Webcam on Envy not working (your camera might be covered)

[Subharmonics]

The webcam on my HP Envy 17" stopped working. All windows settings seems okay, HP diagnostics reports no failures.

I can't find any key or switch (is there any?)

Drivers are up-to-date.

Signing in is now only possible via PIN, what can I do to get my webcam working again?

[Raj_05 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Subharmonics,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If your webcam on the HP Envy 17" stopped working and you've checked settings, drivers, and HP diagnostics with no success, there are a few additional troubleshooting steps you can try.

• Physical Check: Ensure there's no physical obstruction covering the webcam lens. Sometimes, it could be a sticker, a sliding cover, or even dust that may be blocking the lens.
• BIOS Settings: Sometimes, the webcam may be disabled in the BIOS settings. Restart your computer and access the BIOS settings (usually by pressing a key like F2, F10, or Del during startup). Look for any settings related to the webcam and ensure they are enabled.
• Device Manager Check: Open Device Manager (you can search for it in the Start menu). Expand the "Imaging devices" section and see if your webcam is listed. If it's listed without any warning signs, it indicates the system recognizes the webcam. However, if there's a warning sign, there might be an issue with the device driver.
• Rollback Driver: Even though you mentioned the drivers are up-to-date, sometimes the latest driver might have compatibility issues. You can try rolling back the webcam driver to the previous version. To do this, go to Device Manager, right-click on the webcam device, select "Properties," go to the "Driver" tab, and click on "Roll Back Driver" if available.
• System Restore: If the webcam was working fine previously, you could try using System Restore to revert your system back to a point where the webcam was working. This will undo system changes made after the restore point was created.
• Update BIOS and Firmware: Ensure your laptop has the latest BIOS and firmware updates installed. Sometimes, HP releases updates that address hardware compatibility and performance issues.
• Antivirus Scan: Run a full scan of your system with a reliable antivirus program to ensure no malware is interfering with the webcam functionality.

If you're using a PIN to sign in, it implies you're able to access your system. 

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support