How To Fix Webcam Problems
With broadband internet widely available, many PC users are actively using their webcams for video chatting and online meetings. Not only does the increased bandwidth facilitate the use of video over the internet, but improved webcams and better video compression also help a lot. But if your hardware is not working as it should be, a webcam is not much fun. So dealing with webcam problems can be a necessary evil. Webcam problems often simply mean there is no image to be seen, but in other cases, you might actually get an error message or will not be able to select the webcam as the video source in your programs.
In Windows Live Messenger, for example, you might get webcam error 0x8a70013, indicating a problem with the webcam device.
Steps to solve the webcam problems
Check the webcam connection
One of the very first steps is of course to check your webcam connection. Most webcams use the USB port to connect to the PC, so check if your USB cable is properly plugged in. For built-in webcams, these steps of course do not apply. Many new laptops have a built-in webcam. Also, try connecting your webcam directly to your PC instead of through a USB hub (if you are using one).
Enable the webcam
But don’t forget to check if you need to manually activate your webcam. In most cases, the webcam will be automatically activated by software that can use the webcam, but for some computer brands, it is necessary to press a certain key combination to activate the webcam (it will be a Function key, either with Alt or Ctrl or the Fn key, but check the laptop manual for details).
Some known key combinations:
<Fn> + <F9> (Alienware laptop webcams)
<Fn> + <F6> (Packard Bell laptops, MSI laptops, Lenovo laptops)
<Fn> + <F10> (Neo laptops, some Asus laptops)
Check the webcam in the Device Manager
The next thing to do is to check your Windows Device Manager and see if all hardware is recognized and installed properly. Use the Scan for hardware changes in the Action menu to make sure Windows lists all available hardware devices.
It might be that the hardware is recognized as a camera, but the right drivers are not installed. The yellow exclamation mark will indicate a problem.
If the device is not recognized in Windows, it will be listed under Other Devices.
In either case, you can try to update the drivers. Right-click the device, and in the popup menu select Update Driver Software (in Windows 11 – Update driver). Then follow the instructions on screen, but make sure you allow Windows to search the web for updated drivers.
In case no driver for the webcam can be found, you can try a third-party driver-finding program that scans your PC for installed hardware and allows you to install missing drivers.
Reinstall the webcam software
If this fails, the next step would be to uninstall the software that came with your webcam. Use the Add or Remove Programs feature in the Control Panel. If that does not work you can use a third party uninstaller.
After uninstalling the software, restart your PC and then reinstall the webcam software. In most cases, this will solve the problems. Depending on the software, you might need to unplug your webcam during the software installation. For many HP systems, you need to install the CyberLink YouCam software, which can be downloaded from the HP site (for Windows 7 and Windows 8). This program allows you to check the webcam feed to see if it is working.
Check the software settings
If the drivers and webcam software are correctly installed, and you still cannot see any video, there can be a problem with the program settings. Most chat and meeting software have a configuration option to select the video source for the webcam feature. If you have multiple devices that qualify for video, you might need to select your webcam device as the source for the webcam feature in that program.
Some webcams and programs require additional software, although that should be installed with the webcam if things are right. But is does not harm to check if your Java, Flash (discontinued in 2019) and Quicktime software (version 7.6) are installed and up to date. But certainly check your DirectX software, since all video applications, including webcams, use DirectX for video processing. Try downloading the latest DirectX version and install it (Windows XP: DirectX 9.0c – Windows Vista: DirectX 10 (version 11 for Vista with SP2) – Windows 7: DirectX 11 – Windows 8, 8.1: DirectX 11.2 is only available through the Windows Update function – Windows 10: DirectX 11.3 and 12 are included with Windows and updates are only available through Windows update).
Manual focus correction
Lastly, if your webcam’s image is not sharp, check to see if it has a focus ring. A blurry image can sometimes simply mean the webcam is not in focus. Adjusting the focus through the ring can solve that problem.
Adjust video capture quality
Other picture quality problems with webcams can be addressed by changing the video capture properties for the webcam. Most programs that can use a webcam will have the option to access the properties of the video source, which will bring up the video capture properties window.
Do keep in mind that not all settings will be enabled depending on the webcam and the webcam driver installed on your computer. In the example, you can see that some settings are disabled. The example shows the video capture properties for an Acer Crystal Eye webcam.
In Windows 11 the Camera properties look different. Access them by opening Settings from the Start menu, then select Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand pane, click Cameras in the right-hand pane, and then click your camera.
Camera Privacy Settings Causing Webcam Problems
Starting with Windows 8.1 (and Windows 10) there is a privacy setting in Windows that allows (or blocks) access to the camera. If access to the camera is blocked to Apps, your webcam will not work in certain applications.
Here are the steps to ensure that the camera is not blocked in Windows 10:
- From the Start menu, select Settings.
- In the Settings window, click on Privacy.
- Make sure that the setting for Let my apps use my camera is turned On.
Fix Flipped Camera Issues
Having the image from the camera shown as mirrored or upside down has been a long-time problem on some Windows-compatible webcams. In most cases, the right device driver for the camera will fix the issue.
If the camera image is not showing correctly, or changes to an incorrect image when using it to capture video, try the options below to fix it.
Registry tweak to flip camera
Although this solution is not applicable to all webcams, it is good to check if it is applicable in your case.
- Open the Registry Editor using the Windows + R keys and then type
regeditin the Run box. Press Enter or click the OK button. - In the Registry Editor, select the top-level entry (Computer), and then use the File menu Export option to make a backup of the registry.
- Next, locate the following registry entry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\
{6BDD1FC6-810F-11D0-BEC7-08002BE2092F}\0000\VIDEOPROCAMP - With the key selected, change entry in the right-hand panel called
HFLIPfrom 0 to 1 (or from 1 to zero, depending on the current value). If the entry does not exist, you can create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value with that name.
Note: Use theVFLIPentry for a vertical flip.
If you cannot find the key, this option probably will not work for your webcam.
Use software settings to flip the camera
If you cannot get the webcam image corrected in Windows itself, using the driver, settings, or registry tweak, you can often use program settings to correct the webcam image.
Do keep in mind that many video chat programs show you the mirrored image of the webcam while people on the other end see the correct image of you. So consider if it is really something that needs to be addressed!
In Zoom you can toggle video mirroring to change the image.
- Click the up arrow in the Video button on the Zoom meeting window.
- Select the Video Settings option in the popup menu.
- In the Video settings pane, unmark the option Mirror my video.
- Close the Video settings pane.
- Close and restart Zoom (close it completely from the Taskbar icon).
If you prefer working with web-based interfaces for online meeting and chat programs like Zoom, Google Meet, and others, installing a browser plugin or extension is the better way to go. For Chrome, there is VideoMirror, which is free and supports camera mirroring. There are others, but make sure to check that the mirror function is available in the free version before you install it.
If you are using your webcam for instant messaging / video chatting with one of the popular chat programs, have a look at ManyCam, which allows you to record your webcam but also allows screen recording, which allows you to record any video stream! Third-party programs like ManyCam act as a virtual webcam and even work to mirror the camera image in Discord, which is not otherwise possible.
Windows 10 Camera Problems
In one of the initial Windows 10 updates, a camera problem was introduced that needed a specific fix. The update causes the camera to stop working in most apps trying to use it. The update pertained to the Windows Frame Server Mode for processing webcam images. Microsoft disabled support for webcams using MJPEG and H264 compression. The way to address this is to disable the Frame Server Mode to allow it to work.
- Open the Registry Editor in Windows.
- Make a backup of the registry using the File -> Export option.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform - Right-click in the left-hand pane and select New in the popup menu.
- Select DWORD (32-bit) Value and enter the
EnableFrameServerModeas the name. - The value should be zero (0) by default, if not, change it to zero (0) by double-clicking the new key.
- If you are running a 64-bit version of Windows, you need to repeat these steps for the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform - Close the Registry Editor and check if the camera issue is fixed.
A restart of Windows should not be required, but if the fix does not work, restart Windows to make sure the changes take effect.
Realtek Webcam Problems
If your Windows system is using a webcam that is using Realtek components, a specific problem can occur. The Windows service host will report errors that report the camera frame service terminated unexpectedly. The error is caused by a Realtek driver file (RsProvider.dll). The file resides in the path: C:\Program Files\Realtek\RsProviders\RsProvider.dll (unless your system drive is not the C-drive).
You can either delete or rename the RsProviders folder or try a registry option to disable it. Lenovo provides a patch for its affected systems to disable it. The patch removes the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Analog\Providers\RsProvider
Before you change the registry, make a backup! If you decide to delete the RsProvider folder, also make a backup first (the better option is to try and rename it first).
Windows 11 Camera Troubleshooter
Microsoft has included a troubleshooter feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that can help fix common problems. So, if you experience a camera-related problem in one of these Windows versions, run the Camera Troubleshooter first.
- Open the Settings from the Start menu.
- Select Bluetooth & devices in the left-hand pane.
- Click Cameras in the right-hand pane.
- Select your Camera (USB2.0 HD UVC WebCam in the example).
- Click the Troubleshoot button.
Errors that can be solved this way include the 0xA00F4244 error showing NoCamerasAreAttached. The Camera window will show the message “We can’t find your camera“.
A second frequent error in Windows 10 and Windows 11 relating to the webcam is error 0xA00F429F WindowsShowFailed. The message, in this case, is “Can’t start your camera“.
In most cases, this is an App access issue (permissions), but just run the troubleshooter to see if it can be fixed by Windows automatically.
I have the same issue as Lauren, above. I first had this issue with MSN. At first, I would get the preview video, I could hear my contact’s voice, but I couldn’t see their video. They could never see mine, and after 30-45 seconds, my MSN would shut off. After trying to find a solution, I gave up, and used GTalk for my videocalls for a bit, but an in-browser videochat isn’t the most practical thing. So then, I decided to use Skype. It worked well for 2months, but now, my video never uploads. I can see the preview in the setting page, but nothing works when it comes to upload the video.
I reinstalled/updated the software and the drivers, tried to reboot so many times. Nothing worked. I’m running an HP Pavillion Laptop on Windows7 Ultimate and I am using a Microsoft LifeCam 1000vx.
Can you help me? What are my options?
okay, i have the Microsoft life cam show. and it works great. but when i go to make a video call on skype, the other person cant see me and my video never comes up. when i test my camera on skype, it works fine too. help!
thanx alot Kyle, my webcam is working perfectly now. and i will soon restore my system as i got to know that its important.
i am havin sum trouble wid my web cam……it seems tht whn im tryin to hav a video call on msn or skype my image is comin in green…..sooo ny solutions???
i have dell gx 270 and when ever i connect my web cam with my system via usb port it give error like
“creation of video preview failed
please check the device connection and make sure that device is not used by another application or user”
plase any one help how i can solve this problem
thanx
(shahzad)
Hi to all.
Thank you for help. Just now, my camera and all software is working exelent. I did install K-lite codec and from that time everything is working just perfect. Ones again, thank you.
@arfah – Did you try downloading and installing MSN Messenger to make sure the install succeeds this time? Another thing to try is a System Restore to bring back your computer to the state before things went wrong.
@Lubomir – If the webcam software is causing problems, then just install the webcam driver only. In general you do not need that software anyway, there are plenty of program to use the webcam anyway (messenger, record video, take pictures).
@Tiffany – Can you select the USB webcam as the video input source in messenger programs or in Skype? If it works locally, it should be possible to select the webcam in those programs. You can also try SplitCam, as it can help solve problems of a webcam not being available to other programs.
Hi, I have a Dell Laptop Inspiron 5100 (an older model) with windows xp on it. I have updated my flash driver, java, adobe reader and quick time player, but I still can’t get my webcam working. I have no idea what the make or model is on my webcam (also an older model) and I don’t have the driver CD. Any suggestions on how to get it to work? If I go into My Computer and click on the USB camera icon than I can see it, but I can’t get anyone else to see or hear it. Thanks in advance.
I have Windows XP home\r\nservice pack 3
AMD Athlon 64 x 2Dual
Core processor 4200 +
2.21 GHz 2.43 RAM
I did to try install camera VP-EYE 6.0
driver S8850i
After installing camera driver and software, camera was functioning perfectly, but when I tried to view ( open ) any video clip, Windows Media Player would not open with play button missing and WMP and my computer freezed up.Other software such as Power Director or Power DVD also failed to function. I had to restart every time my PC manualy by pressing the restart button. I did to try reinstall driver and software and result was same. When I install driver only ( not software ) WMP, Power Director and Power DVD funtioning OK, but camera not.
Thank You for any help You can give me in this regard.
MLKlokani@netscape.net.
hello Kyle,
i have HP Compaq Presario Notebook. it have the built-in webcam which was working perfectly until yesterday. but then i got a patch-up saying to upgrade my cam. so i click on it and it starts working as other software upgrading do. but then, a window appear saying that widows messenger is running on this system, u have to close it to proceed. i didnt get it exactly, so what i did i jus get signout from my msn messenger. and on that window click on retry option, but it keeps giving me the same error that windows messenger is ruuning. so finally, being tired of it i click on abort option. soon after this my webcam is not working properly. it gets open but there is something wrong with it now. its dispaly is not the same, like before i used to have nice pixels and clear view. but now its not and also it shows thing bigger, like it feels like u r siting very very close to cam. and obviously if i move back or away from laptop to give the nice view on cam then iam unable to type.. coz then iam far away from my laptop… hope u get it what iam trying to understand.. reply me as soon as possible..thanx
@gauthier – No not likely a virus. Some webcam drivers have this problem. You can firs try reinstalling the webcam drivers, sometimes that helps after the other programs have been installed.
If not, try SplitCam, that can also fix these issues.
@sarah – Does it also do that in other programs, or only in Skype?
@destinyJ – Same thing, first try reinstalling the original webcam drivers. The shared files or configuration could have become corrupted.
hi my name is destiny, i have a dell inspiron 1420 i bought it dec.of 2008 my webcam has always worked buy i just recently tried to use it and all that show on my video and photo capture it says no supported camera detected please plug in to continue……what should i do?
I have a new HP Pavilion enternatinment PC and when on Skype the web cam seems grainey and out of focus. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Despite being recognized and working properly, I cannot use any webcam on my computer. On msn or with softwares.
I managed one to pass the first step of the audio and video configuration on msn, and it was saying that both webcams were used by a softwayre.
Is it a virus?
@Kyle
I’m using wireles connection, but I don’t think this is problem, because audio conversation with other party is still continuing uninterrupted. I installed last night Chicony driver 5.7.28.400 and my camera apears now as Acer Crystal Eye webcam, following some recomendation I found on Internet from users that had similar problem like mine and managed to fix it installing this driver on HP laptops. Nothing for me… still same problem.
I dont’t know what to try anymore. I will be soon upgrading to Windows 7 and if this doesn’t solve the problem, I might buy an external camera. (Already borowed and tried one from friend – works fine.)
Anyway, thanks for you time.
@Hajdemi – You’ve already got Vista SP2, so that should not be the problem.
Are you using an cabled or wireless internet connection? Did you check if the network is always working when you use the webcam chat?
Just try a “ping -t http://www.yahoo.com” in a command shell and see if the response time or connection changes at all when you run your webcam test with Skype or MSN.
Hi!! Thanks Kyle.. I was trying to install the driver from CD but it seems my driver CD has been corrupted. After reading your reply, I downloaded the drivers from the internet and installed it and now my frontech cam is working properly.
Thanks for reply. I followed link for webcam drivers, downloaded “Driver Finder” and after scanning it says that new driver has been found for my webcam. However, I was not able to find this driver anywhere. I was required first to pay in order to register software and download driver. I wouldn’t mind to pay if I knew that this driver would work. You also mentioned Acer driver, but I don’t know for what model to look.
And nothing has been pluged in while camera is in use. It doesn’t matter which program I use to test it (Skype, MSN or HP Quick Play) same result. After 1 minute it freezes, and after comes for one second and again freezes and so on.
My frustration is so big, that sometimes I want to trow my laptop in rubish.
I probably could disable built in webcam, and buy another, but one of the reason I bought this laptop is to have convenience of built in camera.
Cheers
actually i figured out windows 7 isn’t compatible with my webcam. it doesn’t work with it – i researched it, and a lot of ppl are saying their webcams don’t work with windows 7. so anyways, im probably just gunna buy a new one.
@Dan – Did you try closing the Logitech program in the taskbar and then us a different program?
Assuming you are running XP 32 bit, you can also try SplitCam.
@Carly – It comes back to the earlier discussion that the uninstall might not remove all data from the registry. So uninstall, clean the registry and then see if it works.
@Ernst Van den Berg – It used to be working fine even with the webcam? The obvious question would be, what has changed? Does it happen with all parties you skype with or just a specific one?
@tj – Did you have a look at Anthony’s article on blue screen errors?
@Hajdemi – I have seen more problems with HP webcams, some people even resorted to using Acer webcam drivers instead of the HP drivers. Keep in mind that these manufacturers use components to build their laptops, including webcams components.
Do you have any USB devices plugged? Try unplugging them when you test the webcam.
Hi there,
I’m hopeless to get my built-in webcam working properly. I have a notebook HP Pavilion dv6528TX special edition. Whenever I try to use my webcam in MSN Messenger or Skype, it work fine for about 1 minute and then freezes.
I don’t even know any more, how many hours I’ve spent on Internet looking for solution, but no sucess. I’ve reinstalled recomended driver many times, followed recomendation from HP support to restore computer to factory settings but still nothing. OS is Vista Home Premium, SP2.
hi, i need to open up my laptop because i have tried EVERYTHING to get the blue screen/no output to work on my laptop with no luck. the drivers seem to be downloaded properly. could you please help me out…thanks!!
Hi there
My skype was working perfectly, but now when I speak to someone, I can turn on my cam, but as soon as the other person switch on there video, skype disconnect.
Can you please help me
Thanx
well what help would it do??
I have recently installed a Logitech Quickcam Communicate MP on my PC running Windows XP SP3. The camera works with the Logitech webcam software for both still pictures and video capture. However, the camera does not function with any 3rd party software I have tried, including Yahoo Messenger, Windows Messenger, and Skype. Device Manager indicates the camera is present, has the current drivers, and is functioning properly.
When I run a 3rd party software, the program hangs when I try to access my own webcam, either by normal operation or in a setup mode. For example, when running Skype I can see other cameras but my own camera shows no feed. In setup when I select my webcam as the source, the program hangs and will not resume. I have confirmed that I have sufficient resources by watching the task manager during this process and it never goes above about 18-23%. All of the 3rd party software is of the current version, uninstalled and reinstalled since first attempting to use the webcam.
Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.