Windows camera privacy, drivers, application conflicts, or a physical shutter can prevent access.
If the live test passes, the investigation can usually move away from total hardware failure and toward the affected app, permissions, routing or configuration.
Try the simple causes first
- 1
Open Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and verify camera access.
- 2
Check for a physical camera shutter or function-key camera switch.
- 3
Close conferencing/camera apps, then run DeviceOK webcam test.
Work through the problem in order
- 1
Open Windows Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and verify camera access.
- 2
Check for a physical camera shutter or function-key camera switch.
- 3
Close conferencing/camera apps, then run DeviceOK webcam test.
- 4
If DeviceOK still cannot open the camera, follow Microsoft's camera troubleshooting and the OEM support path.
Use the passing DeviceOK test to narrow the problem to the specific app or settings layer.
If DeviceOK also fails, step back to permissions, connection, OS configuration, and device-level troubleshooting.