Turn on the webcam on a laptop in Windows 10

Windows 10 users can find the Camera application on their computer, which was added only in this version of the operating system. With it, you can watch the image from the webcam, take pictures and record video. True, it often happens that the computer is NOT able to Access this tool, therefore, the application does NOT display anything on the screen. Actually, in this article we will try to deal with the problem.

How to enable webcam on Windows 10 laptop

Let’s first see how easy it is to display a picture from a webcam on the screen and try to take a picture or record a video. It is likely that the camera itself is turned on in the laptop’s settings, but you can’t just find an interface with which to interact with it.

• Use the search box on the system. It is invoked by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the taskbar or by using the WinS key combination.
• Enter the name of the application here. “Camera”. Open the first option that comes across.

Check if the webcam is working. The laptop may prompt for permission to access. By giving it. Ideally, the screen will display a picture from the camera.

However, everything does not always go smoothly. After the performed procedure, an inscription may appear on the screen that the device was not found. In this case, you can try to give permission in the system to turn on and use the laptop’s webcam.

• Open System Options. Use the WinI key combination to invoke the corresponding interface. You can also open the “Start” menu and find there a gear icon that you will need to use.
• From the suggested sections of “parameters” go to “Privacy”.

On the left side, open the “Camera” subsection.

In the “Camera” block, find the term “Allow applications to use the camera”. Under it you will need to put the switch in the active position.

Calling the “Camera” application in the same way as described in the instructions above. Check functionality.

Problems launching the webcam

In most cases, the above manipulations save the situation. True, it also happens that they DO NOT help. Usually, users face more serious problems with the camera after updating the operating system or connecting a third-party camera. Because of this, the drivers fly off and they need to be restored in order to fully use the webcam again.

Launch the “Device Manager” in any way convenient for you. For example, you can open a special shortcut key combination WinX, so as not to dig into the “Control Panel”. From this menu select Desired item.

In the interface of “Device Manager” find and expand the branch “Imaging devices”.

It should contain the name of your webcam. Click on it with the right mouse button. Click on “Delete”. The device must be removed so that the system itself correctly adds it again and installs the drivers for it.

Confirm the removal of the device, if requested by the operating system.

Now in the top menu click on the item “Action”. From the drop-down list click on “update hardware configuration”.

Close all programs and windows, restart the laptop.

It should be noted that if there is an exclamation mark next to the webcam icon in the “Device Manager” interface, then in the context menu you need to select “Update” rather than “Delete”. Only if the update did not give the desired result, you can proceed to remove the device and reinitialize it.

Additional reasons for the inoperability of the webcam include the following:

• Windows 10 cannot independently find and install the necessary software for the camera. This usually happens with items that do NOT come with the laptop. Then you just have to try to find and install drivers on your own;
• The camera and / or the ribbon cable connecting it to the laptop’s motherboard may be damaged. If a breakdown is found, it is recommended to contact the service center with a corresponding complaint. You must have your laptop repaired under warranty, if it is still relevant for it;
• Viruses can also cause the webcam to stop functioning properly. Perform a computer scan of the appropriate software, remove or quarantine viruses if detected.

In Windows 10, it’s very easy to turn on your webcam and check it for quality. We examined Not only how to enable it, but also briefly went through the main problems when enabling it.

Turn on the webcam on a laptop in Windows 10

Start Windows 10 Set up a camera in Windows 10

All laptops released in the last 5-8 years are equipped with web-cameras. Many computer owners who need a camera to play, work or communicate via the Internet equip their PC with this USB gadget. But with the transition to Windows 10, problems begin with the functioning of THESE devices. Today we will consider where these problems come from and how they are solved on our own.

The manual is written for users whose devices are free of defects at the physical level.

If the camera does not function in Windows 10, follow these steps first.

• We check whether the device is connected to the PC, whether the plug is securely inserted into the USB socket, just in case we reconnect it to the next port.
• Make sure the camera is not disabled by hardware.

Let’s use a combination of hot keys, one of which is usually called Fn, and the second (usually Esc or one of the F function row) is indicated by the corresponding icon. Instead of a combination, some laptops have a special button that allows you to quickly turn on / off the webcam.

We activate the device

In previous editions of Windows, the camera could be inactive due to the lack of drivers for it on the flash drive with the Windows distribution kit. In the top ten, all drivers are installed automatically after the system detects new hardware.

Let’s check if the device is disabled in the device manager.

• By calling the dispatcher, Using WinX or the context menu of the start.
• Expand the last tab “Imaging Devices”.

If the camera is not on the list, we look for it in sound and game devices.

• If next to its icon there is a downward-pointing gray arrow, calling the context menu and select the command “activate”.
• We go to Skype or the “Camera” application in Windows 10 and check the device’s performance.

If it works, Windows 10 Invite access to camera and sound recording device.

See also: Sound doesn’t work after upgrade on Windows 10

Allowing programs to use the webcam

The problem can also consist of pretty much disabling the options that help Windows 10 Follow the user. The last one was denied programs access to the camera.

• Go to “Options”.
• We go to the section “Confidentiality”.
• Move the first switch to the “On” position.
• Below we move the switches to “On”, Standing opposite the programs that you will use for video communication or capturing a video stream from the camera.

Updates drivers

Drivers are the most common factor causing peripheral problems in Windows 10. Due to the large number of models, developers simply do not have time to release fresh versions of the software in a timely manner as required.

The steps below will help you check, and if available, install the latest driver for your camera.

• Call the “Device Manager” through the context menu My Computer.
• Finding the camera.

It can be located in the above categories or in the new “Other devices” section if there are problems with the driver.

• Through the context menu of the device, calling the command “Update drivers.”.
• We select the first option “Autosearch for updated drivers”.

We agree to the installation and restart the computer after its completion.

As a last resort, if Windows 10 did not find the driver, find it on the device manufacturer or support page and install manually following the installer instructions.

All laptops are equipped with a built-in webcam. Users can use it as a tool for video chats in various messengers, for example, Skype. In Windows 10 there is a special standard application “Camera”, which allows you to quickly launch it on a laptop like on a phone to take an instant photo or video. Today we will look at how to enable and configure the camera in the application of the same name, as well as how to GRANT certain programs access to it. In addition, we will list effective ways to troubleshoot the “webcam”.

How to turn on the camera on a Windows 10 laptop

You can activate the laptop’s webcam to take pictures at the current time, for this, the classic “Camera” application is launched. If you want to use it in other utilities, give them access to it in Windows settings. Consider how to do both.

Launching an Application from the Start Menu

Calling the Camera application is quite simple: it is in the list of utilities in the system Start menu. Follow a little instruction:

• Click on the window-shaped button in the lower left corner of the screen. It’s the leftmost icon on the taskbar. This menu is also called by a special key on which the same icon is drawn. Finding it is easy: it is next to the space. Click on the “Start” button with a window-shaped icon to launch the menu of the same name
• In the menu, you can simply scroll through the list of services and applications for the letter “K”. If you don’t want to scroll through the list, press the letter “A”. Click on the letter “A” to open the table with the rest of the available letters
• In the appeared table with letters from two alphabets, select the Russian “K” with the left mouse button. Select the Russian letter “K” in the table
• A small list will open with applications starting with this letter. Find “Camera” in it and left-click on it. Click on the “Camera” item in the list of applications on the letter “K”
• On the PC display, you should immediately see yourself.

Launch the “Camera” utility on Windows 10. Turning on using the Special keys

Many laptop computers have special keys that allow you to activate the webcam (open a window where you will see yourself). They are different for each manufacturer’s model. Turning on is due to a combination of two buttons, the first of which is always Fn. The aforementioned key is added to it: usually it has an icon in the form of a camera, so the keyboard should be carefully examined. For Lenovo laptops, there are two combinations: Fn F5 and Fn Esc.

Fn V combination also works for many laptops.

Press the Fn V key combination to launch the camera on your device and take a photo

Older laptop models have a separate button, which is usually located next to Power (the power key). In this case, you only need to click on it, Fn in this case No need.

Click on the Web button next to the power button to open your built-in webcam window

Setting permission to use the webcam by other programs

If, when you launch the Camera application, a white window appears on the screen with a message that you need to GRANT access to the camera and microphone, this means that you have disabled access to them in the privacy settings. In this case, no programs will be able to use the webcam. How to enable access, we will tell you in detail:

• Press two buttons at the same time: Win and I. This way you can open the “Windows Settings” window, in which all configuration manipulations will be performed. If this combination does NOT work, go to this window through the Start menu: launch it on the taskbar and click on the gear icon.
• In the window with the parameters, we are interested in the “Privacy” tile. It is usually located at the very bottom of the page. Click on it. Click on the “Privacy” tile in the options window

We immediately click on the first switch to allow all the utility to use the camera.

Switch to the third block called “Camera”. You can also run it from the application of the same name, if it works for you. To do this, click on the gears in the upper right corner, scroll down the panel in the right part of the window to the “Related parameters” block. In it, already click on the link “Change privacy settings”. The system will immediately redirect you to the desired tab in the Windows Settings window.

In the “Camera” tab, put the first switch to the “On” position to allow applications to use the webcam

Windows tools allow you to configure the camera to turn on for SEVERAL applications only. If this is your case, scroll down the page a little and find in the list of utilities the one that you want to give access to “webcams”. For them, set the switch to the “On” position.

In the list, select the applications that you want to give access to the camera, and then enable them using the case switches

How to disable webcam on Windows 10 laptop

Sometimes users may need to turn off the webcam for one reason or another. This can be done in the Windows “Device Manager” system window. Follow step by step instructions:

• Call the “Device Manager” window. The easiest way. enter the corresponding request in the panel for universal search in the Windows system: it is launched through the magnifying glass icon on the “Taskbar”. This icon is usually located next to the Start button. In the search results then click on the desired section. In the bar “Search” enter the query “Device Manager”
• If you do not have this icon, use the Windows Settings window: press the Win I key combination and start typing “Device Manager” in the search bar. As you type, the system will automatically detect what exactly you want to open. Select the required service from the list by clicking the left mouse button. In the search bar in the Options window, enter the query “Device Manager”
• In the manager window find the term “Cameras” and double-click on the list of connected devices.
• Right click on the name of your built-in camera. In the context menu, select the “Disconnect device” option. In the context menu, click on the line “Disable device”
• In the dialog box that appears, confirm your intention to temporarily deactivate the video device. Click “Yes” to turn off the camcorder

You can turn on the WEB-camera again through the same context menu that opens by right-clicking on the Corresponding item.

How to set up a webcam on a laptop

You can change the webcam settings in the classic Camera application window. We will tell you what settings are available in this junk step by step:

• Launch the “Camera” program using the instructions from the first section of this article. In the application window, there is a photo timer at the top (an alarm clock icon). The arrow next to it allows you to switch from automatic to professional shooting mode. The case has two round buttons for switching between taking photos and videos. In the “Camera” application, you can select a mode (photo or video), as well as enable the ability to manually set all the settings
• To get to the settings, click on the gear-shaped icon, which is located in the upper right corner of the application window under the icon to close.
• In the first drop-down menu, you can select the action that will be performed after pressing the camera button and holding it. Three options are available: single shot, whole series of photos, or video recording. Set the action to be performed after pressing and holding the camera button
• In the next menu, you can flip the image that you see in the application window. If necessary, set the angle to which you want to return the image
• The “Photos” section provides options for image aspect ratio and framing grid. Choose a grid type depending on what kind of survey you want to use. It will be easier to apply this or that method with it. Set the framing grid to match the shooting method you want to apply
• The Burst option enabled allows you to take multiple photos until you press the camera button again.
• In the “Video” block, you can select the recording quality (depending on the maximum parameter offered by the camera itself), as well as adjust the anti-flicker option. In the Video Recording menu, set the quality of your future media content
• In the “Related options” section, you can change the path to the folders where photos and videos will be saved. In the section of related parameters, you can choose the location of the files with the taken photo and video
• In addition, you can enable the use of your computer’s location. The characteristics of the photo or video will indicate where they were taken. Allow the Camera app to show your current location

What to do if the camera doesn’t work

Users of the Windows operating system sometimes fail to launch the classic “Camera” utility. At the same time, as a rule, a message appears in the window stating that it is NOT possible to find the camera or turn it on. Each error has its own code. Updating or rolling back video device drivers fixes most problems.

Checking antivirus settings

Most antiviruses have a feature that protects the user from being monitored by a webcam. It allows or blocks access to the video device for certain scripts and programs. However, this function may have problems. For example, an antivirus can suddenly disable the camera for the standard Camera application or Skype utility by Outsiders, considering them a threat. In the Skype messenger, in this case, a message usually appears that it cannot connect to webcams and that you need to close the utility that is currently using it.

Skype cannot start video broadcasting because the camera is open in another program

To make sure that the problem is not at all in the antivirus, Disable the camera protection functions in it for the time being. The option name and section location differ depending on the type of antivirus. Let’s look at the instructions using the Avast program as an example:

• Antiviruses usually work in the background in order to be always on the alert and, if necessary, block the threat. This means that you can open it through the Windows tray (the right edge of the taskbar with the date, time and other icons). Click on the upward arrow and click on the Avast icon on the small panel. Find the Avast icon in the Windows tray and then click on it
• Click on the “privacy” tab with the fingerprint icon. In the blue menu, select the “Webcam protection” block. In the “privacy” tab, open the “Webcam protection” section
• Click on the green switch to deactivate the option, and try to open the “WEB-camera” in third-party junk or in the standard “Camera” program. Click once on the switches to disable the protection option for a while

Updating or Installing a Driver

The most common cause of camera problems. untimely update of its drivers. How to update, we will describe in the instructions:

• Launch “Device Manager” in any of the ways described in the section “How to disable the webcam on a laptop with Windows 10”.
• Find the “Cameras” object in the list and open it with a double click. Right-click on the term with the required equipment and select the “Update driver” option from the list. You can also launch the update by clicking on the “Properties” item. a new small window will appear, in the second tab of which you need to click on the “Update driver” button. Click on the “Update Driver” button in the “Properties” window
• In the next window, click on the link for automatic search. We click on the link “Automatic search for updated drivers”
• We are waiting for the process to complete. It will take a little time. We are waiting for the search for available drivers on the network to complete
• As a result, the system will either find, download and install an available update, or notify you that all the latest drivers are already installed on your device. The system may display a message that the current drivers are already installed
• You can also manually search for updates on your computer to make sure that the driver does not exactly need an update. To do this, instead of automatically searching in the start window, select “Search for drivers on this computer”. Click on “Select a driver from the list of available PCs” again. Click on the link below “Select a driver from the list available on your computer”
• If you have a disk or other drive with your camera’s drivers, click on the “Have Disk” link. Click on the “Next” button to start searching for drivers or on the “Have Disk” button if you have a disc with camera drivers
• Wait for the procedure to complete. As a result, a message will appear stating that the system has successfully installed the drivers. Now you can close all windows, restart your computer and try to start the camera again. Click on the “Close” button after the system has successfully completed the driver update

Rollback to a previous version of the driver

If you notice that the “webcam” began to refuse to work after a recent driver update, roll back to the previous version. The following procedure can help you regain access to the camera:

• Calling the “Device Manager” on the display again. In the context menu of the video device, which is in the “Cameras” section, click on the “Properties” option.
• We switch to the second block and in it we press the “rollback” button. It should be noted that some drivers do NOT support rollback. In this case, the button has a dull tint and becomes unclickable. in this case it will NOT work to rollback. The “rollback” button in the properties window may be inactive: in this case, rollback will NOT work
• I confirm my action by clicking on the “Yes” button.
• After the procedure, we check if the camera is working.

Removing and re-detecting the webcam

If the usual update did not help you, do it a little differently: remove the camcorder, and then immediately put it back in place. Upon return, the system will immediately install the device with all the latest updates. How to do this, we describe below:

• Launch the “Task Manager” using the “Windows Settings” window or the “Search” panel. Detailed instructions for launching are in the section on disabling the webcam.
• We click on our video device with the right mouse button, select “Remove device” from the extended menu. Click on the “Remove device” item to make the “Cameras” section disappear from the list of “Task Manager”
• In the next window I confirm that we want to get rid of the camera for a while. You will see that the “Cameras” section has disappeared from the list. Click “Delete” to confirm the action
• Click on the “Action” link on the top panel of the dispatcher and select the “Update hardware configuration” option. Select the menu item “Update hardware configuration”
• We are waiting for the system to find the devices again and update the list. After that, you can try again to launch the webcam.

Troubleshooting Code 0xA00F4246

After launching the “Camera” utility, a black window may open with a notification that the “webcam” cannot be launched. In this case, the system will ask you to check if new versions of drivers are available and update the latest ones if available. Error code in this case. 0xA00F4246. It occurs both with built-in devices and with removable (external) devices that are connected separately.

Error 0xA00F4246 may occur when launching the Camera application

If you encounter this problem, most likely, your camera will not work in other utilities that require it, for example, in Skype. Unfortunately, you will NOT be able to fix the problem by simply updating the drivers. Way out. small procedure for editing the registry in a Windows system application:

• Start Registry Editor. It’s quite simple to do this: press the Win and R keys and in the small window spell the word regedit. After that, immediately click on OK or Enter, so that the system will execute the specified command. Enter the regedit command in the window that appears
• In a small Windows system window, Confirm permission Registry Editor makes changes to the computer.
• A list of several branches will appear on the left pane of the window. Choose the third one. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Run it with a double click and open the SOFTWARE folder. Open the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE branch on the left, and in it the SOFTWARE folder
• Go to the Microsoft folder and then. in Windows Media Foundation. Open the Windows Media Foundation section in the Microsoft folder
• In the last folder, right-click on the Platform block and in the small menu, point to the “Create” item. In the following list, select “DWORD Value”. Click on the “New” button and select “DWORD Parameter”
• Use EnableFrameServerMode as the name of the created parameter. Name the created entry EnableFrameServerMode
• Open it by double-clicking the left mouse button. In the window that appears, set the created parameter to 0. To save the changes, click OK. Put the value 0 in the appropriate box of the window
• Close the editor window, Disable all open applications and restart the PC.
• When the device starts up, check if the problem with the Camera utility is resolved.

What to do if an error with number 0xA00F4246 appears when launching “Camera”

A special “Camera” utility is built into the Windows 10 system, which allows you to launch the “WEB-camera“. In this program, PC users shoot videos and take photos. In order for the webcam to be enabled in other standard and third-party programs, you need to allow it to use it in the privacy settings, which are available in the Windows Settings window. If your camera does not want to start in either standard or third-party utilities, try updating its drivers in the “Device Manager”, and also check if the antivirus is blocking its operation.

Microsoft developers have introduced a special service in Windows 10 that is responsible for the operation of video communications on the device. Consider all the nuances associated with this program, and analyze the key questions regarding the topic: how to turn on the camera on a laptop with OS Windows 10 how to turn off and how to set up the visualization equipment.

How to launch a webcam on Windows 10

The Windows 10 operating system is able to effectively manage and control the operation of all devices and elements that are responsible for video, sound, image quality, etc. To configure sound in Windows 10, you need to adhere to the following rules. Here we will analyze the details regarding video communications.

How do I open the camera on a Windows 10 laptop? You need to perform the following series of sequential actions:

• Expand the “Start” panel.
• In the list of all applications, if they are already displayed on the initial Start screen, we find the group with the letter “K”, select the “Camera” service and select it.
• If the list is hidden, click on “All applications” and search through the list there.
• The system service card will open. If the mood imaging equipment turns on and the screen displays an image.

The question of how to enable the WEB-camera on a Windows 10 computer has been resolved. Now you can use video communication, record videos and take photos.

Configuring a webcam in Windows 10

The main parameters of the built-in video device can be configured in the window that we opened above. There is a quick switch to photo or video shooting, a photo timer and a switch to professional mode.

How to set up webcam details on Windows 10 laptop? To perform advanced settings, click on the Corresponding icon in the upper right corner.

Here you can set the button hold options for capturing videos and burst photos. For photography, you can choose a framing grid and Slow motion. For video, there is a choice of recording quality and flicker reduction.

Check and disconnect

How to turn off the camera on a Windows 10 laptop? To resolve this issue, you need to go through Start. Options. Confidentiality. camera.

This is where you quickly turn on and off.

How to check the camera on a laptop with Windows 10 if you have problems opening and turning on by the above methods? To do this, proceed as follows: Start. Options. System. In the opened card, in the left list of system parameters, select the “About system” item. In the right block we go down and find the related parameters. “Device Manager”.

In the opened card, select the field “Image processing devices”. Expand this item, right-click on the name of the device. Choose disable / enable.

Here you can update drivers, hardware configuration and go to device properties.

The quality of video communication and image recording is affected by the parameters of the graphics hardware installed on the laptop. If you have problems with the clarity of the picture on a high-speed Internet, it is worth checking the characteristics of the devices responsible for the graphics. You can find instructions on how to view a video card on Windows 10 here.

How to turn on the webcam on a Windows 10 laptop

All laptops have a webcam. But not all users know how to turn it on, off or configure it. There is nothing complicated about it. now you see for yourself.

Turning on the webcam

The camera is available as a standalone application. You can find it in the list of installed programs in the Start menu.

Open the “Start” menu. Then there are two options. scroll through the list of applications manually to the “Camera” item or press the letter “K” on the keyboard to go to the built-in Windows 10 search. Find the program, run it, wait a bit and see ourselves on the screen.

There are definitely applications for the camera in the Start menu

On some laptop models, a hotkey combination is responsible for turning on the camera. The shortcuts vary by manufacturer, but usually the Fn button is the first and the second. one of the keys from the F1-F12 row. However, there may be other options. For example, many laptops have FnV. An icon usually helps to find a suitable key. camera icon next to letter or second designation.

On older laptops, a separate button was used to start the camera, which is located next to the power button. It was enough to click on it to launch the module for taking photos and videos. I have not seen such a button on new models.

Sometimes the camera is needed to work with SEPARATE applications. In this case, launching it via the Start menu or using a keyboard shortcut is NOT useful. it is enough just to allow the second programs to use the module for shooting. Very rarely, permission is required for the Camera application itself. in this case, when it starts, a window with a request to GRANT access will appear. All these problems are solved in the same way.

• Press the WinI key combination or go to “Windows 10 Settings” in the “Start” menu.
• We open the section “Confidentiality”.
• Go to the “Camera” tab.
• In the field “Allow access to the camera” click “Change”. We check that the switch is in the “On” position.

Allow access to camera control

We leave access to the camera only for individual applications

If you DO NOT allow the program to access the camera, then at startup it will constantly ask you if you can use this module. I prefer to give manual permission to each application. The only exception is the built-in Camera program. If I used Skype, then he would be allowed to automatically access the video.

We figured out the camera, but for normal communication via video communication and recording clips, you also need a microphone. The permission to use it can be configured by analogy with the camera on the next tab in the “Privacy” section.

Turn off the webcam

I don’t turn off the camera. If an attack of paranoia begins, then I simply cover the lens with electrical tape and speak very quietly so that the microphone does NOT catch vibrations. But if you have electrical tape at hand, then you can prevent all applications, including the built-in program, from shooting video. This is done in the same way through the “Privacy” section in “Windows 10 Settings”. Returns to the “Camera” tab again and close access for all applications. We repeat the same operation with a microphone.

Now, in general, no program can use the camera without my separate permission

You can go further and turn off the module altogether, which is responsible for shooting. We will do this through the “Device Manager”. To run it, I usually use the built-in Windows 10 search. Another option. right-click on the “Start” menu or press the WinX key combination and select “Device Manager” from the context menu.

Device Manager is always at hand

In the “Dispatcher” window we find the “Cameras” section and the Expanding list. There will be one item inside. unless, of course, you have two cameras connected. Right-click on the device and select “Disable”.

We turn off the camera for a while so that no one can use it

After shutdown, the module will stop working. You can enable it through the same context menu. It also has the item “Remove device”, but this is already a hardcore option, so I recommend limiting yourself to a temporary shutdown.

Camera setup

Built-in Camera application. not the most functional tool for taking photos and videos. There are very few settings, so you shouldn’t expect a serious improvement in the image quality in comparison with the one that the module produces by default. But there are still some useful parameters.

Launch the “Camera” application in any available way, specified in the first part of the article. We see a switch between shooting modes. Photo and video. For video, there are no control tools in the main window, you can only slightly adjust it through the parameters, but more on that later. In the photo shooting mode, you can select the HDR mode (the camera will take several pictures and then stitch them together, so the quality is higher, but not always) or set the timer for 2-10 seconds.

There are very few settings in the standard Camera application

In the upper left corner of the application there is a gear icon, clicking on which takes us to the settings menu. The first parameter allows you to enable professional mode. On my laptop, only the ability to adjust the brightness when taking a photo is added. You may have more additional tools.

Here you can control the quality of photos and videos

The set of settings also changes depending on the laptop model. An approximate set of parameters that you can configure looks like this:

• Actions when pressing and holding the camera button: one shot, a series of photos, or a video.
• Rotate the image captured by the camera by 90, 180 or 270 degrees.
• Change the aspect ratio of the photo. Several options for image resolution are available.
• Selecting a framing grid.
• Enable / disable burst shooting. When you start it, the camera takes photos until you press the shutter button again.
• Choice of recording quality and number of frames per second.
• Flicker reduction setting.
• Turn on automatic video stabilization.

There is also a section “Related parameters” in the application settings. Here you can manually specify the folder to which the captured images and recorded videos will be sent, and you can choose whether the camera can use the location information. they will be listed in the file properties. The last point. changing privacy settings. When you click it, you will be taken to the window in which we configured the permission for applications.

You can customize the folder for saving photos and videos and add information to the camera location

If the settings of the built-in application are not enough, you can try downloading a third-party program for taking photos and videos. However, it is not worth hoping that the pictures and videos will turn out better. after all, a lot depends on the capabilities of the module itself. Several examples of replacing the standard Camera application:

• Manycam. a free program that allows you to change the background, add effects and work with the camera simultaneously in several applications without conflicts.
• Magic Camera. adds frames, filters and transform effects to the image, allows you to change the background and add an image.
• Youcam 8 from Cyberlink. a paid program that integrates with Skype, Hangouts, YouTube Live, Live and other streaming and chatting apps. Adds effects, emoticons, images and additional image options.

All these programs create a virtual camera. it is she who needs to be chosen for shooting. The video settings can be in other applications that use the camera. for example, in Skype. They are also very limited by the capabilities of the module itself, but sometimes they help to slightly improve the picture by adjusting the contrast and brightness. Depending on the camera, the Skype video settings may also have options for hue, saturation, clarity, white balance, etc. If these options are NOT active, then the camera simply does not support their setting.

Camera does not work

Usually there are no problems with starting the camera. But a couple of times I came across the built-in app and third-party programs refusing to work. The reasons may vary. let’s figure out how to detect and eliminate them.

Antivirus check

Some antiviruses have functions to protect the user from surveillance through a webcam. They work clumsily. simply block access to the module for SEPARATE programs and scripts. Therefore, sometimes the security system malfunctions, which leads to the fact that the antivirus prevents even the built-in Windows 10 or Skype application from accessing the camera.

Perhaps the error appears NOT at all due to the antivirus, but we need to exclude this possibility. So we check.

• Open the antivirus settings, which can block the webcam.
• Go to the “privacy” section.
• Disable the “Webcam Protection” option.

Avast antivirus has a webcam protection option that may not work properly

Deactivation of unnecessary guardianship in privacy is shown using the example of Avast antivirus. The location and name of the settings varies depending on the program you use to protect your system. Therefore, I recommend looking for what settings your antivirus has in general, where they are located and how to use them. This information should be on the developer’s website or on user forums.

Driver check

The most common cause of problems in the operation of any equipment. driver problems. Often, the trigger is an Incorrect update or a complete absence of updates. To eliminate this possibility:

• Launch “Device Manager” in any way described above. for example, via the WinX context menu.
• Find the section “Cameras” and Opening it.
• Right-click on the device and select “Update Driver”.
• We start automatic search on the computer and on the network. Waiting for scan results.

Run the search for an updated webcam driver

If there are driver updates available for the camera, the system will detect them, download and install them. If there is nothing, then a message will appear stating that the current software version is installed on the device. However, I advise NOT to rely on this answer and check for updates manually on the manufacturer’s website.

First we try automatic driver search, then manual

For example, I have an ASUS laptop. To find drivers for its components, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website, open the page for the corresponding model and check the list of available software. If the list of utilities contains an update for the webcam, then download it and install it manually. For this:

• We return to the “Device Manager”.
• Find the webcam, right-click on it and select “Update driver”.
• Select the driver search mode on the computer.
• Click “Select a driver from the list available on the computer”.
• Click on the “Install from disk” link.
• Specify the path to the downloaded driver file and wait for the installation to complete.

After installing the latest version of the camera software, we check its operability by running the built-in Windows 10 application. Didn’t it help? Then let’s try rolling back the driver to the previous version. This helps to fix errors that could occur during the interaction of the system with the camera module or after an unsuccessful update.

• Launch “Device Manager”.
• Find the camera, right-click and go to its properties.
• Go to the “Driver” tab and click “rollbacks”.

Rolling back the driver to the previous version

After rolling back the driver, check if the webcam is working. If the problem is not resolved, or the “Rollback” button in the properties was unavailable, then proceed to the next way to solve the problem.

Removing and installing a webcam

Removing the camera will NOT affect the system performance in any way. But when you reinstall it, Windows 10 will definitely add the correct configuration that will work. So let’s get started:

• Launch “Device Manager”.
• Find the camera, right-click on it and select “Delete device”.

Fearlessly Remove the webcam

After updating the hardware configuration, the system will reinstall the webcam

The system will independently detect the connected device, install it and all necessary updates. After that, you need to make sure that the camera is working.

Fixing error 0xA00F4246

The hardest problem I’ve faced. error notification 0xA00F4246. The signature says that it is necessary to check the new driver versions, but this will not help. To fix the problem, you will have to edit the Windows 10 system registry.

• Press the WinR keyboard shortcut and enter the regedit command. Click “OK”.
• In the left menu, go to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWARE / Microsoft / Windows Media Foundation / Platform.
• Right-click on the free space on the right side of the window.
• Expanding the “Create” menu and select the “DWORD Parameter” option.

New parameter will help fix the error when starting the camera

Adding this parameter will not harm the system

After completing editing, you need to close the registry, reboot the system and check if the built-in Camera application or another program that requires permission to use the module for shooting is working.

Other troubleshooting methods

Usually, you can return the camera to a working state using one of the methods described above. If all else fails, here are a couple more options.

Open “Windows 10 Settings”, go to the “Privacy” section and make sure that the built-in application and the second necessary programs are allowed access to the camera. Be sure to leave enabled the permission for the component “Desktop Web Viewers”.

Checking your webcam privacy settings

If you have NEVER used a webcam on a laptop, then you need to check if it is enabled in the BIOS. Management Options Should be under Advanced, Integrated Peripherals or Security depending on camera model and BIOS version.

The BIOS can also have webcam settings

If the built-in webcam still refuses to work, then there are two options: take the laptop to a service center for specialists to check if everything is in order with the module itself, or purchase an external device and connect it via USB. In the second case, you can choose the webcam that you need for work and communication, and not be content with the minimal functionality offered by the integrated equipment.

For example, I connected an action camera to my laptop via USB. In conjunction with the built-in module, this made it possible to quickly switch between the main camera and the front camera. So even if the integrated camera breaks down, you will definitely not be left without video communication.

How to turn on the camera on a laptop

Today it is almost impossible to find a laptop without a built-in camera. The only exceptions are quite budget models. Even so, you can purchase an external USB browser and connect it to your PC.

And, it would seem, the camera should work immediately when the device is turned on for the first time, but unfortunately, this does not always happen.

That is why I decided to write an article on how to properly turn on the WEB-camera on a laptop, configure it and prepare it for further work. Let’s look at several methods using the example of Windows 10 and 7.

• Key combination
• How to turn on the camera on a laptop in Windows 10
• How to turn on the camera on a laptop in Windows 7
• Trouble-shooting
• Errors and damage to components
• Driver problem
• Other malfunctions
• Online services and programs
• What you need to know when working with online services
• Detailed video

Key combination

Most laptop and netbook models are equipped with so-called “hot keys”. With their help, the procedure for activating the camcorder is simplified to a few clicks.

The procedure will be as follows:

• Press the “FN” button on the keyboard and do not release it, press the button with the camera icon. In my case, this is “FN ESC”.
• After that, the standard camera control program should start.

If this method does not work, then you may have encountered one of two types of malfunctions:

• Defective keys.
• Required software not installed.

Each of the options will be discussed in more detail below. In the meantime, I propose to move on to the main ways to fix the problem.

How to turn on the camera on a laptop in Windows 10

In Windows 10, first you need to make some settings and only then launch the camera.

We carry out all the actions in order:

• Right-click on the “Start” button and enter the “Parameters” section.
• We open the subsection “Confidentiality”.
• In the left menu, select “Camera” and set the existing values ​​to the “Enabled” mode. Additionally, you can set permissions for SEPARATE applications that could use our visual equipment.
• Reopen the Start menu and click on the All Applications button.
• We activate the camera, clicked on the corresponding item.

After that, a standard program for working with a video camera will start. It has all the standard features for comfortable use.

How to turn on the camera on a laptop in Windows 7

Usually fresh, newly purchased laptops have the necessary software for the front camera to work properly. All that remains for the user is to enable it.

How to do it in Windows 7

• Click on the “Start” icon and go to the “Devices and Printers” section.
• The next window will display all connected devices. We find what we need, and with the help of the right mouse click turn it on.

List of Some laptop models and named applications that are used by default.

• Acer Equipped with “Crystal Eye” utility.
• HP offers to use the application “HP MediaSmart Webcam”.
• Asus provides its users with the “Life Frame” program.
• Lenovo uses the Lenovo EasyCamera software.

Perhaps you will have a different program, it depends both on the manufacturer’s company and on the laptop model. They are very similar in terms of capabilities and control, even a novice user will not be difficult to deal with them.

The current version of the program can be downloaded from the official website of the PC manufacturer.

Trouble-shooting

In some cases, the standard launch methods are ineffective and the imaging equipment remains inactive. There may be several reasons for this:

• If keystrokes are used, they may be faulty. Especially if liquid has been spilled on the keyboard or if maintenance (cleaning) of the laptop has not been carried out for a long time. There are two solutions, either repair or clean, or use other ways to turn on the camera.
• Errors in the system.
• Drivers not installed.
• Software crash in drivers.

Let’s analyze each point in more detail.

Errors and damage to components

Very often, some OS functions stop working correctly as a result of a system failure. For example, after a wrong or abrupt shutdown of the laptop, damage to the hard drive side, or the presence of viruses.

The last two options should be checked separately, after which you can proceed to troubleshooting steps:

• We start the team term. Learn more about how to open it in Windows 10. In the seventh version, the principle will be the same.
• Windows 10 users enter the command “DISM / Online / Cleanup-image / Restorehealth” and press “Enter”. After its completion, execute the command “sfc / scannow”.
• Windows 7 users only enter “sfc / scannow” at the command timeline and click “Enter”.
• We are waiting for the end of the procedure and restart the laptop.
• It remains to check the file system errors. To do this, open “Computer”, click on the disk with the OS with the right mouse and go to “Properties”.
• Move to the “Service” tab and click on the check button.
• We set the checkboxes on the existing items and run the check. There are no additional check marks in the tenth version, so we just start checking.
• If the system asks to add a procedure to the scheduler, then add and reboot the laptop.

After that, we try to re-enable the WEB-camera using the keys or from a special section in the Start menu.

Driver problem

The camera may have stopped working due to drivers. This usually happens after an update, system errors, or conflicts between connected equipment.

How to fix it:

• We go to the device manager.
• Find the section “Image processing devices”.
• Click on the name of the equipment with the right mouse and select the “Delete” option. I confirm the action.
• In the top menu click “Action” and “Update configuration”.
• We reboot the laptop and re-enter the device manager.
• Let’s see if there are yellow, red signs in the dispatcher opposite our equipment or in other sections, indicating a malfunction. If the signs are present, then you need to reinstall the drivers. To do this, go to the PC manufacturer’s website, enter the model into the search (it is written on stickers at the bottom of the laptop or box) and download the video camera driver. An alternative is to use driver kits such as “SamDrivers” or Special Programs such as “Driver Booster”. When choosing software, make sure it is compatible with the OS.
• If everything is in order with the equipment, then we try to restart the camera. To do this, click on it with the right mouse and select the item “activate”.

The webcam should now turn on.

Other malfunctions

Even less often, the problem is on the side of a physical camera malfunction or cables that have come off their connectors. Experienced service center masters will help to correct the situation. An alternative repair option can be the purchase and connection of an external USB camera

Be sure to check the anti-virus settings, the most popular of them are equipped with anti-tracking function and can block the operation of the WEB-camera. For example, in the antivirus “Avast” similar settings are located in the section “privacy”.

Online services and programs

If the standard camera control does NOT start or for some reason does not suit you, there are other special programs and online resources to check the operation and use of the device.

• In order to check the performance of the video camera, go to the online service “WebcamMic Test” and click on the green test button. In case of serviceability, you will see the image and hear the sound in headphones or speakers.
• You can also turn on the built-in WEB-camera of the laptop using the online service “Video Recorder”. Its main advantage is the ability to take photos and videos with further storage on a computer or in the cloud.
• Another option is to launch Skype and see if the image is being transmitted. If there is no picture and the light comes on, then the hardware is working and the problem is with Skype. You need to configure it correctly or reinstall it.