Likely fix
Fix: Laptop camera not working
A laptop camera usually fails because the privacy shutter is closed, a keyboard shortcut disabled it, camera permission is blocked, the wrong camera is selected, or the driver is missing.
Quick answer
Open the camera shutter, check for a camera-disable key, allow camera permission, and test with the built-in Camera or FaceTime app.
Important warning
Some laptops show a camera icon or light even when the privacy shutter is physically covering the lens.
Try this
- 1 Check for a physical camera cover or shutter.
- 2 Look for a camera key on the keyboard, often on the function row.
- 3 Press Fn plus the camera key if your laptop uses Fn shortcuts.
- 4 Open the built-in Camera app on Windows or FaceTime on Mac.
- 5 Check system camera permissions.
- 6 Close other apps using the camera.
- 7 Restart the laptop.
- 8 Check for driver or system updates.
- 9 If the camera still does not appear, check Device Manager on Windows or contact support for hardware diagnosis.
Common causes
Privacy shutter is closed.
Camera disabled by keyboard shortcut.
Camera permission blocked.
Another app is using the camera.
Camera driver missing or disabled.
Built-in camera hardware issue.
What to check next
- Check physical shutter.
- Check keyboard camera key.
- Check Camera or FaceTime app.
- Check camera privacy permissions.
- Check whether an external webcam works.