Teams cannot access laptop camera

Since Zoom can use the laptop camera and Teams says no camera found, focus on Windows privacy, camera privacy mode, other apps using the camera, and the camera driver.

1. Confirm Windows camera permissions for desktop apps In Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure these are turned on:
   • Camera access
   • Let apps access your camera
   • Let desktop apps access your camera For work or school Teams, also make sure Microsoft Teams (work or school) is turned on if it appears in the app list.
2. Close anything else that might be using the camera Close apps such as Zoom, Skype, browser tabs, or any camera utility software. Then fully close Teams and reopen it. Teams can fail to detect the camera if another app is already using it.
3. Check for a physical privacy block on the laptop camera Many laptops have a camera shutter, privacy slider, or keyboard shortcut that disables the camera. If enabled, Teams can show a gray image, privacy screen, or report that no camera is available. Test the camera in the built-in Camera app. If the Camera app also shows a blocked or gray image, disable the privacy mode using the shutter, keyboard shortcut, or manufacturer app.
4. Restart the PC after changing permissions After changing camera settings, close all apps and restart Windows. Then open Teams again and test.
5. Check the camera driver If Teams still cannot detect the camera, check the camera driver in Windows. Driver issues can cause the camera to work inconsistently or not appear correctly to Teams, especially with external webcams or after updates.
6. If the camera is intermittent or detected only sometimes, enable Basic camera driver mode In Windows, open Settings, go to the camera settings for the device, open Advanced camera options, and enable Basic camera driver mode. Then restart Teams and test again. This can improve reliability by disabling some advanced manufacturer camera features.
7. Make a Teams test call In Teams, go to Settings > Devices > Make a test call. This helps confirm whether Teams can see the camera and other devices. Note: this test call feature is unavailable in Teams on the web.
8. Check for updates Make sure Windows and the Teams app are fully updated.

If the issue continues after these steps, the remaining likely causes are a Windows camera driver problem or a device-specific hardware/privacy control outside Teams.

References:

• Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows
• My camera isn't working in Microsoft Teams
• Troubleshoot video camera issues in Microsoft Teams Free