I last used the camera on a meeting in November. But today it said could not find the camera. I had Lenovo update missing drivers but camera wasn't one of them. How do I find the camera model and install the driver?

WE ARE IN EXACTLY THE SAME BOAT!!! :-/

Today my wife had a job interview using Teams.  Last month the camera worked just fine, then Lenovo did an update and today we find out the built-in camera has totally disappeared from the computer.  Physically it is here...... technologically it is not!!

I have just spent the last hour being bounced around the "Support" pages of Lenovo and still no joy or understanding as to why this has happened.

NONE of the support tips and/or videos have helped in any way.  We are at a loss.  Ironically the "Warranty" ran out at the end of November.  

We will be following the post to see if, any, solution is forthcoming.

Welcome to the Community Forums.

Hi @MedievaLady.  

Apologies to read that your laptop is having an issue with the camera.

To effectively see what we can do here, I think it's best to share your laptop model first.

I specifically suggest you share the complete machine type model / MTM (ex. 81C70000RK or 20UD000BUS) from the sticker usually located under the case. This would help find more details about your machine variant.

If you can't find any sticker under the device showing the machine type model / MTM, check this link as guide how to find it within Windows OS then share it with us. Please do not include the machine serial number (S/N) of your machine for your privacy: https://support.lenovo.com/ph/en/videos/vid100751-how-to-locate-serial-number-and-machine-type-model-number-may-2020-update 

Also, is your machine running in Windows 10 or in Windows 11?

If Windows 11, was this an upgrade from Windows 10?

Is there an error message on the camera app that is clear? I think it would be best that you share a screen shot of how the camera looks like if it has error message.

Would the camera also not work in Teams, Zoom, etc?

How about if you will launch the Windows camera app?

Let us know.

Regards.
Dex

I'm sorry you're having the same problem but at least I know it's not just me. Did you try the re-install the BIOS setup utility? That's what the bot is telling me to do.  

Hi Dex,

I'm sorry but I can't find or read a model number. There are stickers on the back, but they are written in black on a blackish background (who thought that was a good idea?!) The best I can make out is I5 (something)L05 - at least that's what I think it says. On the side with the keyboard it just says Ideapad 5. 

I'm on Windows 10.

This morning on my Zoom meeting/interview it said no camera detected. It shows normal in settings but in Device Manager it's non-existent. 

I don't know what you mean by launch the camera app. I've only used it for Zoom, Teams and other virtual meetings. 

What else can I tell you to help?

Chara

Dex,

Are you there? Are you going to help?

Yes, we tried everything the Bot said apart from paying out to renew the warranty!!

This issues has happened since the latest firmware update from Lenovo. 
Very frustrating. 

Hi,

Thanks for sharing a detail.

I can share this generic camera troubleshooting step that you can do and try performing it in your laptop and see how it goes.

Privacy Settings and Hotkeys

Open Lenovo Vantage and check if the Camera privacy settings is on. Turn them off.

- Open Vantage, then my device settings.  
- At the top select Monitor and Camera (is under the heading).  
- Check in there if the camera is on or off.
- Set the setting to Off.

Also make sure that you have not accidentally clicked the "FN" button and the hotkey (usually F8) for turning the camera on and off on your keyboard.

Make sure there is nothing obscuring the camera. Some devices some with a small latch that can be used to cover the camera.

- In Windows, Press the Windows button + X , select "Search" and start typing "Camera Privacy Settings"
- Make sure the Privacy settings are set to "off" and that Camera access is set to "On"
- Scroll further down to see a list of apps that are using your camera.  
- Try to find the programs in question and make sure they have access to your camera by sliding the bar to the right.

If this does not fix the issue, continue below.

Step 1. Manually update Camera Device Drivers.
- Press the Windows key + X , select "Device Manager"
- Expand "Cameras" and/or "Imaging devices" and "Human Interface Devices"
- For the Camera/Imaging Device and I2C HID devices, right click:
- Select Update Driver
- Browse my computer for drivers
- Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer
- Select the most recent Camera/Imaging and/or I2C related driver from the list for every device then Click "Next"
- The most recent driver is the one automatically highlighted in blue when entering the drivers list.
- Perform step 4, then do a restart of the device, if this doesn't solve the issue, then continue below:

Step 2. Uninstall Camera Device + Drivers.
- Press the Windows key + X , select "Device Manager"
- Under "Cameras" and/or "Imaging devices" - Select the device in question, right click and select "Uninstall Device"
- If prompted to uninstall drivers associated with the device, tick the box and continue.
- Perform a restart of the computer to have Windows install the most generic drivers for this device.
- Download the newest drivers for you device from the Support Page:
- Just plot in the serial number for your device and hit enter, might have to hit it twice. Then head to Drivers & Software, Manual Update then Camera & Card Read
- Now double check the privacy settings and the app access to your camera as described above.
- You can also try using online web-cameras to check if camera would work there or not

Step 3. Rolling back to a previous Win 10 Version
- Open the Windows 10 Settings Menu by clicking the gear icon in the Windows Start menu, or by pressing “Windows + I” keys.
- Click “Update & security”
- Click the “Recovery” tab on the sidebar.
- Under “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10,” click “Get started.”
- After some elapsed time after last update(10+ days), this option is often not available. Please continue below.

Step 3.2. System Restore Point:
- There should always be a "restore point" you can choose from "System Recovery"
- Click the Windows key and type "System Recovery" and click "Recovery" in the list.  
- Select "Open System Restore" - Click "Next" and select the latest "Restore point" where the device was working.
**Note: System Restore Points will only remove Apps and Programs installed after the selected Restore Point date. It will not remove word/text files or pictures etc.

Step 4. Disable Automatic Hardware drivers update  
- Right click the Windows Icon, select the "Search" Function.
- Type "Control Panel" and select "Small icons" or "Large Icons" in the "View By" top right.
- Click the "System Icon"
- Navigate to "Advanced System Settings" -> "Hardware"
- Click "Device Installation Settings" and Select "No"
**This will prevent Windows from interfering with your hardware drivers in future updates, but keep crucial security updates rolling.

In the event that this is not successful or the Rollback is not available, continue below:

Step 4. Check your antivirus software
In your antivirus software settings, look for settings that block access to your camera or permission to use your webcam. For help, visit your antivirus software company’s website.

In the unlikely event that this does not solve the issue, we will have to perform a factory reset of the device.

OKR - One Key Recovery
**This is a complete factory reset of the computer
**Loss of data can occur, so we advise you to backup your data if possible.
- Completely shut down the device.  
- Press the Novo Button :  It is the small reset hole on most devices that you need a unfolded paperclip to reach.  
- In case you do not own a device with a OKR button. You can also find out where it is or what reset function it is for your device at the support page under.

Knowledge Base & Guides -> User Guides -> And clicking the User guide(Not HTML one) in the list -> Ctrl+F to search the document for "Reset" and/or "Novo Button" / "Novo Hole"

One a side note, we really need your MTM. I included a link on my previous reply if in case you can no longer find your MTM in the sticker, there is a link there with other ways to find your MTM. Check it out.

Regards.
Dex

Pretty sure all you’ve done there is type out the instructions we followed that were given to us by the Support Bot!!

This has happened since the LENOVO FIRMWARE UPDATE not a Windows update. 

I think it would be more helpful for someone to look at that update before someone quite literally uses Cut & Paste from the Bot. 

Hi @LordVetinari.

Thanks for the feedback. I see you tried going on any sides to have this addressed and you got some similar troubleshooting, because such troubleshooting on camera will almost likely overlap. If you have performed the steps and reached until reset but camera is still not working, then it would be best for you to reach out to technical department in your region so they can create a service ticket for you. Goodluck.

I hope the original poster, whom I am originally corresponding with and who authored the thread, may share an update when convenient.

Regards.
Dex