The PC camera or the WebCam has always been a vital part of the computer, and ever since the start of the pandemic, it has almost become a necessity. The everyday prolonged use of this tiny device has been a lifesaver for countless people. As the restrictions didn’t allow people to meet or see in person, these evolutionary pieces of technology help in filling up the void.

When you think about it, WebCam’s have been so useful, not just for technology using professionals, but for literally everyone. From basic greetings with your relatives to seeking professional and legal suggestions from doctors, it truly has been a big help. With the help of webcams, people are getting done with their day-to-day meetings, school classes, exam monitoring, and whatnot. When the webcam’s not functioning, especially during these saddening times, it is extremely annoying to deal with. In this article, we discuss several ways to solve the Webcam issue you might be facing and hopefully are able to solve, not just on the brand new Windows 11, but for any other version of Windows in general.

• Why isn’t the Webcam Working?
• How to fix the Webcam which is not Working?
  • Restarting your Computer
  • Uninstallation of Camera drivers through the Device Manager
  • Check if your computer could detect the specific Camera Driver
  • Resetting the Webcam on Windows 11
  • Configuration of Webcam’s Privacy Settings in Windows 11
  • Install the Optional Updates
  • Uninstall the Latest Cumulative Updates
  • Troubleshooting Hardware Devices
• General Windows Webcam Problems

Why isn’t the Webcam Working?

There are a plethora of reasons why your camera won’t work, sometimes it just won’t start, it majorly occurs when your device faces obsoletion of camera-related drivers. Problems such as when the computer is unable to recognize the built-in camera, forcefully or manually enabled privacy issues triggering the webcam’s functionality, recently installing some updates, or new apps which might have triggered bugs on this latest Windows 11. Whatever may be the problem, by following the simple guideline you can get it fixed.

Webcam on Windows 11 might’ve stopped working because of these reasons –

• Possibility of a few missing drivers after upgrading.
• Installation of a buggy application.
• Blocking your Webcam because of an antivirus program being present.
• The privacy settings might be set by default which is preventing apps from using the Webcam.

How to fix the Webcam which is not Working?

If you happen to face troubles while using your Webcam or camera, or if it is not working efficiently, try out these suggestions, in the same order for better results, and check if you can get the problem fixed yourself on the brand new Windows 11.

1) Restarting your Computer

Any prompt change on your operating system or OS (for example installation of the new application, up-gradation of software, or up-gradation of the operating system ) can cause existing applications and programs to behave and act inappropriately. Therefore, it is advisable to restart or reboot your computer after executing any changes. Follow these steps-

• Close all currently running applications.
• Go to ‘Start’ or select keys (Alt + F4) and select the ‘Restart’ option

Your device restarts after selecting the option and when the Operating system reboots, you can check if the camera starts working successfully.

2) Uninstallation of Camera drivers through the Device Manager

Majority of the users prefer this method for fixing any of their hardware-related problems or issues. By using this method, the Webcam issue you are facing might get resolved. Follow these steps to resolve the issue –

• Select keys (Win + X) and go to the Device Manager.
• Device Manager gets launched, press “>” on the left of Camera.
• Right-clicking on the camera driver present inside shows the option – ‘Uninstall device’.

Disclaimer – While you’re at it, make sure to select the box named “Attempt to remove the driver for this device”.

• Head to the ‘Action tab’ placed next to the Device Manager and select “Scan for hardware changes”.
• Your Webcam should start running properly when you’re done scanning.

Do Check: How to download and Install Windows 11

3) Check if your computer could detect the specific Camera Driver

Before doing any workaround, it is better to confirm if your personal computer is detecting the installed camera or not. If it is unable to detect, there is no point in trying out any solution, as any camera is not present or installed for the device.

To check if your computer is detecting the ‘relevant camera driver’ on the new Windows 11 –

• Press keys (Win + X) and select the ‘Run’ option.
• Once the Run dialog appears, type out “devmgmt.msc”, and press ‘OK’.
• When the Device Manager pops up, select the ‘Camera’ option by expanding.
• Inside the Camera option, check whether you are able to find any of the relevant Webcam drivers or not.
• If you are unable to find any camera drivers, head to the ‘Action tab’, and Scan your PC for hardware changes.
• The Device Manager will reboot all its data and you might be able to find the camera driver enlisted in the option.
• If the situation still arises where the drivers are not visible even after scanning the computer for hardware changes, it is recommended to restart the entire device again.

Note – If you happen to use any webcam via USB cables,  try reconnecting the cables, or look for any damages on the connecting cable. You may even try out changing the connecting ports and for ensuring if the USB ports are working.

If the problem continues to persist, head to your system manufacturer’s website, and download the Camera driver, and install it on your PC. By doing this, you might be able to bring back the camera drivers back on the device manager.

The issue might remain unsolved if the camera itself has been corrupted or damaged physically or internally. In this situation, the only option which is left is to get your webcam replaced or repaired externally.

4) Resetting the Webcam on Windows 11

When the camera app is reset, it often repairs the issues that were arisen that prevented it from running.But the catch is, your system should be able to locate the camera driver and resolve it. These are the steps on how to reset the Webcam on Windows 11 –

• Click the Windows Start icon and select the ‘Apps & Features’.
• You can also go to the same location by following –

Settings >> Apps >> Apps & Features

• Find and select the Camera app.
• After it opens, select ‘Advanced options’.
• Later on the settings page, locate and click the ‘Reset’ option.
• Make sure you restart your device to bring the changes into effect.

5)Configuration of Webcam’s privacy settings in Windows 11

When you set-up your PC, just like several other users, you might’ve opted-in for disabling privacy. This restricts several applications from accessing the Camera. Even when you haven’t disabled this specific option, it’s better to get it checked again as Microsoft themselves sometimes disables it on the user’s behalf as a safety precaution. They also do this in order to improve the overall functionality of the new Windows 11 Operating System. Follow these steps to check and probably re-configure the settings–

• Select (WinKey + I) **in-order to go to settings.
• Select the ‘Privacy & Security’ present on the left.
• Now, you enable “Camera access” along with the “Let apps access your camera” toggle switches.
• By scrolling down on this specific page, find the program or application on which you want the camera access. If it is found disabled, you shall enable it.
• Restarting your PC to make your changes visible and see if it resolves the camera issue.

6) Install the Optional Updates

Even though you can see the update drivers present on the Device Manager, it doesn’t work as you want it to. It is mainly because Microsoft has started providing relevant and consistent updates through the Windows Update Section. It is better to check if there are pending “Optional Updates”  for the device. Follow these steps to install the optional updates on the PC –

• Click the start button and select ‘Settings’.
• Choose the Windows update option available on the left side of the Settings page.
• When you move to the right side, ‘Check for updates’.
• The computer will then help you connect to Microsoft’s server and look for any updates which are pending, online.
• If the server does find any pending driver updates, it will appear under the ‘Optional updates’.
• Click on the Optional Updates and mark the checkbox for all the available driver updates and install them.

When the installation of all the updates gets completed, a notification appears on the taskbar which prompts you to reboot the computer. Go ahead and restart the PC.

7) Uninstall the Latest Cumulative Updates

The Webcam might’ve stopped working because of the latest software installed. If you are aware of any such installed software on your computer, try undoing or uninstalling them.

• Uninstall the recently added programs –

Head to the Settings >> To the Apps >>Select Apps & Features.

Move down and locate the recently added or installed applications. Right-Click on it and select the ‘Uninstall’ option.

• Uninstall recently added cumulative updates –

Go to the Control Panel >> Select ‘Programs >> Programs and Features >> Installed Updates. Select the recently installed updates and press ‘Uninstall’ via the context menu.

See More:

• Remove Printer Driver on Windows 11
• Align Windows 11 Icons to the Left

8) Troubleshooting Hardware Devices

If the solutions are unable to fix the Webcam issues on windows 11,  There are chances of some major hardware issues on the computer. Microsoft has included a pivotal tool for such issues that is a troubleshooter named “Hardware and Devices”.

When you run this tool, you will be able to diagnose and identify the hardware issues present on the computer. While you scan, it will also help to search for alternative options that might fix the problems discovered. This is how you initiate the hardware check –

• Press the (WinKey + R) to Run the dialog.
• Copy and paste the code when the dialog opens, and press Enter –

“msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic”

• The device troubleshooter and Hardware window appear next.
• Click the ‘Next’ option, where it starts scanning for any hardware problems on your PC.
• If the option says “Apply this fix“, select ‘Yes’ for the same.
• Restart the computer to apply fixes.

General Windows Webcam Problems

If your Webcam still isn’t working, you should try checking out what happens when you switch on the device. You might get some issues or error messages. If you read the description provided next to the error, it might be due to some other application that is currently using the same hardware. By closing the other application, you might be able to use it again.

Let us know in the comments if you still are not able to fix your Webcam. We are free of queries and suggestions!