camera wont work

Karen Sims 0 Reputation points
2026-09-21T05:06:17.14+00:00

get a messsage saying 2 apps are blocking it but i dont know which onew

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Apps
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  1. Thileep Kumar 4,220 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-09-21T05:51:59.8866667+00:00

    Hi, please go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera > Recent activity to see which apps are using the camera and turn off access for apps you don’t need. Also, close any apps running in the background open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and close apps like Teams, Zoom, Skype, or browser tabs.

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  2. AI answer

    2026-09-21T05:06:32.32+00:00

    Try these checks in order:

    1. Check camera permissions in Windows 11.
      • Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
      • Turn Camera access to On.
      • Turn Let apps access your camera to On.
      • Turn Let desktop apps access your camera to On.
      • This is important because desktop apps such as browsers and video conferencing apps may not appear clearly in the app list.
    2. Close apps that commonly hold the camera.
      • Close apps such as video meeting apps, the Camera app, and browser windows or tabs that may be using the camera.
      • If using a browser, close other tabs that might be accessing the camera.
    3. Check for background apps.
      • Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
      • Look for apps like Teams, Skype, Zoom, OBS, or browser processes.
      • End only apps that may be using the camera, then test the camera again.
    4. Run the automated camera troubleshooter.
      • Open the Get Help app and run the camera troubleshooter. It automatically runs diagnostics and takes the correct steps to fix most camera issues.
    5. Verify the camera works in Windows settings and apps.
      • In Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, confirm the needed app is allowed.
      • Note that some desktop apps might still use the camera even if they do not appear in the list.
    6. If this is a Surface device, check updates in the Surface app.
      • Open the Surface app.
      • Expand Help & support to check update status.
      • If updates are available, select Check for updates and install them.
    7. If this is a Surface and the issue continues, reinstall the camera driver.
      • Warning: Do not do this on Surface Pro X. On that device, uninstalling drivers can require a full system reset to restore them.
      • Open Device Manager.
      • Expand Cameras.
      • Double-click the camera, open the Driver tab, and select Uninstall Device.
      • Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device and then Uninstall.
      • Restart the device.

    Also note:

    • If Windows Hello is used for sign-in, it can still access the camera even when Camera access is turned off.
    • Some apps open the Camera app to take photos or video, so the app using the camera may not appear directly in the list.
    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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