camera is not working

Kelly Zarlengo 0 Reputation points
2026-09-15T00:01:12.91+00:00

was on facebook and when i do a video call i can see the person i am video chatting with but they can't see me

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Settings
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  1. Estrella721 46,000 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-15T00:37:18.01+00:00

    Hi,

    Let’s make sure the issue is isolated to Facebook or if it’s a system wide issue.

    In the search bar, type Camera and press Enter. Is your camera working there?

    If not, can you please describe what you see on the screen and provide any error messages or error codes?

    What is the make and model of your device?

    In the search bar, type MSINFO32 and press Enter. Please share a screenshot of that window.

    Are you using a built in camera or an external one?

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-15T00:01:29.01+00:00

    Try these checks in order:

    1. Make sure Windows allows camera access
      Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on:
      • Camera access
      • Let apps access your camera
    2. Check whether the camera is blocked or turned off physically
      If the other person can hear or see the call but not the video, a privacy shutter, camera cover, or laptop camera key may be blocking it. Some laptops also have a keyboard shortcut or hardware switch that disables the webcam.
    3. Close other apps that might be using the camera
      Close apps such as the Windows Camera app, Teams, Zoom, browsers, video editors, or virtual camera software. If another app is using the webcam, the call app may show a black or unavailable video feed.
    4. Check for a camera privacy setting or shutter
      If the preview is black, the camera may have a privacy setting enabled or a physical shutter closed. Open the shutter or disable the privacy setting in the camera settings if available.
    5. Run the Windows camera troubleshooter
      Open the Get Help app and run the automated camera troubleshooter. It can automatically diagnose and fix many camera problems.
    6. Check the camera driver in Device Manager
      Open Device Manager and expand Cameras.
      • If the camera is listed, make sure it is enabled.
      • If it shows a warning icon or is missing, reinstall or update the camera driver.
    7. If the camera is listed but still not working, reinstall the driver
      In Device Manager > Cameras, open the camera device, go to the Driver tab, and select Uninstall Device, then restart the PC.
      Warning: Do not use this step on Surface Pro X. On that device, uninstalling camera drivers can require a full system reset to restore them.

    If the video is visible in the Windows Camera app but not during the Facebook call, the issue is more likely app or browser permission related. In Microsoft Edge, camera access also depends on Windows privacy settings, Edge site permissions, driver availability, and whether another app is already using the camera.

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

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