardware-based controller for your built-in webcam like a slider mechanism marked by symbols representing a camera – inspect around every nook and corner of your device meticulously. If found – simply slide/press this button which toggles enabling/disabling access to its associated function. How-To Geek offers detailed instructions about handling such situations effectively.

Don’t forget to check for tape, you or another use may have covered the camera for privacy and forgot to take the tape off. If black tape was used, it may blend into the laptop body and you may not even realize it.

Troubleshooting Steps When There Is No Physical Switch

In case you don’t find any such hardware controllers but still face issues accessing integrated webcams; fear not. The problem possibly lies elsewhere within software settings/driver configurations which we’ll delve deeper in upcoming sections. Remember though, irrespective of whether internal or external, ensuring proper connection remains crucial before proceeding further down the troubleshooting path.

Note About External Webcams

If using an external webcam instead, due to superior resolution quality among other factors, remember that you could face similar issues depending upon the make and model. The Logitech support page, for instance, covers various aspects including those related to their range of products. Regardless of the type, always ensure adequate connectivity prior to exploring complex procedures, thereby saving unnecessary hassle and time while resolving persisting issues.

Exploring Privacy Settings for Camera Access

If your camera stops working on Windows 10, one possible culprit could be the privacy settings. These controls are designed to protect users by managing which apps have access to certain hardware or data – including your integrated webcam and any external cameras connected.

In essence, understanding these privacy settings is key when troubleshooting why your laptop camera isn’t functioning as expected.

Navigating Through Your Privacy Settings

To begin addressing potential webcam issues due to privacy restrictions, head over to ‘Settings’ from the Start menu and click on ‘Privacy’. From there, under the App Permissions section, look specifically for ‘Camera’, where all applications installed within the system requesting camera access will be listed.

Camera permissions menu

The toggle switch next to each app represents whether that particular software has been granted necessary permissions to utilize the attached cameras: off means no, while turned on indicates yes. So make sure the required ones always remain enabled, otherwise, they might end up causing unexpected problems related to blocked camera usage, despite everything seeming perfectly fine at first glance.

Granting Camera Access Globally

Beyond the individual application-specific toggles, there is another important setting labeled “Allow apps access”. When switched off, none of the installed software will be able to use any type of webcams, regardless of their previous status. Hence, ensure that the main switch remains active unless it is really needed. Otherwise, during high-security tasks, it could potentially risk unwanted intrusions via vulnerable camera feeds open wide across internet networks worldwide.

Understanding Desktop Apps Versus Store Apps

An interesting distinction worth noting here relates to the difference between desktop-based tools and ones downloaded directly through the official Microsoft Store platform: the former category may bypass the above-mentioned rules altogether, depending on how they’re originally coded. Thus, sometimes leading to situations where, despite the correct setup, you still face problems related to blocked camera access because of some rogue piece of code lying hidden deep beneath layers of complex programming structures built around the core functionalities offered by the respective toolset involved here.

Using Third-party Webcam Applications as Alternatives

If the Microsoft Camera app on your Windows 10 computer is giving you trouble, don’t despair. There’s a whole world of third-party webcam applications out there that can serve as excellent alternatives. These software options often come packed with additional features and functionalities not found in the default camera app.

Debut Video Capture Software

The Debut Video Capture Software stands tall among its peers for its comprehensive video capturing capabilities. It supports an array of formats including AVI, WMV, and MPG files.

This tool doesn’t just stop at recording; it allows users to adjust color settings before initiating a recording session – offering complete control over how your final product looks.

Beyond this robust feature set, what sets this software apart is its flexibility—it lets you record from different sources such as network IP cameras or even VHS tapes using suitable hardware adapters.

Camtasia Studio

In contrast to other tools available online today, Camtasia Studio shines through due to two key offerings- powerful screen recording coupled with fully equipped video editing functionality. Users have the freedom to capture high-quality videos directly via webcams or screens then proceed towards fine-tuning those clips right inside the program without needing any external assistance.

Bandicam Screen Recorder

Bandicam Screen Recorder has carved a niche for itself primarily because of its ability to seamlessly record gameplay footage without causing significant system lag. However, Bandicam Screen Recorder is not only useful for recording gaming footage; it can also be used as a webcam recorder with its intuitive controls and customizable output. Its intuitive controls and customizable output make it equally effective when used as a standard webcam recorder.

Updating Camera Drivers Using Device Manager

The role of a driver is similar to that of an interpreter between the hardware and software components in your system.

A mismatch here can lead to compatibility issues, causing the integrated webcam or external cameras attached to your Windows 10 PC to not function as expected. Hence, updating these drivers becomes essential for smooth operation.

The Process: Updating Your Camera Driver

To ensure seamless communication between hardware and software elements, you need up-to-date camera drivers – whether they are for an integrated webcam or external devices. This process involves using the device manager tool available within Windows 10 settings.

This method isn’t overly complicated but requires some attention because improper handling may cause other system malfunctions. So before making any changes, always create a restore point just in case things go wrong.

When Newer Isn’t Better: Rolling Back A Recent Driver Update

In certain scenarios where newer updates aren’t compatible with specific configurations present in your PC’s setup, it might result in problems with the webcam driver, leading to more significant issues like laptop camera failure, etc.

Rather than scratching your head over what went wrong, try rolling back the recent update, which essentially means reverting to the previous version that was running smoothly without glitches. Remember, though, this option should only be considered if all else fails since sometimes older versions also have their own set of bugs, so tread carefully.

Reinstalling Webcam Drivers On Your System

When simply updating or rolling back doesn’t seem to do the trick, then the last resort is to reinstall the entire thing from scratch. This ensures that corrupted files are replaced with fresh ones, potentially resolving configuration-related issues for both integrated webcams and externals alike. However, caution is advised when dealing with such tasks as one misstep might end up creating an even bigger problem. Therefore, it is strongly advised to adhere to the necessary steps in order to dodge potential issues.

Dealing with Antivirus Software Blocking Camera Access

If your Windows 10 computer’s camera is malfunctioning, it may not be due to hardware or software issues; instead, antivirus programs blocking access to both integrated and external webcams could be the cause. It could be your antivirus program blocking access to both integrated and external webcams.

This is more common than you might think, but don’t worry. To address this issue, we’ll explore possible solutions below.

The Role of Antivirus Programs in Webcam Issues

Antivirus software is essential for safeguarding our computers from malevolent viruses. However, sometimes they can be overzealous and block legitimate applications like webcam drivers. This happens due to heuristic detection methods designed to identify suspicious behavior associated with malware.

If you’ve recently installed new antivirus software or updated an existing one, and you’re having trouble accessing your laptop camera, it’s likely that the security solution is interfering by blocking necessary components related to its operation.

Solutions for Resolving Blocked Camera Access

To determine if an antivirus program is causing these issues, follow these steps:

  • Perform a quick check: Temporarily disable the real-time scanning feature of your antivirus program and test whether this resolves the issue. If it does, you’ve found the culprit.
  • Note: Always remember that disabling any part of a security solution should only be temporary while diagnosing problems. Make sure to re-enable all protective features afterwards.
  • Add Exceptions : Most security solutions allow users to add exceptions within their settings menu for specific files or folders.
  • You can try adding an exception for either the Microsoft Camera app folder location or its executable file, depending on how granular the controls have been implemented.

Contacting Support Teams

If none of these options resolve the problem, it may be helpful to reach out directly via official support channels. Many companies provide dedicated resources that specialize in resolving conflicts between their products and other installed applications or system components on user devices. Keep in mind that each situation may differ slightly depending on various factors, such as the exact device model number/type

Resetting Your Camera App

This process reinstalls the application and reverts it to its original settings, potentially addressing any underlying issues that could be causing problems with your laptop webcam.

Here’s how you can reset your camera app:

  • Navigate to ‘Settings’ from the Start menu.
  • Select ‘Apps’. You’ll see a list of installed applications on your device.
  • In this list, find ‘Camera’ under Apps & features. Click it once located.
  • You’ll then see an option labeled ‘Advanced options’. Selecting the ‘Advanced options’ will take you to a page where you can find the option for Reset near the bottom, which displays a warning message about data loss; however, no personal files are affected.
  • A warning message about data loss pops up when clicking ‘Reset’. However, no personal files are affected during this operation.

Camera reset menu

Adding New Registry Value

Sometimes, even after resetting doesn’t solve the issue or certain features in-camera settings become inaccessible post windows update, especially for external webcams like Logitech BRIO, adding a new registry value may come in handy. But remember, editing the registry should always be done cautiously because incorrect changes can cause serious system errors. Learn more here.

  • Type “Regedit” into the search bar next to the start button and select Registry Editor from the results.
  • Navigate through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE -> SOFTWARE -> Microsoft -> Windows Media Foundation -> Platform path using the left pane editor window.
  • Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value entry named EnableFrameServerMode by right-clicking anywhere in the right pane and selecting New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  • Edit the newly created entry’s value data: Double click EnableFrameServerMode -> Set Value Data field to “0” (zero) -> click OK.

Choosing Between Integrated Webcam and External Cameras

The camera stops working on your Windows 10 computer, and you’re left with a decision to make. Do you stick with the integrated webcam or venture out into the world of external cameras? The answer to the dilemma isn’t as simple as it appears.

Resolution Quality

You can think of resolution quality like an artist’s canvas – more pixels mean finer details in your photos or videos. An external webcam often boasts higher pixel counts than its built-in counterpart, delivering sharper images packed full of detail.

If high-resolution output is critical for your photography work, then upgrading to an external webcam could be worth considering. But if video calls are all that you need from a camera on your Windows 10 PC, sticking with the integrated option should serve just fine.

Flexibility and Positioning

An integral part of any photographer’s toolkit is flexibility – being able to adjust angles quickly during shoots adds depth to their composition skills. Here again, external webcams take center stage due to their ability for easy repositioning compared to fixed laptop webcams.

Exploring external cameras is definitely worth considering.

A Look at Additional Features: Windows Hello Authentication

Possessing additional features beyond basic photo capturing capabilities also plays into choosing between internal versus standalone units. One prime example lies within Microsoft’s security feature known as ‘Windows Hello authentication’ – it enables facial recognition login abilities across compatible devices.

This technology has been successfully implemented in various models, including the Logitech BRIO Webcam, which supports HD recording up to resolutions reaching 4K Ultra HD, infrared-based facial recognition, and even background replacement functionality. It is suitable for both personal usage, like streaming gaming sessions, and professional settings, such as teleconferencing.

Removing System Updates That Cause Issues

If you’ve exhausted all the above steps and your camera still refuses to cooperate, it’s time to consider a different culprit – recent Windows 10 updates. It’s not unheard of for these seemingly harmless system upgrades to introduce new bugs or conflicts with existing drivers on your machine.

Uninstalling Recent Updates

To tackle this problem directly, let’s go over the steps to remove a problematic update. The path is straightforward: ‘Settings’ > ‘Update & Security’ > ‘Windows Update’. Click on ‘View update history’, then select ‘Uninstall updates’. This will open a control panel window where installed updates are listed in descending order of installation date.

Update history menu

Select the most recently installed one which coincides with when your integrated webcam started misbehaving and click ‘Uninstall’. A quick restart later should hopefully see changes taking effect. If there’s any confusion regarding which specific Windows 10 update might be causing trouble for either the laptop camera driver or external cameras, check out Microsoft’s official resources online.

Pause Future Updates Temporarily

In some cases, though, pausing future Windows updates temporarily until fixes are released by Microsoft can prove beneficial too. You can do so by navigating back into the settings mentioned earlier but instead selecting ‘Pause updates’ under advanced options.

How do you reset the camera on Windows 10?

You can reset your camera by navigating to Settings > Apps > Camera , then select Advanced options and click Reset .

Why is my built-in camera not working?

Your built-in camera may not work due to outdated drivers, incorrect settings, or conflicts with other software. Running a troubleshooter might help identify the issue.

How do I troubleshoot my computer camera?

To troubleshoot your computer’s camera, check for driver updates in Device Manager , adjust privacy settings to allow apps access to your webcam, and ensure no physical switches are off.

Why is my camera missing from Device Manager Windows 10?

If your webcam is missing from Device Manager , it could be disabled. Right-click on any item in the list and choose ‘Show hidden devices’ – this should reveal if it’s been deactivated.

Understanding the causes of camera issues on Windows 10 is your first step towards solving the problem. You’ve learned how to identify problems through error codes and physical switches or buttons on your device. We’ve delved into exploring privacy settings for camera access, using third-party webcam applications as alternatives, and updating drivers via Device Manager. Antivirus software can sometimes block access, but we covered that too. And resetting your Camera app could be a quick fix you hadn’t considered before! The choice between an integrated webcam and external cameras has its own pros and cons – now you’re equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision.

In conclusion, solving a camera not working issue in Windows 10 might seem daunting at first glance. But armed with this guide, it’s clear that there are plenty of steps you can take to troubleshoot effectively. Remember: every problem has a solution; it’s just about finding the right one. Click the following link to learn if someone can see through your phone camera .

solve the problem with your camera

By Nicholas

Nicholas is a staff writer at Photodoto. His interests include photography, collecting cameras old and new, video editing, and all things 3d. If a new gadget comes out on the market, he's sure to be the first to try it. He enjoys experimenting with low light photography, very long exposures and high speed filming.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

7 lessons to start making profit!

Click "Sign me up" and wake the pro photographer in you now!

Popular Posts

solve the problem with your camera

Black & White Is the Key to Better Color

solve the problem with your camera

130 Amazing Gifts for Photographers Handpicked from All Over the Web- Updated

solve the problem with your camera

6 Mistakes to Avoid in Long Exposure Photography

solve the problem with your camera

Privacy Overview

MiniTool

How To Fix Camera Error On Windows 10 Quickly

The webcam driver is actually a program giving support to the communication between webcam and the PC. Once there is trouble with your Windows 10 camera driver, the communication will be interrupted. More and more people are talking about the webcam error, so it’s necessary to provide methods for solving camera error on Windows 10.

Just like many other parts of a Windows 10 computer, the camera app is not perfect. There are an increasing number of users complaining about the problems and issues related to Windows 10 camera app.

Main causes for Windows 10 camera error are:

  • Windows 10 update ( how to recover data after Windows Update )
  • Improper settings configuration
  • Improperly configured system files
  • Overloaded registry system
  • Missing or corrupted system files ( how to recover corrupted files )
  • Unknown reasons

Now, let’s face the camera error on Windows 10 . Common cases of Windows 10 camera not working:

  • Imaging devices missing in Windows 10
  • We can’t find your camera, error code: 0xA00F4244 (0xC00D36D5)
  • Windows can’t find or start the camera, error code: 0xA00F4244 (0xC00DABEO)
  • Something went wrong. If you need it, here’s the error code: 0x200F4246 (0x80040154)

camera went wrong Windows 10

3 Ways to Fix Camera Error on Windows 10

It’s possible to encounter laptop camera not working Windows 10. Sometimes, you can’t find webcam in device manager on a Windows 10 PC. Either way, you need to fix the problem.

Way 1: Check Privacy Settings

In Windows, you can set to deny or allow the access to any devices connected to the computer. You need to go to see the privacy settings to see whether webcam access is enabled.

How do I unblock my camera on Windows 10?

  • Press Start + I button on the keyboard at the same time to open Settings window.
  • Find and click on the Privacy (Location, camera) in Windows Settings window.
  • Shift to Camera from General on the left hand pane.
  • There is a toggle under Let apps use my camera hardware. Please make sure the toggle is switched to On . (You can toggle Off to deny access to your camera from any applications.)
  • Please make sure the toggle of certain app is switched to On under the Choose apps that can use your camera.

camera privacy settings

How to open camera in laptop Windows 7 is basically the same.

Way 2: Uninstall and Reinstall Webcam Driver

A corrupted webcam driver or outdated driver could also cause camera error on your device. Therefore, you can try to fix the Windows 10 webcam issues by uninstalling and reinstalling the current driver.

How to uninstall webcam driver:

  • Right click on the Start button in the bottom left corner of the screen.
  • Choose Device Manager from the pop-up list.
  • Open Imaging devices or Sound, video and game controllers on the right hand pane to find your webcam.
  • Right click on the webcam and choose Properties from the pop-up menu.
  • Select the Driver tab and click on Uninstall .
  • Choose Delete the driver software for this device .
  • Click on OK to confirm.

uninstall webcam driver

To update an outdated driver, you should click on Update Driver button in Driver tab and select Search automatically for updated driver software option in the Update Drivers window.

Also, you can select Roll Back Driver to have a try.

How to install webcam driver:

  • Enter the website of your webcam’s manufacturer.
  • Find your webcam model.
  • Download the latest driver.
  • Install it properly on your Windows 10 computer.

Way 3: Reinstall Windows Camera App

By restoring the Camera app, you can restore anything to its initial state. So this could help to fix the camera problem.

  • Choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the context menu.
  • Type Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsCamera* | Remove-AppxPackage and press Enter .
  • Wait for the completion of the command.
  • Open Microsoft Store.
  • Find and download the Windows Camera app.
  • Install the app properly.

Windows Camera

That’s how do I fix my camera not working problem.

Of course, there are other useful Windows 10 webcam fix methods :

  • Reinstall chipset drivers
  • Try Automatic Repair
  • Reset the Camera app
  • Reset your PC
  • Test ports & run a scan (when camera is missing in Windows Device Manager)

How Do You Recover Files After Factory Reset Laptop.

About The Author

Position: Columnist

25 common Photography problems and how to fix them

How to solve the most common problems every photographer comes up against

photographer at Bristol waterside

  • Part 1: 25 common photography problems
  • Part 2: 25 common photography problems

Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, chances are that you still encounter one of many common photography problems. 

Fortunately, for every photography problem, there is a photographic solution – and with that in mind we’ve put together a selection of common faults and equally common fixes to solve any creative headaches.

Once you’ve undertaken our solutions for common photography problems, you’ll be armed with a mental ‘tool kit’ with which to find a speedy fix from herein on – simplifying your shoots and saving valuable time when it comes to your imaging workflow. 

So, take a detailed read of our problem solving tips and tricks; after all, forewarned is forearmed!

1. My photos are all blurred

solve the problem with your camera

Your photos are blurred because your camera was unable to accurately focus on the subject. There can be several reasons for this – either there was insufficient light for the camera’s auto focus system, or the same low light situation amplified any camera shake resulting from you trying to take an image in insufficient light, without the steadying influence of a tripod . 

Alternatively, if you’re shooting swift moving subjects, the shutter speed you’re using may be too slow and you need to switch to burst (continuous) mode, or, if lighting is really the issue, make use of artificial flash, or bump up the camera’s ISO light sensitivity settings to ISO1600 or above to attempt to resolve the issue. 

If you were focusing manually through the viewfinder, perhaps the camera’s dioptric adjustment wheel needs adjusting to provide a clear image via which you can determine accurate focus in the first place. Most digital cameras now also provide an enlarged portion of the image on the rear LCD screen when you’re attempting to manual focus – further aiding accuracy and avoiding blur. 

If the problem is because you're shooting a subject very far away with a very long zoom lens, then make sure the camera’s and/or the lens’ built in image stabilisation option is activated to minimise any blur. And, again, use a tripod! 

2. The colors in my photos look wrong

solve the problem with your camera

 The most common solution to this very common photography problem comes down to finding the correct white balance setting for both camera and subject.

Most of us will be aware that tungsten/artificial lighting lends a warm orange glow to shots. So, if you’re shooting indoors without flash and bumping up the ISO settings to compensate and avoid blur, you’ll be left with orange-y images. 

Fine, if that’s the look you’re going for, but if it’s a more natural look you’re after, simply drill into your camera’s menu of white balance settings and select the icon that most closely resembles a common light bulb and try the shot again with this compensatory mode selected. 

You’ll also find settings on your camera for a variety of artificial and natural lighting conditions – including strip lighting, natural daylight (which can, conversely, lend photographs a cool blue color cast), cloudy days and so on. You’ll probably also find a few specific night-time settings. 

Or alternatively there is often the chance to achieve a custom white balance – achieved simply by holding up a piece of white paper in front of the lens. Simply experiment with white balance settings until you find the look – and colors – you’re after.

3. Everyone in my photos has red eyes

solve the problem with your camera

Unless it’s the morning after a particularly heavy night, the most likely culprit is the camera’s built-in flash, especially when it’s located very close to the camera lens. The ‘red eye’ effect is therefore caused by the subjects’ eyes reflecting the artificial light from the flash back into the camera lens – giving that very unnatural look. 

Fortunately, this age old problem is less common than it once was, due to most modern cameras offering a ‘red eye reduction’ setting amongst the user selectable flash settings that takes two flashes in quick succession. We can’t do anything about subjects with their eyes shut however – although software has been written for cameras to recognise when this has occurred and flag it up to the user. 

Simply re-take the shot and hope for second (or third time lucky). Actually that’s one catch–all solution: take as many shots as you can and you’re bound to end up with one you're happy with.

4.  My images look very grainy and noisy

solve the problem with your camera

This will be due to the fact that the camera has automatically selected a high sensitivity setting to compensate for lack of light or lack of available flash, in an attempt to limit and hopefully avoid image blur/camera shake. 

The trade off for reducing blur is that image grain – also referred to as ‘image noise’ – can visibly intrude into our images, particularly on those cameras with physically smaller sensors already burdened with a high pixel count / resolution.

To avoid the ugly, grainy look, manually select a lower ISO setting (less than ISO1600, say) and compensate by placing the camera on a flat steady surface instead of attempting to use it hand held. Best still, of course, employ the use of a tripod and put the camera on self-timer when shooting so you’re not having to physically press the shutter release button and thereby perhaps avoid introducing blur via the fact you’re ‘jogging’ the camera. 

Grainy images are less of a problem for more sophisticated cameras with physically larger sensors and/or more modest resolutions, as there are less pixels crammed into a smaller space, so they’re less visible when the sensor is pushed to its performance limits.

5.  My photos are either too dark or too bright

solve the problem with your camera

The easiest way to remedy this particular photography problem is to drill into your camera’s exposure compensation settings – usually given in increments of +/- 3 EV, though some can extend to +/- 5 EV. 

Commonly, we get the most natural results when these settings are on the median of ‘0’, but on a very sunny day, and if you’re using a bright/ fast lens (say f/1.8, the lower the number, the more light the lens will let in) then it may work best to dial down these settings to minus 1 or lower – in other words aiming for a darker exposure than normal to compensate for the fact that lighting conditions are outwardly brighter than usual. 

The same works in reverse if the lighting is darker than you’d like. In these circumstances you can go for a brighter setting of +1 or +2. Fortunately, a lot of modern digital cameras show the effects of such exposure compensation adjustments in real time on your camera’s rear LCD screen (or electronic viewfinder), so you can see the effects your adjustments may have before you even squeeze off a shot. This allows you to toggle back and forth between the incremental exposure comp settings offered until you find the ‘sweet spot’ for a correctly exposed image. 

6. The sky is too bright in my shots, or the foreground is too dark

solve the problem with your camera

Here the camera’s own well-intentioned metering system is either causing the ‘problem’, or it's the direction and angle of your set up itself. Simply put, if you point the camera at a very bright sky, it will automatically adjust the exposure to compensate, throwing whatever is in the foreground into shadow. 

Conversely, if you focus the camera on whatever is in the foreground on a very sunny day, the sky will appear burnt out, or much brighter than it already is. Either way, you will lose detail in the sky. 

A way around this is to try taking the same shot from a different angle, with the light in front of your subject – so it shines directly on it – rather than behind it, where it is effect causing your subject to be silhouetted, or thrown into shed. Another ‘trick’ is to force the camera to fire its flash, even though, as it is a very sunny day, it wouldn’t normally. This will allow the camera to meter for the bright sky, but for the flash to also illuminate whatever’s in the immediate foreground, resulting in a more ‘balanced’ shot. 

Another way to resolve the above conundrum, if your lens set up allows for it, is to invest in a graduated neutral density or ‘ND grad’ filter and attach it to your lens to compensate, or to shoot in Raw instead or JPEG and see how much extra detail you can eke from either sky or foreground in post production. Broadly speaking, underexposing the scene allows us to extract more detail, which is otherwise simply lost if the image is too bright. 

7. Buildings in my photos are leaning or bowed, while people appear elongated or distorted

solve the problem with your camera

Shooting a subject up close with a wide angle lens setting can result in the above ‘problems’ – making the top, bottom and sides appear to bow out – but again, unless these are the creative choices you’re going for – to emphasize scale or add impact and presence, perhaps – then they’re easily remedied. 

Simply take a couple of steps back so you’re not so close to the subject. If you’ve a zoom lens you can also trying zooming in a bit – and stepping back – to compensate, and see if those leaning or converging ‘verticals’ start to appear closer to how they look when viewed with our own eyes. 

If you really want to get serious, and spend a lot of money into the bargain, then a compensatory tilt and shift lens, as used by the likes of architectural photographers, is another option. But try the stepping back, and/or zooming in option first and see how that changes the perspective of your shot. 

Generally speaking, if you can arrive at a setting close to 35mm, or 50mm on a full frame camera, then this is near to what we perceive with our own eyes, so is good for street photography in particular, when we’re looking to photograph both people and buildings, and represent them in a natural and immediate visual manner.

8. Why doesn’t my camera properly capture the intense colors of a sunset I can see with my own eyes?

solve the problem with your camera

When you point the camera at anything bright, or with a high bias of one color in particular, the camera will attempt to automatically compensate and arrive at a result that is more neutral. 

This can, frustratingly, result in a rather washed out, insipid representation of one of the natural world’s greatest displays: a sunset. Here, your camera’s automatic white balance setting is at least partly to blame, and, as it is a common ‘fault’ at that, a lot of cameras actually include pre-optimised sunset modes to deliver more pleasing results. 

If you don’t have this option, however, or the colors still aren’t quite as you’d hoped, try switching to a user-selectable daylight or sunlight white balance setting instead. You can also try activating the camera’s Vivid color or picture effect option, if it has one, to boost the saturation for added drama, as well as pointing the camera at a brighter portion of the image – whereby it will try to compensate by darkening the overall image – before re-framing the shot. In this way you will preserve the more vivid and intense detail of the sunset that may otherwise merely appear washed out. The alternative is to dial down the exposure compensation settings manually.

9. My sporting and action images are all blurred. Why can’t my camera keep up?

solve the problem with your camera

When it comes to auto focus options, the majority of digital cameras offer two modes: single and continuous. While single mode works best for general and static photography (whereby auto focus locks onto target with a half press of the shutter release button and maintains focus as you press the shutter release down fully to take the shot), continuous is best for moving subjects. 

You can also trying using you camera’s burst mode – whereby the rapidity of the shots captured is increased, hopefully matching with the speed of the subject you’re attempting to photograph. This helps ensure that, while you may still get a few blurred frames, there is a higher chance of a selection of them eventually being ‘on the money’ in terms of a sharply focused shot. 

Additionally, you can do all of the above while also panning with your camera and subject – in other words following the direction of its motion – to ensure that it stays within your frame, and in focus. 

Allow for some trial and error and, as usual, take as many shots as you can to increase your chances of a photograph you’ll want to keep! Finally, another option if your camera allows an 8 megapixel still to be extracted from a 4K video sequence is to try that option. You’ll have even more chance of grabbing a winning still when you’re effectively shooting at up to 30fps.

10. I’m using manual focus for precise control over my images, but results are hit and miss

solve the problem with your camera

Practice makes perfect as the old adage runs, and anticipating what your subject is going to be doing and where in the frame they are is crucial, particularly when focusing manually. 

Even if you want to ‘take back control’, here digital cameras can still help out, by automatically displaying an enlarged portion of the subject on screen as a further check that everything is as precisely and sharply focused as you would hope it to be. 

More sophisticated cameras also offer up something called Focus Peaking , whereby the areas of the image that are sharp are highlighted on the LCD screen and/or electronic viewfinder if the camera has one. Again, it’s an aid to achieving more precise results. 

Fortunately with a digital camera we can zoom in and check the accuracy of focus for the image we’ve just taken on screen, and make further adjustments if the focus is slightly off.

11. My horizons aren't straight

solve the problem with your camera

The issue here is 'two legs bad, three legs good'. In other words, our own two legs are rarely as effective as using a tripod with a spirit level to make sure everything is lined up nice and accurately – and moreover flat. 

Luckily, an increasing number of cameras are now offering a built-in spirit level (or virtual horizon) that can be viewed on the rear LCD to ensure that horizons are straight and true – a horizontal green line typically flashing on screen.

Again, if you’re not sure whether you’ve got the horizon level or not without viewing on a screen larger than your camera’s own, simply take two or three shots of the same subject – while doing your level best.

12. I want to use shallow depth of field for more flattering portraiture, but find it hard to keep the crucial areas sharp

solve the problem with your camera

When attempting any shallow depth of field portraits – whereby you keep the central portion of the image dramatically pin sharp, while subtly (or not so subtly) blurring both the foreground and background – it’s crucially important that the eyes are the sharpest points in your image. 

However, if you’re using a particularly fast prime lens (very low f number / bright aperture), the area that is in focus can be so narrow that even the act of pressing the camera’s shutter release can jog the focus area slightly, thereby changing the emphasis of the shot. 

You can get around this by mounting the camera on a tripod and using a cable release, obviously, but a more practical solution is simply to take a higher number of images than usual, increasing the odds of getting the area that is sharply in focus exactly where you'd want it. 

  • These are the best photography tips around right now.

Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Current page: Part 1: 25 common photography problems

Get the Digital Camera World Newsletter

The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!

Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News , and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography . 

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3 , BBC Focus , Empire , NME , Radio Times , MacWorld, Computer Active , What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps. 

Related articles

Hack your Leica? One man's mission to upgrade his Leica T's internal memory from 16GB to a MASSIVE 128GB!

A complete Guideline to Tech Things

Camera Not Working on Windows? Try These Fixes

Rishi

  • May 19, 2023

If your camera app is not working after doing certain changes on your computer then in this post you will find the solution to a common camera issue that will help you to fix the issue quickly. Sometimes it happens due to the different peripherals attached to our computers. However, it also occurs if you have recently updated the camera driver or performed a system update.

Whatever the reason, it prevents you from accessing the built-in Camera app installed on your computer. In this article, we will present some quick solutions that relate to Device Manager, Settings, and the other quality update.

Read Next: How to change the default Webcam in Windows 10

Solve the Common Camera issue on Windows

If you’re facing some webcam-related issue on your PC then use the following workaround to solve the camera issue on Windows quickly.

1] Allow apps access to a camera

If you’re not able to access the camera app using different Microsoft Store apps, use the below steps to allow them:

  • Press the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
  • Go to Privacy >   Camera .

How to solve the Common Camera Issue on Windows 10

  • Move to the right pane and click the Change button (under Allow access to the camera on this device  section)
  • Turn on the toggle switch for “ Camera access for this device “.
  • Then scroll down and go to the Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera section. Here turn on the toggle button for the program you want to allow camera access. For example – Cameras, Microsoft Teams, and others.

After following the steps, your camera should be accessible from the apps you selected. On the same Camera page, if you scroll down to the bottom, you will find the Allow desktop apps to access your camera  option. You can turn on this option if the problem is with a classic desktop application. 

2] Update the Camera driver

If the problem is occurred just after updating to a newer version of Windows, it might possible that it occurred due to the compatibility issue in the camera driver. In such a case, you may need to update the associated driver and your camera should start working then. Here are the steps to update the camera driver –

  • Click on Start and select the gear icon (Settings).
  • Select Update & Security > Windows Update . 
  • Now in the right pane, click on the View optional updates  option.

View optional updates

  • On the next page, you will find a new driver update under the Driver updates .
  • Tick the box next to the newer driver update and then click on the Download and install button.
  • After downloading the update, it will get installed automatically.

Note: If you don’t see any optional update or newer driver update, you may need to navigate to the manufacturer support website and then download and install the newer driver. 

3] Rollback the Camera driver

Sometimes compatibility issues arrive with the driver updates that used to be released by the hardware manufacturer. If your camera has stopped working after updating any driver, rolling back the previous version can fix the Camera issue on Windows. The procedure to rollback the camera driver is as follows:

  • Press the Win + X keys and select the Device Manager option from the menu list.
  • In the Device Manager window, expand the Cameras  section.
  • Now right-click on the camera driver and select Properties .
  • Go to the Driver tab.
  • Then click on the Roll Back Driver button.
  • From the list, select the reason for rolling back the driver.
  • Click Yes .
  • Again click Yes to confirm.
  • Restart your computer to save the changes.

Once you complete the above steps, the current driver installed on your device will be rolled back to the older one. After rolling back the driver, you will now be able to use the camera. 

Note:  If the Roll Back Driver option is not available on the Driver tab, then you cannot roll back to the previous version of the driver.

4] Remove quality update of Windows

If your camera was working well before installing a system update, it might be required to remove the quality update. Follow the below steps to remove the update:

  • Open the Windows Settings.
  • Click on  Update & Security >  Windows Update.
  • Go to the right panel and click on  View update history .
  • Click on the Uninstall updates link.

Uninstall Windows 10 Updates

  • On the Installed Updates page, click the Installed On column header. It will show the updates in chronological order.
  • Now look for the most recent update and once you find it, right-click on the update and hit the Uninstall button.
  • If your system asks you for confirmation, click on the Yes button.

5] Reinstall the Camera driver

When the camera stops working on Windows because of a damaged driver or a problem with the configuration, you can use Device Manager to reinstall the peripherals to resolve the issue. Follow the below steps to reinstall the camera driver on Windows PC: 

  • Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box.
  • Type devmgmt.msc  in the text box and hit Enter.
  • Double-click on Cameras .
  • Right-click on its driver and select the Uninstall device option.

Uninstall Windows 11 Camera Drives via Device Manager

  • Click on the Uninstall button to confirm it. If you want to force the system to download the driver, mark Delete the driver software for this device  option.
  • Now click on the Actions menu and select the Scan for hardware changes option.
  • This will reinstall the driver, and your camera should start working again.

I hope the camera not working issue resolves on your Windows PC. Let’s know in the comment section which solution works in your case.

Related Stories

Fix Camera Error 0xa00f4288

How to Fix Camera Error 0xa00f4288 in Windows 11

  • December 4, 2023

Windows 11 Camera Not Working

How to Fix Webcam or Camera Not working on Windows 11

  • October 4, 2023

Solved Camera not working Error 0xA00F4243

Fix Camera not working Error 0xA00F4243 on Windows 11/10

  • August 13, 2023

Camera Error 0xA00F4244

How to Fix Windows Camera Error Code 0xA00F4244

  • July 26, 2023

Guiding Tech

We explain and teach technology, solve tech problems and help you make gadget buying decisions.

Best 9 Fixes for the Windows 11 “We Can’t Find Your Camera” Error

In Windows 11, you may encounter the error message – we can’t find your camera. This is frustrating because many applications or web services require the camera to complete specific functions. This error means something is preventing you from using a built-in or external camera on your device.

Bext_N_Fixes_for_the_Windows_11_We_Cant_Find_Your_Camera_Error

The most likely causes of this camera error include outdated drivers, disabled settings, and software glitches. This guide will present you with the most effective and practical ways to fix the error. Let us get to it.

1. Turn on the Camera

You should double-check if your laptop’s camera is turned on before attempting complicated solutions. The message “We can’t find your camera” can imply that your camera is turned off.

The camera on your laptop may not have an on/off switch. However, that might not be the case with an external camera. If the camera is on and the problem persists, proceed to other solutions.

2. Reconnect the Camera

Reconnecting your camera will be effective if you use external cameras. This is because this camera error can be tied to loose connections and dirty or faulty ports. While at it, you should also clean the USB port since dirt particles may block the connection.

You can also try connecting the external camera to a different device to confirm that the camera cable works properly. Once you have a tight and proper connection, the problem should be resolved; if not, proceed to other solutions.

3. Disable Camera Shutters

Camera shutters may be software or mechanically controlled. They can block your camera lens, making it impossible to take photos or record videos. So, while they can be essential, they may contribute to the ‘We can’t find your camera’ error on Windows.

Disabling the shutter may include physically opening it on your camera or using a specific camera software.

4. Restart the Computer

A simple restart fixes some minor bugs and glitches. This happens because when you restart your computer, the computer first kills all running processes. If some were problematic, you may not experience the camera problem after it boots up.

So, try a simple reboot, and only proceed to other solutions if the problem lingers.

5. Update or Reinstall Camera Drivers

Camera drivers help the camera and the operating system to communicate effectively. You may have varying issues using the camera when the driver is outdated or corrupted. You may first uninstall the driver , then follow the steps below to reinstall it with the latest versions.

Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and click Device Manager.

Open the device manager 1

Step 2: Click the icon for ‘Scan for hardware changes’, and you should have the most suitable camera app drivers reinstalled.

Hardware changes scan

6. Enable the Camera From the Device Manager

If you encounter the “we can’t find your camera” error, it may be due to disabled camera drivers. When camera drivers are disabled, programs that require the camera service will be unable to access it. You may open the Device Manager and follow the steps below to enable the camera.

Step 2: Expand the camera category and double-click on your camera driver to open its properties.

Camera properties

Step 3: Click the Driver tab, click the Enable device button, and click OK.

Enable driver

7. Run the Camera Troubleshooter

Windows 11 comes preinstalled with some troubleshooters. The Camera troubleshooter is one of them. When you run this tool, it checks all possible causes of the camera problem, fixes them, or recommends the best options to correct the error. Here is how to run the camera troubleshooter.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Settings app.

Step 2: On the left pane, click System and Troubleshoot on the right pane.

Opening troubleshooter

Step 3: Click the Run button for the Camera troubleshooter, then follow the wizard to complete the process.

Camera troubleshooter

8. Allow Apps Camera Access

You may have restricted access to the camera from the specific app in the settings. You should undo this setting to solve the problem. Follow the steps below.

Step 2: On the left pane, click Privacy & security, and click Camera on the right pane.

Privacy and security

Step 3: Toggle on the Camera access switch and toggle on individual app permissions as well.

Camera access

9. Reset/Repair the Camera App

Lastly, the camera app may be bad or corrupted. If that is the case, you must reset and repair it. Luckily, the Windows 11 app has some easy repair and reset options for all built-in applications. Follow the steps below.

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click Apps on the left pane, and on the right, click Installed apps.

Installed Windows 11 apps

Step 3: Click the Camera app ellipses and click Advanced options.

Camera app ellipses

Step 4: Scroll to the Reset section, click the Repair button, then click the Reset button.

Repair and reset app

Using the Camera Without Hitches

If you get the ‘We can’t find your camera’ error message, fret not. The aforementioned solutions should fix it, allowing you to use your camera without hitches. We recommend starting from the first solutions and walking down to more advanced or complex fixes.

Please let us know what was most effective for you in the comment section.

Last updated on 13 January, 2024

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

solve the problem with your camera

DID YOU KNOW

solve the problem with your camera

Afam Onyimadu

Afam is a Writer, Data Analyst and the go to person for tech solutions and fixes. He has a background in Computer Science. When he is not working, he loves spending time with family, friends and his two rottweilers.

More in Smart Home

Top_N_Ways_to_Fix_YouTube_Not_Working_on_Google_TV

Top 9 Ways to Fix YouTube Not Working on Google TV

Fix Netflix not working on Samsung tv

Top 8 Ways to Fix Netflix Not Working on Samsung TV

Join the newsletter.

Get Guiding Tech articles delivered to your inbox.

CameraMath - Your Best Math Homework Helper

solve the problem with your camera

Why Use CameraMath Homework App

solve the problem with your camera

Cover All Levels And Kinds Of Math Problems

solve the problem with your camera

Hear What Users Say About CameraMath

avatar

Answered Problems By Math Tutors

A soccer coach wants to know how many hours a week his players spend training at home. He has 20 players and he decides to ask the first 4 players to arrive at Monday's soccer practice how many hours they spend training per week. He then calculated that they spend an average of 10 hour per week. Therefore, he assumed that all the players train 10 hours per week. Is this an example of a simple random sample? 

A No, because each student did not have an equal chance of being selected. 

B Yes, because each student had an equal chance of being selected. 

C No, because he did not sample every soccer player. 

D Yes, the minimum number of students sampled need to be four for it to be a simple random sample. 

The figure shows the graph of f. 

(b) Which of the cx-values A, B, C, D, E, F and G appear to be inflection points of f? 

The diagram shows two rectangles, A and B. 

All measurements are in centimetres. 

The area of rectangle A is equal to the area of rectangle B. 

Find an expression for y in terms of w. 

George's page contains twice as many typed words as Bill's page and Bill's page contains 50 fewer words than Charlie's page. If each person can type 60 words per minute, after one minute, the difference between twice the number of words on Bill's page and the number of words on Charlie's page is 210. How many words did Bill's page contain initially?

 Bill's page initially contained        words. 

Simplify 2sin(5x)cos(3x) - sin(2x) to one an expression containing one trigonometric function. Then graph the original function and your simplified version to verify they are identical. Enclose arguments of functions in parentheses. For example, sin(2x). 

2sin(5x)cos(3x)-sin(2x)=

A health psychologist was interested in the effects of vitamin supplements on the immune system. Three groups of adults were exposed (in a highly ethical way) to the cold virus; one group took no supplements for a week before exposure, another had vitamin C supplements, and a third had multivitamins (excluding C). The severity of the cold was measured as a percentage (0% = not contracted, 100% very severe symptoms). The psychologist also measured the number of cigarettes that each person smoked per day, as smoking suppresses the immune system. The psychologist was interested in the differences in the severity of the illnesses across different vitamin groups accounting for cigarette usage. What technique should be used to analyse these data? 

A. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA 

B. Two-way independent ANOVA 

You can enjoy

  • Step-by-step explanations
  • 24/7 expert live tutors
  • Unlimited number of questions
  • No interruptions
  • Full accuess to answer and solution
  • Limited Solutions

solve the problem with your camera

  • Search the community and support articles
  • Surface Pro
  • Search Community member

Ask a new question

Surface Pro 7 Front Camera Not Working

I am having an issue

The issue is that the front camera of my Surface Pro 7 seized to work. In Device Manager it is marked with a yellow exclamation mark and a status of "STATUS_DEVICE_POWER_FAILURE").

The only suggestion l haven't tried, yet, is the suggestion of "IT Troy" (first entry on page 4) where he suggest to install an older driver version for the Intel Control Logic device - quote:

"... Select the 12/16/2019 version of the driver (42.18362.3.196) ..."

Since several people commented that this fixed their problem I would like to give that a try, but when I do a driver re-install with "Let me pick from a list ..." I only have a single entry "Intel Control Logic" without any version number.

Where could I possibly find and download that older driver version? I tried to install an older .msi package from the Surface Pro 7 driver download page but - since I already installed the newest these attempts always end in "A newer version is already installed" and then the installer terminates.

1. where can I download that older driver from?

2. how do I make it appear in the driver selection so that I can give that older driver version try and see whether it might resolve that issue?

Report abuse

Replies (3) .

Thank you for posting your inquiry here in Microsoft Community, mmo17 .

We are sorry to hear that the front camera stopped functioning. The drivers/firmware are downloaded as a package/set.

Try the methods below and see how it goes:

Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit and check for new Windows update.

Try resetting the Camera app, go to settings > apps & features > Camera > Advance Options > Reset then test and capture a photo/record a video.

Re-install Intel logic driver. Go to device manager > look for system devices > find the Intel Control Logic > Right-click on it, click uninstall then check the box that says "Delete the driver software for the device" > Then restart the device. 

If the issue persists, let us know so we can further assist.

Was this reply helpful? Yes No

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

Thanks for your feedback.

I went through these loops already.

The diagnostic tool kit and the the camera app don't "see" the front camera at all (presumably because its in this dreaded "STATUS_DEVICE_POWER_FAILURE").

And I uninstalled the Intel Control Logic driver and rebooted numerous times already. There are actually THREE "Intel Control Logic" entries in device manager and I first uninstalled the top one only (as described in the cited thread) and later ALL THREE (including their SW) and then rebooted each time. And I tried the entire procedure 3 times already, but that didn't help.

And - as I wrote - I have a single entry only when trying to hand-select a specific driver version for this Intel Control Logic. Hence my question where I can download previous versions of that driver, because that - at least according to said thread - seems to have solved the issue - at least for some people.

Barb Bowman

  • Volunteer Moderator

Go into the UEFI and toggle the cameras OFF, wait 30 seconds, toggle ON and restart. See if this resolves your issue.

Shut down your Surface.

Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface and at the same time, press and release the power button.

When you see the Surface logo, release the volume-up button. The UEFI menu will display within a few seconds.

solve the problem with your camera

The individual older drivers are not available. That probably won't solve the problem but if you go to Download Surface Pro 7 Drivers and Firmware from Official Microsoft Download Center and download and run the older SurfacePro7_Win10_17763_20.020.2886.0.msi after deleting the driver, you MIGHT get an older driver.

To completely rule out software/drivers, you would need to do a wipe and recovery from the downloadable recovery image. Go to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/surfacerecoveryimage   

(with a different Windows computer if yours is not working properly) 

and download a recovery image for your Surface. You will need a 16GB or 32GB USB stick (also called a flash drive) formatted FAT32 (use a Windows computer).  You can't use an actual external USB hard drive for this and don't use anything larger than a 32 GB USB stick. Best to purchase and use a new, previously unused USB stick for this. Use FULL format and not quick format and give the volume a name like surfboot. Unzip/extract the recovery zip to the root of the formatted USB stick.

There are full instructions and a video at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4023512/surface-creating-and-using-a-usb-recovery-drive#download

Question Info

  • Surface Pro 7
  • Sound and camera
  • Norsk Bokmål
  • Ελληνικά
  • Русский
  • עברית
  • العربية
  • ไทย
  • 한국어
  • 中文(简体)
  • 中文(繁體)
  • 日本語

MathPix - AI Math Solver 4+

Learn math, step-by-step by ai, turgut oztunc, designed for iphone.

  • 4.1 • 84 Ratings
  • Offers In-App Purchases

iPhone Screenshots

Description.

MathPix solves various complex problems with ease. It's the world's smartest math solver for algebra, graphing, calculus, and more! MathPix gives you unlimited access to math solutions that can help you understand complex concepts. Simply point your camera and snap a photo or type your math homework question for step-by-step answers. MathPix covers all levels of math, including Arithmetic, Algebra, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus, and more. MathPix will be your mathematical lifesaver - finish your homework faster, prepare better for tests, and make getting those high grades less stressful. Key Features: ► Take a photo of your math problem in a snap; it's easy to use and efficient. ► Recognize math problems quickly and accurately. The homework solver is like a teacher on the spot. ► Use canvas tools to write your own problem on the phone and get the results step-by-step. ► Get detailed step-by-step solutions for solving math problems to understand better. ► Keep historical solving records and review them at any time. ► Covered topics: Algebra, Function, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus, Statistics and data analysis, Matrix, Logic. ► Get expert assistance on math homework assignments from the AI Math Tutor. ► Enhance your skills with brain training and tailored math courses for both students and pros. ► Ask any math question to your private AI Math Tutor and get an answer instantly. Note: The free version may have limitations. Privacy Policy: https://loopmobile.me/privacy.html Terms of use: https://loopmobile.me/tos.html

Version 1.0.5

Rebranded to MathPix Bug fixed.

Ratings and Reviews

This is a horrible app.

You have to get the premium to solve anything. it does not work like it shows. All it wants is your money.

It doesn’t work and it so frustrating

Bad frustrating it doesn’t work

Developer Response ,

Hello We are really sorry that you have this issue. Could you please send email to [email protected] to help you better? Thanks
i failed my quiz

App Privacy

The developer, Turgut Oztunc , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

  • Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

  • Premium $5.99
  • Premium $34.99
  • Premium $39.99
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

solve the problem with your camera

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.

Remoku - Remote for Roku

Remote for Fire TV: Fire Stick

QR Code Reader & QR Scanner.

Face Yoga - Face Exercises

PhotoAI - AI Halloween

Calculator - AI Math Solver

You Might Also Like

Math AI Helper: Problem Solver

Math Scaner - AI Math Solver

The Math Solver App

MathSnap: AI Math Solver

Solvie: MathGPT Solver App

SnapMath - Photo Word Math

Android Police

Google pixel fold: common problems and how to solve them.

Here's how to resolve some of the biggest problems with Google's first foldable

The Google Pixel Fold does many things well, but it also has problems, so it struggles to compete with other popular foldable Android phones. However, you can solve many of these problems and turn the problematic phone into a great one.

We walk you through the biggest problems with the Pixel Fold and how to solve or mitigate them. We recommend exploring all the best features of the Pixel Fold , as its unique elements help it stand out in the ever-narrowing crowd of Android phones.

Apps don't scale properly in horizontal mode

One of the biggest and most noticeable problems with the Pixel Fold is the inconsistent scaling applied to apps. While most of Google's apps are designed to fit the Pixel Fold's outer and inner screens in horizontal or landscape mode, some popular apps, including Instagram and Yelp, don't.

The only "fix" for this is to keep your Pixel Fold in portrait mode. Portrait mode doesn't create as many errors, thanks to the phone's unique aspect ratio. We recommend keeping landscape mode for apps like Calendar or Drive or for watching media.

instragram on pixel fold in horizontal mode

Battery charges slow and doesn't last long

Many users have noted the Pixel Fold's poor charging speeds and battery life. The Pixel Fold has a max charging speed of 21W, so you can't solve this by buying a new charging brick. However, there are a few ways you can improve its battery life.

You can increase the phone's battery life by activating adaptive battery, turning off smooth display, and adjusting your Pixel Fold's screen brightness. We have a detailed guide on all the settings you can tweak to improve the Pixel Fold's battery life.

The inner screen turns on when the Pixel Fold is closed

When closed, pressing the Pixel Fold's power button might turn on the inner screen alongside the outer screen. This is not an issue with the Pixel Fold, but with some cases that use magnets in their design. These magnets interfere with the inner screen, causing it to turn on unexpectedly alongside other problems.

The only way to resolve this is to buy a case without magnets. There are plenty of great Pixel Fold cases that don't use magnets. Double-check before you buy, as they often don't clearly state whether they use magnets.

Permanent damage to the inner screen

Complaints about the durability of the Pixel Fold were widespread even before it launched, with some reviewers noting the phone's inner screen broke after a few days of use. If your Pixel Fold arrived broken or has other hardware issues, contact Google Support for a replacement or fix. We recommend taking preventative steps to avoid it breaking in the first place.

Many of the inner screen issues stem from a small gap in the hinge, which traps particles between the Pixel Fold's bezel and screen protector. This is an issue across foldables. Buy a case that doesn't leave a gap around the hinge (like the spine of a hardback book) that can minimize the amount of dust entering the phone.

Hinge doesn't lie flat

The Pixel Fold stops a few degrees short of lying flat when opened. If you apply force, you can make it lie completely flat for a while, but we don't recommend doing this. After some time with the Fold, we found that the phone became more resistant to lying flat the longer we used it. Applying more force can cause issues with the hinge.

Don't apply additional pressure when opening the Pixel Fold. One of the best things about the phone is that the hinge holds it tight at any angle apart from flat. Open it to its limit and leave it there.

Unresponsive outer screen

The inner and outer screens of the Pixel Fold aren't identical. While the outer screen is higher quality than the inner, users have noted that it can become unresponsive. Opening and closing the phone is a temporary fix. You can also tweak some settings for a permanent solution.

  • Open your Pixel Fold's Settings app.
  • Scroll down and tap Display .

android 14 settings app

If this doesn't solve the problem, follow Google's official guide to fix a Pixel screen that isn't working correctly.

Apps disappear when opening the Pixel Fold

If two apps are open simultaneously on the Pixel Fold's inner screen, closing the phone causes one app to disappear when you reopen it. This is intended behavior. The Pixel Fold only keeps the active app open on the inner screen when the phone is closed.

There is no way to resolve this problem. You can minimize the frustration by tapping the more important app once before closing the phone. This ensures it stays open when reopening the phone.

Internal temperature becomes uncomfortably hot

The Pixel Fold is more prone to overheating than any other Pixel phone. This is a design flaw. There isn't a way to permanently stop it from growing uncomfortably warm. However, you can do a few things to keep the internal temperature low. If you're charging your Pixel Fold or are in a warm environment, don't perform these actions:

  • Take high-resolution photographs or videos.
  • Watch a video over a mobile connection.
  • Multitask with intensive apps.

Don't let the Pixel Fold ruin your view of foldables

The Pixel Fold suffers from many problems that aren't common to all foldables. If your experience with the Pixel Fold is too frustrating, we recommend exploring the other great Android foldables .

Android Police

Ring home security cameras: Common problems and how to fix them

R ing is a popular brand that makes some of the best security cameras and leading video doorbell cameras on the market. Its products are reliable, easy to set up, and seamless to use. They come with advanced functionality, allowing you to customize them how you want.

Ring cameras aren't like traditional security cameras. Most Ring products connect wirelessly, making the setup process straightforward. This connection can lead to problems, which can be linked to the network quality and cause issues daily. You may encounter other issues related to your settings or power source. Let's explore what these could be and how to troubleshoot and solve them.

Connectivity issues and video lag

A common issue with Ring cameras and doorbells is poor connection. This is easy to spot. Your Ring device automatically detects the signal strength and lets you know if it isn't strong enough. You may notice poor video quality and lag when accessing the live feed, even if the device doesn't.

It isn't always that simple. There can be more to it than the Wi-Fi signal strength, such as limited bandwidth or an issue with your router. These problems make it difficult to get a reliable connection and use your camera effectively. Let's look at this issue methodically to solve it.

Poor Wi-Fi signal

Check the Wi-Fi signal strength to see if it's strong enough when you have connectivity problems. To do this, follow these instructions:

  • Open the Ring app on your smartphone.
  • Tap the menu icon in the upper-right corner.
  • Tap Devices.
  • Scroll through the list of cameras and doorbells. A device with a weak signal displays an orange or red message below its name saying Poor Wi-Fi connection .
  • Select a device and tap Device Health to check its Wi-Fi signal.
  • Check the figure next to Signal Strength . If it's close to or less than -70, the camera or doorbell may not get the best signal for optimal performance.
  • Move the router closer to the camera for better performance. If you use a mesh network, move one of the access points closer to the camera or add another.
  • Check the signal strength to see if it improved. If it hasn't, restart your router and all access points.

Ring devices and cameras tend to connect to the main router instead of the closest access points for mesh networks. If possible, manually bind it to the closest access point using your router or mesh network's settings. Not all systems offer that option. For example, Eero automatically selects the access point, with Ring cameras not always picking the closest one.

Use a basic Wi-Fi extender or a Powerline adapter if your Ring device still has a problem, especially if you have a waterproof casing and a power outlet in your yard or garage. Give your extender's network another name so that you can be certain your Ring device connects to it and not the main network.

Bandwidth and connection speed

If improving the Wi-Fi signal doesn't help, the issue might be your connection's bandwidth. Make sure you have a fast connection, with a speed of at least 5Mbps to 8Mbps, depending on how many devices are online and whether they're heavily downloading or uploading data. Ring doesn't allow you to switch to a lower resolution to use less data.

If your connection speed is supposed to be fast enough, but you still face problems, run a speed test to make sure you get the right speed from your connection. If you aren't, disconnect other devices to see if they use a lot of data and try again. Otherwise, check with your internet service provider to understand why your connection isn't fast enough.

Other issues

Reboot your Ring camera or doorbell if you have another issue. If your device is battery-powered, remove the battery, wait a few seconds, and place it back. Otherwise, unplug the camera or turn off the circuit breaker, wait a few seconds, and plug it in or turn on the circuit breaker. Alternatively, hold the setup button for 10 seconds, wait for your device to enter setup mode, and press it again to soft reset it.

Reset your doorbell and start from scratch if this doesn't solve the issue. For Ring cameras, press and hold the setup button for 30 seconds until it fully restores to factory settings.

Make your home smarter

Now that you know how to fix problems with your Ring devices and they operate smoothly, make the most of them. For example, customize the camera motion zones to ensure you're only notified when motion is detected in areas you define.

You can also use inexpensive devices like the Ring Indoor Cam 2nd Gen and the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus to sense motion and automatically turn on lights using Alexa Routines to illuminate your surroundings at night and deter intruders. Alternatively, consider a Pro model, like the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro , which has a built-in radar to sense motion and plot it on a map.

Take things to the next level with a DIY security setup using affordable smart home devices, sensors, and cameras without purchasing an expensive system.

Ring home security cameras: Common problems and how to fix them

IMAGES

  1. We Are Problem-Solvers...Experience Counts! » WFA Staffing Group

    solve the problem with your camera

  2. CAMERA PROBLEMS

    solve the problem with your camera

  3. How can I solve the problem “Camera is being used by another application”?

    solve the problem with your camera

  4. Find a Problem to Solve. That Will Lead to a Job.

    solve the problem with your camera

  5. How to solve camera problem

    solve the problem with your camera

  6. CAMERA PROBLEMS!!

    solve the problem with your camera

VIDEO

  1. How Solve the Problem? #mathmatics #teknique

  2. Dropped the Problem Solver

  3. O No problem 😃😁

  4. Can you Solve the Really HARD Puzzle?

  5. No problem 😃😁

  6. That's why I always keep my camera turn on🌚

COMMENTS

  1. Camera doesn't work in Windows

    Select Start > Power > Restart . Waking up your device from sleep isn't the same thing as a restart. Test your camera with the Camera app. Select Start , 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.

  2. How to fix common camera problems on Windows 10

    Open Start. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app. Expand the Imaging devices, Cameras or the Sound, video, and game controllers branch. Check the camera appears in...

  3. 15 Ways to Fix a Windows 10 Webcam Camera

    Restarting a Windows 10 computer, laptop or tablet can often fix a variety of problems including a broken webcam. Unplug and restart. Try a combination of the previous two solutions. Unplug the USB webcam, restart your computer, and then plug the webcam back in again. Check for Windows updates.

  4. Windows Camera Not Working? 9 Ways to Fix

    1. Verify That Your Camera Is Connected 2. Enable Your Webcam or External Camera 3. Run the Windows Camera Troubleshooter 4. Check Your Camera Lens 5. Allow Camera Access in Windows Privacy Settings Configure Camera Privacy Settings in Windows 11 6. Close Unneeded Camera Apps (or Try Alternatives) 7. Restart Your Camera Driver 8.

  5. Camera Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

    Camera Not Working? Here's How to Fix It From DSLRs to iPhones and laptops to Google Meet - this is the guide to fixing every popular camera under the sun, so make sure to bookmark it for emergencies! Learn | By Ana Mireles X Facebook Pinterest Share I get it - when your camera's not working, it's one of the most frustrating things!

  6. Windows 11 Webcam Not Working? 14 Ways to Fix It

    One quick way to reboot Windows 11 is through the Start menu: right-click it and go to Shut down or sign out > Restart . If the webcam is attached through a cord, unplug it and then plug it back in. Take this opportunity to use a different port to eliminate the first port as the problem.

  7. Windows 10 Camera Not Working

    So, the easiest solution is to use a third-party webcam application to replace the Camera app when you don't want to try the fixes one by one. Besides, you can also use this way to test again whether the camera not working problem is due to your Camera app or the camera. Free Download Free Download

  8. How to Fix Your Webcam Not Working in Your Browser on Windows

    Press the Win + X hotkeys to open the Power Menu, and choose Device Manager from the list. In the Device Manager window, double-click the Camera option to expand it. Right-click on the camera driver, and choose Update driver from the context menu. Select Search automatically for drivers.

  9. Photomath

    Monthly. $9.99 USD. Step-by-step explanations. Custom visual aids. Extra "how" and "why" tips. Deep-dive solutions for hundreds of textbooks. Start trial. Solve even complex math problems with Photomath, the top-rated math camera solver app. Download now and understand your math homework step-by-step.

  10. Windows Camera Not Working? Ultimate Fix And ...

    When you're facing camera issues on Windows within specific applications, it's crucial to find targeted solutions. Our collection of app-specific guides is here to help you troubleshoot and resolve camera problems. Each guide is tailored to address common and unique camera issues within different applications on Windows.

  11. Quick Fixes: How to Resolve Camera Not Working in Windows 10

    Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value entry named EnableFrameServerMode by right-clicking anywhere in the right pane and selecting New -> DWORD (32-bit) Value. Edit the newly created entry's value data: Double click EnableFrameServerMode -> Set Value Data field to "0" (zero) -> click OK.

  12. How To Fix Camera Error On Windows 10 Quickly

    Choose Device Manager from the pop-up list. Open Imaging devices or Sound, video and game controllers on the right hand pane to find your webcam. Right click on the webcam and choose Properties from the pop-up menu. Select the Driver tab and click on Uninstall. Choose Delete the driver software for this device.

  13. 25 common Photography problems and how to fix them

    How to solve the most common problems every photographer comes up against Page 1 of 2: Part 1: 25 common photography problems Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, chances are that you still encounter one of many common photography problems.

  14. Camera Not Working on Windows? Try These Fixes

    Solve the Common Camera issue on Windows. If you're facing some webcam-related issue on your PC then use the following workaround to solve the camera issue on Windows quickly. 1] Allow apps access to a camera. If you're not able to access the camera app using different Microsoft Store apps, use the below steps to allow them:

  15. Top 3 Fixes for Camera Not Working on Windows 10 PC

    Step 1: Launch the Windows Settings and select Apps. Step 2: Scroll through the list of apps and click on Camera. Step 3: Select Advanced options. Step 4: Scroll to the bottom of the Camera app ...

  16. Troubleshoot problems with your camera, microphone or ...

    Computer Help iPad App Help iPhone App Help Android App Help This is about using messages on Facebook. For help with the Messenger app or messenger.com, visit the Messenger Help Center. If something isn't working with your camera, microphone or speakers for video calling on Facebook, here are some things you can try.

  17. Math Solver

    1 2 3 0 . Example 85 + 87 7.19 ×19.61 22 ×25 18 5x−3 = 52 9x−24x+ 16 = 3x−5 > −2(x −10) y = x+ 7,x = 2 Free step-by-step math solver for arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, pre-calculus, calculus, trigonometric, statistics, geometry.

  18. Best 9 Fixes for the Windows 11 "We Can't Find Your Camera" Error

    Step 1: Right-click on the Start menu and click Device Manager. Step 2: Click the icon for 'Scan for hardware changes', and you should have the most suitable camera app drivers reinstalled. 6 ...

  19. (Solved) We Can't Find Your Camera

    If you can't turn on your webcam or camera successfully and get an error message saying "We can't find your camera" in Windows 10, and the error code is 0xA0...

  20. CameraMath

    This math homework app helps you get accurate, instant, and step-by-step solutions to your math homework problems of all levels. It stands out by tackling tough word problems and the most complex math questions. Still struggling with math homework? Talk to CameraMath's handpicked, elite math tutors online 24/7. Why Use CameraMath Homework App

  21. Camera failure

    Go to "Settings" > "Windows Update" > "Advanced options," and under "Recovery," select "Go back to the previous version of Windows." - If the issue remains unresolved, you can use the Windows System Restore feature to revert your system to a point before the problematic update was installed.

  22. your camera is unavailable or used by another app whatsapp and skype

    -Press Windows key + X -Go to Device Manager -Expand the Camera or Imaging Device -Look for the Camera driver that was installed -Right-click and Update -Look for "Browse my computer for driver -Let me pick drivers available, drivers -Choose an old driver and use it or use different driver available Let me know how does it go and I hope that helps.

  23. Common Camera Problems On Android Phones And How To Fix Them

    In the following article, we, therefore, explore the best fixes for common Android camera problems, which may also solve a few lesser-known ones. Camera App Crashes.

  24. Surface Pro 7 Front Camera Not Working

    Go into the UEFI and toggle the cameras OFF, wait 30 seconds, toggle ON and restart. See if this resolves your issue. Shut down your Surface. Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface and at the same time, press and release the power button. When you see the Surface logo, release the volume-up button.

  25. Stacia

    125 likes, 56 comments - passivemodernprofit_ on February 23, 2024: "勞It's mind blowing to think that just 2 months ago, I was stressing out about money and tryi..."

  26. ‎MathPix

    Recognize math problems quickly and accurately. The homework solver is like a teacher on the spot. Use canvas tools to write your own problem on the phone and get the results step-by-step. Get detailed step-by-step solutions for solving math problems to understand better. Keep historical solving records and review them at any time.

  27. Google Pixel Fold: Common problems and how to solve them

    Battery charges slow and doesn't last long . Many users have noted the Pixel Fold's poor charging speeds and battery life. The Pixel Fold has a max charging speed of 21W, so you can't solve this ...

  28. Ring home security cameras: Common problems and how to fix them

    These problems make it difficult to get a reliable connection and use your camera effectively. ... scratch if this doesn't solve the issue. For Ring cameras, press and hold the setup button for 30 ...