Windows 10: Windows11 Camera App claims "can't start camera", but camera is obviously working.

USB attached web cam that did not come with any drivers. Windows 11 detected and configured it with the generic 'USB CAMERA' driver. Camera is obviously functional because Settings -> Bluetooth & Devices -> Cameras can access the camera and show an image from it. First imageHowever, the supplied camera app claim that it cannot start the camera, as can be seen in the following screen capture view looking out my window, which has a screen on it. However, the supplied camera app claim that it cannot start the camera as can be seen in this capture camera app just started. Camer

:)

 

Dell camera driver

• To open up your webcam or camera, select the Start Windows logo Start button button, and then select Camera in the list of apps.
• If you want to use the camera within other apps, select the Start Windows logo Start button button, select Settings Gear-shaped Settings icon > Privacy > Camera, and then turn on Let apps use my camera. 
• From there, turn on each of the listed apps where you want to use the camera. Test your camera here

Webcam Test

 

camera doesn't work in camera app but does in other software

I don't know how you unistalled the Camera app but just a suggestion here. PowerShell (admin) and run get-appxpackage *camera* | remove-appxpackage Then reboot and reinstall from Store. If that fails then use something like Geek Uninstaller free to remove it and reboot and reinstall.

Edit -make an image to fall back on before the changes.

 

Using a USB Camera with Camera app in Windows 10

Just used the camera app for the first time and it automatically worked with my webcam, a generic 1080p unit, without any input from me

From your description I am assuming your camera is a 4K unit, this may be an issue with the Camera app not the camera, not sure what resolution the app works with - obviously it works with 1080p so you could try setting your camera to this and see if it helps