Camera is not working though I see it is connected and the indicator light is showing that it is working.

Hi,

If this is company equipment, I recommend you contact the company's support and check the laptop's manual.

If it's your laptop, if possible, access msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot and post it here so we can see the correct model and instruct you correctly.

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Thanks

Thank you. I tried all of those and nothing helped. I am going to take to our system administrator and see what they can do. Luckily I do have an external camera and that works.

Hi,

Access msinfo32.exe in the search bar, take a screenshot and post it here.

It's possible it's an internal problem with the laptop's camera.

Do you have any third-party antivirus software?

Thanks

Follow these steps to resolve a black screen even though the camera is connected and the indicator light is on:

1. Test the camera in the Windows Camera app
   1. Select Start > Camera.
   2. Check if the preview works.
   3. If the camera works here but not in other apps, the issue is with that app’s settings (for example, the app may be using a different device or have camera access disabled).
2. Check for physical block or privacy shutter
   1. Make sure nothing is covering the camera lens.
   2. If the device has a small privacy slider/shutter around the camera, slide it open.
   3. Some laptops have a keyboard key (often Fn + a function key with a camera icon) that disables/enables the camera. Press it once to enable the camera.
3. Update the camera driver
   1. Select Start > Device Manager.
   2. Expand Cameras and locate the camera.
   3. Right‑click the camera > Update driver.
   4. Select Search automatically for drivers so Windows can find and install the latest driver.
   5. Restart the PC after the update and test again in the Camera app.
4. Check Windows Update (including optional driver updates)
   1. Select Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
   2. If available, select Advanced options > Optional updates and install any camera or driver updates.
   3. Restart the PC, then open Start > Camera and test again.
5. Run the Camera troubleshooter (Windows 11)
   1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
   2. Find Camera and select Run.
   3. Apply any fixes it suggests, then restart and test the Camera app.

If the camera still shows a black screen in the Camera app after these steps, the problem is likely faulty camera hardware.

References:

• Camera doesn't work in Windows
• my camera does not function in windows - Microsoft Q&A