HP HD Widevision Camera - How do you reinstall the driver? - Windows 10

[Spoonhunt]

Last Thursday I was trying to use my inbuilt camera for Skype to find an error message "We can't find your camera" with code "0xA00F4244". When I looked in Device Manager, the 'HP HD Widevision Camera' driver was not in the list, however, I found it after selecting 'show hidden devices' where there was a code 45 error message.

I have tried the following:

- update device driver

- scan the computer for viruses

- running a System File Checker

- running the Windows Harward and Device Troubleshooter

After trying all of this I pressed 'uninstall' on the device driver, thinking that it would be easy to reinstall. However, I cannot find how to reinstall it! I tried restoring windorws to 'before uninstall camera device driver' but that didn't bring it back. So, in my desperation I did a full reset on my PC, thinking that the camera would start working, or at the least the device driver would have reappeared on the list - but sadly neither has happened and Skype is still saying that it cannot detect a camera.

Please can you help! I am a teacher and I need my camera desperately to provide online lessons while we are in lockdown.

[asmita6658 · Accepted solution]

Hi @Spoonhunt

Welcome to the HP Support Community. I'd be happy to assist you with the Webcam issue. 

To better assist you - May I have the exact model name of the product? Refer to this document for steps to find the product details. Do not share any of your personal information such as serial, phone number, email ID, etc.

While you respond to that, try these steps - 

Newer HP laptops have a Kill Switch feature designed to physically disconnect your webcam.  This is helpful for preventing bad people from activating your webcam remotely but can be overlooked when trying to use the webcam for video conferencing.  If your model has a kill switch, make sure it’s switched on.

 

If the issue still persists, try these steps - 

1) In Windows, search for and open Device Manager.
2) Expand the Imaging Devices.
3) Right-click on the HP Webcam and select Uninstall.
4) Confirm the uninstallation.
5) Restart the computer to reinstall the Webcam driver.

Try updating your computer - 

Step 1 Windows Updates -

1) In the search box, type and open Windows Updates.

2) Check for updates.

3) If the updates are available, click on install and restart the computer.

Step 2 HP Support Assistant Updates -

1) In the search box, type and open HP Support Assistant.

2) Check for updates.

3) If the updates are available, click on install and restart the computer.

Download and install the BIOS from this link.   

You may also try these steps -  HP PCs - Webcam Troubleshooting 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as 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!

Have a great day! 

[Spoonhunt]

Very silly but I hadn't spotted the kill switch. After flicking the switch and restarting the driver had returned and the camera is working again.

Thank you so much!!!

[asmita6658]

Hi @Spoonhunt

That's great! Happy to hear that. If you need further assistance feel free to reach out to us.

Have a great day ahead!

[GAL70]

I have a HP Envy X360, my webcam image quality is very poor, grainy and color distortion.

What can I do.

Thanks

GAL70

[Riddle_Decipher]

@GAL70 Use the following actions to resolve the issue:

• Make sure your video recording environment has good lighting.

• Change the image quality, brightness, contrast, and other adjustments in the webcam software.

To resolve problems with choppy playback, take the following actions:

• Reduce the size of the video image in the webcam software.

• Use a high-speed Internet connection.

• Do not use other high-speed USB devices while using the webcam.

To troubleshoot other video quality problems, refer to one of the following HP support documents:

• Notebook computers: Improper Lighting and Positioning Can Cause Problems with Webcam Facial-Tracking Function

P.S: Welcome to HP Community 😉

Keep us posted,

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, 

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

Have a great day!