Webcam not working

[ineram]

For a while now, I kept getting the "youcam6.exe has stopped working" error every time I restarted my computer. Since I never use my webcam, I just left it at that. Now with the corona epidemic going on, lots of people want to videochat and I tried to, but my camera isn't working.

I tried updating drivers etc., nothing worked. Then I applied the trick I saw in a post from 4 years ago to delete the camera in the device manager, start the YouCam software and then search for the camera in the device manager again. That does the trick as the camera now works in the YouCam software, but it still doesn't work in any other software, so I can't use it for Skype or Facebook, and if I try and update the drivers in the device manager, it breaks again and I'm back to the "youcam6.exe has stopped working" message.

This is really annoying, and apparently it's been a problem for over 5 years, so I'm really curious as to why this hasn't been solved yet.

The webcam used to work just fine, so I don't know what broke it, either...

Does anyone have a permanent solution?

The microphone was broken too, by the previous Windows Update, but the latest update seems to have fixed that, luckily.

Edit: I tried installing YouCam 9 to see if that would fix the issue, it didn't, I get the same error message "YouCam has stopped".

[The_Fossette]

@ineram,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

I reviewed your post and I understand that the webcam is not working on Skype and Facebook.

Don’t worry, I assure you I will try my best to get this sorted.

I recommend you follow the below steps and check if it helps.

NOTE: 

These steps pertain to Skype version 5. The version on your computer might be different.

1. In Windows, search for and open Skype.

2. In Skype, click Tools, and then click Options.

3. Click Video Settings from the left side of the page.

4. Select the name of your webcam from the Select webcam list.

   

5. When the video displays in the pane, click Save.

Step 2: Restart the computer to correct webcam problems

The webcam might be associated with another software program or not responding. Often, simply restarting the computer can correct the problem. Restart the computer, and then open your webcam software as soon as Windows finishes loading.

If restarting the computer does not correct this problem, continue troubleshooting.

Step 3: Update or change the webcam driver

Some software applications might require updated drivers for your webcam to display video or they might need a more basic driver. Use the following steps to change the driver for your webcam:

1. Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.

2. If a Let's identify your product to get started page displays, click Laptop or Desktop.

3. Type the model name for your computer in the Or, enter your serial number field, and then click Submit. For example, type Pavilion HPE h8-1360t Desktop, and then click Submit.

   

4. If a Matching products web page opens, select your model number from the list.

5. The software results page for your computer displays with the default operating system selected. If you need to change the operating system, click Change, select your version, and then click Change.

   NOTE: 

   If you cannot find the operating system you want in the list, HP does not have drivers for that operating system.

   

6. From the list of available software and driver categories, find the webcam driver.

   • If a webcam driver update is available from HP, download the file to your computer and install the software according to the instructions on the webpage. After updating, restart the computer, and then try using your software again. If the problem persists, continue using these steps to install a generic Windows USB video driver.

   • If a webcam driver is not available from HP or you cannot access the Internet, continue using these steps to install a generic Windows USB Video driver.

7. In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.

8. Double-click Imaging Devices to expand the list of webcam drivers.

   

   • If there is no imaging devices category listed in Device Manager, stop using these steps and see the section Webcam is not listed in Device Manager in this document.

   • If more than one webcam driver is listed, right-click the driver and select uninstall for any driver that is not the HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device driver. Once the other drivers have been removed, restart your computer and open your software. If problems persist, continue using these steps.

9. Right-click the name of the webcam in the Images Devices category (HP Webcam-101 or Microsoft USB Video Device), and select Update Driver Software.

10. Click Browse the computer to select a specific USB Video Device driver.

    Double-click Imaging Devices to expand the list of webcam drivers, right-click the webcam driver, and then select Properties.

    

    Make a note of the existing name of the webcam driver (Example: HP Webcam), as it might change after the update.

11. On the Webcam Properties window, select Update Driver....

12. Select to Browse the computer for the desired driver.

13. Click Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.

14. Remove the selection from Show compatible hardware.

15. Select Microsoft in the Manufacturer field, and select USB Video Device in the Model field.

16. Click Next to install the webcam driver.

17. Allow the installation of the USB Video Device, and then click Close.

18. After the device has been updated to USB Video Device in Device Manager, restart your computer and open your software.

If problems persist, install the latest BIOS update from HP and get all the latest Windows updates from Microsoft.

Let me know how it goes and you have a great day!

If you wish to show appreciation for my efforts, mark my post as Accept as Solution. Your feedback counts!

Cheers!