Camera not working on Windows 10? Here's the fix.

Isn't the webcam working on your device? Use these steps to troubleshoot and quickly fix the problem on Windows 10.

Although, Windows 10 can detect and configure most cameras automatically, sometimes the peripheral may suddenly stop working because of a driver, system update, privacy setting, or hardware related problem.

Whatever the reason it might be, if you're experiencing issues with a built-in or USB webcam when you're trying to connect with family or colleagues — if you work from home— you can use Device Manager, Settings, and third-party security software to fix most common problems.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through many troubleshooting steps to fix problems with a built-in or USB camera.

• How to fix camera detection on Windows 10
• How to allow apps access to camera using Privacy settings
• How to update camera driver using Device Manager
• How to rollback camera driver using Device Manager
• How to reinstall camera driver using Device Manager
• How to fix apps camera access using antivirus

How to fix camera detection on Windows 10

To check whether Windows 10 is detecting the peripheral, connect the camera to the computer (if this isn't a built-in webcam), and use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the Imaging devices, Cameras, or Sound, video, and game controllers branch.

4. Confirm the camera is getting detected by Windows 10.

5. (Optional) If the camera isn't available, click on Actions from the top menu.

6. Click the Scan for hardware changes option.

Once you complete the steps, if the system doesn't detect the camera, disconnect the peripheral, restart your computer, connect the camera again, and follow the above steps one more time. If possible, you can also try a different USB port to confirm it's not a problem with the port.

In the case that the camera still not working, try connecting it to another computer to confirm there isn't a hardware problem.

If there's a physical problem with the camera and a replacement is needed, or you're ready for an upgrade, we commended the Logitech BRIO webcam because of its 4K resolution and HDR support as well as for its compatibility for Windows Hello authentication support.

Our pick

Logitech BRIO

$350 at Amazon$200 at Best Buy

If you're in the market for the best webcam, the Logitech BRIO is the one for you. It was the first camera to include support for 4K video, and it has some pretty neat features, such as background replacement option and support for Windows Hello security for Windows 10.

How to allow apps access to camera using Privacy settings

Windows 10 can block apps (such as Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) access to the device microphone and camera automatically to protect your privacy. If the camera is configured correctly, but it's not working with a particular app, then you should check the privacy settings.

To allow apps to access the webcam on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Camera.
4. Under the "Allow access to the camera on this device" section, click the Change button.
5. Turn on the Camera access for this device toggle switch.

6. Turn on the Allow apps to access your camera toggle switch.

7. Under the "Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera" section, turn on the toggle switch for the apps that you want to allow access. For example, Camera, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc.

After you complete the steps, the app should start working with your webcam.

The above steps are meant to allow access to camera access for apps that you download from the Microsoft Store. If you're dealing with a classic desktop application, make sure to turn on the Allow desktop apps to access your camera toggle switch.

How to update camera driver using Device Manager

If the camera stops working after installing a new version of Windows 10 (such as November 2019 Update) or another system update, there's a chance that you're using a version of the camera driver that's causing compatibility problems.

To update the camera driver to fix problems on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the Imaging devices, Cameras, or Sound, video, and game controllers branch.

4. Right-click the webcam and select the Update driver option.

5. Click the Search automatically for updated driver software button.

Once you complete the steps, if a newer update is available, Device Manager will download and install the package automatically similar to Windows Update.

In the case that Windows Update doesn't find a new version, you may need to check your manufacturer support website to download and install a newer driver using their instructions.

As a last resort, you can also use the steps below to remove a recent update to get the camera working as quickly as possible.

Removing quality update of Windows 10

If the problem with webcam started after applying a cumulative update, you could remove update to fix the problem with these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.

4. Click on View update history.

5. Click the Uninstall updates option.

6. Select the most recent update and click the Uninstall button.

7. Click the Yes button.

After you complete the steps, the problematic update will be removed from your device, restoring the camera to its working condition.

Rolling backup previous version of Windows 10

If the camera stops working after installing a feature update, you can roll back to a previous version of Windows 10 using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.

5. Check any of the reasons available.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the No, thanks button.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will roll back to the previous version when the webcam was working correctly.

How to rollback camera driver using Device Manager

Sometimes driver updates can roll out with bugs or compatibility issues. If the webcam was working before a recent driver update, rolling back to the previous version can fix the problem.

To roll back to the previous version of the camera driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the Imaging devices, Cameras, or Sound, video, and game controllers branch.

4. Right-click the webcam and select the Properties option.

5. Click on the Driver tab.

6. Click the Roll Back Driver button.

7. Select one of the reasons you're rolling back.

8. Click the Yes button.

9. Click the Yes button again.
10. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, the webcam should start working again using the older version of the driver. Using this process will also prevent Windows Update from reinstalling the same camera driver again, but in future updates, a newer version of the driver could download automatically.

How to reinstall camera driver using Device Manager

In the case that the camera stops working because of a configuration problem or the driver is damaged, reinstalling the peripheral using Device Manager may resolve the issue.

To uninstall and install the camera driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the Imaging devices, Cameras, or Sound, video, and game controllers branch.

4. Right-click the webcam and select the Uninstall driver option.

5. Click the Uninstall button.

   Quick tip: You can also check the Delete the driver software for this device option to force the system to re-download the camera driver from Windows Update. However, if the driver isn't listed on Windows Update, you'll need to download the controllers from your manufacturer support website.

6. Click on Actions.

7. Click the Scan for hardware changes option.

Once you complete the steps, try to use the camera with an app, and it should work as expected.

How to fix apps camera access using antivirus

Third-party security solutions, such as antivirus, can also block access to the camera as part of the privacy settings.

For instance, if you're using Kaspersky, you may need to use these steps to allow apps to access the camera:

1. Open Kaspersky.

2. Click on Privacy Protection.

3. Turn off the Webcam Protection toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, you should now be able to use the camera with any app on Windows 10.

If you suspect a third-party antivirus is blocking access to the webcam, then you may need to check the manufacturer support website for specific details on how to allow apps access to the device.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central