error code 0xA00F4243<CameraReservedByAnotherApp>(0xC00D3704)]

Enable Basic camera mode first, because Windows 11 24H2 and later provides it specifically for failures caused by camera plug-ins or hardware acceleration—both relevant to a detected USB webcam whose image is strobing.^1^

1. Enable Basic camera mode

1. Close the Camera app and all conferencing, browser, recording, and EMEET applications.
2. Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Cameras.
3. Under Connected cameras, select the EMEET webcam.
4. Under Advanced camera options, select Edit.
5. Turn on Basic camera.
6. Reopen the Windows Camera app and check whether the preview is stable.

Basic camera mode bypasses manufacturer plug-ins and hardware acceleration. It is available on Windows 11 24H2 and later, so it applies to 26H2.^2^

If the webcam’s settings page offers Reset settings, use that as well. This resets its image settings, camera effects, video rotation, and companion-app defaults, then restarts the camera. In particular, ensure Video rotation is set to No rotation.

2. Switch to Microsoft’s inbox UVC driver

Since uninstalling the device has already made no difference, do not repeat that process. Replace its current driver with the standard Windows USB Video Device driver instead:

1. Right-click Start → Device Manager.
2. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices.
3. Right-click the EMEET webcam and select Update driver.
4. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
5. Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
6. Select USB Video Device, then Next.
7. Close Device Manager and restart Windows.
8. Test in the Windows Camera app before opening other camera applications.

Most USB webcams support the standard USB Video Class (UVC) driver included with Windows. Microsoft specifically recommends this substitution when an external webcam is not operating correctly. Vendor-specific features might be unavailable while using it.^1^

3. Isolate application access

Stopping Phone Link ruled out only that application. The error indicates that another application or process might have the camera open, but it can also appear when camera initialization fails.

1. Restart the PC rather than shutting down and using Fast Startup.
2. After signing in, open Camera immediately, before opening a browser, Teams, Zoom, OBS, Discord, EMEET software, or other video applications.
3. If Camera works at that point, open the other applications one at a time until the conflict returns.
4. Check Settings → Privacy & security → Camera and enable:
   • Camera access
   • Let apps access your camera
   • Let desktop apps access your camera

Browsers and conferencing programs are normally desktop applications and depend on the final setting.^3^

4. Distinguish a Windows problem from USB or webcam hardware

If the image still strobes with Basic camera enabled and the USB Video Device driver installed:

1. Connect it directly to a different USB port—preferably without a hub, dock, extension cable, or monitor USB port.
2. Test the webcam on another computer.
3. Interpret the result:
   • Works on another PC: check Windows Update → Advanced options → Optional updates for USB/chipset or camera drivers.
   • Strobes on another PC: the webcam, cable, or its firmware is the likely failure point.
4. Check EMEET’s download center for software or firmware matching the exact C960 variant.^4^

There is no published Windows 11 26H2 known issue in the available release-health record matching the EMEET C960 strobing together with this error.^5^

References

1. Camera doesn't work in Windows | Microsoft Support
2. Manage cameras with Camera settings in Windows 11
3. Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows
4. Download Center | EMEET
5. Windows 11, version 26H2 known issues and notifications