Hardware Access Error - Messenger - Webcam and Mic

Anonymous
2018-10-31T15:37:39+00:00

Hello,

For the past week, I've been getting this pop up when I want to make a Messenger video call.  Been using this for over a year without a glitch.  Both camera and mic work fine with Skype and Zoom but not with Messenger.  Checked all settings in FB and Google Chrome to make sure mic and webcam are 'allowed'.  Tried a couple of troubleshooting YouTube vids.  Even did a whole recovery process, going through the pain of reinstalling apps...ugh..., with no results.  The only thing I remember that may - or may not- be related is that I connected my laptop (where I use Messenger) to my Samsung bluetooth speaker.  After that, Messenger video calls went kapout!!!  Please HEEEEEEEELP!!!! 

Thank you!

MC

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-04-04T23:18:10+00:00

    Hi there. Thank you for the help but it did not work. So I called a friend but the icon for the video never came on. I was able to speak to her, but it won't access the microphone when I click video...the error message comes on. Strange.  I followed the suggestion  to no avail.

    :(  Frustrated.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-04-05T01:21:36+00:00

    It does, but it says to turn the mic on even though it's on

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-04-05T04:13:56+00:00

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/hardware-access-error-messenger-webcam-and-mic/d5cdd343-cf99-4502-85ef-58cce8ee46f9

    IF ITS GIVING YOU A HARDWARE ACCESS ERROR MESSAGE, THAT MEANS THERE IS ANOTHER PROGRAM WHICH IS CONFLICTING WITH YOU CAMERA. IF YOU LOOK AT THE CAMERA OPTIONS IN THE FACEBOOK SETTING, THERE SHOULD ONLY BE THE ONE OPTION FOR YOUR WEB CAM.  IF A DIFFERENT CAMERA NAME IS SHOWN, THIS MEANS IT IS CONFLICTING WITH YOUR WEB CAM.  YOU MUST UNINSTALL THE CONFLICTING PROGRAM SUCH AS COREL VIDEO MAKER AND SUCH, RESTART YOUR COMPUTER AND YOUR PROBLEM SHOULD GO AWAY.

    I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY WEBCAM, AND AS SOON AS I UNINSTALLED THE CONFLICTING PROGRAM, MY WEBCAM ON MESSENGER BEGAN WORKING AGAIN.

    THIS SHOULD FIX YOUR PROBLEM.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-04-05T04:27:56+00:00

    What you need is close everything out.... Go to windows and go to CAMERA (App) And it will open... It will open and it will talk about privacy settings and you need to click the privacy settings button.  Once you do this it will open camera settings.. Click the CHANGE and slide the slider to ON.  This ALLOWS apps to access camera. You do this on settings and then it should work

    Also ... if you are having trouble with sound/microphone go to search bar... Type sound... Open sound settings  Click troubleshoot for microphone...

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-04-06T15:11:34+00:00

    Mine is exactly the same as yours!  It's SO frustrating!

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