How to Enable a Disabled Camera on Windows 11

Camera not working on your Windows 11 PC? Don't worry - it may just be disabled. Follow this guide to quickly enable your camera and get back to video calls and selfies in no time.

Enable Your Camera in Device Manager

The fastest way to enable a disabled camera is through Device Manager. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key, typing "Device Manager", and hitting Enter. This opens the control panel for all your PC's hardware.

Step 2: Look for the "Imaging devices" or "Cameras" section in the list. Click the arrow next to it to expand and see your camera.

Step 3: Right-click on your camera's name. If you see "Enable device" in the menu, your camera is currently disabled. Click "Enable device" to turn it back on.

Step 4: If prompted, click "Yes" to confirm enabling the device. Windows may need to install or update drivers, so give it a minute to complete.

Step 5: Test your camera by opening the Camera app or your preferred video chat software. It should now be working!

Check Camera Privacy Settings

If enabling the device doesn't work, your privacy settings may be blocking camera access. Here's how to check:

Step 1: Open the Start menu and click on Settings (the gear icon).

Step 2: Click "Privacy & security" in the left sidebar.

Step 3: Scroll down and click on "Camera" in the App permissions section.

Step 4: Make sure the "Camera access" toggle is switched on.

Step 5: Below that, ensure "Let apps access your camera" is also toggled on.

Step 6: Scroll through the list of apps and make sure camera access is enabled for any apps you want to use with your camera.

Update or Reinstall Camera Drivers

Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause camera issues. Try updating or reinstalling them:

Step 1: Open Device Manager again and find your camera.

Step 2: Right-click the camera and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for drivers" to let Windows find and install any available updates.

Step 3: If updating doesn't work, right-click the camera again and select "Uninstall device".

Step 4: Restart your computer. Windows should automatically reinstall the camera driver upon startup.

Step 5: If Windows doesn't reinstall the driver, go to your PC or camera manufacturer's website to download and install the latest driver manually.

With these steps, your Windows 11 camera should be up and running again. Remember to check for any physical camera switches on your device, and keep your system and drivers updated to prevent future issues.