Your Dell webcam is built in above the screen and ready to use

Your Dell laptop has a webcam mounted in the bezel at the top of the screen. To use it, you need to open an process that accesses the camera — the webcam itself does not have an on-off switch. Windows handles the connection through your camera drivers, which Dell installs when you first set up the laptop. If your webcam does not appear in any process, the drivers may need updating, or the camera may be disabled in your BIOS settings.

The fastest way to test your webcam is to open the Camera app built into Windows. This app launches the camera directly without needing a third-party program. If the Camera app works, your hardware and drivers are functioning correctly. If it does not, you can troubleshoot from there.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Camera app by typing "Camera" into the Windows search box and pressing Enter to test your webcam when ready.
  • If the Camera app shows a black screen or error, check Device Manager to see whether the camera driver is installed and enabled.
  • Dell laptops sometimes disable the camera in BIOS; restart your laptop, press F2 during startup, and look for an Integrated Camera setting to turn it back on.
  • Video calling apps like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meet all access your webcam through the same Windows drivers, so if one app works, others will too.
  • A small LED light next to the camera lens indicates when the camera is actively recording or streaming.

Opening the Camera app to test your webcam

The Camera app is the simplest way to confirm your webcam works. Click the Windows Start button in the bottom left corner of your screen. Type "Camera" into the search box that appears. Click the Camera app when it shows in the results. The app will open and display a live feed from your webcam within a few seconds.

If you see a live video of yourself or your surroundings, your webcam is working. You can take a still photo by clicking the camera icon at the bottom of the window, or record a video by clicking the video camera icon. Photos and videos save to your Pictures folder by default. Close the app by clicking the X button in the top right corner.

If the Camera app shows a black screen, displays an error message, or does not open at all, move to the troubleshooting section below.

Using your webcam in video calling apps

Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and other video calling applications all access your Dell webcam through the same Windows camera drivers. Once your webcam works in the Camera app, it will work in these programs. You do not need to install separate drivers or change settings for each app.

When you start a video call in any of these apps, look for a camera icon or video settings button. Click it to select which camera to use — if your Dell has only one camera, it will be the only option. The app will then display your video feed. Some apps let you preview your video before joining a call; use this to check that the image is clear and properly framed.

If a video calling app says your camera is not found or not working, but the Camera app works fine, the problem is usually a permission setting. Go to Windows Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Camera. Make sure the toggle for "Camera access" is turned on, and scroll down to confirm the specific app you want to use has permission to access the camera.

Checking and updating your camera driver in Device Manager

Your camera driver is the software that lets Windows communicate with your webcam hardware. Dell installs this driver when you set up your laptop, but it can become outdated or disabled. Device Manager shows you the status of all hardware on your computer, including your camera.

Click the Windows Start button and type "Device Manager" into the search box. Click Device Manager when it appears. Look for a category called "Cameras" or "Imaging devices" and click the arrow next to it to expand the list. You should see your camera listed — it often says "Integrated Camera" or includes "Dell" in the name. If the camera has a yellow exclamation mark or a down arrow next to it, the driver is disabled or has a problem.

Right-click on your camera and select "Update driver" from the menu. Windows will search for the latest driver online and install it if one is found. If that does not work, right-click again and select "Enable device" — this will turn the camera back on if it was disabled. Restart your laptop after making any changes.

Re-enabling your camera in BIOS if it is disabled there

Some Dell laptops allow you to disable the camera at the BIOS level — a deeper system setting than Windows. If your camera does not appear in Device Manager at all, or if updating the driver does not help, the camera may be disabled in BIOS. Turning it back on requires restarting your laptop and entering the BIOS setup menu.

Shut down your laptop completely. Turn it back on and when ready press the F2 key repeatedly as it starts up — you may need to press it several times before the BIOS menu appears. The timing is tight; if you miss it, the laptop will boot into Windows normally and you can try again. Once you are in BIOS, look for a setting called "Integrated Camera", "Camera", or "Onboard Camera". The exact name varies by Dell model. Use the arrow keys to navigate and change the setting from "Disabled" to "Enabled". Press F10 to save and exit BIOS. Your laptop will restart.

If you cannot find the camera setting in BIOS, or if pressing F2 does not open the BIOS menu, consult your laptop's manual or Dell's support website for your specific model number. Different Dell models use different BIOS layouts.

Checking camera permissions in Windows Settings

Windows allows you to control which apps can use your camera. Even if your camera works in the Camera app, individual programs may be blocked from accessing it. This is a privacy feature, but it can prevent video calls from working.

Click the Windows Start button and type "Settings" into the search box. Click Settings when it appears. Click "Privacy & Security" in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click "Camera". You will see a toggle labeled "Camera access" — make sure it is turned on. Below that, you will see a list of apps. Find the app you want to use (Zoom, Skype, Teams, etc.) and make sure its toggle is also turned on. If an app is not listed, it has not requested camera permission yet; launch the app and it will ask for permission the first time you try to use the camera.

After changing any permissions, close the app completely and reopen it. The new settings take effect on the next launch.

Covering your camera for privacy

Your Dell webcam is always physically present, even when you are not using it. Many people cover their camera with a small piece of tape, a sliding cover, or a purpose-made camera shutter to prevent unauthorized access. This is a physical barrier and does not affect how the camera works when you want to use it — straightforward remove the cover or slide it aside before opening a video call.

Covering the camera does not disable it in software, so applications will still try to access it and may show an error if the lens is blocked. This is normal. Some Dell laptops come with a built-in camera shutter that you can slide open and closed; check the bezel above your screen to see if yours has one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my webcam showing a black screen in the Camera app?

A black screen usually means the camera is disabled in BIOS or the driver is not installed. Open Device Manager and check whether your camera appears under "Cameras" or "Imaging devices". If it does not, restart your laptop and press F2 repeatedly to enter BIOS, then look for an Integrated Camera setting and enable it. If the camera appears in Device Manager but has a yellow mark, right-click it and select "Update driver".

Can I use my Dell webcam with multiple apps at the same time?

No. Only one process can access the camera at a time. If you have Zoom open and try to start a Skype call, Skype will not be able to use the camera until you close Zoom. Close the first app completely, then open the second one.

How do I know if my webcam is recording?

A small LED light next to the camera lens turns on when the camera is actively in use. If you see the light on but you did not start a video call, check your running applications — something may be accessing the camera in the background. You can also check Device Manager or Settings to see which apps have camera permission.

What if my Dell laptop does not have a built-in webcam?

Some older or budget Dell models do not include a webcam. If you need one, you can buy an external USB webcam and plug it into any USB port on your laptop. Windows will recognize it automatically, and it will appear as an option in the Camera app and video calling apps.

Do I need to install drivers for my webcam to work?

Dell installs camera drivers during the initial setup of your laptop. You should not need to install them yourself. If your camera stops working, updating the driver through Device Manager usually fixes the problem. You can also read drivers from Dell's support website if you know your laptop's model number.