How to Fix a Camera Not Working on Windows 11

Imagine getting ready for your video call and realizing that the camera on your Windows 11 computer isn't working. Although Windows 11 is pretty good at automatically detecting and configuring cameras, it can occasionally run into problems and errors. Fortunately, fixing these kinds of camera issues isn't too hard in Windows.

There can be several reasons why your camera stops working on your Windows 11 PC, ranging from compatibility issues to damaged or faulty drivers. In some cases, missing camera permissions can also cause these kinds of problems. Whatever the cause, this guide will walk you through every possible fix for a webcam that isn't working in Windows 11. So let's take a look.

How to Fix a Windows 11 Camera Issue (2023)

Check Whether Your Webcam Is Compatible

Before moving on to any troubleshooting steps, it's a good idea to check whether your webcam is compatible with Windows 11, especially if it's an older model. You can usually find this information in the webcam's documentation or on the manufacturer's website.

Restart Your Computer

If your webcam issue is caused by a one-off glitch, restarting your computer can help. To do this, right-click the Start icon and select 'Shut down or sign out' > Restart. After your computer restarts, check whether the problem is still there.

Run the Camera Troubleshooter

Windows offers a set of troubleshooters to diagnose and fix system-related issues. In this case, running the camera troubleshooter can help. Here are the steps.

• Press Windows Key + S to open the search menu, type troubleshoot settings, and press Enter.
• Go to Other troubleshooters.
• Click the Run button next to Camera and follow the on-screen instructions to run the tool.

Check the Connection

If you're using an external webcam, make sure it's plugged in properly. You can also try switching to a different USB port to rule out a faulty port. If your PC or your external webcam has a physical on/off switch, make sure to check that too.

If reconnecting the camera doesn't help, you can try scanning your computer for hardware changes. Here's how to do that:

• Press Windows key + S to open the search menu. Type device manager into the box and press Enter.
• Click the 'Scan for hardware changes' icon at the top.

Check Your Permissions

Next, you should review your app permissions in Windows and make sure the app you're trying to use is allowed to access the camera. Here's how to do that.

• Press Windows key + I to launch the Settings app. On the Privacy & security tab, click Camera in the right-hand pane.
• Turn on the toggle next to Camera access.
• Make sure the app you're trying to use has camera access.

Disable Your Antivirus

Some antivirus software includes a privacy setting that blocks apps from accessing the camera in Windows. You can temporarily disable your antivirus to check for this. If that gets the camera working again, go into your antivirus settings and allow camera access from there.

Re-enable the Camera From Device Manager

Several users have reported fixing camera issues in Windows by disabling and then re-enabling the camera driver. You can try this too.

• Click the search icon on the taskbar, type device manager, and press Enter.
• Expand Cameras, right-click your webcam, and select Disable device.
• Right-click the webcam again and select Enable device.