Are you trying to make changes to the camera preferences in your Device Manager but can’t? There may be an issue on your PC, as it is uncommon to have a missing camera option. The issue becomes more frustrating when the Camera app is not working properly, and you want to resolve the issue by updating the drivers via the Device Manager. Still, the device does not appear in the menu.
Usually, the webcam shows up directly under the Camera category on your system. However, if you are using an external device, it may also be found under the Imaging Device or USB Devices category. If you have come across a situation where the camera is not showing in the Device Manager, chances are that the error has appeared on your PC.
So, how do we resolve the issue? Well, that is exactly what we are going to discuss in this post. Let’s look at the fixes you can try to resolve the camera not showing in the Device Manager situation on your PC without further ado.
Shall we begin?
Working Ways to Resolve Camera Not Showing in Device Manager
It is important to identify the cause of the error as it may help you resolve the issue better.
The issue usually appears when your PC has either encountered a glitch, has pending OS Updates, or uses an outdated camera driver. There are other causing factors as well. However, these three are the most common ones. Other than these, some factors that cause the camera not to show in the Device Manager issue are –
- Hardware issues
- Hidden module in Device Manager.
- Disabled camera
- Your device’s camera driver has been uninstalled.
- The system is unable to detect the connected camera.
Fortunately, all these errors can be corrected, and the camera missing from the Device Manager issue can be resolved. Some of the basic steps you can take to resolve the error are –
- Restart your computer and open the Device Manager again to ensure that it was not just a glitch
- Check your keyboard to identify if you have accidentally disabled the camera using a shortcut.
- Ensure that no other application on your computer uses the camera. If it is, close the app immediately.
- Update Windows and ensure no optional updates are left pending.
Check these three things in the preliminary checks to ensure that the camera not showing in the Device Manager is not a result of a human error. If this does not fix the issue on your PC, move on to the given fixes!
Fix 1 – Unhide the Camera from the Device Manager
If you have accidentally hidden the camera from the Device Manager, you might not be able to see it in the menu. Some manufacturers leave it hidden by default so no user can play around with the Camera hardware.
Here are the steps you can use –
Step 1- Press Win+R to open the Run search
Step 2 – In the Run search, use the command – devmgmt.msc to open the Device Manager.
Step 3 – In the Device Manager, click the View option to find the Show Hidden Devices option.
Step 4 – If the option shows a check sign, it means that hidden devices are showing. If not, click on it to bring the hidden devices out.
Fix 2 – Try Running the Camera Troubleshooter
On your Windows OS, especially Windows 11, you have a new, improved troubleshooting mechanism that allows you to find any issue that may be bothering your PC’s hardware. Fortunately, there is a dedicated troubleshooter for your Camera as well. Take a look at the below steps to initiate it.
Step 1 – Press Win+I to bring up the Settings Menu.
Step 2 – From the left pane, click on System to find the settings menu.
Step 3 – Scroll down to find the Troubleshoot option.
Step 4 – In the Troubleshoot menu, click on Other Troubleshooters to find dedicated options.
Step 5 – Scroll down to find the Camera option.
Step 6 – Click on Run to initiate the Camera troubleshooter.
Step 7 – Give your consent for the automated diagnosis of the issues on your PC.
After you have allowed the troubleshooter to run, let it work. Once it finishes, it should highlight the issue that may be bothering your experience with the camera. Hopefully, this will resolve the camera not showing in the Device Manager issue on your PC.
Read Also: Ways to Fix Windows Upgrade Stuck on Checking for Updates Screen
Fix 3 – Try Adding the Camera Device Manually
If the above fixes cannot bring the Camera option to your Device Manager, you can try adding the same manually. There is an option to add legacy devices. Simply follow the steps given below –
Step 1 – Go to the Device Manager on your PC. Use the Devmgmt.msc command with the Run search for a faster way.
Step 2 – Click the Action button in the top bar to find your options in the Device Manager.
Step 3 – In the Action button menu, click on Add Legacy hardware.
Step 4 – After you have clicked on the same, you have two options.
- Search for the hardware automatically or
- Choose a device to install manually
Step 5 – Primarily go with the Recommended option, as it will finish automatically. However, if that approach fails, come back and select the radio button next to “Install the hardware I manually select.”
Step 6 – In the manual option, choose the category of device you are looking to add. Choose the Camera from the shown list.
Step 7 – Click on Next to move ahead, where you can choose the Device manufacturer. This way, you can define the make and model of the Camera you are using.
After you have performed all the steps, the Device Manager will do the job for you. It may seem quite a hectic process, but it is worth it.
Fix 4 – Update the Drivers to Show the Camera in the Device Manager
Sometimes, the device drivers become so obsolete that they do not sync with the updated OS. This usually happens when you have recently upgraded your PC OS. Hence, updating your existing drivers can help you recover the Camera option in the Device Manager. But how would that work?
With the Camera not showing up in the Device Manager, it seems impossible to upgrade the driver, as the basic touchpoint is missing. Well, if you have a version of outdated drivers installed, but it is not showing in the Device Manager, we might have a way to help you!
The Advanced Driver Updater is a background device driver updater that combs through all the existing drivers on your PC. Irrespective of their appearance in the Device Manager, it runs in the core of your PC to identify outdated device drivers. This way, even if the camera drivers are not showing up in the menu, it will check for updates and fix the issues accordingly.
It works in three easy steps –
Step 1 – Download and install the application on your PC.
Step 2 – Run a scan using the Start Scan Now button on the home screen.
Step 3 – After you have done the same, wait for the results. Later, click on Update All to initiate the update process.
You may find the scan results surprising as your outdated camera device will appear. After updating the drivers using the Advanced Driver Updater, you can easily refresh the system and check if the Device Manager is now showing the camera.
Camera is Now Showing in Device Manager!
The above-shared fixes, both preliminary and advanced, will help you eliminate the camera not showing in the Device Manager issue on your PC. If you use older hardware, it is OK to encounter such issues on your PC. However, if you have recently bought an external camera or a PC, you should take it up with the manufacturer as these issues can be harmful in the future.
Hope these instructions are clear and helpful. In case of any confusion, feel free to reach out to us via comments and our socials. Thanks for reading. Good luck!
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