This wikiHow teaches you what to do if your USB or built-in webcam isn't showing anything in the app on your Windows computer. There are a variety of reasons for missing camera highlights in the window that should display your video feed. There might be a permissions issue, a program conflict, or simply a setup issue with the website or app. As long as the webcam is not physically damaged or disabled, the problem can be easily resolved through the following quick troubleshooting steps.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Troubleshooting
Step 1. Make sure nothing is blocking the camera lens
There is no need to doubt this, but make sure that there are no stickers, dust, or other objects blocking the lens. If your computer's built-in webcam has a plastic privacy cover, make sure that the cover is removed so that the lens can be seen. If the lens is blocked by dirt or dust, wipe the lens with a soft cloth.
If you are using a USB webcam, make sure the camera is connected to the computer
Step 2. Close all open application windows and browser tabs
If you see a light flashing on or near the webcam's lens (usually red or green), the camera may be in use by an app or website. If you are not sure what application is using the camera, close all open applications. After closing open apps, close and restart the apps you opened to use the camera (eg Chrome or WhatsApp) and see if the issue is resolved.
- In addition to the apps on the taskbar, check the apps on the system section (the area of the taskbar that displays the clock and small icons). You may need to click on the little arrow icon to see all the icons. Hover over the icon to see what it does. If the icon of the selected application appears to be using the camera, right-click the icon and select “ Quit " or " Close ”.
- You can also restart your computer to make sure some services in the background don't accidentally open the camera.
Step 3. Check the webcam option on the app or website
You may need to select a webcam or set certain preferences before you can stream or take photos, depending on the app or site you're using (eg Zoom or Facebook). Usually, you can click a menu or icon that displays a list of cameras or other devices. If the webcam is not already selected, select the camera and grant the required permissions if prompted.
Step 4. Adjust permissions
The webcam window may not display anything on the application you are using if the application is not allowed to access the camera. To adjust app permissions:
- Open the “Start” menu and click the settings menu gear icon (“ Settings ”).
- Click " Privacy ”.
- Scroll to the left column and select " Camera ” under the "App Permissions" heading.
- Observe the right panel. If you see “Camera access for this device is off” at the top of the window, click the “ Change ” and slide the switch to the on or “On” position. If access is already granted, skip this step.
- The slider under the words "Allow apps to access your camera" must be in the active position or "On". If not, click the slider to enable it.
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Scroll to the "Allow desktop apps to access your camera" heading. If the switch is not already in the active position, click the switch to activate it.
The list of apps in this segment represents the apps you've allowed to use the camera in the past. For example, if you use the webcam in a Facebook chat via Google Chrome, Google Chrome will appear in that segment
Step 5. Use the official webcam program
Sometimes, the webcam app settings may be reset or changed after you update the operating system. Open the webcam program (based on the webcam you are using), look for the “ Preferences " or " Settings ”, and adjust the video and display settings to see if there are any changes to the image or webcam highlight results.
- If your webcam is your computer's built-in camera, try the app Camera which is a part or feature of Windows 10.
- If you are using a USB webcam manufactured by Logitech or another company, you will need to download the official program from the manufacturer's website first.
Step 6. Disconnect other USB connections from the computer (for USB webcams only)
It is possible that another USB device is interfering with your webcam. Keep the webcam connected, but disconnect any other USB peripherals. If the camera still doesn't work, try connecting the camera to a different USB port and try using the camera again.
Step 7. Restart the computer in safe mode or “Safe Mode”
If you open the webcam in safe mode and the camera still doesn't show anything, try updating the drivers. If the webcam is working in safe mode, it is possible that the problem was triggered by a program that was started automatically from the start of the computer (program startup). Try disabling some startup programs like antivirus programs or social media tools like Slack or Steam.
If you still can't use the webcam, read the driver update method to fix the problem
Part 2 of 2: Updating Driver
Step 1. Type device manager into the Windows search bar
If you don't see this bar next to the Windows “Start” menu, click the magnifying glass icon, circle icon, or “Start” button to open it.
Step 2. Click Device Manager
This option is at the top of the search results.
Step 3. Swipe the screen and double click Cameras
Now you can see the webcam.
- If you don't see a webcam, it may appear in the “ Imaging Devices " or " Sound, video, and game controllers ”.
- If the camera is not available in these segments, make sure the camera is connected to the computer (for external cameras), click the “ Action ” at the top of the screen, and select “ Scan for hardware changes ”.
Step 4. Click the webcam name once
The camera will be selected afterwards.
Step 5. Click the "Update" button
It's a black box icon with a green arrow at the top of the “Device Manager” window.
Step 6. Click Search automatically for updated driver software
It's in the middle of the window. Windows will look for software updates for the webcam driver.
Step 7. Wait while Windows searches for available updates on the internet and updates the drivers
Step 8. Install updated drivers if available
If Windows finds an updated driver for your webcam, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
If no drivers are found and the webcam is still not working, move on to the next step
Step 9. Install the webcam driver manually
If the camera still doesn't work, you may need to download a specific driver from the manufacturer's website. If you are using a laptop with a built-in webcam, drivers are usually available on the laptop manufacturer's website (eg Acer or Lenovo). If you are using a USB webcam, visit the camera manufacturer's website.
For example, if you are using a Logitech C920 webcam, visit the Logitech support website, select model C920, and click the link “ Downloads ” to find the software for the camera. Click " Download Now ” to download Logitech software and drivers. You will then need to run the downloaded program to install the drivers and connected software.
Step 10. Restart the computer
After the computer restarts, the webcam can recognize the new driver.
Tips
- Always check the compatibility details of third-party webcams before you buy them.
- Some Windows 7 or 8 computers that are updated to Windows 10 are not sophisticated enough to support all the features of Windows 10. Sometimes, this deficiency prevents the built-in webcam from working.
