Windows 10: USB webcam not recognised

Hi,


I recently purchased a new USB webcam but when I plugged it in to my laptop it tried to install it then a message popped up saying the device could not be recognised. I have tried plugging it into the two other USB ports on my laptop and back in the first one, and I have uninstalled all the USB drivers and reinstalled them but the problem persists.


The power light goes on on the webcam whenever I plug it in but the laptop doesn't make any noise when I plug it in or take it out like it normally would with a USB device, and it is not showing in "Devices and Printers" either.


Your assistance is greatly appreciated.


Many thanks.

:)

 

Webcam

Hi Miki,

To better assist you, kindly answer the following questions:

• Is the webcam built-in with your laptop or a USB-connected one?
• Did you get any error messages?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

Thank you.

 

USB Webcam showing as Hidden in Device Manager

Hi,

Thanks for the response. When I started the PC this morning (with the webcam connected to the USB port) I did a few checks before anything else. Webcam still not being recognised by the Camera app. Webcam still not being listed in Device Manager (hidden
or otherwise). Power is going to the Webcam as the lights on Webcam still operational. The microphone (integrated into Webcam) is operational as Cortana responds.

I then started a System Restore. The oldest restore point I was offered was 28/6/16 (Last critical update installed). Upon PC reboot I received a message saying that “System Restore was successful”.

Current state is that “USB2.0 Camera” is again listed in Device Manager under Imaging Devices but only when “Show Hidden Devices” is selected. I right clicked on the device and tried to Update Driver software but received a message to say that the
“best driver software for your device is installed” which is the “USB Video Device” driver. Camera App still doesn’t recognise that a Webcam is attached.

Are there any tips or tricks that I can apply that will enable me to have the “USB2.0 Camera” device in a permanently visible state rather than hidden? Have you had any app or malware reported that hijacks the camera and makes it hidden to the system?

Any further advice would be appreciated.

 

Webcam not working in Windows 10 Pro on Microsoft camera app and not on Skype

Hi,

Since you mentioned that you already reinstalled the driver for your webcam, we suggest that you perform these troubleshooting steps to resolve your concern:

• Run the troubleshooter for Windows apps.
• Install the driver using the compatibility mode.

Get back to us with the results of the suggested troubleshooting steps.