How to Fix Skype Camera Not Working in Windows 10
There are several reasons why your Skype camera may not be working. From wrong camera settings to incompatible camera drivers and a physically damaged device; it can be anything. Most users who face Skype camera issues are the ones using an external webcam. The camera issue is not very common with devices such as laptops and tablets which come with integrated cameras. In this guide, we will share some of the solutions that you can apply to fix your camera for Skype video calls.
Skype Camera Not Working – Windows 10
1. Reinstall Skype
The obvious solution is to uninstall Skype, download the latest version, and reinstall it. Here is how you do it.
- Open the Settings app and go to the Apps group of settings. Select the Apps & features tab.
- From the list, click on Skype and select Uninstall.
- Now Reboot your system.
- Go to the Microsoft Store download the latest version.
- Once you reinstall Skype, make sure you can test your microphone and camera from the settings.
This should fix the majority of the cases with Skype video call camera issues.
2. Cross-Check Camera on other Apps
Check if it’s only Skype that’s having trouble with the camera. Use another app, any app, to check if it can detect the camera. Windows 10 comes with a stock Camera app that you can use to run this check.
- Open the Start menu.
- Go to the Apps list and look for the Camera app.
- Open it, and check if the app is able to get a feed from it.
If the camera works perfectly on other apps and only creates a problem with skype, then it is a Skype-only issue. If the camera doesn’t work on other video call apps as well, then it can be a camera driver issue or physical damage. Here’s how you can troubleshoot the camera.
3. Webcam Configuration for Skype
Skype allows users to select which webcam to use. If you only have the one webcam, it should be selected automatically but in some cases, Skype doesn’t select it.
- Open the Skype app and click on the ellipse (three dots) located right next to your profile picture. Select Settings.
- Go to the Audio & Video tab.
- Open the dropdown for Camera and select the only you want to use.
- If the camera isn’t listed in the dropdown, Skype can’t detect it. Try one of the other solutions in the list.
4. Webcam Privacy Settings
Windows 10 now has a privacy feature that lets you enable or disable the integrated or plugged-in webcam. To check the privacy settings for the camera, follow these steps
- Open the Settings app and go to the Privacy group of settings.
- Select Camera from the left pane.
- Make sure you see the ‘camera access for this device is on‘ message. If it isn’t there, click Change and enable it.
- Next, scroll down to “Choose Which Apps Can Access Your Camera” option and turn the Skype Button on.
- Now open Skype, go to video settings and the webcam will be listed there. Select it.
5. Update Webcam Drivers
Sometimes the webcam doesn’t work for Skype due to outdated webcam software. This usually occurs for Windows 10 systems that come integrated with a webcam. Here are the steps to update your webcam’s device drivers:
- Open Device Manager.
- Expand either Imaging Devices or Camera. It depends on the camera you have.
- Right-click the camera name – In our case, it is “Integrated Camera” – click on Update driver.
- Wait for Windows to search for the updated driver automatically and install whatever it recommends.
- Restart the system and then open Skype.
6. Uninstall and Reinstall Webcam Drivers
Sometimes a device doesn’t install correctly. Again, it’s more common with external cameras but internal ones can run into the same problem, especially after a Windows update.
- Open Device Manager and expand either Camera or Imaging Devices.
- Right-click your camera and select Uninstall Device.
- Once the device has been uninstalled, click the “Scan for Hardware Changes” button located on the top bar of the Device Manager.
- The hardware scan will detect the camera and automatically install the drivers as standalone or as a Windows update. It is advised to let Windows auto-install the drivers for your camera since manual installation can cause issues if not done right.
- Restart the system and open Skype’s video settings and check if the camera is working.
7. Windows Update
Updating Windows can also help in curbing the issue with a Skype camera. There are many cumulative and stand-alone updates released by Microsoft that fix bugs such as these. To update Windows:
- Open the Settings app and go to the Update and Security group of settings. Select the Windows Update tab.
- Now click on Check for Updates button and let Windows download the latest updates for your PC.
- Once the updates, are complete and you reboot your system, go to Skype > Video Settings and check if your webcam is working.
8. Roll-back Windows Update
Sometimes Windows Update can break the webcam compatibility of your webcam with Skype. If you know a recent update has been causing problems with the webcam, you should uninstall it. To uninstall a recent update, follow these steps.
- Open File Explorer and paste the following in the location bar.
Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features
- Click View Installed Updates in the column on the left.
- Look for recent updates and select the problematic update.
- Click Uninstall at the top.
- Allow the update to uninstall, and then restart your system.
- Open Skype, go to its settings, and select the Audio and Video tab to check if your camera is back again
9. Update Skype
Open the Microsoft Store app and go to your library. Select the Downloads tab and click ‘Check Updates’. Update Skype if an update is available.
10. Update Drivers for external Webcam
If you are using an external webcam for Skype, then it is suggested to use the disk that comes with the camera and update the drivers. In case there is no disk available, search for the camera model online and you will be able to find the updated drivers. Many users have fixed their Skype webcam issues (for detachable webcams) using this method
Conclusion
Skype’s webcam issue bars any video chats. It is an issue that can be resolved by one of the methods that have been provided here. In case you have a work-around or a fix to this problem, share it with the community in the comments section below.
