For Windows 11, turn on camera permission for apps and desktop apps:
- Open Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
- Turn on Camera access.
- Turn on Let apps access your camera.
- If the app is from Microsoft Store, enable it in the app list.
- For apps such as VS Code, browsers, Teams, and many non-Store apps, turn on Let desktop apps access your camera.
Then test whether the problem is app-specific:
- Open Start > Camera.
- If the camera preview works there, the camera is working in Windows and the issue is with the specific app settings.
If the camera still does not work in those apps:
- Close other apps that might already be using the camera.
- Right-click the taskbar > Task Manager.
- End any app that may be using the camera.
- Check whether antivirus or third-party security software is blocking camera access.
If Camera access is off and greyed out, an administrator must enable it.
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