There is a surge in video-calling apps like Zoom, Skype, etc. as more and more people are working from their home. However, this also adds up several new camera-related bugs and errors. In general, such troubles arise due to non-compatibility of relevant drivers, pending Windows 10 updates, corrupt device drivers, and others. Well, in this post, we guide some quick tips to fix or avoid the “Camera App not working” issue on Windows 10 device.
Before proceeding to the solutions, make sure that the issue appears while connecting to other ports as well. If otherwise, you just need to replace the bad port to fix this bug. In certain scenarios, rolling back the driver to its previous state, re-installing the WebCam Driver may also diagnose the problem. Let’s explore the solutions in detail –
How to fix Camera not working error in Windows 10
To solve the Camera app not working issue on Windows 10, use the following workarounds –
1. Check Webcam connection
This is applicable to Desktop users only as they install a separate camera and related drivers. Those who have a pre-installed camera app on their device may head over to the next section.
A loose connection may result in the “camera not working” issue. Hence, we suggest checking its USB properly for any wear and tear thereafter make sure that it is properly connected to the port.
2. Download/Install pending Windows 10 updates
Often the pending Windows updates lead to different bugs and errors including “camera app not working”. If that’s the case, you must install the latest cumulative updates on your PC using the below steps –
- Press Win & X to start the Power Menu, click Settings.
- Select Update & Security followed by Windows Update.
- Switch to the right and hit Check for updates.
- Wait until the PC finishes the downloading process and Restart PC once completed.
- From the next login, check whether the camera app is working fine on Windows 10 or not.
3. Check the Access permission of the Camera App
If any app is not allowed access to the camera and its feature, restarting that app may result in such errors. Here’s how to correct this –
- Launch the Settings app (use Win & I hotkey) and hit Privacy.
- Click Camera at the left column and jump to the corresponding side.
- Go to the “Allow apps to access your camera” section and turn On the toggle switch.
- Restart the computer so as to incorporate the recent changes.
4. Scan full computer
Many a time, it is a malicious attack from outside that simply blocks the smooth functionality of the Camera or even the entire system. This may occur when you are running an outdated Windows Security or haven’t updated this from ages. We recommend performing a full scan so as to find the underlying cause and repair the corrupt files.
- Go to the navigation pane of the Taskbar and click the Shield icon (Windows Security).
- Under Virus and Thread protection check its running status.
Note: The green symbol means “no action needed” and the application is up to date.
- Go to the Virus and threat protection section and hit Scan options.
- Next, check the Full Scan radio button and click the “Scan now” button.
- The viruses detection process begins now, wait till this gets over.
- Lastly, Restart your system so as to incorporate the latest changes.
5. Check the Camera running compatibility
The presence of stream.sys file under the camera driver may also prevent access to the Webcam app on Windows 10. So, check its availability following the below steps –
- Type Device Manager in the search bar and click the top result. Locate and expand the Camera driver.
- Next, make a right-click on the relevant driver and hit Properties.
- Switch to the Details tab and find if there lies any stream.sys file or not.
- If such files do exist there, this implies that the webcam is not compatible with Windows 10. However, if not, proceed to the next solutions –
6. Update Webcam Driver
Sometimes, its the driver that is causing “Camera not working” trouble on the computer. So, go and check whether the camera-related driver is working fine or needs an update. Here’s how to proceed –
- Jointly press Win+X and select Device Manager amongst the available options.
- Expand Cameras, do the right-click, and hit Update Driver. See the snapshot below –
- On the subsequent page, hit Search automatically for updated driver software and let the system finish this task.
- At last, Restart your system and check whether the Camera app is working properly or not.
Note: If you have recently updated the Camera driver and start to encounter this bug, roll back the driver to its previous state. To do so, use the below guide –
- Open the Device manager and reach out to the Camera driver.
- Do the right-click and select Properties.
- On the visible window, head over to the Driver tab and hit “Rollback Driver“.
- Next, pick the appropriate cause to go back and hit Yes to confirm the rolling back.
- At last, Reboot your system and see whether the Camera app starts working or not.
7. Uninstall/Reinstall Webcam driver
If the Windows Camera is still not working, uninstall and reinstall the related webcam driver. To do so, follow these steps –
- Jointly press WinKey + R to launch Run window, type devmgmt.msc and hit OK.
- Next, make a right-click on the specific camera driver and click the Uninstall device.
- If any confirmation window appears, tap Uninstall again.
- When this gets over, Restart your PC to implement the recent changes.
- After the next login, re-launch the Device Manager and head over to the Action tab.
- Next, click Scan for hardware changes to identify the missing driver. Let the system find and install the missing camera driver.
8. Uninstall/Reinstall the Camera App
If none of the solutions above resolve the issue, you should uninstall the Camera app then reinstall it back. Here’s how to proceed –
- Right-click on the Win icon and select PowerShell (Admin) on the Power menu.
- When the UAC window comes into view, tap Yes to go ahead.
- On the elevated prompt, copy/paste the below code and press Enter –
Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.WindowsCamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
- When the Camera app is uninstalled, Restart your PC so as to delete any leftover files.
- You may now go to the Microsoft Store and download/install the Windows 10 Camera app.
I hope this post helps to resolve the “Camera not working” issue on Windows 10 PC.
