Camera Not Working in Windows? Check These in Order

A switch, a key, or a shutter.

Many laptops have a way to turn the camera off physically, and when it is off, Windows may not detect a camera or may show an icon of a camera with a slash. Microsoft lists the places to look: a key used with Fn, a dedicated camera key, a sliding switch on the side of the laptop, or a small shutter built over the lens. For an external webcam, check that it is firmly connected, try another USB port, and test it on another computer to rule out the camera itself; the USB-C guide covers port limits.

Three switches, one of them for desktop apps.

Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera:

• turn on Camera access for the device;
• turn on Let apps access your camera, and allow the specific Store apps you use;
• turn on Let desktop apps access your camera.

The last one catches people out. Browsers such as Microsoft Edge and video apps such as Microsoft Teams are desktop apps, which do not appear in the per-app list and cannot be allowed one at a time. If Camera access is greyed out, an administrator on the device has to turn it on. Microsoft notes that in newer versions of Windows 11, some apps do not have camera access by default.

One app or all of them?

Open Start > Camera. If the preview works there, the camera and driver are fine and the problem is the other app’s settings or permissions. If another app or process is already using the camera, Windows can report error 0xA00F4243; close video apps and browser tabs that might hold it. Error 0xA00F4244 means the system cannot detect the camera, and 0x80070005 means access was denied.

A restart is not the same as waking from sleep.

Check for updates in Settings > Windows Update, including Advanced options > Optional updates, where camera drivers sometimes appear. Restart the PC with Start > Power > Restart; Microsoft points out that waking from sleep is not a restart. On Windows 11, run the camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app, or under Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Some antivirus software and firewalls block the camera; check their settings or the vendor’s help.

Roll back, reinstall, or switch to the built-in driver.

Open Device Manager and find the camera under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers; if it is missing, choose Action > Scan for hardware changes. If it stopped after an update, open the camera’s Properties, then the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if available. Otherwise choose Uninstall Device, tick the box to remove the driver, scan for hardware changes, and restart. Most USB webcams also work with Windows’ built-in UVC driver: Update driver > Browse my computer > Let me pick > USB Video Device. Microsoft notes the built-in driver may not support every feature, such as Windows Hello face sign-in.

Manufacturer support, or the OS itself.

If none of this works, Microsoft suggests the camera manufacturer’s website. A PC still on Windows 10 should also be on current security updates through the extended program; see Windows 10 Extended Security Updates. If the whole PC feels sluggish during calls, the slow computer checklist helps separate camera trouble from system load.