Windows 11 · Windows
Fix a Camera or Webcam Not Working in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
Run the Windows camera troubleshooter, open any privacy shutter, allow camera access, enable the camera in Device Manager, then update or reinstall its official driver.
Check hardware controls
Open a physical privacy shutter, press the camera function key if present, and reconnect an external webcam directly to the PC.
Run the camera troubleshooter
Open Get Help and run the Camera troubleshooter, then test with the Windows Camera app.
Allow camera access
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and enable Camera access, app access and desktop-app access as required.
Check the driver
Enable the camera in Device Manager. Update it, or uninstall the device and scan for hardware changes using Microsoft's supported procedure.
Test the Windows Camera app and affected app
Open the Windows Camera app first, then the app that originally failed. If Camera works but the other app does not, recheck only that app's camera selection and permission.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If “Fix a Camera or Webcam Not Working in Windows 11” remains unresolved, identify the first numbered step that produces a different result and preserve that screen, log, file, or message. Recheck the specific account, permission, storage, connection, driver, or hardware prerequisite above, then follow only the matching Microsoft Support recovery path; do not combine unrelated resets, bypasses, unofficial installers, or third-party repair tools.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform update.