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Camera not working on Windows 11

Built-in laptop camera or USB webcam.

First, test it.
The webcam test shows in seconds whether the device works at all — that decides which steps below apply.
Open the webcam test

Three places can block a microphone or camera, and all three must say yes: the operating system (privacy settings), the browser or app (site permission or device picker) and the hardware (mute switch, shutter, cable). Work through them in that order.

  1. Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Cameras. Your camera should be under Connected cameras. If it is under Disabled cameras, click it and choose Enable. The page also has a built-in Troubleshoot link.
  2. Privacy switches. Settings › Privacy & security › Camera: Camera access on, Let apps access your camera on, Let desktop apps access your camera on; check the per-app list.
  3. Shutter and camera key. Slide any lens cover open. Many laptops have a camera key (often F8, sometimes a side switch); an LED or on-screen icon shows when it is disabled. Press it once.
  4. Test in the Camera app. Open Camera from Start. Error 0xA00F4244 “We can’t find your camera” means Windows sees no device: continue with steps 5–7. If the Camera app works, your other app is at fault (its device picker or privacy entry).
  5. Antivirus webcam protection. Kaspersky, Bitdefender, Norton, ESET, McAfee and Windows Security’s own settings can block apps silently. Open the security app and allow the app or disable webcam protection to test.
  6. Device Manager. Right-click Start › Device Manager › Cameras (or Imaging devices). A down-arrow icon means disabled: right-click › Enable device. A warning triangle: right-click › Update driver, or Uninstall device and restart so Windows reinstalls it. Get the latest driver from your laptop maker’s support page.
  7. BIOS/UEFI. Some business laptops let you disable the camera in firmware. Restart, enter BIOS (usually F2, F10 or Del) and look for “Integrated camera” under Security or I/O ports.
  8. USB webcams. Try another port directly on the PC (USB 3 ports are blue), another cable; avoid unpowered hubs and KVM switches.

Confirm with the webcam test: live picture, resolution and measured frames per second.

Did it work?

Run the webcam test again. If the device now registers here, every app that has permission will see it too.

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Questions, answered

The camera shows a black picture with the light on.

Another app has it open (Teams, Zoom, Camera) — close them. Virtual camera software (OBS, Snap, XSplit) can also be selected by mistake.

Windows Hello face sign-in stopped working too.

That points at a driver or the camera being disabled (steps 1 and 6). After fixing, set up Windows Hello again under Settings › Accounts › Sign-in options.