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I cannot use my webcam at all. I keep getting this message.
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.
This depends on what's your model, but on the top of the webcam lense there might be a switch built in your laptop that you can slide to turn off and turn on the camera (it's pretty small, it might be hard to notice). Or the switch might be under your laptop.
Hello, this is Emily.
Most camera issues can be due to a physical privacy cover covering the lens. Make sure that's not the case.
Otherwise there is usually a physical button/key/switch you can use to turn the camera on or off. For example, most Lenovo uses F8 or Fn+F8, or a switch above the lens, HP has a camera key or a button on the side of the laptop, MSI uses F6 or Fn+F6, etc.
If you are not sure, please hold down Windows + R keys, type in msinfo32.exe and hit enter. Then share a screenshot of the System Information window. Thanks!
Hi,
thank you so much! Success!
My helpdesk support team showed me where the button is. Here is a picture. If the little box looks like a mesh, it means your switch is blocking the camera. Move the little switch across and it will unblock your camera.
Hello everyone!
Wow! 49 responses! Thank you so very, very much!
While everyone was typing, my foreign exchange student happened to walk in. I was explaining that late last night, I called my HP Desk Top Friend, which I have done so many times before with no responses, but yesterday was my lucky day. I worked with "Riccardo" who found the itsy bitsy square box on the upper laptop cover. I touched the tiny box on the lid and my picture popped up.
I was explaining all this to my exchange student, he walked over and said that there is a button "somewhere" on the laptop.
Well, get ready....... on the lid, then between the outside shell and the laptop screen, run your finger along that "seam". BINGO! There's the "slider" button! There's nothing like finding the hidden super important "button"! None of MS training tools/videos etch mention running your finger alone the upper edge of the open screen.
I went back to finish reading all all 49 responses but I get a pop up message stating I'll look this message to all of you!
Enjoy the new found "tool" and sleep well tonight!!!
Take care everyone!
