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

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-10-12T16:40:59+00:00

    I am using PC, Messenger from browser. webcam - Logitech C920.  I can use webacm to take photos, No problems.

    I can use my cam  on all Cam to Cam Apps ie , hangout , skype etc exept Messenger, I have followed your Reply's regarding this issues , ie, camera setting , settings < privicy etc but yet when I now use messenger , they can hear me but yet I have black screen , But yet it is only messenger that is doing it, My browser is Firefox, I have had no probles before, Had a windows update, Now this ****. It is not the webcam is it is working fine as i said on all other apps, I have Allowed Webam & Mic to be allowed to be used on Messenger,As you can see on the screenshot Yet still black Screen but when I call using Messenger I keep getting - Pease allow , I have tried to block then re-allow and still the same . Can you help PLEASE .. I have looking online , Youtube , had a firend in IT to look at this and he was just as Stumped as I was . HELP ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/af44c325-9333-4edf-b6f1-6eae0e548706?platform=QnA

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-10-12T22:07:55+00:00

    Hi Mark - can you confirm you have tried the fix that Spiro suggested to fix this?

    It might not work as there seem to be a number of circumstances that cause this problem to happen. And therefore a number of different fixes.

    I can confirm this worked for me - I found two different 'cameras' on the drop down list and found a program that used the same camera but with a different name. As soon as I uninstalled this program there was only one default camera showing and this fixed the problem for me.

    Copied from Spiro's original entry -

    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.

    SPIRO

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T17:22:05+00:00

    Regarding this Issue , Yes I have followed everything that was and has been menstioned on the Isasue, I have taken a screen shot of the Device manager , as you can see only one Webcam . the other Issue is that facebook  updated there systems and this is when things went crazy.  I cant find Camera setting on FB.  when I go int setting or Privicy there isd nothing there regarding Camera settings,  when I click onto of the News Feeds, where it says - Photo /video it takes me straight to my Picutes on my PC. this is a dam  nightmare, ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/86985ebf-5e0c-4fd0-920b-974c18e30295?platform=QnA

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T17:41:54+00:00

    To krg1605, thanks for your repy

    Yes, I did what SPIRO said, But my issue is FB has had a mass update and their Systems have all changed.

    I have taken screenshots of the FB setting and also the Device Manager, My webcam is Default,  but yet I still keep getting this dam ERROR SCREEN,   I have covered Private info on the FB setting screenshots, But there is NOthing regarding Camera settings, If I click photo/video, it takes me to my pc Pictures to upload, Where am I going wrong, I have been on Youtube , but most of the Video's are for Old FB system's , HELP ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/6a4ec957-64df-4999-a99b-5022ad457aff?platform=QnA ![](https://learn-attachment.microsoft.com/api/attachments/164f0eb3-d59c-48b1-96eb-6919d14520e5?platform=QnA

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  5. Anonymous
    2020-10-14T20:28:30+00:00

    Yep - see what you mean...FB has changed all their settings haven't they?

    I just tried to look at options and the damn things have all changed....no reference to camera.

    I assume therefore that FB has changed camera hardware settings to Windows.

    I can also see from your screenshot that you only have one camera showing in Device Manager.

    Therefore it APPEARS that this problem is not solved by this particular fix. 

    The only other thing I can suggest if it is still related in some way is too check your microphone settings too in DM. If this also shows just one installed device then this has gone as far as I can help really.

    Also maybe check your microphone in your sound settings, see if there's any obvious problem. I'm really clutching at straws here but you never know  :) 

    Let me know how you go with this - good luck!!

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