9 Ways to Fix Camera Showing a Black Screen on Windows 11

Work from home and online meetings go hand in hand. But this convenience turns into a nightmare when you have a call scheduled, but the camera is showing a black screen on your Windows 11 PC. To save you from such a scenario, here are 9 ways to troubleshoot this issue.

The reason behind the camera showing a black screen on your Windows 11 device can be software-based. In this case, you can use the settings menu or the driver information page. However, if this issue is hardware-based, you must check and fix the external webcam accordingly. So, let’s fix this issue and get the webcam working again on Windows.

Note: If you have previously disabled the camera on your Windows 11 device, ensure to enable it before following the below fixes.

1. Check if Camera Is Unobstructed on Your Laptop

If you’ve been frequently facing issues, like your laptop camera showing a black screen, it is an excellent first step to check the physical camera lens. Certain laptops come with built-in privacy shutters for the device camera. Ensure this shutter is fully open.

You can also check for and clear any other obstruction between the camera and you. Also, clean the camera lens to remove any dirt or debris.

If the issue persists, continue to the below fixes.

2. Check Permissions for Camera in the App or Website

If the Camera app doesn’t have sufficient permission or if permission is revoked altogether, you might see a black screen when accessing the camera. In this case, check and see if all the relevant permissions have been enabled. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Use the Windows + I key to open the Settings menu.

Step 2: From the menu options, click on ‘Privacy & security’.

Step 3: Here, click on Camera.

Step 4: Now, turn on the toggle for Camera access.

This will ensure other apps have access to your device camera.

Step 5: Then, scroll through this page and turn on the toggle for any app you want to have camera access.

Step 6: Additionally, turn on the ‘Let desktop apps access your camera’ toggle to ensure all desktop apps can access your device’s camera.

Certain websites can have restrictions when accessing the camera. In this case, check and enable any necessary settings to ensure your apps or websites have camera access on your Windows 11 device.

3. Ensure Your Camera Is Compatible With Your PC

When using an external webcam with your Windows 11 device, it is imperative to ensure the device is compatible with Windows 11. While most cameras work well with Windows 11, certain devices are specifically built for Mac. So, before buying the product, check its specifications or packaging to ensure it is compatible with Windows 11.

4. Restart Windows 11

For most temporary system glitches or bugs, restarting your device seems to be a one-stop solution. So, if you’ve recently started seeing a black screen when using the integrated webcam, restart your Windows 11 device to try and fix it. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to the taskbar and click on Start.

Step 2: Then, click on the Power button.

Step 3: Click on Restart.

Once your PC restarts, open the Camera app again to see if it is working as expected.

5. Unplug and Plug-In External Camera

If you’re using an external camera with your Windows 11 device, it is advised to unplug and plug in the device again. When doing this, ensure the external camera’s cable is damage-free and properly plugged in. Additionally, ensure to check the camera lens for any damages. If the camera cable or the camera itself is showing signs of damage or wear and tear, try with another camera to double-check.

Tip: You can also get a new webcam for your Windows 11 device.

6. Update Drivers for the Camera App

If driver updates are pending or have been turned off, you can manually check and install them as well. This will ensure your device’s camera drivers stay compatible with other apps and services running on your Windows 11 laptop. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Right-click on Start and click on Device Manager from the options.

Step 2: Click on Cameras to expand options.

Step 3: Here, right-click on your camera driver.

Step 4: Click on Update driver.

Step 5: Now, click on ‘Search automatically for drivers’.

Your Windows device will now search for updates online. If any driver update is found, it will be downloaded and installed. Once done, try using the camera to see if the issue has been resolved.

7. Run the Camera App Troubleshooter

Windows devices come with troubleshooters that can help diagnose and fix most issues. This can be especially handy when facing the webcam black screen issue, but don’t know why. Here’s how to access and run it on your Windows 11 device.

Step 1: Use the Windows + I key to open Settings.

Step 2: From the menu options, select System.

Step 3: Scroll down and click on Troubleshoot.

Step 4: Then, click on Other troubleshooters.

Step 5: Go to Camera and click on Run.

Wait for the troubleshooter to run. Then, follow the on-screen recommendations to fix the issue and get your PC’s webcam back to normal.

8. Use the Official Camera App

If you’re using the integrated webcam through third-party apps and websites and are getting a black screen, open the official Camera app and check again. This will help you check if the issue is with the device camera or the app or website you’re currently using. Here’s how.

Step 1: Go to the taskbar and click on Search.

Step 2: Here, type Camera and open the Camera app from the search results.

If the camera works within the Camera app, the issue is with the app or site. In this case, double-check and see if all settings and permissions are on.

9. Check for Windows Update

Windows updates contain more than just new features and security patches. Here, you can also find bug fixes that can help resolve any software issues that might occur due to an issue with the previous update. And while Windows updates usually automatically install, you can manually check for them as well, especially if updates have been disabled on your device. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Go to the Search bar and type Windows Update. Then, open the app from the search results.

Step 2: Here, click on ‘Check for updates’.

If an update is available, download and install it accordingly. Then, check and see if the issue has been resolved.

Fix Windows 11 Camera Issues

With online meetings on the rise, webcams have become an unlikely necessity. So, we hope this article helped you fix the issue of the camera showing a black screen on your Windows 11 device. You can also check our other article if you’ve been having trouble using your camera on your Windows.