HP Envy x360 Windows camera privacy button thingy

[dincha2]

I've got a HP envy. Works fine overall but my current issue is the camera switch. The camera works fine, but because the button is physically loose, whenever I turn the camera on from the switch the camera flickers from detectable to undetectable, making the camera very unusbale. I can't replace the button, is there a way to just disable the button's function so it doesn't turn off the camera when the switch is on (the camera always remains detectable, basically)

[Sneha_01]

Hi @dincha2

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

It sounds like you're dealing with a hardware issue related to the physical camera privacy switch on your HP Envy x360. While this button (often a physical privacy shutter) is designed to enable or disable the camera for privacy reasons, if it's malfunctioning, it can indeed cause the camera to flicker on and off, making it unusable.

Unfortunately, there's no direct setting in Windows that can completely bypass or "disable" the physical privacy switch (since it's wired directly to the hardware). However, there are some workarounds and methods you can try to resolve or work around the issue.

1. Disable the Camera Privacy Switch in BIOS

Some HP laptops have a BIOS setting to disable the camera privacy switch or control the camera's behavior. If your laptop supports this, you might be able to disable the hardware switch entirely. Here’s how to check:

1. Restart your laptop and press the Esc key (or F10 depending on the model) as soon as it starts booting to enter the BIOS settings.
2. Once in BIOS, look for a setting related to camera or privacy settings. It might be under the Security tab or a similar section.
3. Look for an option like Camera Privacy Settings or Integrated Camera, and try to disable the physical switch here (if available).
4. Save and exit the BIOS settings, then reboot your laptop.

If this option isn’t available in your BIOS, try the other methods below.

2. Use Windows Privacy Settings to Disable Camera Access

While this won't bypass the physical button, it will ensure that even if the switch is in the "off" position, you can still control whether apps can access the camera.

1. Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
2. Go to Privacy & Security > Camera (on Windows 11) or Privacy > Camera (on Windows 10).
3. Ensure that Camera access for this device is enabled.
4. If you want to stop apps from accessing the camera, you can toggle individual apps on or off here.

However, this will not prevent the physical switch from affecting the camera, so it’s only useful if the switch is stuck in the “off” position and you want to allow apps to use the camera.

3. Physically Secure the Privacy Switch

Since the physical switch is malfunctioning, one simple solution would be to secure the switch in the “on” position manually (for example, by using a piece of tape or a small adhesive pad) to prevent it from moving or causing the camera to flicker off.

• Use a piece of electrical tape or another strong adhesive to secure the privacy switch in the "open" (camera-enabled) position. Be cautious not to damage the switch or the surrounding components when doing this.
• This will ensure that the camera stays on without interference from the faulty switch, but it is not an elegant solution and might require some careful adjustment.

4. Check for Camera Driver and Software Settings

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

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Rachel571

HP Support