laptop camera not installed

Start by checking whether Windows can detect the ProBook’s internal camera; if it remains completely absent after a hardware scan and model-specific updates, run HP hardware diagnostics because the camera or its internal connection may have failed.

1. Check the camera control

Look around the display bezel, keyboard function-key row, and laptop sides for a camera button, privacy switch, or shutter. A disabled physical camera control can prevent Windows from recognizing that a camera is installed.^1^

Turn it on, restart the laptop, and test Start → Camera.

2. Force Windows to detect the camera

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Select View → Show hidden devices.
3. Check these sections:
   • Cameras
   • Imaging devices
   • Sound, video and game controllers
   • Universal Serial Bus controllers
4. Select Action → Scan for hardware changes.
5. Restart the computer.

Windows documents the hardware scan as the appropriate step when a built-in camera is missing from Device Manager.^1^

If the camera appears but is faded, right-click it and choose Enable device if available.

3. Recover the driver if the camera appears

If Device Manager now displays the camera:

1. Right-click the camera and select Properties.
2. Open Driver.
3. If this started after an update, select Roll Back Driver, restart, and test.
4. If rollback is unavailable or does not help, select Uninstall Device.
5. Select Delete the driver software for this device if offered, and confirm.
6. Select Action → Scan for hardware changes, restart, and test the Camera app.

Microsoft recommends rollback after an update, or uninstalling and rescanning when rollback is unavailable.^1^

4. Install available HP and Windows updates

Use HP’s driver page specifically for the HP ProBook 650 G1:

1. Open the HP model-specific download page.
2. Select the installed Windows 10 edition and architecture when requested.
3. Install any available camera, chipset, BIOS, or system-device updates applicable to the laptop.
4. Restart after installation.^2^

Then open Start → Settings → Update & Security → Windows Update → Check for updates. Also install relevant items under View optional updates, if that option appears.^1^

Do not use drivers from unrelated HP models or third-party driver-download sites.

5. If the camera is detected but applications cannot use it

Open Start → Settings → Privacy → Camera, then turn on:

• Allow access to the camera on this device
• Allow apps to access your camera
• Allow desktop apps to access your camera

Test again using the Windows Camera app. HP’s webcam troubleshooting guidance includes checking Windows camera permissions and Device Manager detection.^3^

6. If it remains completely absent

If no camera appears—even as a hidden or unknown device—after scanning, restarting, and installing the applicable HP updates:

1. Check the BIOS for an integrated-camera setting, if your BIOS version provides one, and ensure it is enabled. Avoid changing unrelated BIOS options.
2. Run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics and perform the available component tests.^4^
3. If diagnostics cannot detect the camera, arrange hardware service. At that point, a loose internal cable or failed camera module is more likely than a Camera-app problem.

References

1. Windows 10
2. HP ProBook 650 G1 Notebook PC Software and Driver Downloads | HP® Support
3. HP PCs - Troubleshoot the webcam (Windows) | HP® Support
4. HP PC Hardware Diagnostics | HP® Support