How to check webcam on laptop?

Almost all modern laptop models are equipped with built-in webcams. The modern world is developing by leaps and bounds, and communication through video communication channels is gaining more and more popularity. Therefore, the functioning of the camera is not at all superfluous. On computers, the webcam is not built-in, so it must be purchased separately. In our article, we will consider how to check a webcam on a computer or laptop, and make sure that it is functioning properly and there is no need to visit service centers.

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How to check webcam on computer?

In order to check the health of the device that transmits the image, you must perform the following actions:

1. First you need to connect the webcam to the computer using a USB cable.
2. After that, a pop-up window appears in the lower right side of the screen of the computer device indicating the drivers that are installed. After the installation of the necessary drivers is complete, you can check the video device for proper operation.
3. Click on the “Start” button and click on the “Control Panel” insert.
4. Next, from the selected list of “Scanners and Cameras,” click on the “USB Video Device” button.
5. After the procedure, if everything is installed correctly, an image appears on the monitor, which is transmitted from the camera.

Important! Some operating systems require additional driver downloads, which can be found on the official websites of webcam manufacturers.

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Checking the webcam using Skype

In order to verify the video device, you can run the program with the possibility of video communication and thus use this function. Today, there are a huge number of software products that provide a video call function.

How to check the webcam on a computer using the most common Skype video calling software:

1. Go to the “Tools” section.
2. Select “Video Settings”.
3. In the window that appears, click on the “Settings” button.
4. After the actions taken, your image should appear on the screen.

Important! If after the verification procedure the webcam did not work, then try installing it on another computer device to make sure it is working or not. If the video device is working fine on another computer, then the cause of the problem is embedded in your computer. Otherwise, you must visit a service center or make an exchange for a new camera.

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How to check the webcam on a laptop?

Any laptop purchased has a video device, so you do not need to make any additional settings. The webcam does not need to be activated, because the developers worried about installing all the required drivers. When launching any software using a webcam, the video device should automatically function. This is indicated by a flashing green indicator, which is located near the camera. There are several ways to check camera operation.

Method 1 - through the Start menu

How to check the webcam on a laptop using the main menu of the Windows operating system:

• In the lower left corner of the monitor, click on the “Start” button.
• Click on the “Control Panel” insert and select “Hardware and Sound”.

Important! In Windows 8, 8.1, 10 operating systems, in order to start the control panel, you need to click on the Windows icon on the keyboard (a square divided into 4 sections), then click on the arrow in the lower left corner and advance to the very end in the menu that appears. There you should find the item “Control Panel” in the list.

• Then click on the “Dispatcher” section and find the item “Image processing devices”.
• After that, click on the camera, right-click on the “Enable” button.
• Now it remains to carry out the last operation - it is to click on the “Properties” button, and the transmitted picture appears in front of you.

Method 2 - through video communication programs

The second method is the most versatile and affordable to use for any laptop. This method is characterized by checking equipment using Skype, Mile Agent and other services with which you can communicate using video communication.

Method 3 - through webcam programs

How to check the operation of the webcam on a laptop if there is no Internet connection or there is no way to use video chat? To do this, you can download a portable version of a software product that is designed to work with a video device.

Important! Portable version of software development allows you to run it from a USB flash drive without installing it on a computer or laptop. This process greatly simplifies the verification procedure, does not litter the RAM of a computer device.

All the necessary software products are very easy to find and download on the Internet. Such programs include many software products, such as: WebcamMax, CyberLink YouCam, AvaCam and many others. Downloading the required files and launching the application is very simple, therefore this method does not require special knowledge in the computer field.

Method 4 - checking installed drivers

Checking the installed drivers helps to determine how good the functioning of the video device is. How to check the webcam on a laptop through a list of installed drivers:

1. Go to the “Start” menu, then click on the “Control Panel” section, click on “Device Manager”.
2. After that, in the list of installed devices, you need to find “Image Processing Devices” and expand this item by clicking on the arrow.
3. Right-click on the camera, go to the “Properties” section.
4. On the opened “General” tab in the “Device Status” section, the phrase “The device is working normally” should be written. If this message does not open, then go to the “Driver” section.
5. In the “Driver” section, you can reboot and update installed drivers.

Important! To find, update and install drivers, you can use special programs. The most popular is software development Driver Pack Solution. The big advantage is that this application is absolutely free.

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How to check the camera on a computer on the Internet?

Currently, there are many services that allow you to check your video device online. The list of existing sites with which it is possible to check the camera online:

• testcam.ru;
• testwebcam.com;
• webcamtest.ru;
• www.webcammictest.com;
• toolster.ru.

When accessing these sites, you need to click on the “Test Camera” button, thus access to the video device is allowed. If there is no problem, you can immediately see the image from the webcam. If everything is not all right, then a record appears reporting the problem.

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Why is the webcam not working?

Sometimes there are situations when everything seems to be installed correctly, and if you check the webcam on a computer or laptop, it turns out that this device does not work.

These problems arise for some reason. Consider some of them and possible solutions when the webcam is not functioning:

• By connecting the USB cable, you can not fully connect it to the desired connector. Therefore, first of all, you should check the connector for the USB cable.

Important! If, after checking the connection density of the USB connector and cable, the video device still does not work, then you should try to connect another cord to this socket. The problem may be a broken USB connector or the cable itself.

• It is necessary to install additional drivers for the correct operation of the video device. In this case, additional programs are downloaded from the official website of the manufacturer.
• Sometimes a problem arises from a cord that frayed. In this situation, there is only one option - the acquisition of a new webcam.
• There are times when the webcam is disabled in the device manager. In this case, you need to give the video device permission to operate through the control panel.
• The webcam operates using one resource, and if you use another service, the video device does not operate.
• The browser may restrict access to the video device. In order to eliminate such a problem, it is necessary to remove the lock, while confirming your action in the window that appears.

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Recommendations for using a webcam:

• When using a computer or laptop, it is required to periodically update the video driver, especially when using a video device. When installing a camcorder with an outdated driver, a system window immediately appears offering to update the driver. To do this, follow the prompts exactly and the program will update.

Important! If the update fails, then there is an option to use the special DriverFinder program for scanning and installing missing drivers.

• In the absence of video communication, it is necessary to carry out a thorough check with the installed antivirus, which can identify malware and clean them. Viruses can block the functioning of the webcam.
• Sometimes there are cases of inoperative status of the USB connector. In this case, if there are problems connecting to one port, you can use the second.

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Stock footage

In this article, we completely examined the principle of operation and configuration of the webcam. Therefore, we hope now you will not have any problems with its use.