As Windows continues to receive buggy updates sometimes, it’s not uncommon for you to encounter issues with the Windows Camera app. Whether it’s the camera not detecting at all or the app refusing to launch, these disruptions can stop you from clicking pictures or shooting videos with the Camera app.
So, how can you fix all such troubling issues on your Windows device?
Don’t worry; in this article, we’ll walk through all the common fixes for camera app-related problems on Windows 10 and 11.
1. Try Some General Fixes First
Before taking you to the troubleshooting methods, we recommend trying out these quick and eassy tips:
Trying the above-listed quick tips may resolve many minor camera app glitches. But, if you’re still unable to use the Camera app, let’s see some troubleshooting methods to fix that.
2. Adjust the Camera Privacy Settings
Issues launching the camera often arise from incorrect privacy permissions. We believe you may have mistakenly denied permission for the Camera app, when your system asked you for it, first. In this case, you’ll see an error saying “We need your permission”.
Here’s how you can adjust the Camera privacy settings back to normal on Windows:
This should work for you if the Camera app is opening properly but asking for permission. Besides the Camera app, you can toggle permission on any other trusted apps you want to use your camera in.
3. Restart or Enable the Camera-Related Windows Services
Windows includes many different services that help the system run properly. When one or more Windows services stop working, some features may malfunction at once. This is the case with the Camera app too.
Services like Windows Camera Frame Server, Windows Camera Frame Server Monitor, and Windows Image Acquisition power the camera backend in Windows. sO, let’s see how to restart the mentioned camera-related services with the below steps:
Hopefully, now the Camera app should work as normally it would. you may try clicking a picture or recording a quick video for testing.
Sometimes after a reset, the app may find difficulty in connecting to your webcam and throw an error. To fix that issue, checkhow to fix the “We Can’t Find Your Camera” error.
4. Install or Update a Compatible Camera Driver
As mentioned previously, some manufacturers provide setup utilities for their webcams. Once a buyer purchases the webcam, he/she can download the appropriate version of the setup utility. Once you install the required software, the drivers will install automatically.
Alternatively, you can try using Driver Booster, a free software to make driver updating easy. We’ve got a dedicated guide onhow to use Driver Booster on Windowsto help you further.
Outdated, or no drivers frequently disrupt the camera and so, the Camera app refuses to open. But, once you update the drivers, it can clear up many camera problems caused by buggy drivers.
5. Modify the Group Policy Settings
If you’ve used some kind of Windows tweaking tool recently, like O&O ShutUp10++, chances are the Group Policy settings are modified too. This may be the major reason why the Camera app is showing you a blank screen.
If you don’t know, two Group Policy settings are tied to camera functionality in Windows:Allow Use of CameraandLet Windows apps access the camera. You need to re-enable both of them with the below steps:
6. Use the “Get Help” App for Troubleshooting
From the Windows 10th edition, Microsoft introduced a new app named Get Help. This app is a one-stop-hub for everyone who wants to troubleshoot any Windows-related issue.
If the Get Help app is not preinstalled on your computer, download it from theMicrosoft Store pagefirst.
To get started with Get Help, follow these steps:
The best thing about Get Help is that it automatically performs the required troubleshooting measures. You need not do anything technical on your own. Besides the camera app issue, learnwhat you can do with the Get Help app.
7. Repair or Reset the Windows Camera App
If the camera app issues persist, another thing you can try is repairing (or resetting) the app using a Windows setting.
Follow the below-given steps to repair the Windows camera app on your device:
The Camera app is good for taking casual pictures and recording short videos. But, if you need more than just the basic features, try out any of thebest webcam apps for Windows.
8. Set Up Your Smartphone as a Camera
If you’ve tried the previous methods and the camera still won’t work, it may be a hardware issue with your webcam. Here, we suggest either getting the webcam repaired, buying a new webcam, or using a clever trick to use the camera feature.
If you need a webcam for an urgent meeting, you can easily set up your phone as a webcam. For the majority, you canuse your Android device as your computer’s webcam. If you don’t have an Android phone, we’ve got a guide onhow to use an iPhone as a webcaminstead.
Once you set up your device with your computer, you should be able to use the Camera app for all the camera-related tasks. Though, as mentioned earlier, it’s a temporary method so, you may surely require agood quality webcam for your computerin the future for the long run.
All Your Windows Camera Troubles, Solved
After following our guide, you should hopefully get the Camera app working again. Remember that the Camera app relies on a working webcam, so verify to take care of your webcam properly. Also, consider upgrading your webcam if you face screen freezing issues with your current one.
