My Chromebook camera is not working; this is the problem many Chromebook users face when they have to take online classes via Zoom, Teams, or Google Classroom or do a video conference with their friends, family, or colleagues. They are using the Chromebook built-in camera for this purpose.
As we know, Chromebooks are specially made for students or people who want portable notebooks.
Chromebook works best for any use, but there might be a few problems Chromebook users face, and one of the problems is the camera not working on Chromebook.
We know this situation is terrible for you if you have to take a class or conduct a video conference urgently but don’t worry; we will solve your problem in this article.
Reasons Why Chromebook Camera Is Not Working:
There is not only one reason that your Chromebook camera stopped working; there are too many reasons that your Chromebook camera stopped working.
So let’s discuss why your Chromebook camera is not working and how you can fix it.
Read More: What Are Chromebooks Good For?
Chromebook Camera Disabled from Settings:
The first & foremost reason that your Chromebook camera is not working is that your camera might be disabled from the settings.
This is why, in most cases, it stops the camera from working.
To fix this problem, you must enable the camera from “Settings.” To enable the camera, all you have to do is:
- Go to “Chrome://flags” and search for the “Hardware Accelerated Video Encoder.”
- Check whether the setting is disabled or enabled.
- If you have the disabled option there, enable it.
- After enabling it, restart your Chromebook and recheck the camera.
After the above-mentioned steps, your camera will start working if it’s disabled from the settings. But it’s not the only reason the camera is not working on Chromebook.
Many other reasons that stop Chromebook cameras from working. Let’s also discuss them.
Chromebook Needs To Restart:
Sometimes restarting your device will solve any issues that may have been caused by an app or program running in the background.
To restart your Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + R (or Ctrl + Alt + R if you’re using a Samsung Chromebook Pro or Plus). You’ll see a dialog asking if you want to restart now or later; choose now!
Read More: Are Chromebooks Good For Students?
Chromebook Operating System Is Not Updated:
Your Chromebook camera might stop working if your Chrome OS is not updated. If your Chromebook camera stops working, there is a possible reason that your driver for the Chromebook camera might be outdated or corrupt.
To fix this problem, you have to update your Chrome OS. Keep updating your Chromebook operating system saves you from problems.
Outdated Drivers Stops Chromebook Camera From Working:
Another reason why your Chromebook camera stops working is that your drivers are outdated. You have to check for the driver’s update. In case there is an update available, you have to update it.
To check the driver’s update, go to “chrome://settings/help” and see if an update is available. If there is, click on the update button and restart your Chromebook.
After restarting the Chromebook check the camera to see whether it’s working. Chances are high your camera will start working if it stops working due to outdated drivers.
Chromebook Camera Stop Working Due To Software Issue:
Another reason your Chromebook camera is not working is the software malfunction. You can face this problem if you have installed an app or a new Chrome extension that conflict with your Chromebook camera.
You can fix this problem by deleting the recent download app or extension on your Chromebook.
After deleting the recent app or extension, restart your Chromebook. After restarting, you will see your camera start working.
Your Camera Might Be Damaged Physically:
Your Chromebook camera might stop working if it is damaged physically. If you spill water on it, it can be damaged physically, or you might drop your Chromebook on the floor.
In both these cases, your Chromebook camera stops working. To fix it, you have to take your Chromebook to a repair shop for a hardware checkup.
Chromebook Hardware Needs To Be Reset:
Sometimes your Chromebook camera stops working if there are issues with its hardware. To reset the hardware of your Chromebook, you have to do the following steps:
- First of all, shut down your Chromebook.
- Then press the refresh and power keys together, both keys are on the top row of your keyboard.
- After pressing the keys, your laptop will start up after a few seconds.
- Release the refresh key when you see your device is booting.
- After this, check your Chromebook camera and see if it works.
Camera Stop Working Due To Corrupted Files:
Another reason your camera stopped working is the corrupted files on your Chromebook.
If you use your Chromebook for a long time without resetting, you might face this problem.
To fix this problem, perform a factory reset on your Chromebook to see if the camera works.
Above, we have discussed the 8 possible reasons that can stop your Chromebook camera from working. Check them all individually, fix them, and see which one solves your problem.
After fixing the above problems, we hope your camera will start working, but if your camera is still not working, then contact your manufacturer and tell them the troubleshooting methods you used and ask them for a solution.
If you are using the school-based Chromebook, we recommend getting help from your IT manager. Tell him the problem, and he might be able to fix it.
Sometimes the camera slide-up and you have to replace it. There is not any other possible solution except to replace your Chromebook camera.
Other Fixes for The Camera Not Working on Chromebook:
Above, we mentioned the 8 reasons why your camera is not working on Chromebook, but there are also some additional fixes for the camera which are:
Use External Camera To Fix The Problem:
If you have tried all the methods mentioned above and your Chromebook built-in camera is still not working, we recommend you use the external webcam.
An external webcam will bypass any issue with your built-in webcam, and you can take classes, do video conferences, and take pictures easily.
But the question is, what is the best external webcam for Chromebook?
Best External Webcam for Chromebook:
The best external webcam for Chromebooks is the Logitech Brio. It’s a 720p camera that connects to your computer via USB and plugs into any HDMI port on your display.
The Brio works great with Chromebooks and other Chrome OS devices but can also be used with Windows and Mac computers.
The Logitech Brio has a built-in microphone but doesn’t have a headphone jack. This means you can chat with friends or family over Skype or Google Hangouts, but you won’t be able to listen to what they’re saying without using another device.
There is an option to purchase earbuds that plug directly into the camera itself, but this isn’t ideal; using your headphones or speakers is more convenient.
A few other things worth noting: The Brio only supports 720p video, so if you’re looking for something with a higher resolution, this might not be the best option.
You’ll also need a monitor or TV with an HDMI input port (most flatscreen TVs do). Finally, since this is an external device, no drivers are required to plug it in and start using it immediately!
Use Remote Desktop App To Fix the Problem:
Using the Chrome remote desktop app, you can use another computer with your Chromebook and its camera for different purposes.
Powerwash Your Chromebook:
This is the last option you can do to fix your camera if the camera is not damaged by dropping or spilling water.
When you factory reset or powerwash your Chromebook, all your data and settings will be deleted.
Factory reset will re-correct your malfunctioned camera if there is some software issue. We recommend you do this on the last if you try all the above methods and your camera is still not working; then you can try this method.
Bottom Line Of Camera Not Working On Chromebook:
We have discussed all the possible reasons why your camera stops working and how you can fix it.
Check for all the problems individually and see which stops your camera from working.
In most cases, your camera stops working because it is disabled from the settings, you have to enable it from the settings, and you will see it starts working again.
If you try all the fixes mentioned above and still your camera is not working, we recommend you get help from the manufacturer and tell them your problem or take your laptop to a repair shop. Maybe there is a problem with the hardware that stops it from working.
After reading the article, we hope you have fixed your Chromebook camera and enjoyed your video conference or class.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Take Picture On Chromebook?
To take a picture on your Chromebook, use the camera app with your computer.
You can also use third-party apps like CamScanner if you need more features.
The camera app is available as an icon in the lower-right corner of your screen. Clicking it will open the camera interface, and you can take pictures immediately.
To take a selfie, click the small camera icon at the bottom of the screen. A small viewfinder will appear, but you can use this to frame your shot and zoom in or out as needed.
How To Flip Camera On Chromebook?
You can flip the camera on your Chromebook. This is useful if you want to take a selfie or video chat with someone but don’t have a front-facing camera.
To flip your camera:
- Click the status area in the lower right-hand corner of your screen (the area where notifications appear).
- After clicking “Settings,” scroll down to the bottom of the list.
- Click “Advanced Settings” and scroll down to the bottom of the page.
- Click Camera settings and choose Flip camera from left to right (or vice versa).
How Do I Enable My Camera On Chromebook?
Enable your camera in the Chrome OS settings.
- Launch Chrome OS Settings from the launcher or type “chrome://settings/” in the Omnibox, then click “Show advanced settings.”
- In the list of options, click on “Enable Camera.”
Why Is Chromebook Camera Not Working On Zoom App?
If your Chromebook camera is not working on the Zoom app, follow these steps:
- Connect your Chromebook to the internet through a wired or wireless connection.
- Open the Chrome browser and click the Menu button (three dots).
- Click Settings and then click Advanced.
- Click Update Channel and choose Stable from the drop-down menu.
- Once done, restart your Chromebook, open Google Play Store, and download the Zoom app.
Why Is Chromebook Camera Not Working After Powerwash?
The camera should normally work after a powerwash, but you may need to fix the issue if it doesn’t manually.
To do this, open Google Chrome and click on the menu icon in the top right corner of your browser window (3 horizontal lines). Select Settings and then Advanced Settings from there. Scroll down until you see Reset Settings, then click the Reset button at the bottom of the page to reset all settings to default.
If this doesn’t solve your problem, try restarting your Chromebook by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + R simultaneously on your keyboard (you may have to press this combination multiple times if it doesn’t work at first).