The webcam is an indispensable tool for using Zoom, Skype and other videocall services: frustration therefore reaches very high levels when it stops working within websites, for no apparent reason.
Since all modern browsers have full access to webcams, the cause of the problems can be sought in a bad configuration of the device in Windows, in a program that has blocked its exclusive use, in an incorrect configuration within the browser or in a webcam driver issue.
In the following guide we will show you how to fix a webcam that doesn’t work on websitesshowing you all the suggestions to get back up and running and productive immediately, without having to forcibly replace the webcam.
READ ALSO -> How to configure the Webcam on PC
Use Windows Troubleshooter
On Windows 11 and Windows 10 we can quickly solve all webcam problems using the Troubleshooter tool, integrated into the operating system and callable at any time.
To try this solution right away, press WIN+I on the keyboard, click on the menu Systemwe select the menu Troubleshootingwe press on Other troubleshooting tools and finally press the key Run next to the entry Video camera.
By following the instructions that will appear on the screen we will be able to restore the webcam driver, close any programs or apps that block the webcam and restore access to the device.
Check permissions from Windows settings
If the built-in Windows tool did not solve the problem we can fix the webcam not working on websites checking the security permissionsthus verifying that all the browsers we use on the PC can access the webcam and that it is available for use by the apps that request it.
To proceed, let’s go to the path Settings -> Privacy and securitywe press on the item Video camerawe activate the button next to the entry Camera accesslet’s check that the voice is active Allow apps to access the camera and we check the access permissions for the browsers we use for videocalls (Chrome, Edge or any other installed browser).
Check the permissions from your browser settings
In addition to the system permissions we have to check if, by mistake, we have removed the access permissions to the webcam within the browser itself.
To perform this type of control on the browser on the fly Google Chrome we press on the three dots at the top right, we open the menu Settingslet’s go to the menu Privacy and securityclick on Site settingsscroll down until you find the entry Camera so let’s check that the voice is active Sites can ask for permission to use the camera and, scrolling through the page, we check if any sites that we often use are present in the section They can’t use the camera; in this case, just press the trash can icon next to the site name to remove the block on the camera.
If instead we prefer use Microsoft Edge as your default browser on Windows just open the browser, press the top right on the three dots, open the menu Settingstake us to the menu Cookies and site permissionsopen the menu Camera and check that the switch next to the item is on Ask before access (recommended) and that there is no site in the section Block.
Also in this case, simply press the trash can icon to delete any sites that have ended up in the Edge blacklist.
Repair the Camera app
If the previous recommendations didn’t fix the webcam problem we can proceed with the repair of the Camera app: This app is very useful for selfies and testing the webcam, but if you have problems, it blocks the use of the webcam for other apps.
To quickly solve any problem with this app, press WIN+I on the keyboard, let’s go to the path Apps -> Apps and featureswe identify the app Camerawe press on the three dots next to the name of the app, we open the menu Advanced options and press the button Restore.
If the Reset option is not enough, use the key Reset present immediately below, so as to delete any data and any problematic setting related to the app.
Update your webcam drivers
As a last resort we can try to fix a webcam that doesn’t work on websites by updating the driverletting Windows Update fetch the updated driver from the Microsoft servers.
To proceed, right click on the Start menu, open the menu Device managementlet’s expand the menu Camerasright click on the problematic webcam, click on Uninstall devicetick the item in the window and press OK to continue.
After uninstalling the drivers we restart the PC, open the Start menu, search Windows Update and open the item associated with it: in the screen that will open, press on Check for updates to see if an updated driver for the webcam is available.
Alternatively we can always search for the webcam driver on the Internet or use an automatic program such as Driver Booster to download the missing driver now, as also seen in our guide on how Update Windows PC Drivers Automatically.
Conclusions
A webcam that doesn’t work on sites could compromise the appointment on Zoom or Google Meetsites where it is possible to access meetings and video calls directly from the browser without installing anything on the computer.
Before going into total panic, we advise you to follow the instructions in the guide above to the letter, so that you can restore the correct functioning of the webcam on all sites. If the problem persists, we advise you to always have one at hand spare USB webcamespecially if we often work with videocalls.
To learn more, we can also read our guides on how understand if camera or webcam is in use or hacked and spied on come on how to turn on the webcam when you turn on your PC automatically.