What to do if the webcam does not work on the laptop. Troubleshoot webcam problems on laptop. Turn on the webcam from the keyboard

The problem that has arisen with the fact that the camera does not work on a laptop must be solved by every person. This breakdown does not allow you to communicate with the video through special programs, and therefore you should find its cause. The article discusses the most famous causes of difficulties and ways to eliminate them.

Special applications

If the camera on the laptop does not work, then this does not necessarily indicate a breakdown in the user's device. Perhaps it is just turned off by default and needs to be activated. On laptops of most models, manufacturers install a special utility that is responsible for controlling the camera. For example, EasyCapture or HP Camera in Lenovo and HP. You can find it by searching in the Start menu to save time. Open the program and take a close look at all the functions. There is a possibility that the performance is simply disabled there. In this case, the solution is the simplest, and there is no need to look for other probabilities.

Ways to turn on the camera more easily

The fact that the camera is not working on a laptop may not be the user's fault. There is a high probability that it was simply disabled by a special key combination on the keyboard. In laptops, this is a known problem that many people face. If, together with the Fn key, you press another button, which is responsible for interacting with the camera, then a shutdown will occur. At first glance, it will not be possible to distinguish a breakdown from a shutdown, therefore, you should initially try the simplest options. In devices of the "Asus" company, the usual one with the function enable key, "V" is responsible for connecting the video. Many manufacturers create interactions with F1-10 buttons. You can find the correct button by looking at the camera icon. If the camera continues to not work on the laptop, Windows should be restarted. When this does not help, then you should look for a solution in other directions. The next step is to check the software.

Working with drivers

It often happens that updating the operating system on some gadgets installs the wrong drivers. These files cause some parts of the laptop to malfunction or shut down altogether. This probability is worth checking if the camera on the laptop does not work. To do this, open the Start menu and look for the Device Manager utility. A window will open with a description of all the details of the laptop. Look for the column that will be responsible for the camera, usually by the name you can understand what exactly you need. Double click on the line with the name of the device and go to the insert with the description "driver". There, pay attention to the function in the row on the right, the fourth in a row. If it says "Enable", then the problem with the inoperability was in the settings. This can be done on operating systems with version 7 and higher. On older software, the solution will have to be found in a different way.

Downloading the correct software

You can understand why the camera on a laptop does not work in another way in the "Device Manager". When the user finds a column with a camera, then you need to pay attention to whether there is an exclamation mark opposite it. Its presence means that the drivers are missing or the wrong software is installed. To fix this problem, you should first determine the brand of your laptop, and then proceed to the manufacturer's official website. They regularly post drivers for different devices so that customers can keep their equipment in working order. Such resources have a separate page where the software is collected. You just need to find the files you need among the total and upload them to yourself. After that, all that remains is to complete the installation on the computer, which will take a maximum of several minutes. Next, perform a new check that will allow you to determine the state of the camera. If nothing has changed, then it remains to go to the last point.

Other probabilities

The problem with the fact that the webcam on a laptop does not work can be local and only make itself felt in some programs. You should check this using the example of the most popular Skype utility for conversations on the network. In the main window, open the "tools" column and go to the program settings. There you can select an existing camera and check its functionality. If the result in a given program is the same, then the problem lies deeper and is hidden in the hardware. The most common causes of this kind can be damage to the loop or the camera module. Without some knowledge, it will be too difficult to identify such problems. There is a risk of worsening the situation, and therefore it is recommended to contact specialized services. For a small price, such a breakdown can be easily eliminated by the master.

User question

Good afternoon.

Tell me how to make the webcam work. It seems that the driver has already downloaded, reinstalled it 10 times - but it still does not work (it only shows a black screen). What else could be the case?

Good day!

Yes, today's Internet, no one is surprised by streaming video, webcams, etc. In general, in general, there are not so many problems with webcams, and by following a simple series of steps, you can eliminate the cause of its inoperability (unless, of course, it is related to the hardware component - after all, your webcam could simply break).

Why the webcam might not work

1) The camera is simply not active ...

By default, the webcam in the laptop is always on and powered (it's just not active in real time - you don't always need a camera, but only when talking on the Internet, or when recording video).

And for it to start taking pictures, you just need to launch some application that uses it.

For example, in Windows 10 - such a program "Camera". It is in the START menu.

If you have Windows 7/8, then some problem may arise. they have no built-in webcam core software. In this case, you can use Skype or Media Player Classic(which is present in every set of codecs).

Addition! On where to download the normal Media Player Classic -

Using Media Player Classic as an example, I'll show you how to open a picture from a webcam in it (relevant for all versions of Windows).

After installing the program, go to its settings: "View / settings" ... In the "Capture" section, in the "Video" column, indicate your camera, in the audio - microphone, and in the country - "Russia" (it should look like mine on the screenshot below).

If everything is in order with the camera, an image should be displayed in the player window.

2) Drivers are not installed

If the picture from the webcam is not transmitted, then very often the reason for this is the driver (more precisely, their absence). To see if a driver is installed on the system, open device Manager (press the combination Win + Pause and in the menu on the left you will see a link to launch it).

In Device Manager, look at the tabs "Cameras" and "Other devices" .

If the driver is installed, then in the "Cameras" tab - the model of your device should be displayed, if there is no driver - then in the "Other devices" you will see a mark with a yellow exclamation mark on some "Integrated WebCam"(see the pictorial screenshot below).

Device Manager - check if there is a driver on the webcam

To update the driver, you can try using the Windows function: right-click on "Camera" and select from the menu that appears.

3) It is disabled in Device Manager or Windows Control Panel

It is also worth noting that in addition to the lack of a driver, the camera can simply be disabled in the device manager. Pay attention to the icon: is there an arrow on it?

If you have Windows 10, then open the START menu and go to the settings section.

In chapter "Confidentiality" open the tab "Camera" and allow applications to use the hardware.

By the way, note that at the bottom of the window you can set applications for each separately, which can use the camera, and which cannot.

4) Check the spec. laptop control centers, antivirus.

And there is one more thing that can affect the operation of the webcam ...

Some laptops have control centers (included with the drivers). They allow you to adjust the power supply of the laptop, adjust its monitor (brightness, contrast, etc.), fine-tune the keyboard and touchpad in detail.

Often in such centers there are also privacy (security) settings in which there may be restrictions on the use of a microphone and a camera. I recommend checking this point.

By the way, some antiviruses can also block the transmission of images from the camera, fearing that the attacker's application will be able to gain control over it (which means it will receive confidential information about you). Try disabling your antivirus for a while.

PS

Alternative not obvious reasons

1) Check is the camera sealed with tape or some kind of sticker. I have noticed such a "trick" with some laptop users - people are afraid that hackers (or tracking software) will be able to take pictures of their personal lives and just in case they glue the camera. Naturally, in this case, except for a black screen, the camera will not show anything ...

2) Is the webcam busy by another application? It's just that if you run two applications at the same time that "want" to use the camera, then perhaps nothing will be shown in one of them. Try restarting your PC (previewing and turning off all unnecessary), and use only one software to view video from the camera.

3) Meanwhile, when you start the program for displaying video from a webcam, and when you see the picture on the computer screen, it may take 10-15 seconds. ! Those. there is a definite pause. It's just that many users, having started the program and not seeing the image after 2-3 seconds. - believe that it does not work and are looking for the "cause" of the problem (which does not exist!).

4) If all of the above did not help, maybe your camera is just broken(hardware reason). I would recommend that you buy an inexpensive external webcam (plugged into a USB port) from a Chinese store (for example). If you catch a stock (+ use cashback), you can spend mere trifles ...

Additions on the topic are welcome ...

That's all for now.

Most modern laptops have built-in webcams. This is very convenient, especially if the laptop owner uses such common programs as Instagram and Skype. When buying a laptop with all the drivers installed, we are sure that the camera should work without problems, but there are situations when the software is not fully installed, which makes the user wonder why the webcam on the laptop does not work.

All kinds of problems

Very often, problems with webcams on laptops are due to various software glitches. There are only two solutions to this difficult problem: call a specialist or do everything yourself. Specifically, talking about a certain failure is simply stupid, because anything can happen to a laptop. If your laptop webcam stops working, the best way to solve this problem may be just to reset your device to the factory settings. To do this, you need to find a button on the device panel (it should be smaller than the power button).

Virus

This option cannot be ruled out either, especially if an antivirus is not installed on your PC. It will be very difficult to remove the virus yourself, so you will have to seek help from various antivirus programs. Doesn't the built-in webcam work on your laptop? It could be a virus!

User error

Most often, the camera on a laptop is operational and ready to go, but it is simply not turned on, and the owner, not understanding what the problem is, starts to panic. How to check if the built-in camera is working? This can be done very simply: first of all, you need to turn on the camera by pressing the Fn button and a certain button from the F1-F12 row. Don't worry, there is a special sign on each button, we need to find a camera. Most often, the required button is hidden under the number 6 or 10 (that is, F6 or F10).

There are also models in which the camera can be turned on using a special switch located on the back of the device. If your webcam does not work on an ASUS laptop, pay attention to the back side of the PC, perhaps the necessary button is installed there.

Drivers

If the webcam does not work, it is likely that the reason for this is the lack of a driver necessary for the camera to work, which can be easily fixed. This problem is very common on newer laptops, so don't worry, everything will work. To check if the problem is in the drivers, you need to find the camera built into the PC in the list of devices. If there is a small yellow question mark next to the camera icon, you should uninstall the webcam driver, then turn off and turn on your computer, and then download and reinstall the required driver. It is better, of course, not to download the driver from the Internet, but to install it from a special software disc that should come with the laptop. If for some reason there is no disk, download the driver only from the website of your laptop manufacturer.

It is often recommended to download one of the most recent driver versions. On the one hand, this is correct, but on the other, alas, no. The new version of the driver may not be 100 percent debugged, which will cause new failures in the PC system. Taking HP laptops as an example, we can go to the official website of the manufacturer and download the necessary driver there in the event that, of course, the webcam on the HP laptop does not work or some other problems.

Software glitch

Is the camera not listed on the laptop? Then, most likely, a software failure became the cause of the breakdown. In such a situation, it is best to update the configuration of all PC hardware (for this, you must click on the appropriate button).

After these steps, the computer will detect the device, it will need to be installed, and then all the drivers for the webcam should be updated. If you have followed all these steps, and there is no result - the question why the webcam on the laptop does not work is still open, try reinstalling the system completely.

Skype problems

There is also a situation when both the drivers and the software work correctly, but the webcam itself does not function in a special program for making video calls around the world - Skype.

Once in such a situation, you first need to check the settings of the program itself, most likely, you will have to remove it, and then download and install it again. You only need to download the program from the official website!

Marriage

Very often, when a person buys a laptop, he does not even check the camera, and then discovers that his laptop webcam is not working. And then what to do? Perhaps it's not the drivers and software, but the camera itself. It may be defective, and after buying a laptop it will be simply impossible to prove it. What to do in such a situation? You can't do anything here: either buy a regular stationary webcam, or replace the built-in one at your own expense. Always check the status of your webcam when buying a laptop.

PC hardware malfunction

If you find yourself in a situation where none of the options is suitable, then the matter is still in the hardware of your personal computer. It's not worth solving the problem on your own, because you can only aggravate the situation. You will have to call a specialist or you will have to take your laptop to the service center to the masters who will try to fix this problem. It is even possible that the breakdown turns out to be much more difficult than it seemed earlier, all the more, it is not worth trying to do something on your own.

However, if you are a risky person and your laptop webcam does not work, and you want to fix everything yourself, follow the instructions below.

The device will have to be carefully disassembled, but this will need to be done so that later there are no unnecessary parts left. Find a special booklet that should come with your laptop. The maintenance manual for your laptop model will take it apart, but this is just the beginning - assembling a personal computer will be much more difficult. The most common problem due to which the webcam on a laptop does not work is the hall of a special loop. It is possible that the problem lies not in this at all, but in the connector, which may be poorly inserted - pay attention to this.

There is one very important note! If the webcam on the laptop does not work, and you have tried all the ways to turn it on and suddenly remember that your laptop is under warranty, do not disassemble it in any case, otherwise the warranty will automatically be canceled. Simply put, you simply lose the right to free warranty repairs by a service center that has signed a contract with the company. If the warranty laptop suddenly stops working, then, of course, it should be taken to the service center so that it can be repaired completely free of charge or exchanged for a brand new laptop of the same model.

Why wait? Try to repair your personal computer yourself, and if you fail, contact the service center.

Almost all modern laptops have webcams. This is very convenient when using programs and services such as Skype or Instagram. When buying a laptop with proprietary software installed, the camcorder should work immediately. However, there are situations when the required drivers are not preinstalled. There are also software glitches that interfere with the operation of certain devices. Another cause of the malfunction could be a virus or other malicious software. Finally, if the camera on the laptop does not work, the cause may be a hardware failure. In this case, you will most likely have to contact a service workshop.

What if the webcam on my laptop won't turn on?

If you find that your webcam has stopped working, then first check to see if it is turned on. Usually, a lit LED indicates the operability of the device. You can turn the camera on or off by pressing the Fn key and the second from the F1 – F12 row. Most often this is the F6 or F10 key. Usually, this key has an image of the camera. Sometimes the camera is turned on via a switch on the back of the laptop.

A common cause of a malfunction is the lack of the required driver. If the laptop is new, then a similar reason is most likely. This is also possible in the event of a software failure or reinstallation of the operating system. To check for a driver, find the camera in the device manager list. If a yellow question mark is lit next to the icon, you need to uninstall the driver, then the device itself, then restart the PC and install the driver. It is best to install the software from the disc that came with the laptop. Otherwise, it is advisable to download the program from the manufacturer's website.

It is usually recommended to download the latest version. In most cases, this is correct. However, it may be that the new program is not yet fully debugged. Then you can try to uninstall it and install the previous version, which is known to be working. When installing, be sure to check that the driver is designed specifically for your version of the operating system.

If the camera is not visible at all in the device list, the cause may be a software failure. In this case, you should update the hardware configuration by clicking on the corresponding button. When the device is found, it should be installed and the drivers updated. If these steps do not help, you can try to reinstall the system.

It happens that the drivers are installed correctly, but the webcam does not start in Skype. In such a situation, you need to check the settings of this program. You may need to reinstall it.

If the above steps do not resolve the problem, the problem is most likely a hardware problem in the hardware.

Webcam not working: hardware malfunction

In the event of a hardware malfunction, the answer to the question of why the camera on a laptop does not work is better not to try to find it yourself. In such a situation, you need to take your laptop to the SC. There your camcorder or its loop will be replaced. Perhaps the malfunction will be more complex. Then, all the more, you should not try to eliminate it yourself.

If you still want to solve the problem on your own, then you need to carefully disassemble the device according to the maintenance manual. Everything should be done very carefully, because sometimes it can be more difficult to assemble a laptop than to disassemble it! The most common cause of a malfunction is a loop in the loop. The connector may also be poorly seated.

A very important note! If the laptop is under warranty, do not disassemble it yourself! You will lose your eligibility for free warranty service. If the warranty device is out of order, immediately take it to the service center.

In laptops, there is usually no need to look for additional camera settings to work with it. But there are times when the camera just stops working for no apparent reason. There are several ways to remedy this situation.

How to turn on the camera

First, you should try to reboot the camera, or better the laptop. If this method did not help, then you can check if it is turned off. Some laptop models have separate buttons for camera control. If there are no such control buttons, then we try to use the combination of keys "V" and Fn.

The second way is to access the ESC key. If it has an image of the camera, then you should press it in combination with the Fn button. If these methods do not help to correct the situation, then you can try to study the instructions.

Why does the camera not work on a laptop

Very often, the OS has built-in applications to control this device. Any settings and parameters can be changed here. In the app options, you can find a special function to turn the equipment on or off.

If the camera suddenly stops working in a certain application, then you can try to fix it through the options of the application itself. For example, in Skype, go to the parameters and find the "video settings" function. Here we find the device and if it is disabled, then you need to check the device manager.

Checking drivers when the camera is not working

Typically, when updating the system, the drivers are installed by themselves. But it also happens that they are not compatible with this equipment. Here you can reinstall the necessary drivers through the device manager. All this is done through the "start" button. Next, we need to find the image processing and double-click the left mouse button.

The settings open and here we check this option, paying attention to the "disconnect" or "connect" button. If it says enable, then it is necessary to press this key accordingly. If during all these checks an exclamation mark is displayed, then this means only one thing - you need to reinstall the drivers. To do this, you need to seek help from an Internet search engine. There you can find detailed instructions on how to reinstall them.

It is worth noting that sometimes options or settings are the cause of a camera not working. It's not even about the software. Here the module may fail or the loop may be faulty. It is rather difficult to fix the problem in such an area, so in this case it is better to contact the service center.