Fix HP EliteDisplay E221c webcam not working

The short answer

The EliteDisplay E221c's webcam and microphones are USB devices built into the monitor. They do not work through the video cable alone. In most cases the camera fails for one of four reasons. The USB upstream cable between the monitor and the computer is missing or loose. The pop-up camera is retracted. The operating system is blocking camera access. Or your video-calling app is set to a different camera, such as a laptop's built-in one. Work through these in that order. If the camera still is not detected after a direct USB connection on a second computer, the monitor itself may be faulty and HP support is the next step.

Two distinctions will help you diagnose the problem. First, the webcam (video) and the microphones (audio) are separate inputs. One can work while the other does not. Second, "not working" can mean three different things. The device may not be detected at all. It may be detected but blocked by a permission. Or it may be allowed but not selected in your app. Each of the checks below targets one of these layers.

Check 1: Is the USB upstream cable connected?

The monitor's picture comes through its video cable. The camera, microphones and USB hub need a separate USB cable from the monitor's USB upstream port to a USB port on your computer. If the screen works but the camera never appears anywhere on the computer, check this first. Your monitor's user guide shows where the upstream port is.

• Confirm that a USB cable runs from the monitor's upstream port to the computer, not just the video cable.
• Reseat the cable firmly at both ends.
• Plug it directly into a port on the computer instead of a dock, hub or front-panel extension, at least while you test.
• Try a different USB port on the computer, and a different cable if you have one.

What the result tells you: If the camera appears after you reconnect, the problem was the connection. If it only works on a direct port and not through your dock or hub, the dock or hub is the weak link. If nothing changes, move on to Check 2.

Check 2: Is the pop-up camera raised?

HP describes the E221c's webcam as a pop-up camera. Make sure it is fully raised before you test. A retracted camera cannot capture usable video.

The brief for this guide did not include HP documentation on one point: whether lowering the camera only covers the lens or also disconnects it from the computer. So, as a precaution, raise the camera fully before running any of the remaining checks. If the camera is detected but shows a black image, it is especially worth confirming its position.

Check 3: Does the computer detect the camera?

This check shows whether the operating system can see the device at all. It does not tell you whether apps are allowed to use it.

• Windows: open Device Manager. Look under Cameras, Imaging devices or Universal Serial Bus devices for a new entry that appears when the monitor's USB cable is connected.
• Windows: unplug the monitor's USB cable and plug it back in while watching Device Manager. An entry that appears and disappears with the cable belongs to the monitor.
• Windows: a warning icon on the camera entry means it is detected but has a driver or device error.
• macOS: open System Information and check the USB section and the Camera section for a new device.

Device names vary, so look for whatever appears and disappears with the cable rather than a specific name.

What the result tells you:
• No new device at all, even on a direct port with the camera raised: the problem is connection or hardware. Go to the escalation step.
• A device with a warning icon: see the driver step under the fixes below.
• A device that looks normal: the camera is detected, so check permissions and app selection next.

Check 4: Are apps allowed to use the camera?

A detected camera can still be blocked by privacy settings. These settings depend on your operating system version.

• Windows 11: Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera. If your calling app is a traditional desktop program, also turn on Let desktop apps access your camera.
• Windows 10: Settings > Privacy > Camera. Turn on the equivalent access options, including access for desktop apps.
• macOS: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Allow the app you are using. You may need to quit and reopen the app afterwards.
• Browser-based calls: check the browser's site permissions for the camera. A site that was previously denied stays blocked until you change it.

The microphones have their own separate permission. On Windows it sits under Privacy & security > Microphone (Windows 11) or Privacy > Microphone (Windows 10). On macOS it is under Privacy & Security > Microphone. Allowing the camera does not allow the microphone.

Check 5: Does the camera work outside your calling app?

On Windows, open the built-in Camera app. If it has more than one camera available, use its switch-camera control to select the monitor's camera.

This test has a limited scope. It confirms that Windows can capture video from the monitor's camera and that system-level access is allowed. It does not test your calling app's settings or its browser permissions. It also says nothing about the microphones.

What the result tells you:
• Camera works in the Camera app but not in your calling app: the problem is in that app. Check its device selection and permissions.
• Camera fails in the Camera app too: the problem is at the system level, in the driver, the connection or the hardware.
• Camera reports it is in use: another program may be holding it. Close other video, meeting and camera-utility programs, then try again.

Check 6: Is your app using the right camera and microphone?

Laptops and some computers already have a built-in camera and microphone. Calling apps often default to those, so the monitor's camera can work perfectly while your app ignores it.

• Open the audio and video settings in your calling app and choose the monitor's camera as the video device.
• Choose the monitor's microphone as the audio input separately, if you want to use it.
• In Windows, check Settings > System > Sound > Input to see which microphone is the system default, and speak to confirm the input level meter moves.

Fixes to try, and how to confirm each worked

Apply the fix that matches what you found, starting with the easiest to undo. After each change, retest the original problem in the app where it first failed. If a fix does not help, move to the next one.

• Camera not detected: connect the monitor's USB upstream cable directly to the computer and raise the camera. It worked if the device appears in Device Manager or System Information and shows video in the Camera app.
• Detected but blocked: turn on the relevant camera or microphone access setting, then restart the calling app. It worked if the app now shows video or picks up sound.
• Wrong device in the app: select the monitor's camera or microphone in the app's settings. It worked if the preview shows the monitor's view or the input meter responds.
• Camera busy: close other programs that may be using the camera, or restart the computer. It worked if the camera opens without an in-use message.
• Warning icon in Device Manager: see the driver step below.

Driver step (Windows): in Device Manager, right-click the camera entry, choose Uninstall device, then unplug and reconnect the monitor's USB cable or restart. Windows then reinstalls the device. This is generally reversible, but the camera will be unavailable until it is reinstalled. Do not choose the option to delete driver software unless you have confirmed a replacement is available.

Before installing any HP software, driver or firmware for this monitor, check the HP support page for the EliteDisplay E221c. Confirm what is listed for your exact operating system. This guide's source material did not include HP's current download list or firmware guidance, so it cannot confirm that a specific update exists or fixes this problem.

When to stop and escalate

As a final test, connect the monitor's USB upstream cable directly to a second computer, with the camera raised. This test covers the monitor and the cable you use. It does not test your original computer's ports, drivers or settings.

What the result tells you:
• Camera works on the second computer: the fault is on the original computer. Focus on its USB ports, driver state, privacy settings or app configuration.
• Camera is not detected on either computer, using a known-good cable and a direct port: the monitor's camera or USB hub is the likely cause. Stop troubleshooting and contact HP support, with your monitor's serial number and warranty details ready.