Camera App Not Working on Windows 11: Troubleshooting Guide

Is your camera app failing to launch or displaying a black screen on Windows 11? This is a common problem, but thankfully, there are several solutions you can try to get your camera working again. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various troubleshooting steps to resolve camera issues on your Windows 11 system.

Preliminary Checks

Before diving into more complex solutions, perform these initial checks:

  • Restart Your Computer: A simple restart can often resolve temporary software glitches.
  • Check Camera Hardware: Ensure your camera is properly connected (for external cameras) and that there are no physical obstructions covering the lens.
  • Update Windows: Go to Settings > Windows Update and check for any available updates. Install them if available.
  • Check for Driver Updates: Outdated or corrupted drivers are often the culprits.

1. Grant Camera Access

Windows 11 has privacy settings that control which apps can access your camera. Ensure the Camera app has permission:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
  2. Make sure Camera access is turned On.
  3. Also, ensure that Let apps access your camera is turned On.
  4. Scroll down to the list of apps and verify that the Camera app has access.

2. Troubleshoot with the Camera Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter designed to identify and automatically fix common camera problems:

  1. Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
  2. Find Camera in the list and click Run.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Update or Roll Back Camera Drivers

As mentioned earlier, outdated or faulty drivers can cause camera issues. Here’s how to manage your camera drivers:

  1. Open Device Manager (search for it in the Start menu).
  2. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices.
  3. Right-click on your camera and select Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers. If Windows doesn’t find a newer driver, try searching for one on the manufacturer’s website.
  5. If updating the driver doesn’t work, or if the issue started after a recent driver update, right-click on your camera in Device Manager, select Properties, go to the Driver tab, and click Roll Back Driver. This will revert to the previous driver version.

4. Reset the Camera App

Resetting the Camera app can resolve issues caused by corrupted app data:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
  2. Find the Camera app in the list.
  3. Click the three vertical dots (menu) next to the Camera app and select Advanced options.
  4. Scroll down and click Reset. Confirm the reset.

5. Reinstall the Camera App (If Necessary)

If resetting doesn’t work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Camera app:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
  2. Find the Camera app in the list.
  3. Click the three vertical dots (menu) next to the Camera app and select Uninstall. Confirm the uninstall.
  4. Open the Microsoft Store, search for Windows Camera, and reinstall the app.

6. Check Antivirus Software

Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with camera functionality. Check your antivirus settings to ensure that the Camera app isn’t being blocked.

7. Modify Registry Editor (Advanced Users)

Caution: Incorrectly modifying the registry can cause serious system problems. Back up your registry before proceeding.

  1. Press Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform.
  3. In the right pane, right-click and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  4. Name the new value EnableFrameServerMode.
  5. Double-click EnableFrameServerMode and set the Value data to 0.
  6. Repeat steps 2-5, but this time navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation\Platform
  7. Restart your computer.

8. Check for Conflicting Applications

Other applications using the camera simultaneously can cause conflicts. Close any other apps that might be using the camera, such as Skype, Zoom, or other video conferencing software, and then try launching the Camera app again.

9. Create a New User Account

A corrupted user profile can sometimes cause camera issues. Create a new user account to see if the problem persists:

  1. Go to Settings > Accounts > Family & other users.
  2. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account.
  4. Log in to the new account and check if the camera works.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

A clean boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs, which can help identify if a background program is interfering with the camera:

  1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab.
  3. Check Hide all Microsoft services and then click Disable all.
  4. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  5. In Task Manager, disable all startup items.
  6. Close Task Manager and click OK in the System Configuration window.
  7. Restart your computer. After the restart, check if the camera works. If it does, re-enable services and startup items one by one to identify the culprit.

By following these troubleshooting steps, you should be able to resolve most camera issues on Windows 11. If the problem persists, consider contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.