how to fix app

hisham and omar 0 Reputation points
2026-03-16T18:17:22.4833333+00:00

it says there is another app using the camera but every app is closed

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Mixed Reality
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  1. Kapil Arya 38,501 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2026-03-17T07:55:39.3966667+00:00

    You may need to use Process Explorer to identify the process:

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

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  2. Ivan B 124.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-03-16T19:00:40.9566667+00:00

    Hii,

    If you have a third-party antivirus, it may have a privacy system and camera

    or

    What is the laptop model or camera model?

    Check the keyboard between the F1 and F12 keys to see if there's one with a camera icon. Press it to see if it unlocks. If that doesn't work, try Fn+F and the key with the camera icon. Also check if it's a laptop; there should be a privacy palette located on top of the camera.

    Thanks

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  3. AI answer

    2026-03-16T18:17:36.7566667+00:00

    Follow these steps to fix the “another app is using the camera” issue in Windows 10:

    1. Close background apps that might be using the camera
      1. Right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
      2. In Processes, look for apps that could use the camera (for example: browsers, video/meeting apps, camera utilities).
      3. Right-click each suspected app and select End task.
    2. Check camera privacy settings
      1. Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
      2. Under Camera access, make sure it is turned On. If it is off and greyed out, an administrator must turn it on.
      3. Make sure Allow apps to access your camera (or Let apps access your camera) is turned On.
      4. Scroll down and turn on camera access for the specific apps that need it under Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera.
      5. If using non–Store apps (browsers, video conferencing, etc.), make sure Allow desktop apps to access your camera is turned On.
    3. Test the camera in the Camera app
      1. Open Start > Camera.
      2. Check if the preview works.
      3. If the camera works here but not in another app, adjust that app’s own camera settings.
    4. Restart and update Windows
      1. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates and install any available updates (including optional camera-related updates).
      2. Restart the PC via Start > Power > Restart (do not just wake from sleep).
      3. Test the camera again with the Camera app and then with the target app.
    5. Run the camera troubleshooter

    If the message persists only in a specific app after these steps, the problem is likely with that app’s configuration or compatibility rather than Windows itself.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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