If you encounter the “We can’t find your camera” error, your first step should be to restart your computer. This is because a temporary glitch in the Windows Camera app can sometimes cause the error message. Restarting your computer will reload all the running processes and usually eliminates any bugs or glitches that might be causing problems, including the camera error.

To restart your Windows PC, press the Alt+F4 keys together to open the “Shut Down Windows” dialog box. Then, select “Restart” from the drop-down menu and click “OK.” After your computer restarts, open the Camera app and check if the error message still appears. If it does, continue with the next troubleshooting method.

 Ensure the Camera Is Connected Properly

If you’re using an external webcam, ensure it’s properly connected to your computer. Inspect both ends of the cable for any loose connections and verify that the connecting cable is in good condition.

If everything appears to be in order, unplug your camera from the port it’s currently connected to and plug it into a different port. If the camera starts working, it indicates an issue with the original port. In this case, you should take your device to a technician for port repair.

Ensure the Camera Is Enabled In the Device Manager

Windows allows you to enable or disable your camera manually. Consequently, when you attempt to launch the Camera app with your device camera disabled, you will encounter the error message “We Can’t Find your Camera.”

In this case, verify that your camera is not disabled. To check that, press the Windows+X keys together and select “Device Manager” from the context menu. Within Device Manager, expand the “Cameras” category.

Next, right-click on your camera and check the context menu that appears. If the option to “Enable Device” is available, it indicates that your camera is disabled. To activate the camera, select the “Enable Device” option. Now, close the Device Manager and check for the issue.

Use the Camera Troubleshooter

The Windows Camera Troubleshooter is a helpful utility that can resolve most camera-related issues, including the one you’re encountering. To use this utility, open the “Settings” app (check out different ways to access the Settings app on Windows), choose “System” from the left sidebar and “Troubleshoot” from the right pane.

• Click “Other Troubleshooters.”
• Click “Run” next to the Camera option.
• A Get Help window will appear. Click “Yes” to grant permission for automated diagnostics to be run.
• The Get Help window will proceed to perform necessary fixes. Once completed, restart your device and check if the issue persists. If it does, consider using the Windows built-in repair and reset feature.

Repair or Reset the Camera App

The repair and reset feature is a troubleshooting tool that allows you to address issues with UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps that are not functioning properly. The repair feature clears the app’s cache data, while the reset feature deletes the app’s entire data to resolve the issue.

You should always prioritize the repair option first, as it attempts to rectify the issue without deleting the app’s data. However, if repairing the app doesn’t resolve the problem, you can proceed with the reset option.

• To repair the Camera app, open the Settings menu, click “Apps”, and then click the “Installed Apps” option in the right pane.
• Click the three dots next to the “Camera” app and choose “Advanced Options” from the menu that appears.
• Click the “Repair” button.
• Windows will attempt to repair the app. Once the repair process is complete, a checkmark will appear next to the Repair button. Subsequently, launch the Camera app and check if it’s functioning correctly. If you’re still encountering the error message, you’ll need to reset the Camera app.