HP Pavilion 15-eh0511sa - Terrible Webcam

[FP33]

I've just got this laptop and I'm shocked by how poor the webcam is. There's a horrible green-grey colour to it which makes me look washed out and sick. But the worst aspect which cannot be right is endless flickering. I don't mean the entire screen flickering at once but more like dots (pixels?) constantly flickering all over the place. I'm teaching online and, if this is as good as it gets, the laptop will have to be returned. I know laptop webcams aren't good but I had no problem with the one on my previous laptop (Acer). The latest BIOS and drivers were already installed. Is there any other solution or is it just rubbish?

[FP33]

There is also a constant sizzling sound coming from under the keyboard. I'm leaning more and more towards returning the laptop. It would still be good to get a response though, as I'm unsure whether I have a faulty one and should just exchange it or whether it's a quality issue and I should get something else. Thanks.  

[praveenbv]

Hi@FP33, Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I recommend you follow the below steps and check if it helps.

 Restart the computer to correct webcam problems

The webcam might be associated with another software program or not responding. Often, simply restarting the computer can correct the problem. Restart the computer, and then open your webcam software as soon as Windows finishes loading.

If restarting the computer does not correct this problem, continue troubleshooting.

Step 3: Update or change the webcam driver

Some software applications might require updated drivers for your webcam to display video or they might need a more basic driver. Use the following steps to change the driver for your webcam:

1. Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.

2. If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Laptop or Desktop.

3. Type the model name for your computer in the Or, enter your serial number field, and then click Submit. For example, type Pavilion HPE h8-1360t Desktop, and then click Submit.

   

4. If a Matching products web page opens, select your model number from the list.

5. The software results page for your computer displays with the default operating system selected. If you need to change the operating system, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.

   NOTE: 

   If you cannot find the operating system you want in the list, HP does not have drivers for that operating system.

   

6. From the list of available software and driver categories, find the webcam driver.

   • If a webcam driver update is available from HP, download the file to your computer and install the software according to the instructions on the webpage. After updating, restart the computer, and then try using your software again. If the problem persists, continue using these steps to install a generic Windows USB video driver.

   • If a webcam driver is not available from HP or you cannot access the Internet, continue using these steps to install a generic Windows USB Video driver.

7. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

8. Double-click Imaging Devices to expand the list of webcam drivers.

   

   • If there is no imaging devices category listed in Device Manager, stop using these steps and see the section Webcam is not listed in Device Manager in this document.

   • If more than one webcam driver is listed, right-click the driver and select uninstall for any driver that is not the HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device driver. Once the other drivers have been removed, restart your computer and open your software. If problems persist, continue using these steps.

9. Right-click the name of the webcam in the Images Devices category (HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device), and select Update Driver Software.

10. Click Browse the computer to select a specific USB Video Device driver.

    Double-click Imaging Devices to expand the list of webcam drivers, right-click the webcam driver, and then select Properties.

    

    Make a note of the existing name of the webcam driver (Example: HP Webcam), as it might change after the update.

11. On the Webcam Properties window, select Update Driver....

12. Select to Browse the computer for the desired driver.

13. Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

14. Remove the selection from Show compatible hardware.

15. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturer field, and select USB Video Device in the Model field.

16. Click Next to install the webcam driver.

17. Allow the installation of the USB Video Device, and then click Close.

18. After the device has been updated to USB Video Device in Device Manager, restart your computer and open your software.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Have a great day! 

[FP33]

Thanks so much for your reply.

Restarting my laptop sadly didn't work.

Your link to the Software and Driver Downloads page didn't work (Error 404 We're sorry...). I'd already been through this page anyway and there aren't any webcam drivers available (I've checked again).

I'd also already been through Device Manager but I checked again anyway and there is only one (HP) camera installed and the best drivers for my device are already installed.

This flickering of pixels is really terrible. It's not so much my face but rather the background (the walls). It's like a static TV screen.

Since posting my original message, I've had a better look at this forum and there seem to be countless people posting about how poor their webcams are, not for my model in particular but for HP laptops more generally. The response seems to be the same update the drivers kind of thing which doesn't work. I think it's a quality issue.