Web Camera Not Working!!!!

Mike I cannot thank you enough for your help with the webcam issue.  My OS system stopped working this week & had to be reinstalled.  As I have not imported my files from Carbonite, I decided to get brave & attempt the disconnecting the webcam & plugging it back in.  When I booted the computer, new hardware was detected & even Skype opened to inform me my video is working.  I had been looking a parts to replace which are difficult to find & have been saved the cost of buying them. Windows 7 is fully updated at this point so I have hopes that the problem is resolved!  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Glad to hear it is fixed.  Yes it is a very simple fix.  I do believe that the Windows updates are causing this issue and Dell is clueless as to the fix or workaround and the process of rearming the web cam.

Best regards,

Mike

You got lucky.  Not the hubs, just the cam. Pressing it did it. I have heard that has worked sometimes.  Good for you.

I also had the same problem with the webcam disappearing from my Dell Inspiron 14z.  I uninstalled USB Root hubs and pressed the area near the webcam and it started working again.  Not sure which one resolved the issue, but it's working again.

Hi,

For webcam related issues i found the following page really helpful.

http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/in/en/indhs1/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleView?c=in&l=en&s=dhs&docid=266612#Issue_Error

Regards,

Deepak

Forget Deepack reference to Dell.

they have no idea how to fix this issue and the  Dell Troubleshooting links are very  stupid and give <ADMIN NOTE: Substitute character removed as per TOU> advice.

Hi All,

     One of the things I did NOT notice in this thread was the installation of OPTIONAL updates from Windows update. Open windows update from the start menu and manually run a check for updates. In spite of the fact that most of you have Win7 SP1 there are several updates that do not get downloaded automatically. You can click change settings and put a tick in "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive critical updates."  But this does NOT include several updates that you will need to continue using peripherals like your webcam. As widespread as this problem appears I highly doubt if you are all experiencing hardware failures at the same time on different systems. I have had 3 Inspiron 1545s and I am the very happy owner of an N5010. 

     You can safely install all the optional updates on both of those systems ...pay attention though, Microsoft likes to slip in all it's Bing stuff toward the end. I also didn't install Windows Live Essentials but you can do so if you like. You will likely need to check for optional updates a couple / few times to make sure you have them all. I know it seems silly for Tech support to overlook something so simple but Stuff Happens right? GOOD LUCK!

     If this reply was helpful please remember to hit the YES button and if you need further assistance don't hesitate to contact. 

Thank you for sharing that information.  I did change my Windows Update from automatic to alert me so that I can decide which updates to install awhile ago which has helped with other issues I was encountering.  I had to uninstall IE 10 & 11 to get back to IE 9 as some sites do not support the latest versions which is why I made the decision to review each update before installing.

When the webcam problem surfaced, it had disappeared from Device Manager so the only resolution was the one that made unplugging the webcam cable & then reconnecting it the only choice.  Since doing that, I have not had any issues with my webcam & it is working great!

I am sure that your suggestion will help many of those that have suddenly lost the webcam.  When it first occured, I was convinced it was a Windows issue because a Google search showed it happening to others using different systems with the only common denominator being Windows OS.

Nancy

Nancy,

I have seen different issues with the webcams over the years. In most cases, the webcam comes loose, at the top of the screen, near the webcam It's where you open the laptop. I have a troubleshooting post that I will post below, but in many cases, removing the bezel, carefully(see video), remove the top two screws, then unplug the webcam. Then plug the webcam in and attach the two screws and put the bezel back in place.

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.

(Windows 8)How to make the webcam work with help from this youtube. You have to open the Camera app first, and then click Settings on the charm bar to see where you can 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

Rick

My problem was simply a Windows issued & I was able to resolve it in November by removing the bezel, unplugging the webcam cable & then reconnecting it.  I was simply saying that the new post about resetting how Windows Updates are installed is a good one.  I had already changed my settings to alert me & let me choose what updates should be installed.  This option has seemed to fix many of the problems I had been encountering in Windows 7 & especially with versions 10 & 11 of IE.  By going back to the previous IE 9, I have had less problems with some of the sites I use.

Your suggestions are sure to help someone who is still trying to resolve the sudden loss of a webcam.  I did find a You Tube video suggested by another poster very helpful in accomplishing the task of fixing my Inspiron.  It was very easy to follow. 

A few days ago I was a fascinating webcam problem with my Dell Inspiron. Dell Inspiron webcam not working on my Windows PC.

Dell Webcam Not Working Issue Solved

sir my webcam is not detected and i dont find imaging device in device manager.. my laptop is dell inspiron 1545..