Windows 10: Built in Camera WebCam only works after Restart/Sleep.

As mentioned in the title, it is quite a odd problem. The WebCam works only after a restart or a sleep.

After it stops working, the device also goes disappears from DeviceManager.

So, things i've tried:


https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/built-in-laptop-camera-only-works-immediately/e59fbafc-152e-4e61-8d96-b9667b0a7d25


And after going to PowerManagement at USB ROOT HUB>Disabling [Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power] seems it goes pretty crazy. [Seeing on discord that the little tab that allows me to turn the camera on, goes on an off , like i'm disabling and enabling each time]

:)

 

Reusing old laptop webcam as USB camera

I took the webcam from an old Compaq 620 laptop and after a few wire connections I can connect it to the USB port

For a few seconds it is detected as HP Webcam 2.0 in device manager under Cameras (which also shows the built in Webcam for this laptop), but then after a while the Device Manager window refreshes and the webcam from the old laptop goes under the node Imaging Devices and it is listed as HP Universal Camera Driver. The old laptop is broken so I cannot test it again, but if I remember correctly it's webcam used to shown as HP Webcam 2.0 as well, in device manager

However, the problem is that the external USB camera is not detected by any application. I have tested using online webcan test sites (eg, Webcam Test) and using Skype's camera settings window (it shows a preview of the selected webcam), but in both cases I can only see the built in webcam on the detected cameras list

Since the USB camera initially shows up as HP Webcam 2.0 for a few seconds initially (when auto installing drivers for the first time), if I manage to open skype's audio settings window within that period, the USB webcam does show up in the detected cameras list, but by them it will have become detected as HP Universal Camera driver and disappears from the skype camera list.

I have seen blogs and videos online of other people using their old laptop webcams as external USB webcams, so this should be possible for at least some models. Since it is consistently detected as a USB device I am supposing the connections are correct as well. I do have 4 diodes connected in series to the USB +5V line before it goes to the camera, and each diode drops about 0.5 V, so the camera is only seeing about 3 V. Since USB detection works up to the driver auto-installation point I am assuming power isn't an issue.

Is there anyway to test whether this webcam works as a USB webcam or not? Could this just be an issue of finding the correct drivers? Once this gets detected as HP Universal Camera Driver in the device manager, going to driver upgrade and auto-searching online only says the best driver is already installed. I have also tried searching for compaq 620 webcam windows 10 drivers but they don't seem to be available. Is there some kind of generic driver that should always work with any camera? Could this be a windows 10 issue? Would this work on linux? I'm not sure how to test webcams on Linux though.

EDIT:

I found possible drivers here:

HP Compaq 620 Drivers Download for Windows 10, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP

I could not find camera drivers for Windows 10 in HP's official page. This new linked page claims the camera driver is for Windows 10, and says the device name is HP Webcam [2 MP Fixed], which is what I expect, downloading the driver downloads files whose name implies camera device is manufactured by realtek. While using the webcam in my old laptop before I never recall Realtek being associated with anything to do with the webcam (this name was associated with the network card only) and looking at the PCB of the webcam itself doesn't indicate it is related to realtek in any way. Would it be risky to try and install this driver anyway? The new laptop is also an HP with the webcam being detected as Asus. I just don't want the drivers for the USB webcam to interfere with the built in one.

EDIT 2:

I installed drivers from the link above. The camera now shows up under Imaging Devices (not sure why it does not show up under Camera like the built in webcam) node as HP Webcam 2.0. It is also detected by applications such as skype (shows up in camera setup window's detected cameras list) but if I select the webcam skype just hangs up and I need to force close it from the task manager. If I disconnect the webcam the built-in webcam shows up and skype runs normally. The driver download link above comes with a webcam testing utility called "RsCap.exe". This utility also shows the usb webcam in it's list, but hangs if I select and try to preview the webcam. If I disconnect the webcam the built in webcam previews normally and is pretty fast.

I booted the computer using a USB live install of puppy linux and used the built in USB scanning tool to scan for everything connected to USB. This is what it shows regarding the usb webcam and the built in webcam.

Built in webcam:

Usb webcam:

Is there anyway to use this usb webcam?

 

Computer Doesn't See Built in Webcam

Can I ask when is the last time the camera was working?

Honestly I am not sure, it used to work. Haven't tried it for a while until recently with the stay at home and more communication being done via video. Not sure it has worked since I installed Windows 10

Thanks for trying to help John, Here are the answers to your questions and the results of the suggested fixes:

Did you made any changes recently? Just the recommended updates

What is your current windows version and edition? Windows 10 Home, Version 1909 No errors shown



Camera Privacy Switch located at the right side of the laptop (do not have on this model)

Camera Shutter Key located on the keyboard (do not have one on this model)

Please try to press FN+F6 or F10. or try other F key combinations (none of these worked)

Press Start then search command prompt

Right click then run as administrator (note: try to disable translation to see the correct command)

type: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic

Run the troubleshooter

Restart your PC (did this)

Step 1. Checked, Permissions are turned on

Step 2. Check your antivirus software

Checked, I'm using Avast Free Antivirus software, Info states only the Premium version blocks webcams

Had an older version of Mcafee Security Scan Plus, Deleted and Restarted Computer

Step 3. Update a device driver using Windows Update (Done, Updates Current)

Step 4. Download and install the camera driver (Installed the camera driver from the Lenovo Support Website and Restarted computer)

Step 5. Roll back your webcam driver (Webcam is not listed under Device Manager (even showing hidden devices)

Step 6. Uninstall your webcam driver (See Step 5)

Step 7. If your camera isn't listed in Device manager, test ports and run a scan

If your camera isn't found in Device Manager, first try using the camera with a different port on your device. If that doesn't work, try these steps: (This is a built in webcam not an external device)

If Camera doesn't work in Windows 10 (I have done all of the checks using advice for Windows 10)

Still no camera detected or recognized

 

Built in Webcam is not working on Windows 10.

Hi Leo,

I realize the inconvenience you are experiencing with Windows 10. I will certainly help you.

This issue might occur if there is change in Camera settings or camera driver is corrupt.

To assist you better, please provided us the information below:

• When you say that "It's also not listed in device manager", have you checked the Camera driver in the Imaging Devices under the Device Manager?
• When you say that "and it just stopped working", how exactly are you trying to access the webcam? Which application are you using to access webcam? Have you tried to check the issue with default Camera app?
• Are you getting any error message?

I suggest you to follow the steps below to check the issue with accessing through Camera app.

1. Click on Search bar.

2. Then type "Camera" without the quotes in the search bar and click on it.

3. Check if you are able to use the Webcam.

Also I recommend you to check if Webcam driver is avialble or not in the Device Manager.

1. Press Windows Key + R Key.

2. Then type “devmgmt.msc” without the quotes and hit on
Enter Key.

3. Expand Imaging Devices.

4. Right click on the webcam driver and click on Update driver software.

Please get back to us with an update on issue with accessing Webcam, we will be happy to help.

Thank you.