Teams turn on camera. It works in a different program.

Jim Graves 0 Reputation points
2026-09-10T11:51:09.0033333+00:00

I can't get teams to let me use my camera.

Are you sure you don't want audio or video? If you change your mind, select the camera icon by your address bar and then Always allow.

No other program is using the camera

In settings devices video setting video camera the drop box to select a camera is greyed out.

NEXT!!

Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Teams Free | Settings | Other
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  1. Thomas4-N 21,535 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-09-11T07:12:26.5433333+00:00

    Hello Jim Graves,

    Since your camera's working fine outside of Teams and nothing else has it locked, it sounds like something's specifically blocking Teams from getting to it rather than a hardware problem.

    There's one setting that's easy to miss and can cause exactly this greyed-out dropdown, even when the camera itself is totally fine: head into Settings, then Bluetooth & devices, then Cameras, select your camera, open Advanced camera options, and turn on "Allow multiple apps to use the camera at the same time." Then restart Teams and take another look at the Devices dropdown.

    If that doesn't do it, it's also worth double-checking Windows Settings under Privacy & security, then Camera, just to make sure Camera access, Let apps access your camera, and Let desktop apps access your camera are all switched on and that Teams specifically is allowed there.

    One more thing that'd help narrow this down: are you running the Teams desktop app, or are you using Teams through a browser? The greyed-out dropdown tends to show up for slightly different reasons depending on which one you're on, so knowing that'll help figure out the next step if the fix above doesn't clear it up.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-10T11:51:28.3266667+00:00

    That message indicates Teams in the browser does not currently have camera permission, and the greyed-out camera selector usually means Windows or the browser is blocking access.

    Try this in order:

    1. In the browser address bar, select the lock, camera, or site permissions icon next to the Teams site.
    2. Set Camera to Allow.
    3. Refresh the Teams page and rejoin the meeting or call.
    4. If prompted again, select Allow.

    If the browser prompt is not available, check browser settings directly:

    • Microsoft Edge: Settings > Privacy, search, and services > Site permissions > All permissions > Camera > turn on Ask before accessing (recommended).
    • Google Chrome: Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings > Permissions > Camera > make sure the correct camera is selected and Sites can ask to use your camera is enabled.

    Then check Windows camera privacy settings:

    1. Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
    2. Turn Camera access On.
    3. Turn Let apps access your camera On.
    4. Turn Let desktop apps access your camera On.
    5. If using the Teams desktop app, make sure Microsoft Teams is allowed.
    6. Close Teams and reopen it. If needed, restart Windows.

    If the camera is physically blocked, Teams can also appear broken even when permissions are correct. Check for:

    • a physical shutter or slider over the lens
    • a keyboard camera privacy key
    • a privacy screen, lock icon, or gray image in the Windows Camera app

    If the camera works only intermittently or is not detected reliably:

    1. Open Settings in Windows.
    2. Go to the camera settings for the device.
    3. Open Advanced camera options.
    4. Enable Basic camera driver mode.
    5. Restart Teams and test again.

    If Teams still does not detect the camera after these steps, use Give feedback in Teams and include what was already tried.

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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