Fix ASUS VK278Q monitor webcam not working

Start with the most likely cause

On the ASUS VK278Q, the built-in webcam is a separate USB video device that connects from the monitor to the computer. If the webcam is not working, the immediate question is whether Windows can see the camera at all. A missing or blocked camera usually comes down to one of three layers: the USB connection from the monitor, the camera device state in Windows, or app and browser permission to use the camera. Check those in order rather than reinstalling drivers first.

Confirm the physical and USB connection

The VK278Q webcam is not carried over a video-only display cable such as DisplayPort or HDMI alone. The monitor must also be connected to the computer with a USB cable for the camera to work. Verify that a USB cable runs from the monitor's USB upstream port to a working USB port on the computer. Try a different USB port if possible, preferably a port directly on the computer rather than through a hub.

A loose or damaged USB cable can prevent Windows from detecting the camera while the monitor still displays video normally. Reconnecting the USB cable is a safe first step and does not change any settings.

Check that Windows detects the camera

Open Device Manager and expand the "Cameras" or "Imaging devices" category. If the ASUS webcam appears without a warning icon, Windows has detected it. If it appears with a yellow triangle or is missing entirely, the issue is at the device-detection level rather than inside a specific app.

If the camera is missing from Device Manager, disconnect the USB cable, wait a few seconds, reconnect it, and select Action, then "Scan for hardware changes". This can make Windows re-enumerate the camera without changing drivers or firmware.

A camera listed under "Unknown devices" or with an error code usually means Windows does not have a working driver for it. Before updating anything, note that the VK278Q is an older monitor, and its bundled camera driver may not be available through current Windows Update. A missing or incompatible driver is a plausible cause here, but Windows may still install a generic USB video class driver that works without extra software.

Separate device access from app permission

If the camera appears in Device Manager but an app shows a black screen or says no camera is available, the problem is often access permission rather than detection. In Windows 10 or 11, open Settings, Privacy and security, Camera, and confirm that "Camera access" and "Let apps access your camera" are enabled. Also check the individual app list below that setting.

The same separation applies in browsers. A site may be blocked from using the camera even when Windows and the physical connection are fine. In the browser's site permissions or address-bar privacy menu, make sure the camera is allowed for that site and that the correct camera is selected in the site's own settings.

Check the active camera selection

If more than one camera is available, an app may be trying to use a different device, such as a laptop built-in camera or a previously installed webcam. In the app's video settings, select the ASUS VK278Q camera explicitly. In a browser, use the camera chooser in the meeting or site settings rather than assuming the correct device is selected automatically.

What to change after a clear finding

Use the result of the checks above to decide the next change. If the USB cable was loose or the camera reappeared after a rescan, retest in the original app while physically moving the cable gently. If the camera was listed under Unknown devices, try removing the entry in Device Manager and scanning again; this can force Windows to reinstall a generic driver without deleting personal data.

If the camera is present and enabled but still fails in one browser or app, test a different app, such as the Windows Camera app. If only one application fails, do not reinstall drivers or reset the monitor; the cause is likely that app's permission or input selection. If no application can use a camera that appears healthy in Device Manager, check whether another program is holding the camera exclusively and close it before retesting.

When to stop and escalate

If the camera is not detected on multiple computers with a known-good USB cable, or if Device Manager consistently reports a device failure after a clean reinstall, the webcam module or its internal USB path in the monitor may be faulty. At that point, further driver or permission changes are unlikely to help. Contact ASUS support or a qualified repair service with the result of the cross-check rather than continuing to repeat the same steps.

Do not reset the monitor or update firmware without confirmed guidance from ASUS for this specific model. Firmware changes can be irreversible or introduce new problems, and they are not the appropriate fix for a camera that Windows cannot detect.