Start by opening the Windows Camera app to determine whether the HP camera failure affects Windows generally or only Zoom.
1. Check the HP camera control
Many laptops have a hardware privacy control that completely disables the camera:
- Open any shutter beside the camera lens.
- Check the laptop’s sides for a camera switch.
- Look along the top keyboard row for a key showing a camera icon, and press it once; on some models, hold Fn while pressing it.
Then select Start > Camera and check whether a preview appears. Windows specifically recommends checking these controls before changing software settings.^1^
2. Allow Zoom to access the camera
Go to:
Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera
Turn on:
- Camera access
- Let apps access your camera
- Let desktop apps access your camera
Zoom normally requires the desktop-app permission. If Camera access is disabled and grayed out, an administrator account must enable it.^1^
Close Zoom completely, reopen it, and select:
Zoom > Settings > Video
Choose the HP integrated camera from the Camera list.
3. Use the test result to choose the next action
- Camera works in the Windows Camera app: Windows and the camera are functioning, so check Zoom’s selected camera and close other applications that might currently be using it.
- Camera also fails in the Windows Camera app: Run the Windows troubleshooter:
- Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Camera and select Run.
- Apply the recommended changes and test Start > Camera again.^1^
You can also open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras, select the camera under Connected cameras, and select Troubleshoot.^2^
4. Update Windows and the camera driver
- Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- Also open Advanced options > Optional updates and install any available camera driver.
- Select Start > Power > Restart. A restart is required; sleep or shutdown is not equivalent for this troubleshooting step.^1^
If that does not resolve it:
- Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
- Expand Cameras, Imaging devices, and Sound, video and game controllers.
- Right-click the integrated camera and select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
- Restart the laptop and test the Camera app.
5. Recover a missing or damaged driver
If the camera is absent from Device Manager, select Action > Scan for hardware changes, restart, and test again.
If it appears but still fails:
- In Device Manager, right-click the camera and select Properties.
- Open Driver > Uninstall Device.
- Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device, then select OK.
- Select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
- Restart Windows and test the Camera app.
If the problem began immediately after a Windows or driver update, use Properties > Driver > Roll Back Driver instead, when that button is available.^1^
If Windows still cannot detect the built-in camera after scanning and reinstalling the driver, obtain the model-specific camera/chipset driver from HP support or contact HP for a hardware check.
References