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If no applications can see your webcam, it’s worth double-checking it’s plugged in correctly. The manufacturer’s website should provide additional troubleshooting instructions for your particular webcam, too. In some cases, you may need to download a device driver installation package from the webcam manufacturer’s website and install it yourself.Įven if you’re previously downloaded drivers, try going to your webcam manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest driver package to update your device drivers. Windows 10 tries to install device drivers whenever you connect a device automatically, and it usually works. RELATED: How to Disable Your Webcam (and Why You Should) If you’re previously disabled your webcam in this way, you’ll need to return to the Device Manager and re-enable the device. This will prevent it from functioning until you re-enable it. It’s also possible to disable the webcam device in the Windows Device Manager. If you’ve previously disabled your webcam in the BIOS or UEFI firmware, you’ll need to re-enable it from there. This option is found more often on business laptops since it gives businesses a way to disable webcam access securely. Aside from simply unplugging it, you can disable the webcam in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings screen on some laptops. We’ve covered some other ways to disable your webcam in the past. Ensure Your Webcam Isn’t Disabled In Other Ways That just leaves the traditional webcam troubleshooting steps. Traditional desktop applications can always access your webcam as long as you’ve enabled the system-wide “Allow access to the camera on this device” and “Allow apps to access your camera” options.Īs long as the above options are set correctly, Windows 10 shouldn’t be getting in the way. Note that traditional desktop applications don’t appear on this list. Under “Choose which apps can access your camera,” ensure the app that wants to access your camera isn’t listed and set to “Off.” If it appears in this list, set it to “On.” Previously, it only affected UWP apps and didn’t affect traditional desktop applications.

This option was changed with the release of Windows 10’s April 2018 Update. However, the Windows operating system can still use your camera for features like Windows Hello. Just under that, ensure “Allow apps to access your camera” is also set to “On.” If it’s set to Off, no applications on your system-including desktop applications-can see or use your camera.

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