my camera is black and does not show my face

Open the webcam’s physical privacy shutter or press its camera function key (Fn plus the key showing a camera icon), then reopen the Camera app.

1. Check the camera’s physical controls

1. Look directly beside the camera lens for a small sliding privacy shutter and move it fully open.
2. Check the top row of the keyboard for a key showing a camera or crossed-out camera.
3. Press that key once; if nothing changes, press Fn + that key.
4. Open Start > Camera and check the preview.

These controls can disable the webcam and produce exactly a black image even though the Camera app opens normally.^1^

2. Check Windows 11 camera permissions

Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, then turn on:

• Camera access
• Let apps access your camera
• Access for the particular app you are using
• Let desktop apps access your camera if the problem occurs in a browser, Teams, Zoom, or another traditional desktop application

If Camera access is greyed out, an administrator account must enable it.^2^

Test again in Start > Camera:

• If Camera works there but remains black in another application, change that application’s video settings and select the correct camera.
• If Camera is also black, continue below.

3. Update the camera driver

1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices.
3. Right-click the webcam and select Update driver.
4. Select Search automatically for drivers.
5. Restart Windows and test Start > Camera again.

If that does not help, download and reinstall the webcam driver supplied specifically for your PC model from the computer manufacturer’s support website.^1^

4. If the camera is missing from Device Manager

If no camera appears under Cameras, Imaging devices, or Sound, video and game controllers:

1. In Device Manager, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Enter the computer’s BIOS/UEFI settings and verify that Integrated Camera is enabled.
4. Install any camera and imaging-related drivers listed for the exact laptop model.

If the integrated camera remains completely absent after those checks, Windows is not detecting the device; the camera connection or module may require inspection by the manufacturer or a repair technician.^3^

References

1. my camera does not function in windows - Microsoft Q&A
2. Manage app permissions for a camera in Windows
3. Integrated Camera Not detected by Windows (not working) - Microsoft Q&A