External Webcam/mic

[Chazinator]

How do I get my new webcam to activate instead of the built in camera and microphone on my HP Laptop? My entire reason for purchasing the webcam was for better quality video and audio but I can't get it to activate during my business Zoom teleconference meetings.

[IT_WinSec · Accepted solution]

Hello @Chazinator 

While there are multiple options, easiest one would be to first de-active your built-in camera and built-in mic. You can do so in Device Manager. Here are instructions >> https://www.windowscentral.com/how-disable-your-laptops-webcam-and-microphone

After you do this, there will be no camera/microphone for your PC (or Zoom) to use unless you plug in your external cam/external mic. Once you plug them in, they will be the only one to use and your Zoom should pick them up.

You can also read these articles:

>> https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362283-Testing-computer-or-device-audio

>> https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/202952568-My-video-camera-isn-t-working

Hope this helps.

[Chazinator]

The answer I received was spot on. It was rather simple. Deactivating the built in camera and mic was definitely the solution. As soon as I did so, I opened the camera app in my laptop and immediately saw the indicator light on my web cam light light up! Thank you to community for showing me my purchase wasn't wasted!