Laptop camera not working
A privacy setting or shutter is a common cause when a laptop camera will not start. Run the webcam test first to see which case applies; nothing leaves your device.
Run the test first
Webcam test
What the webcam test checks
The webcam test checks whether the page can use your laptop camera. Run it and note the result shown on the page. The result helps point to the right group of steps, but it does not by itself identify a broken part.
This test is about whether the camera starts for the page. If the camera starts, compare what you see with the result shown by the test. If it does not, use the error name to choose the matching case below.
Tell which case you have
If the result is NotAllowedError, use the Windows camera access steps. This case points to camera access being blocked. If it is NotFoundError, use the camera not found steps: check the listed privacy controls, built-in camera setting, drivers, or whether the webcam is missing from Device Manager. The exact step depends on your laptop maker and model.
If the result is NotReadableError, use the steps for restoring the original webcam driver after an update or ending the app using the camera. If there is no matching error, try the Windows Camera app steps in the general section. The test result helps sort the problem, but follow only steps listed for your device and case.
Why laptop cameras stop working
A camera can be unavailable because Windows camera access is off. A privacy shutter, camera key, or privacy mode can also keep the camera from being available. On some listed devices, the built-in camera can be off in BIOS, or a webcam may be missing from Device Manager.
A camera may also be unavailable while another app is using it. A driver update can be related to the problem, which is why the listed steps include restoring the original webcam driver. These are possible causes tied to the cases in this guide; the test alone cannot tell which physical or software change caused yours.
What to do after the result
Start with the step that matches the test result and your device. For a NotFoundError, look for the relevant maker-specific steps, such as checking a shutter or camera key, turning off privacy mode, enabling the camera, or addressing its driver. For a NotReadableError, follow the listed driver or other-app steps.
After using a step, run the webcam test again to see whether the result changes. You can also use the Windows Camera app test listed on the page.
By the error your test showed
Blocked
No steps for this system in this section. Choose All systems to see them.
Turn on camera access in Windows
Camera access for the device, for apps and for desktop apps must all be on. Browsers use the desktop apps switch.
Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Not found
No steps for this system in this section. Choose All systems to see them.
Check the shutter and the camera key on a ThinkPad
If the light beside the camera is on, another app is using it, so close that app. Some laptops have a shutter that must be open, and some have a camera on/off hot key (F8 or another key).
Source: Camera does not work - ThinkPad, Lenovo Support, checked November 6, 2026
Turn Camera Privacy Mode off in Lenovo Vantage
Set the camera to On. Camera Privacy Mode set to On switches the camera off, so it must be Off if you want to use the camera.
Source: Adjust integrated camera settings with Lenovo Vantage - Windows 10 and 11, Lenovo Support, checked November 6, 2026
Use the privacy switch, shutter key or cover on an HP notebook
Some HP notebooks have a webcam privacy switch or a shutter key that turns the webcam off and on, and some have a privacy cover. Slide the cover right to uncover the lens. By default the webcam is on.
Source: HP PCs - Troubleshoot the webcam (Windows), HP Support, checked November 6, 2026
Dell Latitude 9420: switch camera privacy off with F9
On this model the F9 key turns the camera privacy option on and off. When privacy is on the shutter stays closed. Keep it off (shutter open) when you use the camera.
Source: Latitude 9420 Internal Camera Not Detected or Not Working, Dell Support, checked November 6, 2026
Open the privacy shutter on a Dell
Some Dell laptops and USB webcams have a physical shutter over the lens. Make sure it is open.
Source: Camera Does Not Work in Windows: Laptop or USB Webcams, Dell Support, checked November 6, 2026
Turn the built-in camera on in the BIOS
Restart, press F2 repeatedly to open BIOS setup, enable the camera, then save and exit. Dell's page puts the setting under Integrated Devices, and the menu name can differ between models.
Source: Camera Does Not Work in Windows: Laptop or USB Webcams, Dell Support, checked November 6, 2026
Dell Latitude 9420: install the camera drivers in Dell's order
Uninstall the existing camera drivers. Install the Intel Integrated Sensor Solution driver (category Chipset), then the Intel 2D Imaging/MCU/Visual Sensing Controller driver (category Camera), and restart.
Source: Latitude 9420 Internal Camera Not Detected or Not Working, Dell Support, checked November 6, 2026
HP: bring back a webcam missing from Device Manager
Restart. If there is no Imaging devices category, scan for hardware changes. If it is still missing, the webcam may have come loose inside and need service; run the Webcam Connection Test in HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
Source: HP PCs - Troubleshoot the webcam (Windows), HP Support, checked November 6, 2026
Busy
No steps for this system in this section. Choose All systems to see them.
HP: restore the original webcam driver after an update
If the webcam stopped after an update, update the driver listed as HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device, then restart.
Source: HP PCs - Troubleshoot the webcam (Windows), HP Support, checked November 6, 2026
End the app that is using the camera
Another app may hold the camera. End it in Task Manager and check the privacy settings again.
Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Setting not available
The device cannot deliver what the test asked for, such as a resolution or a sample rate.
Not allowed on this page
The browser blocks devices here, for example inside a frame on another site or under a company policy.
Interrupted
Something stopped the device while it was starting. Try again; if it happens again, restart the browser.
Other checks
No steps for this system in this section. Choose All systems to see them.
Test the camera in the Windows Camera app
If the picture works in the Camera app but not elsewhere, look at the settings of the other app.
Source: Camera doesn't work in Windows, Microsoft Support, checked November 6, 2026
Questions
Why is my laptop camera not working?
The cases listed here include blocked Windows camera access, a privacy control, a camera disabled in BIOS, missing webcam drivers, or another app using the camera. Run the webcam test and use its result to select the matching steps.
What does NotFoundError mean in this guide?
It is the case for a camera the test cannot find. The listed steps cover privacy controls, enabling the built-in camera, drivers, and a webcam missing from Device Manager. Choose the step that matches your laptop.
What does NotReadableError mean?
This case has steps for restoring the original webcam driver after an update and ending the app that is using the camera. Follow the relevant listed step, then run the test again.
Can I tell whether my camera is broken from this test?
The test result helps identify which troubleshooting steps to try, but it does not confirm a broken part.