Windows 11 privacy settings can prevent applications from accessing a working webcam. Check device-level permissions, allow the affected application, and verify that camera access works.
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and enable Camera access. Allow Microsoft Store or desktop applications to use the webcam, then test the camera inside the affected program.
Check whether your webcam has a physical privacy shutter, camera switch, or dedicated keyboard shortcut. Open the shutter or enable the camera if your device includes one. A hardware privacy control can prevent video capture even when every Windows permission is enabled.
Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Locate the Camera access switch near the top of the page. This controls whether Windows users can grant applications access to the camera.
Set Camera access to On. Windows should now allow camera permissions to be configured for supported applications. If the switch is unavailable or controlled by an organization, an administrator may need to change the restriction.
Set Let apps access your camera to On. Find the affected Microsoft Store application in the list and enable its individual camera permission. Applications installed outside the Microsoft Store might not appear in this list.
Scroll to Let desktop apps access your camera and set the switch to On. This permits supported traditional desktop programs and browsers to request camera access. Windows does not provide individual camera permission switches for every desktop application.
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras and select the webcam you intend to use. Check whether the camera appears and whether Windows provides a working preview. If multiple webcams are connected, identify the correct device before testing your application.
Open the affected application and navigate to its video or camera settings. Select the intended webcam and start its available preview or test feature. Confirm that live video appears instead of a permissions error or blank image.
Sign in with an administrator account or contact the device administrator. Organization-managed computers may enforce camera access restrictions.
Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras and confirm Windows detects the webcam. Check physical switches, reconnect external webcams, and inspect the device in Device Manager.
Confirm the affected program has the correct camera selected. Check its app permissions, close competing camera applications, and reopen the program.
Windows camera privacy controls do not provide individual permission switches for traditional desktop applications. Some applications offer additional camera controls internally.
Windows Hello camera authentication has specific exceptions and may continue functioning independently of ordinary application camera permissions.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/privacy/manage-app-permissions-for-a-camera-in-windows
Return to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and restore the previous camera permission switches. Disable access for individual Microsoft Store applications or turn off desktop camera access if it was previously disabled.
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