This will help you determine if the problem is software or hardware based. If the camera is working, but your chosen app still doesn’t work, then you may need to try an alternative. Make sure that only the app you’re trying to use is open and has access to the camera feed before you begin. If you have two open apps attempting to use the camera, you may find that the camera feed is blocked in one of them. That isn’t always the case, however, with unknown bugs and app conflicts sometimes preventing you from using your camera. Most users will find that when a camera is detected and working in the built-in Windows 10 camera app, it should be accessible in any other camera or web calling app you have installed. Close Other Camera Apps and Try Alternatives
You’ll need to enable browser access to your camera if this is the case. To begin, right-click the Start menu and select the Settings option.Ĭertain apps, like your web browser, can also be configured to block camera access for extra privacy.You can configure these settings and enable camera access in the Windows Settings menu. If these settings are active, however, you might not be able to use your camera in third-party apps or services (or with other Microsoft apps). Thankfully, Microsoft is a step ahead, introducing easy-to-use privacy settings to block unnecessary camera and microphone usage in Windows 10. It’s important to protect your privacy, especially when it comes to your camera and microphone feeds. Configure Windows Camera Privacy Settings Other privacy settings are available in Windows 10, however, so you’ll need to investigate these next. If there is an obstacle or sticker in place, remove it.Īs long as the obstacle is the only thing stopping your camera feed from appearing, this should resolve the issue. There isn’t a way to check this without visually inspecting the lens itself-the camera feed in your camera or calling app will simply appear black.