Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with Windows Update, then use Device Manager to update or reinstall the camera driver. If Windows cannot find a compatible driver, download the package from the official support page for the exact webcam or computer model. Many USB webcams work with Windows’ built-in UVC driver, so a separate download is not always necessary.
Before changing drivers, check whether the camera is detected
For an external webcam, note its manufacturer and model. For a built-in camera, identify the computer’s manufacturer and model; its camera or sensor driver may be supplied as part of a device-specific package. Open Device Manager and look under Cameras or Imaging devices.
A camera problem is not automatically a driver problem. Check that the lens is not blocked and any physical privacy shutter is open. Confirm that Windows and the app you are using have permission to access the camera. If possible, test the camera in the Windows Camera app and another app before reinstalling anything.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Install available camera drivers through Windows Update
Windows Update is the preferred first stop for recommended hardware drivers. In Windows 11, open Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates. Then open Advanced options > Optional updates and look for a camera-related driver. Optional driver updates are not installed automatically; select the relevant update to install it, then restart the computer.
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Windows 10 uses a different Settings layout, but Microsoft also documents driver updates through Windows Update. Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, so systems still running it no longer receive ordinary support updates from Microsoft. See Microsoft’s guidance on recommended and updated hardware drivers for details.
Update the webcam driver in Device Manager
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Open Device Manager. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices.
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Right-click the camera and choose Update driver.
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Select Search automatically for drivers and follow any on-screen instructions.
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Restart if Windows asks you to, then test the camera.
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If Windows does not find a driver, that does not necessarily mean none exists. Check the official support site for the exact webcam model or, for a built-in camera, the exact computer model. Choose a package that matches the device and your Windows version and system architecture. Avoid driver downloads from unrelated websites; Microsoft advises getting drivers from Windows Update or the device manufacturer.
Install a downloaded manufacturer driver package
Use this route when Windows Update does not offer a suitable driver or the exact model requires manufacturer-specific support. Download the package from the official device maker’s support page and follow its installation instructions. If the package is a compressed archive, extract it first.
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In Device Manager, right-click the camera under Cameras or Imaging devices and select Update driver.
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Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
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Browse to the extracted driver folder and follow the prompts to install.
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Restart if prompted and check the camera in an app.
Microsoft’s camera troubleshooting guidance describes this Device Manager workflow. The available labels can vary by Windows version and device.
When the built-in UVC driver is enough
Many USB webcams support USB Video Class (UVC), a standard that lets Windows use its built-in Usbvideo.sys driver for ordinary video functions. Microsoft’s USB Video Class Driver Overview says, “When your device uses UVC, you don’t need to supply your own driver.” That does not mean every camera feature will work with the generic driver: manufacturer-specific extensions can provide additional functions, and Microsoft gives Windows Hello face recognition as one example.
If a UVC-compatible external camera is not working as expected, selecting the built-in driver can also help determine whether the issue is specific to the manufacturer’s driver. In Device Manager, use this path:
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Right-click the camera and choose Update driver.
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Select Browse my computer for drivers, then Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
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Select USB Video Device and follow the prompts. The procedure may require administrator rights.
Use the manufacturer’s package instead if the generic driver removes a feature you need. Microsoft explains UVC compatibility and the in-box driver in its UVC driver overview.
| Driver route | Best suited to | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft in-box UVC driver | A UVC-compatible external USB camera used for standard video, or a troubleshooting test. | May not expose features implemented through manufacturer-specific extensions, including some Windows Hello integrations. |
| Manufacturer-specific package | Exact-model features, integrated camera or sensor stacks, or cases where Windows’ generic support is insufficient. | Must match the exact device and Windows version; obtain it from the manufacturer’s official support page. |
Roll back or reinstall a driver when an update causes trouble
Roll back a recent update
If the camera stopped working after a driver update, open the camera’s Properties in Device Manager and select the Driver tab. Choose Roll Back Driver if that option is available, then restart and test the camera. Windows does not always retain a previous driver, so the rollback control may be unavailable.
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Reinstall the detected camera
To reinstall, right-click the camera in Device Manager and choose the uninstall option for the device. Restart the computer or use Device Manager’s option to scan for hardware changes so Windows can detect the camera and install a driver again. If a confirmation dialog offers to delete the driver package, do not select that option as a first troubleshooting step; removing the package can make recovery harder if Windows cannot obtain a replacement automatically. See Microsoft’s camera troubleshooting steps.
If the camera still does not work
It works in Windows Camera but not in another app
Check that app’s camera permission and device selection. In Windows 11, open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure camera access and access for the relevant apps are enabled. If the Windows Camera app can show a preview but a conferencing app cannot, focus on the app’s access settings and selected camera rather than reinstalling the driver immediately.
The camera is missing from Device Manager
For an external USB webcam, try a different USB port. If it remains absent, test it on another computer to help distinguish a connection problem from a possible camera hardware failure. Dell’s webcam troubleshooting guidance recommends testing on another computer. For a built-in camera, use the computer manufacturer’s official diagnostics and support instructions.
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Confirm the model and Windows version against the manufacturer’s package, and check the manufacturer’s instructions for any related camera or sensor components. If Windows Update, the correct device-specific driver, and the basic access and connection checks do not resolve the fault, the remaining problem may require model-specific support or hardware diagnosis.
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