Inspiron 7720 - webcam doesn't work in Windows 8

Question

Hi,

When I turn my Dell Inspiron 7720 on, integrated webcam often does not work. Camera app in Windows 8 shows "there's a problem with a camera", other apps also show error messages or just a black screen.

After several resets the camera may start to work properly till the next reset. The camera is always shown in the Device Manager without errors and in the USBView I see that at least USB descriptors are correct. Moreover, after several disable/enable cycles in device manager the camera may start to work.

I've created two HDD partitions and installed Windows 7 Pro and Windows 8 Pro (both from original ISO files downloaded from MSDN). On clear Win 8 the camera shows the same problem, but on Win 7 it works properly.

There is no camera driver for Inspiron 7720 on the Dell web-site, thus I've used standard Microsoft driver on both Win 7 and Win 8.

I'm still not sure is it a hardware problem, because it is reproduced only with Windows 8. The computer was initially sold with Ubuntu, but Windows 8 is in the list of supported OS.

So has anybody faced with on Windows 8? Camera IDs are: VID = 0C45 (Sonix), PID = 648D, REV = 2206.

DELL-Vikram M · Answer

Hi E.S.,

It appears to be a software issue since the webcam works fine in Windows 7. I will recommend you to uninstall root hubs in Windows 8 and re-install chipset drivers:

Open 'Device Manager' and expand 'Universal Serial Bus Controllers'.
Right click on each entry with the name 'USB root hubs' and click on 'uninstall'.
Restart the system and check if the webcam is working.

Once checked, make sure you re-install the chipset drivers for the USB ports to work properly:

INTEL Intel Management Engine Interface: http://dell.to/XfgiE3
Dell Intel HM77 Chipset: http://dell.to/Xtphha
Card reader: http://dell.to/VLDhsw

Steps to install a driver:

Click on 'Download File'.
Select 'Single-file download' and click on 'Continue'.
Click on 'Save' and save the driver on the desktop.
Right click on the driver from the desktop and select 'Run as administrator'.
Install the driver following the on screen instructions.
Restart the system after the installation is done.

Also make sure you install all the Windows 8 updates. Keep me posted. Please reply for any further questions.

E.S. · Answer

I will try to reinstall the drivers you mentioned a bit later.

>> Also make sure you install all the Windows 8 updates. Keep me posted. Please reply for any further questions.

Now I have two Windows 8 installed.

First one is my main OS with most recent Windows updates and up to date drivers.

The second one was installed from the MSDN ISO for to test the issue. Updates are disabled and I have not installed any additional drivers.

Both OS behave the same.

E.S. · Answer

Reinstalled USB hubs and the drivers. No changes.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Uninstall via the Device Manager and then restart. The issue is quite common especially when upgrading see:

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/4251.diagnosing-integrated-webcam-driver-issues-when-upgrading-from-windows-7-to-8.aspx

E.S. · Answer

natakuc4, I've uninstalled the camera via the Device Manager several times (BTW, camera is a composite device and it is more correctly to uninstall the 'USB Composite Device' under 'Universal Serial Bus controllers'). But in my situation this leads to the same result as just restarting the computer, i.e. the camera may start to work and may not (till the next restart).

Philip_Yip · Answer

That solution works most of the time. There is a support video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0yvmJvWgKI&feature=youtu.be&dgc=SM&cid=256014&lid=4690263

Its Windows 7 based but most of it applies to Windows 8. However I think you have probably tried all the steps in it.

Philip_Yip · Answer

I've been told this video should help you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eotPjGhW1J8

Open the apps that you wish to use your camera with and then click Settings on the charm bar to see whether you can give the app permission to use the webcam.

E.S. · Answer

The permission was already set. So this is not the root cause.

E.S. · Answer

Rick, the Camera app is already enabled to use a webcam. This is not a root cause.

PudgyOne · Answer

E.S.,   I found this on a private board...   Open the Camera app first, and then click Settings on the charm bar to see where I could give the app permission to use the webcam.     Rick

PudgyOne · Answer

E.S.,

Did you recently install/reinstall the operating system? If yes, did you install the Dell System Software(if applicable) and the chipset drivers first? If not, the rest of the drivers will fail to install. How to Download and Install Drivers in the Correct

Windows 7/8 is supposed to provide the webcam drivers for most Dell computers. If you system needs webcam drivers, go to Drivers & Downloads enter your service tag, then select your operating system. If your system needs webcam drivers, they'll be listed under Input.

How to make the webcam work with help from this youtube. I had to open the Camera app first, and then click Settings on the charm bar to see where I could give the app permission to use the webcam.

Try reading...

Troubleshooting the Dell Webcam and Dell Webcam Central Software

You can try this file, also known as Dell Webcam Central.

Create a new unrestricted user account and try the webcam. Did the webcam work?

If yes, log out and log back in to your account and try the webcam. Did the webcam work?

If no, then the webcam became detached from the motherboard, usually near the webcam

Is your computer is under warranty? If yes, click on the blue DELL-Vikram M on the next page start conversation and please provide the following information...

first and last name

shipping address

phone number

email address

service tag

Rick

E.S. · Answer

DELL-Vikram M , was this camera tested on Win 8? I've asked about this issue on the another forum (forum.ixbt.com/topic.cgi) and it seems that I'm not alone with this problem.

PudgyOne · Answer

E.S.,

On the clean installation, you installed the chipset drivers first?

Try installing the Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller in the Windows 7 Compatibility mode then restart your computer. Does the webcam appear? Windows 8 is supposed to provide the drivers for the webcam. Actually Dell Webcam Central Version 1.40.05 is not needed but I think it has drivers in the program, if needed. If you have Dell Webcam Central installed, uninstall it in programs and features, restart the computer and install the version I have listed above.

Rick

E.S. · Answer

Rick,

I have two Windows 8 instances installed. First one is my main OS with most recent drivers and updates, the second one is a clear Win 8. Both behave the same.

Also there is no webcam specific drivers available for download for my PC.

Webcam is seems to be properly connected because it is always shown in the Device manager and correctly reports all the USB descriptors.

Laptop is under waranty, thus webcam replacement would be a solution, but:

1. I'm not sure that it will resolve the issue.

2. Selt-repair is great option, but I'm not sure that it is applicable for my country.

E.S. · Answer

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Inspiron 7720 - webcam doesn't work in Windows 8

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