5 Ways to Fix Camera Not Working on Windows 11

Pankil is a Civil Engineer turned freelance writer. Since his arrival at Guiding Tech in 2021, he delves into the world of how-tos, and troubleshooting guides for Android, iOS, and Windows. Besides his new-found love for mechanical keyboards, he’s a disciplined footfall fan and loves international travel with his wife.

Try Basic Fixes

Fix 1: Run the Camera Troubleshooter

Windows offers a range of troubleshooters for diagnosing and fixing system-related issues. In this case, running the camera troubleshooter can help.

Step 1:PressWindows Key + Sto open the search menu, typetroubleshoot settings, and pressEnter.

Step 2:Go toOther troubleshooters.

Step 3:Click theRunbutton next to the Camera and follow the on-screen instructions to run the tool.

Fix 2: Check the Camera Connection

If you use an external webcam, ensure that it is connected properly. You can also switch to a different USB port to ensure the issue is not related to a malfunctioning port. Additionally, if your PC or external webcam has a physical on/off switch, verify it is in the correct position.

If reconnecting the camera does not help, try scanning your computer for hardware changes. To do so, use these steps:

Step 1:Press theWindows key + Sto open the search menu. Typedevice managerin the box and pressEnter.

Step 2:Click theScan for hardware changesicon at the top.

Fix 3: Allow Apps to Access Camera

Another thing you should do is reviewapp permissions on Windowsand ensure that the app you use is allowed to access the camera. Here’s how to go about it.

Step 1:Press theWindows key + Ito launch the Settings app and head toPrivacy & security > Camera.

Step 2:Enable the toggle next toCamera access.

Step 3:Ensure that the app you’re trying to use has camera access.

Fix 4: Re-Enable the Camera From the Device Manager

Disabling and re-enabling the camera driver can also help resolve any temporary issues preventing Windows from accessing the webcam. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1:Open Device Manager using the search menu.

Step 2:ExpandCameras, right-click on yourwebcam, and selectDisable device.

Step 3:Right-click on the webcam again and chooseEnable device.

Fix 5: Update or Reinstall Camera Drivers

Since Windows relies on drivers on your PC to detect and work with the camera, this problem can also occur if those drivers are outdated or incompatible. To resolve this, you can try updating the driver to see if that resolves the issue.

Step 1:Open Device Manager using the search menu.

Step 2:ExpandCameras, right-click on yourwebcam, and select theUpdate driveroption. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to finish updating the driver.

If the problem persists, thedrivers may be corrupted. So, uninstall the drivers via Device Manager and restart your PC. Windows should install the missing drivers automatically when booting.

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Last updated on 04 July, 2024

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