How to Fix a Laptop Camera: 8 Ways to Fix
A camera is a must-have piece of equipment in any functional laptop for making video calls. If there is no physical damage to the camera, it is possible that software configuration issues. A broken camera isn’t the only symptom of a webcam issue. It is possible that it will not focus properly. It may have a delayed appearance or appear to have lines running along with it at times. So here We’ll explain to you how to fix a laptop camera on the laptop with the most common interior components.
Your camera is not working when you need it to perform activities for several reasons. It could be due to recent system changes, driver issues, privacy settings that prevent access to the camera. To figure out what’s wrong with the camera, you’ll need to troubleshoot your laptop. There are solutions available.
How to fix a laptop camera when it is not working
Before you begin troubleshooting, there are a few key factors to consider at. Your computer should be restarted, restart the software where the webcam was being used, use the camera on a different user profile to see what happens. Attempt an alternative camera-based program. You can also utilize an online software that employs webcams to double-check. Update the program you’re attempting to use the camera with. Windows should be updated. Windows difficulties can create a variety of issues with your computer, and it’s one of the simplest ways to ensure that everything is working properly.
1. Check the Disable button is on
After turning on still your webcam is not working and shows an error, first, you have to check that your camera is set to turn on when you use apps, If is turned off, this is also one reason why your webcam is not working.
- Go to Setting.
- Click on Privacy.
- Select Camera under App permission.
- At the top, there is a Toggle button to turn off and turn on the web camera.
2. Update Drive of Laptop camera
After installing a new version of windows 10 the camera fails to work or some other system updates, it is possible that you are using an old version of the camera driver, which is causing the issue.
- On the search bar type Device Manager.
- Under the Imaging devices, right-click on the Webcam click on the Update driver.
- Click on the Search automatically for the updated driver software button.
After finishing this process device manager will automatically download and install the package, similar to windows update. If a new update is there.
3. Uninstall and Reinstall the camera driver
If your webcam is not working due to severe malfunctions, driver corruption, or configuration issues, installing and reinstalling the camera driver may be beneficial in resolving the issue.
- On the search bar type Device Manager.
- Under the Imaging devices, after right-clicking on the Webcam select Uninstall device.
- Check the box and click on the Uninstall button.
- On the above, in the menu bar, there is an option of Actions.
- Click on the Scan for hardware changes and after that restart the laptop.
4. Check your antivirus settings
Some antivirus programs have options to completely disable the camera. Often this antivirus software includes privacy settings that allow you to restrict some applications’ access to the camera.
- Open your antivirus software.
- Find Privacy Protection and turn on camera protection in antivirus software.
5. Rollback the camera driver
After an update, if your camera no longer works, follow these steps:
- Type Device manager search on the bar.
- Click on Imaging Devices to expand the list click on the arrow.
- Right-click on the Webcam there is an option of Properties click on that.
- Click on the Driver tab.
- Click on the Roll Back Driver.
Note-: If there is no Rollback driver option, it means you cannot go back to the previous version, and you must select one of the reasons from the list.
- After choosing the reason click on the yes button and restart your laptop.
6. Check for an incompatible camera driver
Some older cameras designed for older devices do not work with Windows 10. So for the check, you can follow these steps:
- On the search bar type Device Manager.
- Click on Imaging Devices to expand the list click on the arrow.
- Right-click on the Webcam there is an option of Properties click on that.
- Click on the Driver tab.
- Select the Driver details and use stream.sys, you can look up the name of a file. If you have this on your computer, your webcam needs to be replaced because it was designed before Windows 7.
7. Create a New User Profile
There’s a chance your user profile has become corrupt, and as a result, your built-in webcam isn’t working. Make a new user account and modify the administrator privilege settings.
- Go to Settings.
- Click on Accounts and click on Family and other users.
- Under the Other users, there is an option to add someone else to this PC.
- Select the Change account type.
- To elevate the account to the administrator level, click the drop-down arrow and select Administrator.
- Restart your laptop.
- To check if your webcam is operational or not log in to your newly created account.
If your webcam is working after the login new account it means your previous account is corrupted In that case you can fix this issue by following these steps:
- Logged into your new account.
- Select your old user account once you’ve reached the ‘Family and other users’ page.
- Select Change account type.
- Select the standard user account type.
- Again click on the change account type and select Administrator.
Steps 3–6 should be repeated several times. This is said to aid in the repair of the problematic user profile.
8. Run the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
There are built-in utilities in the Windows operating system that helps the user troubleshoot and fix various problems on your laptop. The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is one such utility.
- Go to the Settings app and then select Update & Security.
- On the left-hand side, there is an option of Troubleshoot.
- Click on Hardware & Devices.
- Run the troubleshooter button.
Bottom of the line
In this article, we will look at how to fix a laptop camera. I hope this article has assisted you in resolving a problem with your built-in camera on your laptop. All of these solutions apply to all types of laptops. You can contact our Technical Support Team if you have any questions. They will help you.