How to Fix Camera In Use by Another App in Windows 10
Here are some valid reasons that contribute to the camera used by another app problem. You are advised to analyze the reasons deeply so that you could follow appropriate troubleshooting methods to resolve the problem so easily.
How to Fix Camera In Use by Another App in Windows 10Method 1: Close Programs that Use CameraMethod 2: Allow Camera Access Method 3: Run Hardware & Devices TroubleshooterMethod 4: Enable Camera Device DriverMethod 5: Run Malware ScanMethod 6: Update WindowsMethod 7: Disable Windows FirewallMethod 8: Update or Rollback Camera DriversMethod 9: Update AppsMethod 10: Reinstall Problematic AppsMethod 11: Re-register Camera Method 12: Reset Camera AppMethod 13: Perform System RestoreMethod 14: Clean Install Windows 10
Missing, outdated, or incompatible camera drivers. The files and cache in-camera application are corrupt or incompatible with your Operating System. Camera access is not granted in your Windows 10 PC. Antivirus programs may restrict camera access. Corrupt camera app. Some other programs on PC are using your camera. Camera settings are not appropriate. Windows Defender Firewall is blocking Camera access. Webcam security features are contributing to the error.
We have investigated several technical forums regarding the camera used by another app issue and thereby analyzed the troubleshooting hacks to fix the problem.
Method 1: Close Programs that Use Camera
The camera in your device can only be used by one application at a time. If you guess that other applications are using the camera, you are advised to close all background applications that are active on your device. You can either exit from all programs by closing all of them one by one or by Task Manager. To do so, follow our guide on How to End Task in Windows 10.
In addition, you are advised to disable start-up programs on your Windows 10 PC. To implement the task, follow our guide on 4 Ways to Disable Startup Programs in Windows 10
Method 2: Allow Camera Access
If you are experiencing a camera used by another app issue in your Windows 10 computer, there are some chances that access to the camera is not granted appropriately. Also, you can easily fix this issue by allowing access to the camera in Windows Settings. Here are a few steps to grant permission.
You can launch Windows Settings by pressing Windows + I keys simultaneously.
Then, select the Privacy option as shown.
Then, in the left pane, search and select the Camera option.
Note: Make sure Allow apps to access your camera option is enabled as depicted.
Also Read: How to Fix Omegle Camera Not Working
Method 3: Run Hardware & Devices Troubleshooter
If you find your Windows 10 computer is facing any hardware-related issues, it can be easily sorted by running Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter. All the issues identified by the troubleshooter will be automatically resolved by the troubleshooter itself. For instance, if there are any corrupt settings in your PC and if there are any specific changes intended to be done, the troubleshooter helps you a lot. Follow our guide to Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter to fix issues and implement the steps as instructed.
Once you have fixed all the suggestions mentioned at the end of the troubleshooting process, check if you have fixed camera used by another app issue.
Method 4: Enable Camera Device Driver
If you have accidentally disabled the webcam or camera in your device settings, you will face camera in use issue. So, if you have disabled the webcam in your device, enable it on your computer as instructed below.
Hit the Windows key and type Device Manager. Then, click on Open.
As soon as Device Manager window opens, double-click on Cameras section to expand it.
Now, right-click on your camera device and select the Enable device option.
Also Read: 8 Best Webcam for Streaming in India (2022)
Method 5: Run Malware Scan
Several Microsoft experts suggest that, scanning PC will help you maintain your computer threat free. If there are any virus or malware intrusions in your PC, you cannot use external and internal hardware devices. Hence, you are advised to scan your computer as instructed in our guide on How do I Run a Virus Scan on my Computer?
Also, if you want to remove malware from your computer, check our guide How to Remove Malware from your PC in Windows 10.
Method 6: Update Windows
Also, if there are any bugs in your PC, they can only be fixed after a Windows update. Microsoft releases regular updates to fix all these bugs thereby sorting camera is being used by another application issue. Hence, ensure if you have updated your Windows Operating System and if there are any updates pending in action, use our guide to Download and Install Windows 10 Latest Update.
After updating your Windows Operating System, check whether you can access your camera.
Also Read: How To Fix No Camera Found In Google Meet
Method 7: Disable Windows Firewall
Sometimes, Windows Defender Firewall in your computer might prevent camera access, for some security reasons. If in case, camera has been blocked by Windows Defender Firewall, you have to enable it or disable the Firewall securities temporarily from your computer. If you do not know how to disable Windows Defender Firewall, our guide to Disable Windows 10 Firewall will help you do so.
After accessing your camera, make sure you enable the Firewall suite again, since a computer without a security program is always a threat.
Method 8: Update or Rollback Camera Drivers
If there are any incompatible or outdated camera drivers in your computer, you will face camera in use issue. To fix the problem, either update the camera drivers or roll back them if necessary.
Option I: Update Drivers
Type Device Manager in the Windows 10 search menu and click on Open.
Then, double-click on Cameras to expand it.
Now, right-click on your driver (say HP TrueVision HD) and then select Update driver.
Now, click on Search automatically for drivers. This will identify and install the apt drivers automatically.
5A. If there are updates pending to be installed, the update will be successful.
5B. You will get The best drivers for your device are already installed message if the drivers are already updated.
- Exit the window and reboot your PC.
Also Read: Fix This Device is Being Used by Another Application Sound Error
Option II: Rollback Drivers
As you did earlier, open Device Manager and expand the Cameras section.
Right-click on the driver and select the Properties option.
Switch to the Driver tab and click on Roll Back Driver.
Click on OK to save the changes.
Finally, click on Yes in the prompt and restart your computer. Now, you can access your camera.
Also Read: What is a Device Driver? How Does It Work?
Method 9: Update Apps
You must make sure whether all the applications associated with the Microsoft Store are updated to its latest version. This will ensure if all the inter related apps are up to its latest version thereby fixing camera used by another app problem. Follow the steps as instructed.
Type Microsoft Store in the search menu and click on Open.
Next in the Microsoft Store window, click on the Library icon as shown.
Now, click on Get updates button as shown.
Next, click on Update all button.
Wait until you get Your apps and games are up to date prompt.
After updating the apps, check if you have fixed the problem.
Method 10: Reinstall Problematic Apps
For app related problems that are causing you camera is being used by another application issue, you have no other options than to reinstall them. Here are few instructions to reinstall problematic applications in Microsoft Store.
Note: In this guide, Zoom is taken as an example.
Type Control Panel in the search menu and click on Open.
Set View by > Large icons, then click on Programs and Features option.
Now, click on Zoom and select the Uninstall option.
Confirm the prompt if any and reboot your PC after the app is completely uninstalled.
Download Zoom from the official site.
Now, navigate to My downloads and run the ZoomInstaller setup file. Wait until the app gets installed on your PC. Now, you can access the camera in the newly installed app.
Also Read: Fix Camera Not Working on Teams
Method 11: Re-register Camera
If none of the above-discussed methods have helped you, then have a try to re-register your camera as instructed below. There are two methods to implement the task.
Option I: Through Windows PowerShell
Type Powershell in the search bar and click on Run as Administrator as shown.
Then, type the following command and hit Enter key.
Wait until the common execution is successful and check if you have fixed camera in use issue .
Option II: Through Device Manager
Open Device Manager from the Windows Search bar.
Now, expand the Cameras section by double-clicking on it.
Then, right-click on the camera driver (e.g. HP TrueVision HD) and select the Uninstall device option.
Now, switch to the Action tab and select the Scan for hardware changes option.
Method 12: Reset Camera App
You can also try resetting your camera application to fix camera used by another app issue. Follow as instructed below
Hit the Windows key, type Camera, and click on App settings.
Then, click on the Reset option as highlighted.
Next, confirm any prompt by clicking on Reset.
Also Read: Fix Laptop Camera Not Detected on Windows 10
Method 13: Perform System Restore
If there are any incompatible Windows updates on your computer, your PC will not work as usual it does. So, restore your computer to a state whether everything was working fine. Here are some instructions to restore your PC. To do so, follow our guide on How to use System Restore on Windows 10 and implement the instructions as demonstrated.
After restoring your Windows 10 PC, check if can use your camera.
Method 14: Clean Install Windows 10
If none of the methods have helped you fix the said issue, then you have to clean install your Windows Operating System. To clean boot your computer, implement the steps as instructed in our guide to do a Clean Install of Windows 10
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It would be really frustrating not being able to access your camera in the middle of the meetings, but now you would have fixed camera in use by another app issue in Windows 10. Keep visiting our page for more cool tips & tricks and leave your comments below. Also, if you have any queries/suggestions regarding this article, then feel free to drop them in the comments section.
