How to open or turn on a laptop camera

There is no universal shortcut key that opens the camera on every laptop. You can open a camera app using your operating system’s search. If your keyboard has a camera key, it may enable or disable the webcam rather than open an app.

Open the camera using your keyboard

• Windows: Press the Windows key, type Camera, and press Enter when the Camera app is selected.
• Mac: Press Command + Space to open Spotlight, type Photo Booth, and press Return when Photo Booth is selected.
• Other operating systems: Open the app launcher or search and look for an installed camera app.

If the app is unavailable or search does not find it, open a video-call app you already use and look for its camera settings or video preview. Opening an app alone does not confirm that the camera is working: look for a live image that changes when you move.

Find your laptop’s camera key or privacy control

Check the keyboard for a camera symbol, sometimes shown with a slash through it. Depending on the laptop, you may press that key alone or hold Fn while pressing it. The laptop model and keyboard layout were not supplied, so the exact key combination cannot be identified here. Check your model’s keyboard guide if the symbol or function is unclear.

Also check around the lens for a physical privacy shutter and the laptop’s edges for a camera switch. Open the shutter or enable the switch if present, then check the preview again. A shutter can cover the lens while the camera remains detected by the computer.

If the camera does not show a live picture

• 1. Check that the lens is uncovered and any camera privacy control is enabled.
• 2. Open your operating system’s settings and search for camera permissions. Allow camera access for the app you intend to use, where that control is available.
• 3. If you are using a website, check its camera permission in the browser as well. Allow access for the site you intend to use, then reload it if needed.
• 4. In the app or website’s video settings, select the intended camera if more than one is listed.
• 5. Close other apps or browser tabs that may be using the camera, then reopen the app you want to use.
• 6. If there is still no picture, restart the computer and try again. If the camera remains unavailable, use the laptop model and any displayed error message to find device-specific troubleshooting.

Check that you are ready for a call

A moving preview confirms that the selected app can receive video from the camera. Before joining a call, check the preview in the actual calling app and make sure its camera control is enabled. A working preview does not establish microphone performance or the quality of video other participants will receive; those need a separate audio check and a test call.