what does Code 10 mean ?

Code 10 means Windows detected the camera, but one of the drivers needed to start it failed. Start by updating the camera driver in Device Manager, which is Microsoft’s recommended resolution for this error.^1^

Fix the camera driver

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Cameras. Also check Imaging devices if Cameras is absent.
3. Right-click the camera showing the yellow warning symbol and select Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
5. Restart the computer and test the Camera app.

If Code 10 remains:

1. Return to the camera’s Properties → Driver tab.
2. Select Update driver → Browse my computer for drivers → Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
3. If USB Video Device is offered, select it, click Next, and restart. Microsoft documents this generic driver as a camera recovery option.^2^

If that driver is unavailable or does not work, download the camera driver for the exact PC model from the computer manufacturer’s support site. For a built-in camera, use the laptop or PC manufacturer rather than a generic third-party driver site.

Check whether Windows disabled the camera

Open Settings → Bluetooth & devices → Cameras:

• If the camera appears under Disabled cameras, select it and choose Enable.
• If it appears under Connected cameras, open it and select Troubleshoot.
• A camera with a missing driver or one in a nonfunctional state might not appear on this page.^3^

Also check the laptop for a physical camera shutter, privacy switch, or camera key on the keyboard.

After Code 10 is gone, check access permissions

Go to Settings → Privacy & security → Camera, then turn on:

• Camera access
• Let apps access your camera
• Let desktop apps access your camera for browsers and meeting applications

These permissions control whether applications can use a working camera; they do not themselves repair a driver that cannot start.^4^

If the camera disappears from Device Manager

In Device Manager, select View → Show hidden devices, followed by Action → Scan for hardware changes. If the integrated camera still does not appear, check that Integrated Camera is enabled in the computer’s BIOS/UEFI and install any camera, imaging, chipset, or sensor driver supplied for the exact computer model.

If Windows still cannot detect it after those checks, the manufacturer may need to test the camera module or its internal connection.

References

1. Code 10 - CM_PROB_FAILED_START
2. Camera app shows error "0xA00F4244 NoCamerasAreAttached" | Microsoft Support
3. Camera settings page
4. [Windows 11](https://support.microsoft.com/windows/privacy/manage-app-permissions-for-a-camera-in-windows#exceptions-to-camera-privacy-settings)