Laptop Camera Not Working? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Windows: privacy settings blocking camera access
• Windows: missing, outdated or corrupted camera drivers
• Windows: an app problem, or another app using the camera
• Windows: a camera switch, button or shutter turned off
• Windows: antivirus software blocking the camera
• Windows: a loose or disconnected external USB camera
• Windows: a blocked lens or faulty camera hardware

Step-by-Step Solutions

Follow the steps marked for your laptop, Windows or Chromebook, and test your camera after each one. The restart step applies to both.

1. 1

   Step 1: Windows: check the camera switch and lens

   Some laptops have a physical switch or button that turns the camera on or off.

   When the camera switch is off, your laptop may not recognize that there’s a camera installed, or the camera may show an image of a camera with a slash through it. If your laptop has a switch or button, make sure it’s in the on position.

   These switches may not be easy to find, so check all possible places. Also make sure the camera lens is clean and not blocked.

   • A button on the keyboard that’s activated with the Fn key
   • A dedicated camera button on the keyboard
   • A sliding switch on the side of the laptop
   • A small slider for a shutter, built right into the camera
2. 2

   Step 2: Restart your laptop

   Microsoft and Google both suggest restarting when the camera stops working.

   On Windows, if you haven’t restarted since the camera stopped working, select Start, then Power, then Restart. Waking up your laptop from sleep isn’t the same thing as a restart.

   On a Chromebook, turn off your Chromebook, then turn it back on.

3. 3

   Step 3: Windows: allow apps to use the camera

   In newer versions of Windows 11, some apps won’t have access to the camera by default.

   Select Start, then Settings, Privacy & security, then Camera. Make sure Camera access is turned on, then make sure Let apps access your camera is turned on and choose which apps should have access. Only apps installed from the Microsoft Store appear in this list.

   For an app you didn’t install from the Microsoft Store, make sure Let desktop apps access your camera is turned on. Internet browsers, like Microsoft Edge, and many video conferencing apps, like Microsoft Teams, are desktop apps that need this setting turned on.

   Good to know

   If Camera access is turned off and greyed out, an administrator on the laptop needs to turn it on for you.

4. 4

   Step 4: Test the camera in another app

   Trying a different app shows whether the problem is with one app, and another app using the camera can cause conflicts.

   On Windows, select Start, then Camera, and see if the preview works. If you’re asked to allow access to the Camera, select Yes. If the camera works in one app but not another, the issue lies with the app settings.

   On Windows, also shut down any background apps that could be using the camera. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager, then right-click any app using the camera and select End Task.

   On a Chromebook, try to use the camera in another app, like Google Meet. You can also select Launcher in the corner of your screen and open Camera.

5. 5

   Step 5: Check the camera permission for websites in Chrome

   If you use video calls in Chrome, a site you haven’t allowed may not be able to use your camera.

   Some sites won’t work if you don’t allow them. For example, you won’t be able to join a video call.

   In Chrome, at the top right, select More, then Settings. Select Privacy and security, then Site settings. Under “Permissions,” select Camera. To allow a blocked site, under “Not allowed to use your camera or microphone,” select the site’s name and change the camera permission to “Allow.”

   On the same page, select the Down arrow to choose a default camera or switch to a different one. Then exit the video call, rejoin it, and restart Chrome.

   Good to know

   If you use Chrome at work or school, your network administrator can set camera settings, and you may not be able to change them.

6. 6

   Step 6: Check an external USB webcam

   A loose or disconnected cable can stop an external camera from being detected.

   If you use an external camera, make sure it’s securely connected to the USB port and check for any loose cords or cables. If it still doesn’t work, try a different USB port on your laptop.

   To rule out a hardware issue, test the camera on a different device.

7. 7

   Step 7: Windows: run the camera troubleshooter and check for updates

   The camera troubleshooter might fix camera problems automatically, and updates can include camera drivers.

   On Windows 11, you can start with the automated camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app. You can also select Start, then Settings, System. Scroll down and select Troubleshoot, then Other troubleshooters. Find the Camera section and select Run.

   To check for updates, select Start, then Settings, Windows Update, then Check for updates. If there are no updates for your camera, select Advanced options, then Optional updates, and look for any driver updates for your camera. Allow available updates to install, then restart your laptop when it’s ready.

8. 8

   Step 8: Windows: check the camera in Device Manager

   When Windows can’t recognize the camera, the cause is most commonly a camera driver problem.

   Select Start, type device manager, then select it from the search results. Find your camera under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers. If you can’t find it, select the Action menu, then Scan for hardware changes. Wait for the scan to finish, restart your laptop, then test the camera in the Camera app.

   If the camera is disabled, right-click it and you’ll see an Enable device option. If you see Disable device instead, the camera is already enabled.

   To update the driver, right-click your camera, select Update driver, then select Search automatically for drivers. Windows searches online for the latest driver and installs it if one is available.

   If the camera stopped working after an update, right-click your camera, select Properties, select the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, then choose Yes. Some drivers don’t provide this option. After the roll back is complete, restart your laptop and try the Camera app again.

9. 9

   Step 9: Windows: check your antivirus software

   Some antivirus programs or firewalls might block camera access.

   If you use antivirus software or a firewall, look for its settings that might block camera access. For help, visit your antivirus software company’s website. Also update your antivirus software.

10. 10

    Step 10: Chromebook: reset it as a last step

    If the camera still doesn’t work after the earlier steps, Google suggests resetting your Chromebook.

    A factory reset erases all user data on your Chromebook’s hard drive, including your settings, apps and files and everything in the Downloads folder. Before you reset, sync your information and settings to your Google Account and back up your files on Google Drive or an external hard drive.

    To reset, sign out of your Chromebook, then press and hold Ctrl + Alt + Shift + r. Select Restart. In the box that appears, select Powerwash, then Continue. Follow the steps that appear and sign in with your Google Account.

    Good to know

    If you use your Chromebook at work or school, you can’t reset it.

Frequently Asked Questions