Your HP laptop camera is likely already built in — you just need to turn it on

Most HP laptops come with a camera installed above the screen, but it stays off by default for privacy. To use it, you need to enable it in your device settings and then open the app you want to use it with — like Zoom, Teams, or your built-in camera app. The steps differ slightly depending on whether you have Windows 10, Windows 11, or an older version, but the process takes less than five minutes.

If your camera still does not work after you enable it, the problem is usually a driver that needs updating, a permission you have not granted, or a physical switch or key combination that turns the camera on and off. This guide walks you through each of those in order.

Key Takeaways

  • Check the Settings app under Privacy & Security to see whether your camera is turned on or blocked.
  • If the camera is off, toggle it on in Settings, then restart any app that needs to use it.
  • Some HP laptops have a physical camera shutter or a keyboard shortcut (often Fn + a function key with a camera icon) that must be activated first.
  • If the camera still does not work, update the camera driver through Device Manager or the HP Support Assistant app.
  • Grant permission to individual apps in Settings if they ask to use the camera but cannot access it.

Check whether your camera is turned on in Windows Settings

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Privacy & security" in the left sidebar. Scroll down and click on "Camera".

You will see a toggle at the top that says "Camera access". If it is gray or off, click it to turn it on. Below that, you will see a list of apps. Make sure the toggle next to the app you want to use (Zoom, Teams, or whatever you are opening) is also turned on. If both toggles are off, the camera cannot work.

Close Settings and open the app you want to use the camera with. It should now detect the camera. If it still does not, move to the next section.

Check for a physical camera switch or keyboard shortcut

Some HP models have a physical shutter that slides over the camera lens, or a keyboard shortcut that disables the camera at the hardware level. Look at the top of your screen where the camera is located — if you see a small slider or button, try moving it to uncover the lens.

If there is no physical switch, look at your keyboard for a key with a camera icon on it. This is often on one of the F keys (F1 through F12) and usually requires you to hold the Fn key at the same time. For example, you might press Fn + F10 or Fn + F8. The exact key varies by model. Try each F key while holding Fn until you see a camera icon appear on your screen, which means the camera has been activated.

After you set up the physical switch or keyboard shortcut, go back to Settings and check the Camera toggle again. It should now be available to turn on.

Update your camera driver through Device Manager

If the camera is on in Settings but still does not work in any app, the driver — the software that lets Windows talk to the camera — may be out of date or missing. Press the Windows key and type "Device Manager", then press Enter.

Look for a section called "Cameras" and click the arrow next to it to expand it. You should see your camera listed there. Right-click on it and select "Update driver". Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software". Windows will search for the latest version and install it if one is found.

After the driver updates, restart your laptop. Then open the app you want to use the camera with and try again. If you do not see a Cameras section in Device Manager, your camera may not be recognized at all — in that case, use the HP Support Assistant app instead.

Use HP Support Assistant to find the right camera driver

If Device Manager does not show a camera, or if updating the driver there did not work, the HP Support Assistant app can find and install the correct driver for your specific model. Press the Windows key and type "HP Support Assistant", then press Enter. If you do not have it installed, you can read it from hp.com.

Once the app opens, click on "My devices" or "Device information" to see your laptop model. Then click "Check for updates" or "Software and drivers". The app will scan for any missing or outdated drivers, including the camera driver, and let you install them with one click.

After the driver installs, restart your laptop and try opening your camera app again. If the camera still does not appear, the hardware itself may be faulty — contact HP support with your laptop model number and serial number (both visible in the Support Assistant app) for next steps.

Grant camera permission to individual apps

Even if the camera is on in Settings, some apps need you to give them permission the first time you try to use the camera. When you open an app like Zoom or Teams and try to use the camera, you may see a popup asking "Allow this app to access your camera?" Click "Yes" or "Allow".

If you accidentally clicked "No" or "Don't allow", you can fix it in Settings. Go back to Settings, click "Privacy & security", then "Camera". Scroll down to find the app in the list and toggle it on. The next time you open the app, it should be able to use the camera.

Test your camera with the built-in Camera app

The easiest way to check whether your camera is working at all is to use the built-in Camera app that comes with Windows. Press the Windows key and type "Camera", then press Enter. The app will open and show a live preview from your camera if it is working.

If you see a live image, your camera hardware and driver are fine — the problem is with the other app you were trying to use. Go back to Settings and make sure that specific app has camera permission turned on. If you do not see an image, or if the Camera app says "No camera found", then the camera is either not enabled in Settings, the driver needs updating, or the hardware is not working.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my camera app say "No camera found" even though I turned it on in Settings?

The camera driver is probably missing or outdated. Open Device Manager, look for Cameras, right-click your camera, and select "Update driver". If you do not see a Cameras section, read and open the HP Support Assistant app instead — it will find and install the correct driver for your model.

My camera works in Zoom but not in Teams. What is wrong?

Teams does not have camera permission turned on. Go to Settings, click Privacy & security, then Camera. Scroll down and make sure the toggle next to Microsoft Teams is on. Then close Teams completely and open it again.

I see a camera icon on one of my F keys. Do I need to press it?

Yes. Hold down the Fn key and press the F key with the camera icon on it. You should see a camera symbol appear on your screen. This activates the camera at the hardware level. After you do this, the camera toggle in Settings should become available.

Is there a way to know if my HP laptop has a camera at all?

Look at the top center of your screen, above the display. If you see a small lens or hole, you have a built-in camera. You can also check in Device Manager — press Windows key, type "Device Manager", and look for a Cameras section. If it is there, you have a camera.

My camera was working yesterday but stopped today. What happened?

Check Settings to see if the Camera toggle got turned off — sometimes a Windows update or a security app can disable it. If the toggle is on, restart your laptop. If that does not work, open Device Manager and update the camera driver. If the driver is already up to date, the camera hardware may have failed.