Windows 11 camera not working? 9 fixes to try

howtosimply.com/guides/windows-11-camera-not-working-9-fixes-to-try/ · Checked October 2026 · Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

6 of 9 steps with real screenshots · 1 official source below

Device

Windows

Shown on

Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 (build 26200.9457), Microsoft Cloud PC

App

Camera

Real screenshots

6 of 9 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

Step by step

1. Look for a switch or cover

   Many laptops have a sliding shutter over the lens, a camera key on the keyboard (often with Fn) or a small switch on the side.

   Make sure the camera is not covered or switched off.

   Done

2. 

   Check the privacy settings

   Open Settings, Privacy & security, Camera.

   Switch on Camera access and Let apps access your camera.

   Done

3. 

   Test with the Camera app

   Click Start and open Camera. If you see yourself, the camera works and the fault is in the other app.

   If it says We can't find your camera with the error code 0xA00F4244<NoCamerasAreAttached>, Windows sees no camera at all: check the switch, the cable and the driver.

   Done

4. 

   Allow the app you use

   Back on the Camera privacy page, switch on the app in the list. On our Cloud PC both Camera and Microsoft Teams are Off.

   For programs that are not from the Microsoft Store, such as Zoom or a browser, Let desktop apps access your camera must be On.

   Done

5. 

   Restart the PC

   Click Start, Power, Restart. Microsoft points out that waking a PC from sleep is not the same as a restart.

   On our Cloud PC the Power menu shows only Lock, Disconnect and Restart.

   Done

6. 

   Check for updates

   Open Settings, Windows Update and click Check for updates.

   Then click Advanced options, boxed in the picture. Optional updates is on the next page: click it and install any camera driver listed there.

   On our Cloud PC the page said You're up to date, Last checked: Today, 2:04 AM.

   Done

7. External camera: try another USB port

   Plug a USB webcam into a different port on the PC, without a hub in between.

   Done

8. Check the antivirus program

   Microsoft says some antivirus programs or firewalls might block camera access.

   Look in the settings of your antivirus program for a webcam protection option and allow the app.

   Done

9. 

   Update, roll back or reinstall the driver

   Right-click Start, open Device Manager, find the camera under Cameras or Imaging devices, right-click it and choose Update driver.

   If the camera stopped after an update, open Properties, the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver (Microsoft notes some drivers don't provide this option); as a last resort choose Uninstall device and restart, and Windows installs the driver again.

   Our Cloud PC has no camera, so the picture shows the same menu (Update driver, Disable device, Uninstall device, Scan for hardware changes, Properties) on a Remote Desktop device under Keyboards.

   Done

If you do not see this option

• Camera access is greyed out. Microsoft says an administrator on the device has to turn camera access on for you. Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows
• Zoom, Teams or your browser is not in the app list. Microsoft says only apps from the Microsoft Store appear there. Desktop apps use Let desktop apps access your camera, which cannot be set per app. Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows
• There is no Cameras group in Device Manager. Microsoft says the camera can also be under Imaging devices or Sound, video and game controllers. If it is in none of them, choose Action, Scan for hardware changes. Our Cloud PC has no camera, and its Device Manager has no Cameras group (step 9 picture). Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows

If this does not work

• The camera still fails on Windows 11 24H2 or later. Microsoft says Basic camera mode can help when the maker's plug-ins or hardware acceleration stop the camera working. Turn it on and test again. Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows
• A USB webcam still does not work. Microsoft says to switch it to the UVC driver built into Windows: in Device Manager choose Update driver, Browse my computer for drivers, Let me pick from a list, then USB Video Device. Windows Hello face sign-in may stop working with it. Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows
• You want Windows to look for the fault. Microsoft says to open Settings, System, Troubleshoot, Other troubleshooters and click Run next to Camera. Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows

About this guide

When a video call shows a black picture, the camera is usually switched off: by a cover, by a key or by a privacy setting. The driver is the cause far less often.

The screenshots are our own, taken on Windows 11 Enterprise 25H2 running as a Microsoft Cloud PC, a Windows PC that runs in the cloud.

Our Cloud PC has no camera, so its Camera app shows the real error you get when Windows finds none.

Good to know

Only one program can use the camera at a time. Close other video programs before a call.

For the microphone in calls, see Windows 11 microphone not working: 6 fixes to try.

In short: Cover or switch, privacy settings, Camera app, restart, updates, other USB port, antivirus, driver.

📷 Camera Lab: the same 6 scenes photographed with 11 phones, side by side.