Camera not working on Windows 11

Start here: two quick tests

Run our webcam test in your browser, then open the Camera app from the Start menu.

• Both show a picture: the camera and Windows are fine. The app you want to use has its own camera setting or permission. Check fix 2, then that app’s video settings.
• Our test says the camera is busy: another app is holding it. Go to fix 3.
• Neither shows a picture, or no camera is found: start with fix 1 and work down.

1. Check for a camera switch or shutter

Many laptops and webcams can turn the camera off in hardware, and Windows can’t override that.

• A sliding cover over the lens.
• A switch on the side of the laptop.
• A camera key on the keyboard, or a combination with the Fn key.

Make sure it is open or on, then test again.

2. Turn on camera access in privacy settings

1. Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
2. Turn on Camera access. If the switch is greyed out, your organization manages the PC and an administrator has to turn it on.
3. Turn on Let apps access your camera, and check the app you want in the list. Only Microsoft Store apps appear there.
4. Turn on Let desktop apps access your camera. This one covers browsers and most video call programs. It can’t be set per app: it allows or blocks them all.

3. Close apps that are holding the camera

Unless multi-app camera mode is on, a camera usually works in only one app at a time. Error code 0xA00F4243 means exactly this. Close video call apps, the Camera app, other browser tabs that use the camera, and any app from your camera maker, then try again.

4. Run the camera troubleshooter

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
2. Select your camera under Connected cameras.
3. Select Troubleshoot next to the preview. It opens Get Help and walks you through checks.

If your camera isn’t listed there at all, skip to fix 7.

5. Try Basic camera mode

On Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, plug-ins from your camera maker or hardware acceleration can stop the camera from starting. Basic camera mode turns those off.

1. Go to Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras and select your camera.
2. Under Advanced camera options, select Edit.
3. Turn on Basic camera and test again.

While it is on, Windows Studio Effects don’t work. It also turns on multi-app camera mode. Windows Hello face sign-in keeps working.

6. Check your security software

Some antivirus programs have their own camera protection. Error 0xA00F4246 means security software is locking the camera. Turn off that program’s camera blocking for a moment, test the camera, then turn the protection back on. Your security software maker’s help pages show where the setting is.

7. Roll back, reinstall or replace the driver

If the camera stopped working after a Windows update, the new driver is the likely cause.

1. Select Start, type device manager and open it.
2. Find the camera under Cameras, Imaging devices or Sound, video and game controllers. If the right-click menu offers Enable device, the camera was turned off: select it and test again.
3. Right-click it, select Properties, open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. Restart. Not every driver offers this.
4. If rollback isn’t available, select Uninstall Device on the same tab, tick Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and select OK. Then open the Action menu, choose Scan for hardware changes, and restart.

For an external USB webcam, you can switch to the driver built into Windows: right-click the camera, select Update driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer, choose USB Video Device, then Next. This needs an administrator account. If the camera maker’s driver handled Windows Hello face sign-in, it may stop working.

For an external camera, also try a different USB port before you change drivers.

What the error codes mean

Check that it worked

Open the webcam test again. A live picture with a measured frame rate means Windows is delivering video. If the test works and one app still shows black, select the camera by name in that app’s video settings.