Laptop does not have a camera: Causes and solutions

A laptop without a camera or a laptop camera that cannot be opened is a common situation when using the device. Unexpected camera malfunctions cause inconvenience when you need to make video calls or livestreams, etc., interrupting your work. There are many causes of laptop camera errors, TipsMake will share with you simple fixes depending on each specific case below.

The reason laptops don't have cameras

There are many different reasons why a laptop doesn't have a camera . That error can come from hardware or can be caused by software. Some main causes leading to this phenomenon can be mentioned as follows:

1. Forgot to press the camera button on your computer or laptop.
2. Camera access permission on the device has not been granted.
3. Reset the laptop camera when encountering errors.
4. Disable anti-virus software.
5. Check and update the camera driver.
6. Check if the camera driver is compatible with the system,.

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How to fix laptop camera error that cannot be opened

Depending on the cause, we will guide you on different ways to fix it.

Check the camera on/off button on the laptop

Some laptop lines from brands are equipped with separate physical buttons that turn the camera on/off. So sometimes laptops don't have cameras because you forgot to turn on the button before using the camera.

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In addition, for those who are using a separate webcam device and encounter this error, please try checking the connection between the separate webcam and the computer. It's very possible that the connection is having problems or is not connected properly so the webcam cannot work. 

To fix this situation, try gently shaking the connection cord or unplug and reconnect the webcam cord to the laptop to make sure the connection cord is not loose and affects the transmission.

Another case that prevents your laptop from opening the camera when using an external webcam is because the external webcam device is not compatible with the connected USB port. Try changing to another port and check the device's operation again!

Grant webcam access

If your laptop is using Windows 10 version and has a laptop camera error , it is likely that you forgot to grant camera access permission to the application. Please proceed with granting permissions according to the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings window by searching in the Start window in the lower left corner of the laptop screen and then clicking Privacy .

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Step 2: After the Privacy window opens, click on Camera on the left.

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Or to be faster, you can type and search for Camera Privacy settings right in the Settings window .

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Step 3: Click On in the Allow apps to access your camera section to activate the feature that allows applications to access the camera.

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Reset the laptop camera

When a laptop has to handle many tasks at the same time, it will lead to software conflicts, making the computer camera unable to open . Therefore, to fix this situation, you should reset with the following steps:

Step 1: Open the Settings window with the cog icon in the Start section located in the lower left corner of the laptop screen.

Step 2: When the Settings working window opens, click to select the folder into the Apps folder .

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Step 3: Click on Apps & Features on the left and then open the camera application on the right side of the working window.

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Step 4: Below the Camera section , you will see the words Advanced options . Click to open a new window and then click Reset to run the application again.

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Disable anti-virus software

The function of anti-virus software is to help you protect your computer from intrusion by harmful agents. And because the camera affects the user's privacy, the anti-virus software system blocks it, causing the laptop no camera error . To fix this situation, try disabling anti-virus programs by performing the following steps:

Step 1: Select Settings with the cog icon in the Start section .

Step 2: When the Settings window opens, select Virus & threat protection or you can type search in the search box to check if anti-virus software is blocking your camera.

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Step 3: After opening the Virus & threat protection window , click Manage Settings as shown below.

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Step 4: Here, click to switch the option status from On to Off in the Real-time protection section .

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Use another USB port to find hardware changes

The steps are performed in specific order as follows:

Step 1: Select Control Panel in the search bar of the Start section of the Tsskbar .

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Step 2: At the View by position in the upper right corner of the window, click on the arrow to select Large icon .

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Step 3: Then continue to move to the Troubleshooting location and click select.

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Or enter the keyword Troubleshooting into the Start menu search box to quickly open the window.

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Step 4: The Troubleshooting working window is opened, click View all .

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Step 5: Click on Hardware and Device and then click Next to find hardware changes.

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Check for compatible camera drivers to fix laptop no camera error

Some systems equipped with cameras are not compatible with Windows systems, making it impossible to open your computer's camera. To check if the camera is compatible, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Type search for Device Manager in the Start Menu bar and then click to open the Device Manager control panel .

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Or you can open the Device Manager console by pressing the Windows + R key combination to activate the Run window, then type the keyword devmgmt.msc , then click OK .

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Step 2: Find and click the arrow in front of the Cameras section to expand the sub-sections.

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Step 3: Right-click and then click Properties .

Step 4: In the new window, click the Driver tab and then click Driver details .

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Step 5: If there is a file with the characters stream.sys , it means your camera is compatible with the operating system. But if there is no such file, it means the latest driver update is not compatible with the device and you must restore the previously installed driver according to the following instructions:

Go back to the original Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver . Then select OK .

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Step 7: Then turn off the computer and restart it to check if the laptop can open the camera or not.

Check the camera driver

Check the camera driver to see if the system is compatible with the Windows version by:

Step 1: Click search for Device Manager in the Start menu bar to open the Device Manager window .

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Step 2: In the new window that appears, move the mouse to find the Display adapters section .

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Step 3: Right click and select Properties .

Step 4: Click the Driver tab in the new window that opens and select the Update Driver button .

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Step 4: The system will give you 2 options, click Search automatically for updated driver software and then wait a few seconds for the system to automatically search for a compatible driver.

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Step 4: Shut down then restart the computer and check to see if the laptop camera error has been fixed.

Troubleshoot problems with Windows Troubleshooter

Step 1: Enter the keyword Troubleshooting in the search box at the Start menu on the Taskbar and then click on it to open the window.

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Step 2: In the Troubleshooter window that appears on the screen, to see all folders, click Additional Troubleshooters .

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Step 3: Continue clicking on the Windows Store Apps folder and then follow the steps according to the system's instructions.

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Fix laptop without camera by reinstalling Camera Driver

You reinstall the Camera Driver as follows:

Step 1: In the Windows window , click Device Manager .

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Step 2: Move the mouse to the arrow mark in front of the Camera section to expand the sub-items inside, then right-click and select Properties .

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Step 3: After the new window appears, click Uninstall to uninstall the Driver. Then the computer will automatically update to the latest Driver version.

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Step 4: Shut down and restart the computer and check to see if the laptop can open the camera or not.

Roll back the camera driver

Step 1: Open the Device Manager window by typing search at the Start menu on the Taskbar .

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Step 2: Move the mouse and click to select Display adapter .

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Step 3: Click on Roll back driver and click OK .

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Uninstall the camera driver

Step 1: Open the Device Manager window by typing search at the Start menu on the Taskbar .

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Step 2: Move the mouse and click to select Display adapter .

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Step 3: Right-click and select Uninstall device as shown below.

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Step 4: A new window opens, select Scan driver and wait a few seconds for the system to scan and automatically change compatible hardware.

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Step 5: Shut down and restart to check if the laptop no camera error has been fixed.

Epilogue

Hopefully the above tips shared by TipsMake will help you quickly overcome the problem you are facing. If you have tried all of the above methods but still cannot open the laptop camera , take the device to a reputable center for inspection and repair.

If you know any other way to fix the problem of a laptop without a camera , please share with TipsMake!

David Pac

Update 05 October 2023