Have you ever tried to use your Chromebook’s built-in camera, but found that it just won’t work? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. A lot of people have been struggling with this issue on Chromebooks.
Matter of fact as it turns out, many Chromebook users across the globe rely on their built-in cameras for video chats and other purposes.
Since Chromebooks are known for their user-friendly design and portability. The downside is that if one of its components goes haywire, you may be in a pickle.
And unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a single solution on the internet that works for everyone. In this post, we’ll outline some of the things you can try if your camera isn’t functioning properly.
We’ll also provide some workarounds for using the camera in situations where it’s not possible to fix the issue. Hopefully, this information will help you get your camera up and running again.
Reasons Why Did Chromebook Camera Becomes Malfunctioned
It is really frustrating when our Chromebook’s camera stopped working all of a sudden. We rely on this device for different purposes such as online meetings, video calls, and even capturing important moments. So, what could be the reasons behind this sudden malfunction? Let’s find out:
1. Enable Hardware Accelerated Video Encoder
One of the most common reasons why the camera might not be working is because it’s been disabled in the Chrome settings.
To check if this is the case, go to “chrome://flags” and search for ” Hardware-accelerated Video Encoder”. If the setting is disabled, simply enable it and restart your device.
2. Update Your Operating System
Another possibility is that the drivers for the camera might be outdated or corrupt. This can happen after a Chrome OS update, which is why it’s always important to keep your Chromebook up-to-date.
3. Physical Damage
Another reason why the camera might not be working is because of a hardware issue. If you’ve recently dropped your device or it’s been exposed to water, then there’s a possibility that the camera has been damaged. In this case, you’ll need to take it to a repair shop to get it fixed.
4. Software Malfunction
It’s also possible that the camera might not be working because of a software issue. This can happen if you’ve installed a new extension or app that conflicts with the camera. To fix this, try removing any recently installed extensions or apps and restart your Chromebook.
5. Driver Issues
Another software-related issue that can cause the camera to stop working is an outdated driver. To check if this is the case, go to “chrome://settings/help” and see if there’s an update available for your device. If there is, simply install it and restart your Chromebook.
6. File Corruption
Finally, the last possible reason why the camera might not be working is because of a corrupted system file. This can happen if you’ve been using your Chromebook for a long time without doing a reset. To fix this, simply perform a factory reset on your device and see if the camera starts working again.
Additional Fixes For Camera Not Working On Chromebook
Here are a couple of alternative fixes,
1. Use an External Camera
If the camera still isn’t working after trying all of the above, then you can try using an external webcam. This will bypass any issues with the built-in camera and allow you to use it for different purposes.
2. Use Remote Desktop App
Another workaround is to use the Chrome Remote Desktop app. This will allow you to control another computer with your Chromebook and use its camera for different purposes.
3. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
If nothing helps you can also try factory resetting your Chromebook, which will delete all your data and settings, this may resurrect your malfunctioned camera if there is some sort of software issue. However, this should only be done as a last resort.
Final Word
We hope this article helped you fix the camera not working issue
We hope that this article helped you fix the camera issue on your Chromebook. If you have any other questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
Thank you for reading!