Webcam is being blocked by another application. How do I correct this?

[Slowski]

The built-in webcam is present but seems to be blocked by another application.  Error code that shows up is 0xA00F4240<Unknown>(0x80004003). I have tried the following: installed the latest updates, updated the driver, uninstalled the camera and reinstalled a new camera from the apps store. Used Webcamtest.com and it tells me "Webcam is used by another application in Windows." Can't find a solution to use the onboard camera.  Any ideas?

[sandytechy20]

@Slowski

Welcome to the HP support community.

I understand that you are getting iussues with the webcam, I am glad to assist you.

To check if any of Windows apps are damaged, run Windows App Troubleshooter. Click on this link and follow the on-screen instructions. 

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click empty space on the toolbar. 
• Open Task Manager and go to the Processes tab. 
• Carefully analyze what programs are currently running in the background of the system. 
• If you found an app that uses Camera, for example, Skype running in the background, click it, and select “End Task.” 
• To repair damaged system, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage. 

If the issue persists,  

• Perform the reset on the camera 
• Click Windows key + I to open Settings. 
• Select App and Features. 
• Locate Camera and click it. 
• Select Advanced options and then Reset. 
• Reboot the PC. 
• Perform a clean boot: (no data loss) 
• Click Windows key and type msconfig. 
• Click System Configuration and open Services tab. 
• Mark Hide all Microsoft services box and select Disable all. 
• Open Startup tab and click Open Task Manager. 
• Click on each startup item and select Disable. 
• Close Task Manager and click OK on the System Configuration window. 
• Reboot the system. 
• If Clean Boot helped you fix the issue, we recommend you to enable apps one by one. After each enabled app, check if the Camera is working. 
• This way, you will isolate the problematic application. 

Update webcam drivers 

• Right-click on Windows key and select Device Manager. 
• Expand Imaging devices and right-click on your system webcam entry. 
• Select the Update Driver Software option. 
• Then click on Browse my computer for software driver option. 
• Select Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer option. 
• If not checked, check the Show compatible hardware option. 
• Select USB Video Device and click Next. 
• The system will automatically update/install the driver. Once done, close Device Manager. 
• Reboot the system. 
• Check privacy settings 
• Press Windows key + I to open Settings. 
• Go to the Privacy category and select the Camera option. 
• Make sure that the Let apps use my camera option is turned on. 

Keep me posted.

If this helps, please mark the public post as an accepted solution so that it benefits several others.

Cheers.