switching on camera

[DavieMacD]

I run a year-old HP Spectre x 360 2-in-1 which visibly incorporates a camera but this has never worked from new despite updating drivers. Its key board has an iconed "Camera Off" button at F2 but depressing this seems to make no difference to the camera's permanent "off" status. Help required, please!

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @DavieMacD 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for explaining the situation so clearly—it's incredibly frustrating when a built-in camera remains inactive despite all your efforts. 

Let's walk through a structured approach to help you get it working reliably.

 

Step-by-Step Fix for Camera Not Turning On

1. Check the Camera Kill Switch

• Your HP Spectre x360 includes a physical camera shutter switch (usually on the side or near the function keys).
• Slide or press this switch to open the shutter—the camera won’t activate if it’s physically blocked.

 

2. Use the F2 Camera Key Correctly

• Press Fn + F2 together to toggle the camera on/off.
• If pressing F2 alone doesn’t work, the Fn modifier may be required depending on your keyboard settings.

 

3. Enable Camera in Privacy Settings

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
• Make sure Camera access is turned on for both system and apps.
• Scroll down and ensure apps like Zoom, Teams, or Camera are allowed to use it.

 

4. Check Device Manager

• Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.
• Expand Imaging Devices or Cameras.
• If the camera is listed, right-click → Enable device (if disabled).
• If it’s missing or has a warning icon, reinstall the driver.

 

5. Reinstall Camera Driver

• Visit your device’s support page:
  HP Spectre x360 14-eu0000 Drivers
• Download and install the latest camera driver and firmware updates.
• Restart your laptop after installation.

 

6. Run HP Hardware Diagnostics

• Press Esc repeatedly at startup → choose F2 for diagnostics.
• Run Component Tests > Webcam to verify hardware functionality.

 

You’ve already shown great initiative by updating drivers and testing the function keys. Let’s make sure your camera responds as it should—whether for video calls, scanning, or creative work. If you'd like help interpreting diagnostic results or checking BIOS settings, I’m here to guide you through it.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye