HP Spectre X360 can't find webcam in Zoom, Skype or MSTeams desktop apps - No kill switch

[EllenJ1]

Webcam does not work in Zoom, Skype or MS Teams desktop apps. Works in the web browser version. Error message for Zoom is 'Failed to start the video camera. Please select another video camera in Settings.' I have checked all of the Windows 10 Camera privacy settings that I can and have reinstalled the driver. 

Tried webcam test at onlinemictest.com/webcam-test and received the message 'Camera not authorized. Please check your media permissions settings.' I have checked them and cannot see what the problem might be. 

Suggestions please?

[Riddle_Decipher]

@EllenJ1 If your webcam has stopped working after installing a new update, you should uninstall the update and roll back to the older version. You will have to open Device Manager > right-click on the device > select Properties > switch to Driver tab > click on Roll Back Driver button > select Yes on the next window. After that, you need to restart your PC to check whether it is working.

If that doesn't work or there were no updates before the issue occurred, you might need to uninstall the webcam driver.

To do this, open Device Manager > right-click on the device > select Properties > switch to Driver tab > click on Uninstall Device button.

Restart your computer and then open Device Manager again and click on Action > Scan for hardware changes. (this would automatically reinstall the best drivers for it)

Once done, I suggest you install all the latest pending Windows updates as below and check if it helps.

1. Go to “settings” and click on “update and security”.
2. Under tab “Windows update”, click on the icon “check for updates”.
3. Then once you find the pending updates install it and check.

FOR DETAILS & FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS, USE THIS LINK: CLICK HERE

(By the end of this article all the issues should be resolved)

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

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Give us a virtual high-five by clicking the 'Thumbs Up' icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on this post, 

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[EllenJ1]

Hi @Riddle_Decipher. I have tried the actions that you have suggested several times. I've also been in touch with HP Support directly and Windows support but access to my webcam is still intermittent on these desktops apps. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I believe this may be a Windows 10 bug and I'm hoping that it is rectified with the next update.

Keeping fingers crossed as this has consumed WAY too much of my time already!

[Riddle_Decipher]

@EllenJ1 You and me both, we need to solve this issue once and for all, please consider resetting windows if that doesn't work: click here for details (ensure you backup all your personal data before initiating this step).

If you wish to thank me for my efforts, you could click on "Accept as solution" on my post as the solution should help others too.