webcam not recognized, Device Driver needed builtin webcam for HP Envy x360 convertible 15-ed1xxx,

[mishash]

My webcam was not recognized. It was showing as USB boot. I uninstalled the device driver and WIndows is unable to detect any automatic device driver for it. Now the Camera is not showing even in the hidden devies. 

My windows version is Windows 11 24H2, which does not seem to be supported. 

I could not find a device driver even at supported Windows 11 21H2 version. 

The Computer HP Envy x360 Convertible , even though out of warranty, I did not use much. 

I would like to get the webcam working , if I need to change Windows version.  I  am open to that. 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mishash,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I understand the concern, especially when the webcam was previously showing incorrectly as a USB device and now no longer appears at all in Device Manager, even under hidden devices. Since this started after uninstalling the driver, the issue may now be related to driver detection, BIOS settings, or Windows 11 24H2 compatibility.

The good thing is that the webcam hardware may still be functional, especially if the laptop was not heavily used.

Please try the following steps carefully:

1. Check if the Webcam is Enabled in BIOS

1. Shut down the laptop completely. 
2. Turn it back ON and immediately tap F10 repeatedly to enter BIOS. 
3. Look for: 
   • Advanced 
   • Built-in Device Options 
   • Or Integrated Camera settings 
4. Make sure the webcam/camera is enabled. 
5. Save changes and restart the laptop. 

2. Run HP Hardware Diagnostics Camera Test

1. Turn the laptop OFF. 
2. Turn it back ON and repeatedly tap Esc. 
3. Press F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI). 
4. Select: 
   • Component Tests 
   • Then check for a Camera/Webcam Test if available. 

This helps confirm whether the hardware itself is still being detected outside Windows.

3. Scan for Hardware Changes in Windows

Once back in Windows:

1. Open Device Manager. 
2. Click Action > Scan for hardware changes. 
3. Expand: 
   • Cameras 
   • Imaging Devices 
   • USB Devices 

Check whether the webcam reappears.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[mishash]

Hello Vikram the Great 

Thanks for your reply for my webcam issue. Unfortunately it did not resolve my issue. 

The camera is showing back as USB boot. There is a kill button on my laptop , I noticed it was pressed and showing red. 

I went into BIOS as suggested, However Advanced option does not exist. 

The only options in the BIOS are - Main, Security, Configuration, Boot Options and Exit. 

I also looked under Security and did not find much. 

Then I ran EUFI, First I updated it to newer version (10.8.6.0) and then ran the test as you mentioned. 

The test failed with following message

Webcam Connection Test : FAILED

PRODUCT ID : 12C31UA#ABL

FAILURE ID: RUXVVG-AG7D4P-XD7U2KQ3AC03

I still think there is a clash with Windows version and this builtin webcam, since its hidden in mother board or somewhere. There is no external Device Drivers to be found for this. 

When I rebooted computer and tried to find for an hardware changes, it did not find any. Also I tried to add a Legagcy harware and was unsuccessful as there are no device drivers for the same. 

Thank you so much for your help 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mishash,

Thank you for getting back to me and letting me know about the issue.
 

To help you better, could you please share a clear image of the kill switch/button you are referring to? This will help me understand exactly which switch is being discussed and allow me to check for more specific information.
 

Also, based on the failure code you shared, it appears there may be a hardware-related issue with the display. In some cases, a privacy or kill switch can affect components such as the webcam, so I'd like to verify whether it could be related.
 

Please share the image of the switch, and I'll do my best to check further and provide the most accurate guidance.

[mishash]

Picture of Kill Switch

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mishash,

Thank you for sharing the image of the screen. Please let me know when you turn the pc on. Do you see the light on the Cam kill switch blinking amber or red?

Please let me know

[mishash]

Hello Vikram

During a regular boot, no red light is coming. If I press the this switch , it turns red and Camera disappers from the Device Manager. Once it is not red or or when I press again, I get a little pop up saying 'camera on' and it appreas in Device Manager, However it is showing as USB Boot, that means that its unable to find any Device Driver for it. 

Do you know where is the Device driver hidden for it? May be we can update or revert that drivers? 

Let me know if you need any other setting from BIOS, as I did not see any option for camera. 

Also I am not sure if I take the maintenance plan listed on HP site, will they cover this and be able to fix it. 

or I dont mind taking it to a dealer, if I know that it can be fixed. 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mishash,

Based on your description, the camera privacy switch appears to be functioning as designed. When the switch is activated and the indicator turns red, the camera is disabled at the hardware level, and Windows will no longer detect the camera. When you press the switch again and receive the "Camera On" notification, the camera is re-enabled and should reappear in Device Manager.

However, it is not expected for the camera to appear as an unknown USB device or for Windows to be unable to load the correct driver after it is re-enabled.

To help narrow this down, please try the following:

1. Open Device Manager and expand Cameras, Imaging Devices, and Universal Serial Bus Controllers. 
2. If you see the camera listed as an unknown device or USB device, right-click it and select Uninstall Device. 
3. Restart the notebook and allow Windows to detect the camera again. 
4. Run Windows Update, including Optional Updates, and install any available driver updates. 
5. Open HP Support Assistant and check for any driver updates specific to the camera, chipset, or BIOS. 
6. Run the Camera Test from HP PC Hardware Diagnostics: 
   • Power off the notebook. 
   • Turn it on and repeatedly tap Esc. 
   • Press F2 for Diagnostics. 
   • Run the Camera Component Test if available.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!

[mishash]

Hello Vikram

I am attaching a screenshot of the Device Manager. I do not see Camera under the Universal Serial Bus Controllers. 

(Also I thad ried to reset computer to factory reset to go to receovery partition. This step had failed eariler. ) 

[VikramTheGreat]

Hi @mishash,

From what I can see, when the camera privacy key is enabled, the camera is being detected as "USB Boot" under the Cameras category instead of being identified as the integrated HP camera. This suggests that Windows is not properly recognizing the camera device or its driver.
 

Since you also mentioned that the factory reset/recovery process failed previously, there is a possibility that a Windows component, driver package, or system file required by the camera is corrupted.
 

Before considering service, I would recommend trying a System Restore to return the notebook to a date when the camera was working correctly. Unlike a factory reset, System Restore does not remove your personal files, but it can roll back drivers, Windows updates, and system changes that may have caused the issue.
 

To perform a System Restore:

1. In Windows Search, type Create a restore point and open it.
2. Click System Restore.
3. Select Choose a different restore point if prompted.
4. Pick a restore point from a date before the camera issue began.
5. Follow the prompts and allow the system to restart.
    

After the restore completes:

• Toggle the camera privacy key again.
• Check Device Manager.
• Test the camera in the Windows Camera app.
   

Please let us know:

• Whether the camera was working normally at some point after Windows was installed.
• If there are any restore points available.
• Whether the camera still appears as USB Boot after the restore.

If System Restore does not resolve the issue, we can look at additional options, including a manual driver cleanup or hardware diagnostics, before determining whether service may be required.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!