My webcam has stopped working.

Jason · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 3:49 pm

Pretty simple. My webcam isn't being detected by any program I try and use: the default web companion, Facebook, Skype. None of them detect it and I dont know why. It was working fine an hour ago and for some reason it isn't now. I have tried restarting the computer and some stuff in the web companion program and none of it works. Any help is appreciated.

Adbot · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 3:49 pm

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

It could be that the webcam is dead, though I'm sure you'd like to explore other alternatives. If you can, try running a linux live cd to check if it can recognize the device. Alternatively, try another computer to see if it is recognized.

If you can't do that, or it does work, try deleting the majority of the USB drivers you have installed on your computer. Reboot once you have removed them, and your PC will re-install them on boot.

If you haven't already tried changing ports, I'd try that as well.

Jason · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 6:16 pm

Pfkninenines wrote:

It could be that the webcam is dead, though I'm sure you'd like to explore other alternatives. If you can, try running a linux live cd to check if it can recognize the device. Alternatively, try another computer to see if it is recognized.

If you can't do that, or it does work, try deleting the majority of the USB drivers you have installed on your computer. Reboot once you have removed them, and your PC will re-install them on boot.

If you haven't already tried changing ports, I'd try that as well.

I stupidly left out some information that will totally slash out your above post.

My webcam is an internal one on a laptop, and I imagine this will make it much harder to identify any problem. Also, I would expect it to be dead, seeing as I got it only a month ago for Christmas, and I haven't dropped in or anything like that.

More info:
I have gone into the device manager as well and there it isnt there either. I wonder if a system recovery would do anything but I wouldn't want to lose all my files and programs.

ChrisT · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 6:32 pm

try deleting the webcam driver. I also have a internal webcam that messed up. I un installed the driver and then restarted system. It worked very nicely

Jason · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 7:12 pm

ChrisT wrote:

try deleting the webcam driver. I also have a internal webcam that messed up. I un installed the driver and then restarted system. It worked very nicely

Where would that driver be?

ChrisT · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 8:32 pm

i beleive i had to find it in where you uninstall programs. The program should be named as it is named when your selecting a webcam to use on skype/msn.

If this doesnt help sorry. Every laptops different so it might not be the fix for yours. Could always take it to somewhere like bestbuy if you have those where your from and ask geeksquad. They've always been reliable with my computer fixes.

Adbot · **Posted:** January 24th, 2010, 8:32 pm

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

My post still applies.. Though if it's not there in device manager, your system somehow isn't recognizing the driver. If it worked before, look through the list again, and try to see if you can find it. Uninstall the software that came with the device.

You can still check to see if it works in Ubuntu or some other live CD, but moving it to a different computer is obviously out of the question.

Jason · **Posted:** January 25th, 2010, 5:03 pm

Thats is what the device manager looks like. I dont know how I would delete the drivers if its not in the Device Manager. (I'm probably not understanding all you are saying

). But, the program that came installed on the computer to take pictures w/ the webcam is Web Companion 3. I wasn't sure if you meant to delete that but I don't see how that would help b/c other programs dont detect it either. (again, that may not be what you are getting at.)

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

I'd make sure it's not listed under Human Interface Devices, though will likely be listed under System Devices as well.

Jason · **Posted:** January 26th, 2010, 4:36 pm

I dont think it is under either of those.

I also had the idea of doing a system restore. The problem occurred in the afternoon 24th so the times would work out. I dont know much about system restore. Would it help and what side effects does it have?

I will continue to look for drivers and such but so far I am having no such luck.

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Go back as far as you can. You can always re-apply the update, and since that's all it looks like happened, you won't have to reinstall any other programs.

System restore rolls back program changes, but all of your other data won't be touched. This could help, if it happened recently.

Also, try to add a new device through device manager. Say search, and when/if it doesn't find anything, try to make it realize that there is a webcam attached. Say you know what is attached, and select the model of webcam that is built in. Check your system specs of the laptop for more specific information regarding the cam.