When your monitor’s camera isn’t working, it might seem like it’s been damaged and needs some physical repair or replacement. However, most problems with monitor cameras aren’t unfixable hardware issues. Often they’re just software settings that aren’t quite right and need a few tweaks.
Types of Monitor Cameras
There are two types of monitor cameras:built-inandexternal. An external monitor camera may be attached to the monitor on the bezel, but it isn’t integrated into the bezel itself. A built-in monitor camera is part of the bezel and the monitor itself.
The built-in monitor cameras are a bit more difficult to troubleshoot than the external monitor cameras. External cameras can be easily replaced. Their cords can be checked for external issues. The problem could be something that a simple swap could fix.
Internal cameras are a bit more tricky. The hope is that an integrated monitor camera has a software issue rather than a hardware issue. It will be easier to fix since a hardware issue will likely mean taking the monitor apart or replacing it altogether.
Alternatives to Monitor Cameras
If you’re having difficultygetting your camera to work, you may use a secondary camera as a temporary solution. While it may not be ideal, some would attach to the top of the monitor to let you stream video until you fix the problem with the monitor.
Troubleshooting a Monitor Camera: Software Fixes
Unless there was some kind of physical damage to the camera, you should start by focusing on potential software fixes. It’s easier than taking anything apart or moving components, wires, and your monitor itself around.
Update Windows and Drivers
Updating your operating system, drivers, and monitor firmware to the latest versions will ensure that the issue isn’t caused by out-of-date software. As problems pop up, manufacturers roll out updates to help fix them, but you must install those updates to activate them if you don’t have it set to install automatically.
Windows updatesmore often than you might expect, but not all the updates are critical. However, once you start experiencing an issue, you should check to see whether any updates were missed.
Once you’re done, you may try the monitor camera again. If it works, fantastic! If not, try toupdate your relevant Windows drivers.
If you may’t see the camera in Device Manager, note it. That indicates that it could be disconnected or experiencing some kind of mechanical issue. We’ll talk about that more in the hardware troubleshooting steps.
Updating Monitor Firmware
