camera not working for hp elitebook 840 g5

[Kamy_Franco-291]

please i can't use my camera for webcam meetings. please what can i do. is it a hardware problem. hp elitebook 840 g5

[MysteriousMe]

Welcome to HP Support Community, @Kamy_Franco-291 

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

1. Verify Physical Camera Installation

• Check for Camera Lens: Look at the top center of your laptop screen. Some models may not have a built-in camera.
• Remove Lens Obstruction: Make sure there’s no shutter cover or sticker blocking the camera.
• Check Privacy Switch/Shutter Key:
• Some HP laptops have a privacy switch on the side of the laptop or near the camera. Make sure it’s turned on.
• Some models have a shutter key (usually in the action key row). Press it to open the camera.

2. Check Device Manager

• Press Windows + X → select Device Manager.
• Expand Cameras or Imaging Devices.
• Ensure your camera is listed.
• Yellow Exclamation Mark: Indicates a driver or hardware issue.
• Missing Device: Could indicate hardware failure or disabled camera in BIOS.

3. Update or Reinstall Camera Drivers

In Device Manager, right-click the camera → Update driver → Search automatically for drivers.

If no updates are found:

Right-click the camera → Uninstall device → restart your PC.

Windows will attempt to reinstall the driver automatically.

Alternatively, download the latest camera driver from the HP Support website

4. Check Windows Camera Privacy Settings

• Go to Settings → Privacy → Camera.
• Make sure Camera access for this device is On.
• Scroll down and ensure the apps you want to use (Zoom, Teams, Skype, etc.) have camera access enabled.

5. Check for Software Conflicts

• Make sure no other application is using the camera at the same time.
• Close applications like Skype, Teams, Zoom, or browser tabs that might access the camera.
• Restart your computer and try the camera again.

6. Test Camera with Another Application

• Open different applications like Camera app, Zoom, or Skype to rule out software-specific issues.

7. Run Windows Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot → Additional troubleshooters → Camera.
• Run the troubleshooter to automatically detect and fix problems.

8. Check BIOS Settings

• Restart your laptop → press F10 (during boot) to enter BIOS.
• Go to System Configuration → Built-in Device Options → Ensure the camera is Enabled.
• Save changes and restart.

9. Update Windows

• Go to Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates.
• Installing the latest updates can fix known camera issues.

10. Perform a Clean Boot

• Press Windows + R → type msconfig → Enter.
• Under Services, check Hide all Microsoft services → click Disable all.
• Under Startup, open Task Manager → disable unnecessary startup apps.
• Restart and test the camera.
• This helps identify if a third-party app is blocking the camera.

Optional: External Camera Test

Use a USB webcam to confirm that software and settings are correct.

If an external webcam works, the built-in camera likely has a hardware fault.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.