Why Is My Acer Laptop Camera Not Working? | Quick Fixes

Guide / By

Acer laptop cameras fail due to privacy settings, disabled devices, drivers, app conflicts, or a physical shutter—here’s the fix.

What This Guide Solves

Your built-in webcam shows a black screen. Apps say “No cameras found.” Teams, Zoom, or Meet can’t see the device. Or the light turns on but the image stays dark. Start with quick checks, followed by deeper fixes for Windows 11 and 10.

Acer Laptop Camera Not Working — Quick Checks

1) Open Any Privacy Shutter Or Hardware Switch

Many models include a lens slider or a tiny switch near the webcam. Make sure the shutter is open and any switch sits in the on position. Some designs sense shutter state and block video until it’s open. A red or orange dot often means the shutter is closed.

2) Allow Camera Access In Windows

Windows can block the camera at the system level or per-app. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera. Turn on Camera access, and also turn on Let apps access your camera. Scroll to find your calling app and enable it there too. This is the number one reason webcams fail after an update.

3) Enable The Device In Camera Settings

Windows 11 includes a panel just for cameras. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras. If you see a disabled camera, select it and choose Enable. If nothing is listed, move to Device Manager steps below.

4) Close Other Apps That Might Hold The Camera

Only one app can grab the webcam at a time. Quit chat and video apps, any browser tabs that asked for camera access, and background preview tools.

5) Test In The Built-In Camera App

Press Windows + S, type “camera,” and open the Camera app. If it works here, the issue is app-specific. Check that app’s video settings and pick your internal camera as the source.

Fixes That Resolve Most Cases

Re-Allow Permissions For Desktop Apps

Some desktop programs use older permission paths. In Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, scroll and switch on Let desktop apps access your camera. Launch your app again and check the preview.

Re-Enable Or Reinstall The Driver

Open Device Manager: press Windows + X and choose Device Manager. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices. If your webcam shows a down arrow, right-click and choose Enable device. If it shows a warning icon, right-click > Uninstall device, check Attempt to remove the driver, confirm, then click Action > Scan for hardware changes. Windows will reload a clean driver. If no camera appears, choose Action > Scan for hardware changes at the top.

Install The Right Vendor Driver

Generic drivers work for many units, but some Acer models need a specific package. Download the exact driver from your model’s page on the Acer site, then install and reboot. If the model lists no camera driver, use Windows Update after uninstalling the current device.

Reset The Camera App

Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps, search Camera, choose Advanced options, then click Repair. If that fails, click Reset. Open the app and grant permission.

Check Antivirus And Privacy Tools

Security suites can block camera access. Look for webcam shields or device control toggles and allow the app you need. Also turn off any browser extensions that claim to block camera use and test again.

Run The Windows Troubleshooter

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters. Run the Camera troubleshooter or the Microsoft Store apps tool.

Device Manager Deep Dive

Show Hidden Devices

If the camera vanishes, Device Manager might list it as hidden. In Device Manager, click View > Show hidden devices. If a greyed-out camera appears, right-click > Uninstall device. Then restart. The device should re-enumerate and return to the Cameras group.

Force A USB Bus Refresh

The internal webcam runs over the USB bus. In Device Manager, expand Universal Serial Bus controllers. Right-click each USB Root Hub entry and choose Uninstall device. Restart the laptop to let Windows rebuild the USB stack and rediscover the webcam.

Pick The Correct Camera In Your App

Dual-camera models can expose IR and RGB devices. In Zoom, Teams, or OBS, choose the “HD user-facing” or “Integrated webcam” entry rather than the IR sensor.

Model-Specific Notes That Help

Acer Quick Access And Vendor Utilities

Some systems ship with Acer Quick Access and other utilities. These tools can toggle hardware features. Open Quick Access and check for any camera privacy toggle. If problems persist, update or temporarily uninstall vendor utilities and test the camera again.

Function Keys And BIOS Switches

Certain keyboards include a camera key. Tap it once, or hold Fn while pressing the key with a camera icon. If that fails, enter BIOS/UEFI (often F2 or Del at boot) and look for camera or I/O security entries. Make sure the integrated camera is enabled.

Physical Shutter Designs

Some screens ship with a privacy slider that blocks light. If the image looks pitch black and the indicator light still turns on, open the slider fully. Newer firmware can also read the shutter state and disable the feed until it’s open.

When The Image Is Dark, Grainy, Or Flickers

Improve Lighting And Angle

Webcams need light. Face a window or a desk lamp behind your screen. Tilt the lid so the lens sits near eye level. Avoid bright light behind you, which causes silhouette and exposure swings.

Turn Off HDR Or Filters In Apps

Some apps add smoothing, HDR, or low-light tricks that can worsen noise. Toggle those off. Then test again with a neutral profile.

Update Windows

Install pending updates: Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates. Camera pipelines receive fixes through cumulative updates and drivers delivered via Windows Update.

Safe Link Outs For Deeper Steps

For an official walk-through of privacy, driver, and troubleshooter steps, see Microsoft’s camera doesn’t work in Windows. For Acer-specific toggles that point to the Windows Camera panel, see Acer’s guide to enabling or disabling the camera.

Quick Reference Fix Table

Symptom Likely Cause What To Do
“No cameras found” error Camera disabled or blocked by privacy settings Turn on Camera access and app access in Privacy & security. Then enable the device under Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
Black preview with light on Shutter closed or app conflict Open the shutter or close other apps. Pick the correct webcam in the app’s settings.
Camera missing in Device Manager Driver removed or USB bus glitch Show hidden devices, uninstall ghost entries, restart. Refresh USB Root Hubs and scan for hardware changes.
Works in Camera app only Per-app permission issue Toggle the target app under Camera permissions and switch on desktop app access.
Grainy or flickering video Low light or wrong app filter Add light in front of you and disable HDR/filters in the app.

Step-By-Step: Clean Driver Reinstall

  1. Press Windows + X and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Cameras or Imaging devices. If missing, expand USB controllers.
  3. Right-click your integrated webcam > Uninstall device. Check the box to remove the driver.
  4. Click Action > Scan for hardware changes. If the camera does not return, restart.
  5. If the device stays missing, download drivers from your model page on the Acer site and install them, or run Windows Update to fetch the driver.

Browser Checks For Web Calling

When the camera only fails on the web, clear site blocks. In Chrome or Edge, click the lock icon in the address bar, set Camera to Allow, and refresh. In site settings, pick your integrated camera as the default and remove past blocks. Then try a test page again.

Quick Open Shortcuts (Copy, Paste, Enter)

Paste any line below into the Run box (Windows + R), then press Enter.

ms-settings:privacy-webcam
ms-settings:bluetooth
ms-settings:troubleshoot
ms-settings:windowsupdate

Using An Acer Monitor With A Built-In Webcam

Some monitors include a camera that needs a separate USB uplink. Plug the monitor’s USB cable into your laptop so Windows can see the webcam, then test in the Camera app.

When To Seek Hardware Service

If the webcam never appears in Device Manager, even after USB refresh and resets, the module or cable may be loose. Hinge strain or a lid drop can pull the ribbon out. Back up your data and book a repair. A technician can reseat the cable or replace the module quickly and test the feed.

Simple Habits That Prevent Recurrence

Keep Windows updated, avoid pressing the lid near the camera, and open the shutter only when needed. Once a month, visit the Camera page in Settings to confirm the device is enabled and your chat apps still have access.

FAQ-Free Bottom Line

Most Acer webcam issues trace to four spots: a closed shutter, blocked permissions, a disabled device, or a messy driver. Work through the quick checks above, then the Device Manager and driver steps. The vast majority of cases clear in a few minutes.