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, 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
One of the very first step 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. For build-in webcams this steps does of course not apply. Many new laptops have a build-in webcam. Also try connecting your webcam directly to your PC instead of through a USB hub (if you are using one).
But don’t forget to check if you need to manually activate your webam. 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).
The next thing is to do is to check your Windows Device Manager and see if all hardware is recognized and installed properly.
It might be that the hardware is recognized as a camera, but the right drivers are not installed. The yellow explanation mark will indicate a problem.
If the device is not recognized in Windows XP, 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. 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.
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.
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 and Quicktime software 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).
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.
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 an 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.
If you are using your webcam for instant messaging with one of the popular chat programs, have a look at EatCam, which allows you to record your webcam chats from MSN, YM, ICQ, Skype, AIM and a few more!
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1,451 Comments to “How To Fix Webcam Problems”
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Software Tip
@akurei – Assuming you went through the steps to ensure the webcam is working fine, there are a few things you can try:
- the first option is to try an older version of Yahoo Messenger. Try the http://www.oldversion.com website.
- another option is what I advised more people here, use SplitCam. If the image shows in SplitCam, and you select SplitCam capture as the video source in Yahoo messenger, things should work.
One thing is for sure, you should be able to see your own image in Yahoo, otherwise your friends certainly won’t be able to view it.
Kyle
I have a logitech pro 9000 webcam and it doesn’t seem to recognize the microphone any help??
@ilovsonic – The first thing to try is to make sure the webcam is plugged directly into the PC, do not use a USB hub.
A second cause can be the logitech software itself, especially if it is an upgrade. Try uninstalling it and then reinstalling it.
Also run “sfc /scannow” from the command prompt in admin mode, to make sure Windows itself has no problems.
Kyle
i have a notebook laptop (acer) and it has a built in camera i go on msn and click on show my webcam the other person then accepts it and after about 2 mins it will come up with …is not answering
i hope you can help me
pleaseeee hurry im dieing without it :L thankyou
this is about the above comment
when i sed it comes up with … is not answering
… = the person i am trying to go on webcam to
@si – You checked that your camera itself worked? No errors in the device manager and you can see it if you do the local configuration?
If that is the case, check the network settings, because it appears that the accept command is not coming through. This can be a firewall issue.
Apart from that, try using a different chat program, to see if that works.Yahoo messenger uses different ports than MSN does, so that can tell you if there is a problem with your webcam at all or not.
Kyle
everytime i use it in youtube it say internet stoped working
@serafin – Try reinstalling Adobe Flash player. Or at least check your flash settings with respect to the webcam use. You can right-click a youtube video and click Settings in the popup menu. You can then check if your webcam is recognized properly by Flash.
Kyle
I have a Toshiba laptop with Windows Vist installed on it. I have a webcam that is built in to my computer. I used to be able to use it for msn and other things and inside the part where you plug in the power cord, the metal bar that is inside broke off. I sent in my computer to get it fixed and when it came bcak, then the webcam just didn’t work. When I try to use it on msn now, it says that I need to plug a webcam in, but I can’t because it is built into my laptop. I just wanted to know possibly what happened and how I can fix that problem.
I have a Philips SPC530NC webcam. I installed it as the manual says but i have only the lowest resolution available (160 x 120). I tried reinstalling .. restoring windows .. i`m stll stuck with the 160 x 120 resolution. What can i do ?
sorry for my bad english
@Sarah – If they opened your laptop to repair the power plug, chances are a connection cable inside was left disconnected. If you did not change the software configuration, nothing else can explain the problem. I suggest you have them open it and check the connections again.
N@Spirit – The Philips SPC530BC should be able to do VGA (640×48), so something is indeed wrong. You can try updating/reinstalling the drivers anbd software from the Philips support site: http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?scy=IN&slg=ENG&cat=PC_CAMERAS_CA&sct=WEBCAMS_SU&session=20090501181548_86.90.23.236&grp=PC_PRODUCTS_GR&ctn=SPC530NC/00&mid=Link_Software&hlt=Link_Software
And try different programs to view/record the webcam image, maybe the program you are using has limitations.
Kyle
I just spent over 1,500 on a new HP Pavilion computer recently. I then signed up to take an educational course live online utilizing Interwise as the meeting place. The problem is this: My computer which has a built in web cam from CyberLink YouCam which only allows for the lowest outgoing web cam transmission of 320 X 240, while Interwise only allows for an incoming web cam transmission of 176 X 144, resulting in other course participants not being able to see me when I speak. Short of getting another web cam, is there any way to program the computer to transmit at 176 X 144? I really thought by getting a new computer, I wouldn’t have any problems but I didn’t realize I might be a little too advanced. Please advise. Thanks!
@Joseph – Are you sure that Interwise will only allow for an incoming resolution of 176 x 144? What I see from their documentation it appears that they have a maximum video windows size of those dimensions. It does not say anything about the webcam resolution.
Anyway, the only thing I am familiar with that might help you is a program like SplitCam. This is a webcam sharing application, that allows you to use your webcam in multiple applications at the same time. Apart from that it also allows resolution selection.
Anthony actually ded a review on that recently: http://www.pcauthorities.com/software-reviews/splitcam-share-your-webcam
Hope it works.
Kyle
Referring to my prior question, I meant to say that my webcam program (CyberLink YouCam) does not allow for an outgoing video window size lower than 320 X 240, while Interwise only allows for a maximum incoming video window size of 176 X 144. What do I do? Please advise. Thanks!
@Joseph – I understand, but did you try my suggestion? SplitCam supposedly allows client applications to use the webcam even at lower input resolutions. Simply install and run, and while SplitCam is running start Interwise and select SplitCam as the video source.
I have been able to get webcams working this way that were not supported directly from some application.
Kyle
Hey,
My webcam picture keeps appearing really dark and i don’t know how to sort it. The focus is fine, it’s just the picture is so dark. It works perfectly fine on my computer but when i try to use it on my laptop, the picture is just completely dark! I tried to change the light settings on the webcam but that just makes the picture worse, and now i don’t know what else to try. Any suggestions? A huge thank you if you can help!!
Kerry xxx
@Kerry – Each computer can have different software settings for your webcam. The only thing I can suggest to correct your problem is to go into the webcam software and change the settings there. Depending on the webcam brand you will have different software, but most have settings for low light, white balance and color/brightness. These should help you improve your image.
Kyle
It’s an Amcap webcam, and i already tried those settings but nothing seemed to improve the imagine :( I’ll have another go at changing them, thank you,
Kerry xxx
how am i suppose to enable the camera source button in my ym?
@mel – I can not answer that, as that seems to be an issue with Yahoo Messenger itself. But the webcam can work despite this though. Have you tried accessing “My Webcam” in the “Messenger” menu?
In some cases the “useVfW” registry key helps.
Please see these links for the details on that:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/messenger/messenger9/webcam/mstacamfix.html
http://forums.logitech.com/logitech/board/message?board.id=video_clients&message.id=10120&nobounce
Kyle
Hi Kyle! Need your help here. I just recently bought the Microsoft VX-500. The problem is everytime I try to connect it through the Yahoo Messenger it automatically disconnect my Yahoo Messenger. Please help.
@Jade – Most of such connection problems are network related. If you are using wireless, try to use a cable and see if that helps.
Another option is that the firewall is causing problems, since the webcam function in Yahoo messenger uses additional ports, so check the config there as well (make sure Yahoo messenger is an allowed or trusted application or add an exception for the ports Yahoo requires).
Do you have the same problems with a different chat program (skype/MSN)?
Kyle
Hi Kyle
I have Toshiba P 205 satellite laptop, window vista built in webcam and i am facing problem on wireless connection that s i cannot send my webcam to the most msn contact and when i plug the laptop directly to the router it s work well.
My modem is Comtrend Wireless ADSL2 CT-536+
@josseph – There have been many reports of such problems in the past. In most cases it is a matter of network configuration. Make sure that the MSN ports are open and forwarded properly in the firewall, and check your network settings in Vista for the wired and wireless interface. Both need to be the same. You can check if you get the same IP and DNS when connected by typing “ipconfig /all” in a command prompt.
Kyle
Hi Sir,
When I am using my laptop to chat with my friends in the Yahoo Messenger, I noticed that my laptop in-built web cam auto zoom in and out by itself. May I know the causes and how to fix it ?
Thanks,
Timothy