Check if your webcam is disabled in Device Manager

Most Dell laptops have the webcam built in, but it may be turned off in Windows rather than physically broken. The fastest way to check is to open Device Manager and look for your camera in the list. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager," then click the result.

Once Device Manager opens, look for a section called "Cameras" or "Imaging devices." Click the arrow next to it to expand the list. If you see your Dell camera listed there with a down arrow or an X on the icon, it is disabled. Right-click on it and select "Enable device." Windows will turn it back on in a few seconds.

If you do not see a Cameras section at all, your webcam may be listed under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" or another category. Look for anything with "camera," "webcam," or "integrated" in the name. The same right-click method works to enable it.

Key Takeaways

  • A disabled webcam in Device Manager is the most common reason a Dell laptop camera will not work, and you can turn it back on by right-clicking and selecting "Enable device."
  • If Device Manager shows no camera at all, check your BIOS settings — some Dell models let you disable the camera there, and you must re-enable it before Windows will see it.
  • Windows may also block camera access for individual programs, so even if the camera works in one app, you may need to turn on permission for another app in Settings.
  • A physical switch or key combination can disable the camera on some Dell models, so check your keyboard for a camera icon or try Fn plus the camera key.

Look in BIOS if Device Manager shows no camera at all

If Device Manager does not list any camera, the camera may be disabled in your BIOS — the firmware that runs before Windows starts. Restart your laptop and press F2 or Delete as it boots up (the exact key varies by Dell model, but Dell usually shows it on the startup screen). You are looking for a setting called "Integrated Camera" or "Camera" under a section like "Onboard Devices" or "System Configuration."

If you find it set to "Disabled," change it to "Enabled," save your changes, and restart. Windows should detect the camera when it boots back up. If you are not comfortable in BIOS, you can also check your Dell support page for your specific model number — Dell publishes BIOS guides that show exactly where the camera setting is.

Check Windows camera permissions for the app you are using

Even if your camera works in Device Manager, Windows may block it for specific programs. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to "Privacy & security" on the left side. Click "Camera" and make sure the toggle at the top says "Camera access" is on.

Below that, you will see a list of apps. Find the program you want to use the camera with — Zoom, Teams, Chrome, or whatever you are using — and make sure its toggle is turned on. If the app is not listed, it has not asked for permission yet. Open the app, try to use the camera, and Windows will prompt you to allow it.

Try a physical camera key or switch on your keyboard

Some Dell laptop models have a physical key to disable the camera. Look at your keyboard for a key with a camera icon, often near the function keys at the top. Press Fn and that key together to toggle the camera on. On some newer Dell models, you may also see a small switch or slider on the side of the laptop near the webcam itself — slide it to the open position.

If you find a physical switch and it is in the closed position, that is why your camera is not working. Slide it open and the camera should work when ready in any program.

Restart Windows or reinstall the camera driver if nothing else works

If the camera is enabled in Device Manager, enabled in BIOS, and has permission in Windows, but still does not work, try restarting your laptop first. A straightforward restart fixes many camera problems that are caused by software glitches rather than settings.

If restarting does not help, you may need to reinstall the camera driver. Go to Device Manager, right-click your camera, and select "Uninstall device." Restart your laptop. Windows will automatically read and install the driver again when it boots up. If Windows does not find it automatically, go to your Dell support page, enter your laptop model number, and read the camera driver from there. Run the installer and restart again.

Test your camera in a built-in Windows app

Before you assume the camera is broken, test it in the Camera app that comes with Windows. Press the Windows key, type "Camera," and click the app. If it opens and shows a live image, your camera is working — the problem is with the other program you were trying to use, not the hardware.

If the Camera app shows a black screen or says "No camera found," then the issue is with Windows or the driver. Go back to Device Manager and check the status again. If it says the device is working but the Camera app still does not see it, try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver as described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Dell camera work in one program but not another?

The program you are trying to use does not have permission to access the camera. Go to Settings, Privacy & security, Camera, and turn on the toggle for that specific app. If the app is not listed, open it and try to use the camera — Windows will ask for permission.

How do I know if my Dell laptop has a built-in camera?

Look at the top of your screen, above the display. Most Dell laptops have a small camera lens there. You can also check your laptop's model number on Dell's website — the specs will list whether it has an integrated camera.

Can I turn the camera back on if I disabled it in BIOS?

Yes. Restart your laptop and press F2 or Delete during startup to enter BIOS. Find the camera setting under Onboard Devices or System Configuration, change it from Disabled to Enabled, save, and restart. The exact steps depend on your Dell model.

What if my camera is enabled but still shows a black screen?

Try restarting your laptop first. If that does not work, uninstall the camera driver in Device Manager, restart, and let Windows reinstall it. If you still see black, read the latest driver from your Dell support page and install it manually.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to turn the camera on and off?

Some Dell models have a Fn key combination — usually Fn plus a key with a camera icon. Check your keyboard for that icon. If you find it, press both keys together to toggle the camera. Not all Dell models have this feature.