7 Ways to Fix Microsoft Teams Camera not Working

Reinstalling your camera drivers is a quick way to fix this issue

by Teodor Nechita
Teodor Nechita
Teodor Nechita
Software Managing Editor
Eager to help those in need, Teodor writes articles daily on subjects regarding Windows, Xbox, and all things tech-related. When not working, you may usually find him either... read more
Affiliate Disclosure
  • If your MS Teams camera is not working, it is surely due to some system error.
  • One simple solution is checking the software's permission through Windows.
  • You could also install a third-party app that will keep your drivers up to date.
  • Why don't you also run the system troubleshooter for your software and hardware?
MS teams camera not working

Part of the modern work environment is having face-to-face meetings with your colleagues and being able to chat remotely.

One middle ground between the two is holding video conferences; many collaborative tools have this feature. One such collaborative tool is Microsoft Teams, a unified platform where users can chat, send items, hold conferences, and more.

However, users complain that their camera is not working on Microsoft Teams. If you are also facing this problem, this guide will show you the steps to fix it.

Why is my camera not working on Microsoft teams?

Below are some of the reasons you are getting the no available camera found prompt on Microsoft Teams:

  • Lack of permission: Sometimes, Microsoft Teams shows a video isn’t working, we couldn’t use your webcam for video message because you have not granted the app permission to use your camera. To fix this, you need to change your webcam privacy settings and enable Teams to use your webcam.
  • Outdated driver: In some cases, outdated camera drivers can cause this issue. The easy and quick way out of this is to update your drivers to the latest version.
  • Hardware glitches: Another known cause of this issue is minor issues with your hardware components. You should run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to diagnose and solve this.

Now that you know the causes, below are some of the variations of this issue reported by users, with the solutions in this article covering them all:

  • Teams camera not working black screen
  • Teams camera not working grey screen
  • Teams camera not working in browser
  • Teams camera not working in meeting
  • Teams camera not working after update

How do I activate the camera on Microsoft teams?

In this article

1. Make sure Microsoft Teams has permission to use the webcam

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the Privacy option.
    privacy camera not working microsoft teams
  2. Select Camera in the left pane.
  3. Make sure that Allow apps to access your camera is activated.
    allow
  4. Now, scroll down and toggle the switch before Teams forward to allow it to use your camera.
    turn on

If it is already on, turn it off and leave it like that for a few seconds before turning it back on again.

In Windows 10, you must provide app permissions to use your hardware components. This includes giving programs like Microsoft Teams or Skype permission to use your webcam.

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2. Update all drivers

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK.
    devmgmt camera not working microsoft teams
  2. Double-click the Cameras option to expand it, and right-click your camera.
  3. Now, choose the Update driver option.
    update driver
  4. Finally, select Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
    search auto

One of the major causes of this issue is outdated drivers. So, you need to update the drivers to the latest version to make it work. If the built-in updater cannot find the latest drivers, you can check the camera manufacturer’s website for any available updates.

2.1 Update your drivers automatically

A generic driver and a manufacturer’s driver differ significantly. Identifying the right driver version for each hardware component can be time-consuming.

An advanced tool is simple to use, and it will get the job done, saving you lots of time because you won’t need to manually select all of your devices and update their drivers one by one.

That is why an automatic assistant, such as Outbyte Driver Updater, can help you better understand and update your system with the necessary drivers every time.

Please remember that this software needs to be updated from the free version to perform some particular tasks.

Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd camera not working microsoft teams
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnosticmsdt
  3. Finally, wait for the command to finish running and apply any recommendations.

Various issues can affect your camera’s functionality, which is why the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter is recommended.

Note: If you don’t want to use Microsoft Teams, there are lots of collaboration software on the market that can perform well, so feel free to explore.

4. Re-register your webcam

  1. Right-click the Start icon and choose Device Manager.
    device manager camera not working microsoft teams
  2. Expand the Cameras option and right-click your webcam.
  3. Now, select Uninstall device.
    uninstall device
  4. Click Uninstall.
    uninstall button
  5. Finally, click the Scan for hardware changes icon and restart your PC.
    scan for

With this, you have uninstalled and reinstalled your webcam. This should clear any minor glitches disturbing it.

5. Update Teams

  1. Launch Teams and click the menu button (three horizontal dots in the top right corner).
  2. Select the Check for updates option.
    check for camera not working microsoft teams
  3. Finally, install any available updates.

6. Disable other cameras

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
    device manager camera not working microsoft teams
  2. Click the arrow next to the Cameras option to expand it, and right-click any device that is not your default camera.
  3. Now, click the Disable device button.
    disable device
  4. Finally, click the Yes button if you are prompted to confirm the action.
    yes camera not working microsoft teams

If you have more than one camera connected to your PC, Microsoft Teams might find it hard to recognize the one it needs to use. If it is an external webcam that is surplus at the time, you can disconnect it.

However, if it is the built-in camera, you can follow the steps above to disable it. Also, you can choose your preferred camera within the Teams app too.

7. Uninstall Teams

  1. Press the Windows key, type control, and select Control Panel.
    control panel
  2. Select Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
    uninstall a
  3. Now, right-click the Microsoft Teams app and select Uninstall.
    uninstall camera not working microsoft teams
  4. Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

How to fix Teams camera not working on Windows 11?

Below are some of the ways you can fix the Teams camera if it is not working on Windows 11:

  • Close other apps using the camera
  • Update Microsoft Teams
  • Grant Teams permission to use your camera
  • Update your webcam drivers

With most of these solutions covered in our guide already, you will only need to make a few tweaks due to the OS difference. Also, you can try any other solution for Windows 10 on the latest operating system to fix this issue.

Following these guides can make your webcam run again in Microsoft Teams. In the same vein, if Microsoft Teams is not downloading files on your PC, check our detailed guide to fix it effortlessly.

Did you find this guide useful? Let us know in the comment section below.