Fix a webcam that won't turn on

Steps

1. 01

   Check the camera is physically on

   • Look for a shutter or slider over the lens, and a camera key (often an F-key) that switches it off
   • External webcam: reseat the cable, try another USB port, and if you can, try it on another PC

   Why?

   Microsoft notes a camera switched off this way can look blocked or show a grey picture rather than an error.

2. 02

   Allow camera access

   Windows 11

   • Settings›Privacy & security›Camera›turn on Camera access
   • Turn on 'Let apps access your camera' and check your app is switched on in the list
   • Turn on 'Let desktop apps access your camera' — browsers, Zoom and most calling apps depend on this one

   Windows 10

   • Settings → Privacy → Camera → turn on camera access for this device and 'Allow apps to access your camera'
   • Turn on 'Allow desktop apps to access your camera'

   Why?

   Desktop apps don't appear in the per-app list, so if the desktop switch is off, every one of them sees no camera.

3. 03

   Test in the Camera app and read the error code

   • Windows 11: run the camera troubleshooter in the Get Help app first
   • Open the Camera app from Start: if the picture works there, the fault is in the other app's camera setting
   • 0xA00F4244 — no camera detected: go back to step 1, then step 5
   • 0xA00F4243 — another app is using it: step 4. 0x80070005 — access denied: step 2. 0xA00F4246 — blocked by security software

   ✓You should see: A live picture in the Camera app means the camera, driver and privacy settings are all fine.

4. 04

   Free the camera from other apps

   • Quit every app that uses the camera, including ones still running in the system tray, then check Task Manager for any left open
   • If your antivirus has a webcam-protection feature, check it isn't blocking the camera
   • Restart the PC — Microsoft notes sleep isn't a restart

   !Careful: If you turn security software off to test, turn it straight back on afterwards.

5. 05

   Fix the camera driver

   • Settings›Windows Update›Advanced options›Optional updates, and install any camera driver (Windows 10: 'View optional updates')
   • Device Manager›find the camera under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver if it's available
   • Otherwise Uninstall device, tick 'Attempt to remove the driver for this device' (Windows 10: 'Delete the driver software for this device'), then Action → Scan for hardware changes and restart
   • Last resort:Update driver›Browse my computer›Let me pick›USB Video Device

   !Careful: Microsoft warns the generic USB Video Device driver can stop Windows Hello face sign-in working — set up a PIN first.

   Also see: Check for driver updates (in the right order)