HP PCs - Troubleshoot the webcam (Windows 11 and Windows 10) (2023)

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Use these steps to troubleshoot and repair your webcam.

Note:

Depending on your version of Windows, some graphics and information in this document might vary. You can get the latest version from the Microsoft Store.

Certain HP notebooks, monitors, and All-in-One computers come with built-in webcams that you can use to capture video motion or still images. A webcam is a video input device, similar to a scanner or camera, and requires software to function. The two most common types of software that use webcams are internet messaging software (for making video calls over the internet), and video editing software (for creating and sharing video files).

Locate and toggle the webcam privacy switch or press the webcam shutter key

Select HP notebook models come with a webcam privacy switch or a webcam shutter key that turns the webcam off and on. By default, the webcam is turned on. You might need to turn the webcam on if it has been turned off.

Note:

Your HP notebook might also have a webcam privacy cover. Slide the cover right to uncover the webcam.

Locate and use the webcam privacy switch

The webcam privacy switch is located on either the right or left side of your computer or next to the camera. To turn off your webcam, slide the webcam privacy switch toward the icon next to the switch. To turn the webcam back on, slide the switch away from the icon.

Locate and use the webcam shutter key

The webcam shutter key is located on the action key row of your keyboard. To turn off your webcam, press the webcam shutter key. To turn the webcam back on, press the shutter key again. On some computers, you might need to simultaneously press the fn key and the action key.

Webcam shutter key light
Webcam shutter LED	Webcam status
	Light on: The webcam is off.
	Light off: The webcam is on.

Find and use the webcam software that came with your computer

If your computer came with a built-in webcam, you can use the Camera app to record and share webcam video. The Camera app comes preinstalled on Windows computers. It is also available to download for free in the Microsoft Store.

In the search box on the taskbar, search for and open Camera.

If you can see an image, then you are finished. Your webcam is working.
If you cannot see an image in the main display window, restart the computer, and then try again. If the problem persists, see Video is not displayed in your webcam software (such as Zoom, Skype, Messenger, and so on).

Resolve specific issues with your webcam

If you are experiencing one of the following issues, use the procedure to attempt to resolve that issue.

Video is not displayed in your webcam software (such as Zoom, Skype, Messenger, and so on)

You can open webcam software, such as YouCam, Skype, or Zoom, but video is not displayed in the main viewing window. To repair this problem, make sure that the webcam is the selected device, uninstall and reinstall software, test your webcam, and then update the webcam drivers.

Note:

Make sure that other programs or applications that use the webcam are completely closed or not in use.

Note:

The webcam might be associated with another software program or not responding. Often, simply restarting the computer can correct the problem. Restart the computer, and then open your webcam software as soon as Windows finishes loading.

Verify that your app can use the webcam

Use the procedure for your operating system to make sure that your app can use the webcam.

Verify that your app can use the webcam (Windows 11)

Use these steps to make sure that your app can access your webcam.

Note:

You might need to adjust your firewall settings to include the webcam software as an allowed application. See your antivirus software documentation for more information.

Right-click the Start button, and then click Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
Make sure that the setting in the Camera access section is set to On.
Under Let apps access your camera, select On for the apps that you want to have access to the webcam.

Verify that your app can use the webcam (Windows 10)

Use these steps to make sure that your app can access your webcam.

Note:

You might need to adjust your firewall settings to include the webcam software as an allowed application. See your antivirus software documentation for more information.

Make sure that the webcam is the selected video/capture device for your webcam software

Your webcam must be selected as the video capture device in your webcam software. If the computer has multiple video input sources, your webcam software might be connected to something other than your webcam.

To select the webcam as your video source, open your webcam software and look for video camera, video source, or video caption in the software properties or preferences.

Note:

The name of your webcam might display as USB Video Device, HP Webcam, HP 4K Webcam, HP HD Camera, USB 2.0 Camera, HP Pavilion Webcam, or similar. If you do not know the name, select video device names until you see the video from your webcam display in the window.

For instructions, see the support documentation for your webcam software.

Zoom: Zoom Room camera controls (in English)
Teams: Manage your call settings in Teams (in English)
Skype: How do I change audio and video settings in Skype? (in English)

Uninstall and reinstall webcam software

Your webcam software, such as Zoom, Teams, or Skype, might need to be reinstalled to repair a software or hardware conflict.

In Windows, search for and open Add or remove software.
Select your webcam software, and then click Uninstall.
Go to the webcam software website to install the latest version of the software.

Update or change the webcam driver

Some software applications might require updated drivers for your webcam to display video or they might need a more basic driver. Use the following procedures to update your webcam.

Update the PC with HP Support Assistant

Use HP Support Assistant to find and install updates, including BIOS updates, for your computer with Windows.

In Windows, search for and open HP Support Assistant, or click the app icon in the taskbar.

If the app is not installed on your computer, download the latest version from the HP Support Assistant website.
On the My Dashboard tab, find your computer, and then click Updates.
Wait while HP Support Assistant analyzes the system.
After the analysis completes, select the listed updates, download and install the updates, and then follow any on-screen instructions.
If prompted, restart the computer, and then close the tool.

Find driver updates on the HP website

Learn how to find driver updates on the HP website.

HP provides many free software and driver downloads.

Note:

For devices with Windows 10 in S mode, you can only get drivers through Windows Update. Go to HP PCs - Frequently Asked Questions about Windows 10 in S Mode for more information.

Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.
If a Let's identify your product to get started page opens, click Laptop or Desktop.
Type the model name for your computer in the Or, enter your serial number field, and then click Submit. For example, type Pavilion HPE h8-1360t Desktop, and then click Submit.
If a Matching products webpage opens, select your model number from the list.
The software results page for your computer displays with the default operating system selected. If you need to change the operating system, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.

Note:
If the operating system you want is not on the list, HP does not have drivers for that operating system. Use a different method to download software and drivers.
From the list of available software and driver categories, click the category name, and then click Download.

CAUTION:
Sometimes there is more than one download available for a component, such as several DVD firmware updates. If this happens, identify the component installed in your computer, and then download the appropriate file. To find the name of a component, search for and open Device Manager. Find the component, and then expand the category (for example, DVD/CD ROM drives). The category lists the component’s original manufacturer name.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the software or driver.

Run Windows Update

Update your Windows 11 or Windows 10 computer using Windows Update.

In Windows, search for and open Check for updates.
If there are any available updates, they begin automatically.
Note:
To download and install optional updates, use the following instructions for your operating system:
- In Windows 11, select Advanced options > Optional updates, select the updates that you want to install, and then click Download & install.
- In Windows 10, select View all optional updates, select the updates that you want to install, and then click Download and install.
After the updates install, restart your computer when prompted.

Update specific drivers in Device Manager

If a specific hardware component (such as the touchpad, video display, or keyboard) is not working correctly, or is missing functionality, update the component driver in Device Manager.

In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
In the list of devices, expand the device that you want to update.
Right-click the device, and then click Update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer to complete the installation.

Uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes

You might need to uninstall your camera driver and scan for hardware changes to successfully update your camera's current driver.

In Device Manager, right-click your camera, and then select Properties.
Select the Driver tab, and then select Uninstall Device.
Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box, and then select Uninstall.
In Device Manager, click Action, and then select Scan for hardware changes.
Wait for Device Manager to scan and reinstall updated drivers, and then restart your computer.
Open the Camera app to test the camera.

If you are using an external camera and it still does not work, search for help on the camera manufacturer's website.

Switch to the UVC driver

Most available USB webcams are UVC-compatible cameras. This is the standard USB video class. These cameras use the standard UVC driver that is included in Windows. If your webcam is not working correctly, switching to the UVC driver might resolve the issue.

Note:

The UVC driver might not support all the features of your camera. For example, Windows Hello face recognition might no longer work if it was supported by the camera manufacturer's driver using custom USB extensions that are not supported by the UVC driver.

Sign in as an administrator.
Search for and open Device Manager.
Right-click your camera, and then select Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Select USB Video Device, and then select Next to complete the driver update.
Select Close to return to Device Manager.

Webcam is not listed in Device Manager

The drivers for the Imaging devices, which include the webcam, are not displayed in the Device Manager. To resolve this problem, use the following steps.

Restart your computer. If the problem persists, continue these steps.
In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
If there is no Imaging devices category listed, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
If Device Manager does not recognize the webcam after the scan and the camera worked previously, use Microsoft System Restore to go back to a time when the webcam was working properly. Go to HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore for more information.

If the problem persists, the webcam might have become unplugged internally, and the computer might require service to correct the issue. Verify that the webcam privacy switch or webcam shutter key has not disabled the webcam, and then run the Webcam Connection Test in HP PC Hardware Diagnostics. See HP PCs - Testing for hardware failures in Windows 10.

Webcam stops working after an update

Sometimes, a webcam that was working in one of the preinstalled programs suddenly stops working after installing Windows updates or after installing a recommended update your webcam software. To resolve this issue, reinstall the original HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device driver.

In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
Double-click Imaging devices to expand the list of webcam drivers.
If the HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device is listed, right-click the driver and select Update Driver Software and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer, and open your webcam software to see if the problem is resolved.

If the problem persists, use HP PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore to go back to a time when the webcam was working properly.

Webcam does not work after installing other webcam programs

Installing multiple webcam drivers and programs might cause conflicts.

If you are using more than one software program to use your webcam, such as one program for instant messaging and one for saving videos, make sure that only one program is open when using the webcam. Do not attempt to open both programs at the same time, and close your webcam software when you are done. It is a good idea to wait 5 to 10 seconds after closing one webcam software before opening another webcam software program.

Restarting the computer can resolve most software conflicts. If problems persist, uninstall one of the webcam software applications, and reinstall the software that you want to use.

Webcam image quality problems

The webcam works, but the image is too dark or the video is choppy.

If the image is too dark, take the following actions:

Make sure that your video recording environment has good lighting.
Change the image quality, brightness, contrast, and make other adjustments in the webcam software.

To resolve problems with choppy playback, take the following actions:

Reduce the size of the video image in the webcam software.
Use a high-speed internet connection.
Do not use other high-speed USB devices while using the webcam.

Reinstall the original webcam software that came with your computer

If your computer came with a built-in webcam, Microsoft and HP both provide software that you can use with your webcam. If this software program is removed, you can reinstall it.

Depending on the webcam software that came with your computer, you might be able to download the software from the Microsoft Store, HP, or the manufacturer's website.

Note:

If the operating system on your computer was upgraded, these steps do not work. Instead, go directly to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page or the software manufacturer’s website.

Check the Microsoft Store. Many of the apps that came preinstalled on your computer are available to download for free in the Microsoft Store app.
Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page. If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, select your computer type, type the model name of your computer, and then click Submit. From the list of available software and driver categories, find HP Webcam Control Center, click the category name, and then click Download.
Go to the software manufacturer's website.

Disable the webcam

To disable the webcam so that it cannot be used, disable the device in Device Manager.

Unplug any external USB devices.
In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
Click the plus sign next to Imaging devices.
Right-click the name of the webcam and select Disable.
Click Yes to confirm.
To make sure that your webcam was disabled, open the Camera app from the Start Menu. You should see the words Connect a camera displayed on-screen. If the webcam is still producing video in the Camera app, the wrong device was disabled, and you need to repeat these steps to disable the device name associated with your webcam.

Note:
To re-enable the webcam, repeat these steps, but select Enable instead of Disable.

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