If you have problems using the camera on your Windows 10 computer, with these tips you can solve them in just a few steps.
We currently live in a world that is still overcoming a pandemic, so Webcams have become an essential part of our lives. That’s right, the spread of Covid-19 has made many people around the world look for a solution to keep in touch, through some of the best apps for video conferencing and other similar tools.
This is where the camera of your devices becomes paramount. But, What if your PC’s camera doesn’t work? It can definitely be a very stressful thing to do. Fortunately, if you are a Windows 10 user, there are several ways to turn it on or activate it in just a few steps. So let’s get started.
How to turn on the webcam on your Windows 10 computer
Turning on the webcam on your Windows computer is much easier than you can imagine. And to do it you will only have to press Win + S keys simultaneously and then write the word “camera” in the search bar. Once the results are displayed, select the option corresponding to the Windows camera application and it will start automatically as soon as you do so.
On the other hand, third-party applications require permission to use the camera. This means that if your camera does not work in an application like Zoom or one of its best alternatives, you should check if you have granted the necessary access. To do this, you will have to follow these steps:
- Enter the menu Setting Windows.
- Then, click on the option Privacy.
- Once there click on the option Camera in the left panel.
- Then scroll down and grant or revoke permissions from the camera to third-party apps with the slider.
- Now go back and see if the camera turns on.
- If the camera still won’t start, you’ll need to search other solution to this problem.
Don’t forget to install all available Windows updates
Microsoft updates Windows quite frequently. These updates may include patches for camera application, so not installing them can cause the app to crash, among other problems. Therefore, we recommend that you be aware of all the updates as they are presented and if you miss any, you should download it as soon as possible. Also, you need to make sure your camera drivers are up to date as well.
After you have installed all the Windows updates and your webcam drivers, restart your PC and try to open the camera again. If this still doesn’t work, you may have a hardware problem on your hands.
Other solutions you can try
First of all, check if camera is enabled. Many laptops come with a physical kill switch that turns the camera on and off. So we recommend that you verify that you have not deactivated the camera by accident.
If you use an external webcam, make sure all cables are connected properly, and if it comes with an app, open it up and try to fix the problem from there.
As you can see, Windows makes managing your webcam easy, and you just have to keep everything up to date to avoid these headaches. And if you definitely can’t fix your problem, you might be interested in knowing how to use your Android mobile as a webcam for your PC.