Chromebook X2 Front Camera is PURPLE! Help!

[jakehagedus]

Hello, recently I wanted to start using my front facing camera for Zoom and Skype and whatnot. Unfortunately, when I open the Camera app - or any app that can use the front camera - I get a giant purple gradient ring. There's a very slim (maybe 1px high?) bar at the very top of the frame that looks kind of like a little slice of what the camera is seeing. The indicator light turns on. The rear camera works fine. I restarted, powerwashed, etc. I haven't used the front camera very much so I can't say when this started happening. I've had the device for almost two years now and other than the camera issue, it's been great. I searched this and other forums but couldn't find anyone that had the same issue. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thank you!

[Echo_Lake]

@jakehagedus

Thank you for posting on HP Support Community.

Don't worry as I'll be glad to help, I have a few troubleshooting steps we could try to fix the issue:  

1. Turn off your Chromebook, then turn it back on.
2. Try using the camera in another app, like Hangouts. If it works in that app, uninstall the app where it doesn't work, then reinstall it.
3. Reset your Chromebook.
4. Recover your Chromebook.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.
Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.

[Doug_Bell]

I have the exact same problem (including an identical purple circle image), also on the same Chromebook model (X2).

I tried all of the steps above, including the full recovery re-install of the software.  Nothing helped.

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Doug

[jakehagedus]

Hello! Thank you for replying. I did try these steps, and unfortunately the problem persists. Every camera app I've tried produces the same results. After the powerwash, it was still purple but half of it was flashing black. I'm guessing hardware problem?

[jakehagedus]

Unfortunately I'm in the same boat. My guess is that this is a hardware problem and the camera sensor is damaged or mis-connected somehow. Curious, was your front camera working previously and this is a recent issue? I used mine maybe once right after I got it but never had the need to use it otherwise until recently, and then discovered that it didn't work.

[Doug_Bell]

Our front camera was working a few months ago.  Unfortunately, we didn't use it often, so I can't pin down the problem more than that.

-Doug

[Echo_Lake]

@jakehagedus

Thank you for posting back.

I would request you to reach out to our Support and our Support Engineers should be able to check the available service options in order to diagnose the computer physically. HP Support can be reached by clicking on the following link:  www.hp.com/contacthp/​​​​​​​

Please feel free to contact us here anytime you need any further assistance. Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.