Try these steps in order:
- Check for a hardware privacy block.
- Look for a camera shutter or privacy slider on the laptop.
- Check the keyboard function keys for a camera icon and press that key, or Fn + that key.
- Make sure camera access is enabled in Windows.
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
- Turn Camera access on.
- Turn Let apps access your camera on.
- Run the camera troubleshooter.
- Open the Get Help app and run the automated camera troubleshooter.
- It can automatically diagnose and fix many camera issues.
- Restart the device.
- A restart is recommended after changing permissions or troubleshooting.
- Reinstall the camera driver.
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand Cameras.
- Double-click the camera device.
- Open the Driver tab.
- Select Uninstall Device.
- If shown, select Attempt to remove the driver for this device.
- Select Uninstall.
- Restart Windows so the camera driver is reinstalled.
- If the camera appears only sometimes or stops working intermittently, enable basic camera driver mode.
- Open Settings in Windows.
- Go to the camera settings for the device.
- Open Advanced camera options.
- Enable Basic camera driver mode.
- Restart the app and test again.
- Note: this can disable some manufacturer camera features, but it can improve reliability.
- If the camera is missing in apps like Teams, close other apps that may be using it.
- Close apps such as other video or meeting apps.
- If using an external camera, unplug it and plug it back in.
If the issue continues after these steps, the next supported path is to use Get Help or contact the device manufacturer for possible hardware-related troubleshooting.