Windows 10: Microsoft LifeCam Studio breaks the Windows camera app in very bizarre fashion

Hey there, reddit. Have I got a puzzle for you, so strap in. I posted this on r/Windows10TechSupport, and got a couple good suggestions but, unfortunately, no solution. So I figured I'd have one more crack at it elsewhere.

I got a real beat up mule of a desktop computer (I think it's over 10 years old), so I think the TLDR solution to my problem might very well be that this thing thing is too old to work with the tech and I'm just gonna have to get a new one. But before I sink $1000 into a fancy new machine, I want to see if I can make the current one do what I want it to do.

So in this age of video conferencing, I wanted to get a camera. I got a Microsoft LifeCam Studio used online. When I plug it in and start the Windows 10 camera app, it works fine...for about 15 seconds. Then the app freezes, the light on the camera turns off and one of three things happen. The first is it tells me it can't detect the camera. The second is that it tells me "Something went wrong. If you need it, here's the error code: 0xA00F4271<MediaCaptureFailedEvent> (0x8007001F)". The third is that a picture comes back in, with super grainy resolution and no lighting/brightness adjustment available. And turning the brightness up in the app in this state does nothing.

Now, I've tried searching this error code out online to find a solution. Most point to updating Windows (it's updated), try turning off antivirus (I think that's for letting apps use the camera, but I tried it anyway to no effect), and playing around with drivers. I've uninstalled and reinstalled drivers for this thing, and still it poops out. One of the previous suggestions (a good one) was to try out the camera on a different machine. So I took it into work and plugged it in on my computer there, which also runs Windows 10. It worked perfectly. So I can rule out broken camera.

Here are three interesting notes. The first is that if I unplug it from the USB port and plug it back in, it will restart the cycle. Upon a fresh plug-in, the camera app will start up fine and work for about 15 seconds, then crap out and result in one of the three errors.

The second is that this thing appears to have several identities in the device manager. It sometimes shows up under "Cameras" and sometimes under "imaging devices" and I think it's always under "sound, video and game controllers." And if I go to "update driver\Browse my computer for driver software\Let me pick from a list of available drivers," depending on which heading I select the device from under, it might give me two driver options: "Microsoft LifeCam Studio" and "USB Video Device." And sometimes it will update the driver fine (and still fail if I restart the machine, unplug the camera, re-plug the camera, start the camera app, and wait about 15 seconds). And OTHER times, it will say "Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for you device etc etc This device cannot start. (Code 10)"

The third is that the very first time I used this thing, I used it for a Zoom meeting and I think it worked perfectly that whole time. I don't know what to make of that. I don't think any significant changes have been made on my computer. I've had the camera for like a week.

This post is already horrendously long, so I'll hold off on posting the system spec sheet unless I have to. Thank you to anyone who takes a crack at this.

submitted by /u/WellPlacedRocket
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:)

 

Microsoft Lifecam Studio

Today, I successfully installed from Windows Updates, Microsoft - Camera - Microsoft LifeCam Studio for my existing LifeCam. However, my computer cannot locate LifeCam. I did confirm that Microsoft LifeCam is definitely installed on my computer but I
cannot find the icon which opens the program. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? Thanks.

 

LifeCam Studio not working in WIndows 10 Camera App

I 'm having a Microsoft LifeCam Studio. The Camera works in Skype and all other apps, but not in the Windows10 Camera App. Even though the blue light is on on the Life Studio Camera I only get a black screen in the Camera app.

 

Microsoft LifeCam Studio

GOOD MORNING

Thanks for responding to my question. My LifeCam Studio is not downloading properly. I've tried every recommendation given and no success.

If I may: I run windows10 PRO on a Gateway SX2855 Desktop. In Installing the webcam, links tell me of the installing and completion of install of the LifeCam Studio. When I open the camera link I see myself on screen with directions to operate the installed
Camera although there would be no image without the LifeCam Studio being installed, there are no features, controls, etc, nothing relating to the LifeCam Studio.

In Programs and Features there is no mention of the LifeCam Studio Although, I found it in Device Manager! I can find no LifeCam Studio software or mention of it on my computer. I have followed the link for "LifeCam Updates", the link goes back and forth
telling me to "make sure that the LifeCam is connected". I do, and nothing happens.

Now I've done all the 'uninstalls and installs' I can think of and the ones I've been instructed to do. I've even bought a Driver Update service. So, please help me if you can. I'm open to any suggestions you may have.

A final though: Do I have a defective Camera?

Bill Gibbs