Windows 10: How can one solve this webcam camera issue on windows 11. It is quite frustrating that one...

How can one solve this webcam camera issue on windows 11.? It is quite frustrating that one has to source for alternative p

:)

 

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?

 

webcam is not recognised by Windows

It appears that you have thoroughly investigated the issue with your Samsung M8 smart monitor's USB-C camera not being recognized by your Windows 11 desktop, and it seems to be a common problem. Here are some key points and additional steps you can consider:

1. Monitor Settings:
   
   • You need to configure the monitor settings to use the USB-C port for the camera. Navigate to External Device Manager > USB source setup and set it to USB-C.
     
2. Adobe Software Issues:
   
   • Adobe Connect and other Adobe software have known issues with recognizing webcams, including iPhones used as webcams. This is a broader issue with Adobe's software compatibility with various webcam devices.
     
3. Check Privacy Settings:
   
   • Ensure that Windows privacy settings allow apps to access the camera. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and make sure that Camera access and Let apps access your camera are turned on.
     
4. Antivirus Software:
   
   • Temporarily disable your antivirus software to see if it is blocking the camera. Some antivirus programs can interfere with webcam functionality.
     
5. Use a Different USB-C Cable:
   
   • Try using a different USB-C cable that supports data transfer and video output. Some cables may not be fully compatible.
     
6. Test on Another Device:
   
   • Test the camera on another Windows 11 device to determine if the issue is specific to your desktop.
     

Given the steps you have already taken and the information from the sources, it seems that the Samsung M8 monitor's camera might not be fully compatible with Adobe software or Windows 11 in some cases. If the camera works fine with the monitor's built-in apps but not with your PC, it could be a limitation of the monitor's design or a software compatibility issue. Contacting Samsung support or considering alternative solutions, such as using a different webcam, might be necessary

 

Windows Camera

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

We understand the concern as you are unable to use the integrated webcam. There could be a possibility that the
device driver not installed or out of date or the installed driver failed.
In order to get clarity and to assist you accordingly, please reply with the answers to the questions below:

• What is the model number of the Lenovo Desktop?
  
• Is Lenovo Vantage utility app installed on the PC?
  

• Are you aware of any changes on the PC prior to this issue?

Let us try few steps.

Step 1: Check Camera Settings.

1. Press Windows + I key to open Windows Settings.
   
2. Click on Privacy and select Camera from the left pane.
   
3. Click on Change check if it is toggled to On.
   
4. Also toggle the switch to On under Allow apps to access your camera
   

Step 2:Update Webcam driver.

We would suggest you to update the Webcam driver from Device Manager. Please refer this article to update the driver:
Update drivers in Windows 10

If the behavior persists, I suggest you follow the steps in the article below and see if it solves the problem:
Camera doesn't work in Windows 10

You may also refer these articles for additional information:

Windows 10 camera, microphone, and privacy

How to use the Camera app

If it persists, I recommend that you contact the Lenovo Technical Support to carry out tests related to the camera.

Let us know the results.

Aditya Roy

Microsoft Community – Moderator