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How to Fix Webcam Not Working Problem

Last Updated on by Daniel Lawrence

Using a webcam is a great way to stay in touch with family and friends and even for communicating with colleagues and employees. Apart from that, you can also use your webcam to record videos, take selfies and even do a live chat with friends and family far away. It gets frustrating knowing you could do all these with your webcam and then you discover your webcam not working.

This issue of webcam not working could be due to a number of reasons. For example, it might be due to malfunctioning hardware, missing or outdated drivers, issues with your privacy settings or problems with your antivirus software.

If you’ve tried using your webcam recently and you discover your webcam is not working, just sit back and relax as we’ll show you in this article how to fix webcam not working problem step by step. This fix applies to both internal and external webcams for PCs running on Windows 10, 8, and 7.

Why Is Your Webcam Not Working?

When you attempt to turn on your camera, you may see a blunder code, for example, 0xA00F4244 or 0x200F4244 alongside the message “We can’t discover your camera.” This data isn’t useful without anyone else, so you’ll need to do some troubleshooting.

Windows ordinarily introduce drivers naturally when it identifies new equipment, yet in the event that you as of late moved up to Windows 10, there’s a decent shot that you have to physically refresh your equipment drivers. A few Windows 10 store applications just help more current webcam models, so your more seasoned gadget could be totally contradictory. Most work area programs, notwithstanding, still support more old cameras.

It’s likewise important that Windows 10 has an element that cripples the inner webcam. Keeping your webcam idle when not being used is really an extraordinary thought to ensure your protection, yet it can cause issues on the off chance that you incidentally flip this element.

What to Do When Your Webcam Is Not Working

When you notice your webcam isn’t working follow the steps below to quickly fix it. Although the right steps for troubleshooting your webcam may differ slightly depending on your version of Windows, most of the following fixes apply to all webcams and operating systems:

  1. Check your antivirus settings. Antivirus programming can once in a while meddle with webcams. Examine the product settings to check whether your antivirus is keeping your camera from propelling.

  2. Plug the webcam into a different computer. On the off chance that utilizing an external camera, plug it into another gadget to ensure it works. In case you’re having issues with it on various PCs, it’s an ideal opportunity to get another webcam.

  3. Check the device connection. On the off chance that you are utilizing an outer camera, ensure it’s appropriately associated with your PC. Wiggling the cable or essentially unplugging and connecting it back can make it work sometimes.

  4. Check the USB port. Obviously, connection issues can happen on your PC’s end also, so take a look at connecting another thing to the USB port to decide out that issue.

  5. Make sure the correct device is enabled. On the off chance that you have a worked in camera and an external webcam connected, at that point applications can get befuddled about which one to utilize. Check the application’s settings and discover the choice to choose your favored gadget.

  6. Reasons To Avoidult the manufacturer. For external webcams, if you are finding it difficult to configure, you can check the user manual or the manufacturer’s website for further guidance.

  7. Update the webcam drivers. To update your webcam drivers, follow the steps listed below for your version of  Windows. And note: You must be logged in as your device’s administrator to change driver settings.

  8. Change your system settings. Use the steps listed below for your version of Windows.

How to Change Your Webcam Settings in Windows 10

For Windows 10 users, follow these steps:

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

  2. Click Privacy in the Settings menu.

  3. Select Camera on the left pane.

  4. Ensure the Camera access for this device and Allow apps to access your camera are both enabled.

  5. Move your mouse down and look under “Choose which apps can access your camera” to ensure the app you want to use is enabled.

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

  7. Double click Cameras, then double click your device from the drop-down list to open its properties.

    If you have an external webcam installed, it might be listed under Sound, video, and game controllers or Imaging devices instead of Cameras.

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

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

How to Update Webcam Drivers in Windows 10

Follow these steps to update drivers if you’re using Windows 10:

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

  2. Look for your device under Cameras or Sound, video, and game controllers and right-click it.

  3. Click on Update Driver, then follow the prompts.

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

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

How to Change Your Webcam Settings in Windows 8

If you’re using Windows 8, follow these steps to change the webcam settings:

  1. From the desktop screen, right-click the lower-left corner and select Device Manager from the menu.

  2. Enter your administrator password if prompted.

  3. Open Imaging device and double click your webcam.

  4. Check the Device status box under the General tab to make sure the camera is enabled.

  5. If it’s not enabled, exit the properties menu, right-click the device, then select Enable Device.

How to Update Webcam Drivers in Windows 8

Follow these steps if you’re using Windows 8:

  1. From the desktop screen, right-click the lower-left corner and select Device Manager from the menu.

  2. Open Imaging device and right click your webcam.

  3. Click on Update Driver Software, then follow the onscreen instructions.

How to Update Webcam Drivers in Windows 7

Windows 7 doesn’t have an option to disable the webcam, so you just need to check the drivers:

  1. Click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen.
  2. Type “Device Manager” in the Start search box and press Enter.
  3. Find your webcam in the Device Manager. If you see a yellow exclamation mark beside it, you need to update the driver.
  4. Visit the manufacturer’s website to download the necessary Windows 7 drivers.
  5. Restart your computer. Upon restarting, Windows 7 should detect the drivers and install them.

What to Do When Your Webcam Will Not Turn Off

If your webcam won’t turn off for some reason, try disabling it if you’re using Windows 10. If you can’t disable it, try restarting your computer. This should fix the problem.

When you notice a blinking LED light, that is a common signal of malware controlling your webcam. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve been hacked. Sometimes, browser extensions that have permission to access your webcam may be the ones causing the LED to flash. To test it out, reboot your computer and launch your browser again.