If the webcam does not work

We live in an amazing time, when what the science fiction writers recently wrote about, literally "in front of" is embodied in reality. Remember the wonderful film "Back to the Future"? In it, the protagonist, through a special device, could not only communicate with his comrade, but also see the image on the screen. Those who have not found the beginning of the emergence of affordable mobile phones, are unlikely to understand what an adult person of that time felt when he changed his disk or button phone to a mobile device. Now a similar process takes place in the field of video communication. Everyone can feel himself real M. McFlay from the above film. You just need to connect to the global network, a special video camera, a computer system and control software.

Unfortunately, sometimes computer owners are faced with the fact that the webcam does not work. Accordingly, there is no question of a full-fledged videoconference. However, if the webcam does not work, you should not go to the repair shops immediately with a laptop or computer. In most cases, it is possible to solve this problem independently, saving your own time and money.

There are quite a few reasons why the webcam does not work. In this case, all of them can be conditionally divided into two categories: hardware (physical malfunction) and software. Let us consider them in more detail.

One of the differences between a personal computer (PC) and a modern full-size laptop is the availability of the latest built-in videoconferencing solution. A small "eye", located directly above the screen - this is the lens. If the webcam does not work on the laptop, then the test should begin with monitoring the process of initialization. Near the "eye" there is always a small LED: it lights up when the laptop computer "turns" to the camera. You need to start Skype and proceed to "Tools - Settings - Video Settings". If the test image is not present, and the diode is lit, then, alas, most likely, it is necessary to contact the service center. Although, of course, there have been cases when children with a felt-tip pen dabbed a "peephole", and parents did not notice it at once. They were not at all fun, since suddenly, for no apparent reason, the camera on the laptop stopped working. So, check the status of the LED.

The next common reason why the webcam does not work is a violation in the connecting loop. It is a "bundle" of wires going from the camera to the main board. Even a minor contact violation - and the video does not work. On the PC, the cameras are made as a separate device that connects to the USB port. In case of problems, you can try to turn on the "webs" cord to another free connector.

Some laptop owners do not know what the "Fn" button is for. This is the prerogative of portable computers. Pressing the combination Fn + F (1-12), you can use some function that extends the possibilities. For example, Fn + F10 (sometimes F6) blocks access to the camera. A significant part of calls to service centers is due to accidental pressing of combinations with "Fn". The solution: read the instruction on the use of combinations of buttons, turn on the webcam.

The main software "malfunction" is the lack of a driver for the device. In order for the camera to work, an operating program (driver) must be installed in the operating system. It can be downloaded from the laptop manufacturer's website, in the search for your model. If a laptop was given a disk, then the driver can be on it.