Webcam not working on brand new HP Spectre X360 15

[jonalisa]

omg,  I spent hours trying to follow the instructions everywhere to get the camera working on my Spectre laptop....  thank you so much for telling me about that tiny little switch on the side of the computer!!!  So simple, yet so hard to find the clue.  You made my day!!!

[LisaHCC]

Aquaholics, you save my life and my video conference call tomorrow. Thank you! Thank you!

[DG333]

I have tried installing drivers, rebooting and doing everything possible and this solution finally helped. Thank you so much!!!
This solution is hardly mentioned anywhere, you're a genius. 

[FL-Phoenix]

Thanks! for that quick bit of information. Saved me time.

[MichaelPH]

I've look for an on off switch on the right and left side of my Spectre and cant find it.  What am I missing?  I have the same problem as all of those describe.

[VBLUEMKE]

 Mine is the tiny button in the middle on the right side

[galicia83]

This happened to me too! There is a little switch on the side of the laptop that disables the camera of your laptop if you switch it to the left. Just unswitch it and your camera should go back to normal. Hopefully this helps!

[MichaelPH]

Apparently I have an older model which does not have the on/off switch on the side!  Any other suggestions  would be greatly appreciated.  I am at wits end.

By the way, the camera is obviously working as I have facial recognition which continues to work , no problem.  Only when I try to use the camera for Zoom or Skype  etc. do I have the problem or when I try to access the camera thru the app and it says "no cameras detected"!

[Riddle_Decipher]

@MichaelPH Here are a few ways you could resolve the issue with webcam not detected, now I understand this could be overwhelming,

however, take a deep breath and go one step after the other, if the first method didn't help,

Let's begin with ensuring the device is being detected by Windows. 

The following instructions are for Windows 7, but should be very similar for Windows Vista and Windows 8 & Windows 10. 

Method 1: Check Device Manager to make sure it is working properly.

1. Click your Start button, type “Device Manager,” and press Enter.
2. Once Device Manager loads click “View” and then “Show Hidden Devices.”
3. Locate the “Imaging Devices” section.
4. Note whether you see the webcam here.
5. If the webcam is listed, right click it and verify that it is not “Disabled.”
6. If webcam is listed and not disabled, move onto Method 2.  If the webcam is not listed you will move onto Method 4. 

Method 2:  Allow Windows to Re-install the device.

1. While still in Device Manager right click on your webcam and select “Uninstall”
2. If prompted select “remove driver and driver package.”
3. Reboot your notebook and allow Windows to attempt to reinstall the webcam.
4. If Windows detects the webcam verify the functionality of the webcam.
5. If Windows does not detect the webcam and install it move onto Method 3.

Method 3:  Manually install the drivers for your webcam. 

1. Use this website to determine your product/model number. 
2. Visit the HP Support Page and use this product number to visit your product’s specific page.
3. Go to “Drivers and Software” and locate the driver for your webcam. 
   1. NOTE: the drivers for the webcam are sometimes bundled with the YouCam software.
   2. Try an alternate software, if issue persists only with one software, contact software manufacturer for support.
4. Download and install this driver.
5. Reboot the PC.
6. Verify functionality. 

Method 4:  Manually re-detecting the hardware.

1. Disconnect all external devices.
2. Shut down the notebook.
3. Remove the battery and AC power.
4. Press and hold the power button for 10-15 seconds.
5. Reinstall the battery and AC power.  Then turn the notebook on.
6. Once Windows is loaded go back to Device Manager.
7. Selection “Action” and then “Scan for hardware changes.”
8. If Device Manager detects the hardware allow it to install.
9. If Device Manager does not detect the hardware, let us know.

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

Have a great day!

[Jai1111]

I have the same error message and also don’t have a camera switch on my laptop. I’ve googled and found it’s only on newer models, the older ones don’t have a switch?! 
what do I do?? Help please!!