Having trouble with your Surface Pro 4 camera? Here’s how to fix it.
Run the Troubleshooter
To fix the issue of the Surface Pro 4 camera not working, you can try running the troubleshooter. The troubleshooter is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that can help identify and resolve common problems with your device.
Here’s how you can run the troubleshooter to fix the camera issue:
1. Press the “Windows” key on your keyboard to open the Start menu.
2. Type “troubleshoot” and select the “Troubleshoot settings” option from the search results.
3. In the Troubleshoot settings window, scroll down and click on the “Additional troubleshooters” link.
4. Look for the “Hardware and Devices” troubleshooter and click on it to expand the options.
5. Click on the “Run the troubleshooter” button.
The troubleshooter will now scan your device for any camera-related issues and attempt to fix them. Follow any on-screen instructions that may appear.
If the troubleshooter is unable to resolve the problem, you can try some additional steps:
1. Check for Windows updates: Make sure your device is up to date with the latest Windows 10 updates. These updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve camera issues. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
2. Update device drivers: Outdated or incompatible device drivers can cause camera problems. To update your device drivers, you can go to the Device Manager. Press the “Windows” key + “X” on your keyboard and select “Device Manager” from the menu. Expand the “Cameras” category, right-click on your camera, and select “Update driver.”
3. Reset camera privacy settings: Sometimes, changes in privacy settings can prevent the camera from working correctly. To reset the camera privacy settings, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and toggle off the “Allow apps to access your camera” option. Toggle it back on after a few seconds.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, it’s possible that the problem is due to a software bug or a hardware malfunction. In such cases, you may need to contact Microsoft support or take your device to a professional for further diagnosis.
Update Camera Driver and App
To fix the camera not working issue on your Surface Pro 4, you may need to update the camera driver and app. Follow these steps to update the camera driver and app:
1. Press the Windows key + X and select “Device Manager” from the context menu.
2. In the Device Manager window, expand the “Cameras” category.
3. Right-click on your camera device and select “Update driver” from the menu.
4. Choose the option to automatically search for updated driver software. If Windows finds a newer driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
5. If Windows doesn’t find an updated driver, go to the manufacturer’s website (such as Microsoft or Intel) and download the latest driver for your camera model.
6. Once the driver is downloaded, double-click on the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
7. After updating the camera driver, open the Microsoft Store and search for the camera app.
8. Install any available updates for the camera app.
9. Restart your Surface Pro 4 to apply the changes.
If updating the camera driver and app doesn’t resolve the issue, you can try a few more troubleshooting steps:
1. Run the built-in Windows troubleshooter for hardware and devices. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then go to “Update & security” > “Troubleshoot” > “Hardware and devices”. Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter.
2. Check if any antivirus software or other security programs are blocking the camera. Temporarily disable them and see if the camera starts working.
3. Make sure the camera privacy settings are enabled. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then go to “Privacy” > “Camera”. Enable the “Allow apps to access your camera” option.
4. Check if there are any pending Windows updates. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then go to “Update & security” > “Windows Update”. Install any available updates.
5. If you’re using a Surface Pro 4 with Windows 11, make sure you have the latest firmware installed. Go to the Microsoft website and download the latest firmware for your device.
6. If the camera still doesn’t work, consider contacting Microsoft support or taking your Surface Pro 4 to a professional for diagnosis.
Adjust App Permissions
Adjusting App Permissions for Surface Pro 4 Camera
To fix the issue of your Surface Pro 4 camera not working, you may need to adjust the app permissions. Follow these steps to troubleshoot and resolve the problem:
1. Open the Settings menu by clicking the Start button and selecting “Settings” or by pressing the Windows key + I.
2. In the Settings menu, click on “Privacy.”
3. Under Privacy, click on “Camera” in the left-hand menu.
4. Make sure the toggle switch under “Allow apps to access your camera” is turned on.
5. Scroll down to the “Choose which apps can access your camera” section and review the list of apps.
6. Toggle on the switch for the app you want to use with the camera. If the app you want to use is not listed, make sure it is installed on your device.
7. If the app is still not working, try toggling off the switch for all apps and then toggle them back on one by one to see if the camera starts working with a specific app.
8. If you are using a web browser to access the camera, make sure the browser has permission to access the camera. You can usually find this option in the browser’s settings or by clicking on the camera icon in the address bar.
Remember to check if any antivirus software or other security programs are blocking the camera. Temporarily disable them to see if it helps.
If adjusting the app permissions does not resolve the issue, try restarting your Surface Pro 4 and check if the camera works after rebooting. If not, you may need to update the device drivers or reinstall the camera app.
If you are still experiencing difficulties with your camera, consider contacting Microsoft Support or visiting their online community for further assistance. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps based on your device and operating system.
Remember to keep your Surface Pro 4 up to date with the latest software updates from Microsoft Store to ensure optimal performance and fix any software bugs that may be causing the camera issue.
Restore or Reset Your Device
If you’re experiencing issues with your Surface Pro 4 camera not working, one solution you can try is restoring or resetting your device. This can help resolve any software or configuration issues that may be causing the problem.
Before proceeding with the restoration or reset, it’s important to backup any important files or data on your device. This will ensure that you don’t lose any important information during the process.
To restore your Surface Pro 4:
1. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn off your device.
2. Press and hold the volume up button on the side of your device.
3. While holding the volume up button, press and release the power button.
4. Continue holding the volume up button until the Surface logo appears on the screen.
5. Release the volume up button and your device will enter the UEFI menu.
6. Use the volume buttons to navigate to the “Restore” option and press the power button to select it.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
If restoring your device doesn’t resolve the camera issue, you can try resetting your Surface Pro 4 to its factory settings. This will remove all your personal files and installed apps, so make sure to backup anything important before proceeding.
To reset your Surface Pro 4:
1. Open the Start menu and select “Settings”.
2. Click on “Update & Security” and then select “Recovery” from the left-hand menu.
3. Under the “Reset this PC” section, click on the “Get started” button.
4. Choose either the “Keep my files” or “Remove everything” option, depending on your preference.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset process.
After the reset is complete, your Surface Pro 4 will be restored to its original factory settings. This should fix any software-related issues that were causing the camera problem.
Remember to reinstall any necessary software or updates after the restoration or reset process is complete. If the camera still doesn’t work properly, it could be a hardware issue, and you may need to contact Microsoft support for further assistance.
For more troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions, you can visit the Microsoft support website or refer to the user manual of your Surface Pro 4.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on my camera on my Surface?
To turn on your camera on your Surface, select the Start button, and then choose Camera from the list of apps.
Why is my camera on Microsoft not working?
Your camera on Microsoft may not be working due to various reasons. Firstly, ensure that it is connected and installed correctly, and check if any antivirus software is blocking it. Additionally, make sure your camera drivers are up to date. Lastly, if your PC has a physical switch or button for the camera, ensure that it is switched on.
How do I fix my unresponsive camera?
To fix an unresponsive camera:
Close the app.
Turn on the Camera access tile.
Update the problematic app.
Close any other apps using the camera.
Reboot your device.
Check app permissions.
Clear the app cache.
Delete and reinstall the app.
How do I fix my camera on my Surface Pro 4?
To fix the camera on your Surface Pro 4, you can try the following steps:
– Ensure you have selected the correct camera in the app you are using.
– Check for any conflicts between apps that might be accessing the camera simultaneously.
– Verify and adjust your privacy settings for camera access.
– Restart your Surface Pro.
– Run Windows Update to ensure you have the latest software updates.
– Verify if any third-party antivirus software is interfering with the camera and adjust its settings if necessary.
