Can't start camera on Microsoft Surface 2

Question

Can't start camera on Microsoft Surface 2

LakeLady 0

I used my camera a few days ago but today, am getting a "Can't start your camera" message with error OxA00F429E mentioned. I searched online, found, and followed a number of suggestions in answers to others with the same problem, all without success. Those included uninstalling the camera (the computer reinstalled it, and the Device Manager said it had the latest driver and was working properly). I opened the UEFI and found the camera is enabled. The camera works for Windows Hello and Zoom, but neither the rear or forward cameras show an image. I'm very discouraged; is the problem insoluble?

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3 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

LakeLady 0

I don't want to delete the answer as it might be helpful to others. But I've done everything on the list with one exception and nothing has worked. I don't want to "switch to the in-box UVC driver" because I don't want to lose features that ARE working without more of a guarantee of success.

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Answer 2

S.Sengupta 31,321 MVP Volunteer Moderator

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → find "Camera" → Advanced options → Reset

If the above doesn't help, then reinstall from the Microsoft Store

If you're using antivirus or privacy software, temporarily disable any camera protection feature, as it may block the Camera app while still allowing apps like Zoom.

Open an elevated Command Prompt and run:

sfc /scannow

followed by:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Then restart the device.

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Answer 3

Since Windows Hello and Zoom can use the camera, the hardware and UEFI camera setting are likely not the root cause. The most useful next checks are the Windows Camera app path, app permissions, updates, and the camera driver path.

Test in the Windows Camera app first.
- Open Start > Camera.
- If the camera works in one app but not another, the issue is with that app’s settings rather than the camera device.
Verify camera privacy permissions.
- Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
- Make sure Camera access is On.
- Make sure Let apps access your camera is On.
- If the affected app is a desktop app, make sure Allow desktop apps to access your camera is also turned on.
Check Windows Update and optional driver updates.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
- If nothing appears, open Advanced options > Optional updates and install any camera-related driver updates.
- Restart the Surface after updates complete.
Run the camera troubleshooter.
- Go to Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
- Find Camera and select Run.
- On Surface, the Get Help app can also run automated camera diagnostics.
Reinstall the camera driver again, then force hardware detection.
- Open Device Manager.
- Find the camera under Cameras.
- Right-click it, select Uninstall Device.
- In Device Manager, open the Action menu and select Scan for hardware changes.
- Restart the device and test again.
If the current driver still fails, switch to the in-box UVC driver. This requires admin rights and may reduce camera-specific features such as Windows Hello face recognition support.
- Open Device Manager.
- Find the webcam under Cameras or Imaging devices.
- Right-click it and select Update driver.
- Select Browse my computer for drivers.
- Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
- Select USB Video Device and complete the update.
- Restart and test the Camera app again.
In the Surface app, check device health and updates.
- Open the Surface app.
- Expand Help & support.
- Use Check for updates if offered.
If an antivirus or firewall product is installed, temporarily disable its camera-blocking setting and test again.

Given that Windows Hello and Zoom still access the camera, the issue does not look insoluble. It points more to a Windows Camera app path, permissions, or driver path than to a fully failed camera device.

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