Question Multiple webcams don't work on Win10/11 Desktop PC ?

nickystixx45

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Sep 20, 2017
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Hi everyone,

I've been having an issue with my webcam on my main pc. My webcam is a Logitech C920 HD Pro. I've never had an issue like this before and it seems to have come out of nowhere. I noticed it a few weeks ago when there was no video when I turned on my camera in Discord. The camera showed up in the dropdown for "Camera" in the settings, just gives no image and the blue light on the camera doesn't turn on. After that, I opened the Logitech G Hub app and selected my webcam. It said "Camera preview is not avaiable. Your camera is either disconnected or in use by another application." I made sure nothing else could have been using it by checking task manager and the camera permission settings. I then tried opening the Windows Camera app to see if that worked and it gave me two different error messages.

The first message:
Can't start your camera
If you're sure the camera is connected and installed properly, try checking for updated drivers.
If you need it, here's the error code:
0xA00F429E <PageOpenFailed> (0x80070003)

The second message:
We can't find your camera
Check to be sure it's connected and installed properly, that it isn't being blocked by antivirus software, and that your camera drivers are up to date. If there's a physical switch or button for the camera on your PC, make sure it's turned on.
If you need it, here's the error code:
0xA00F4289 <ActiveCameraUnplugged> (0x80070003)

I have a secondary pc I use for sim racing so I tested it on that pc and it works fine. I also have another Logitech webcam I use on the sim pc, so I tried it on my main pc and it has the same issue. Just to be sure it wasn't a Logitech issue, I borrowed a friend's Elgato Facecam MK2 webcam. It also didn't work on my main pc. I've searched online for anything that might fix it, as well as had my friend, who works in IT, try some things but nothing has worked.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled Logitech drivers and the Windows Camera app itself. I've tried multiple usb ports, front and back. I don't have any third-party antivirus software, just use Windows Defender. I've gone through all the permission settings and firewall. I didn't make any changes to settings since it was working last, about a month or so ago since I used it.

The last thing I tried was updating my pc to Windows 11 hoping that would fix it. It did not. I'm now fully up to date with Windows updates. The Windows camera app and Logitech G Hub don't give me the error messages anymore, just do nothing (Camera app) or load forever (G Hub) when I select my camera. I'll link my pc specs below. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and hopefully we can find a solution because I'm at a loss.

PC Spec List: https://pcpartpicker.com/user/nickystixx45/saved/r63rMp

Edit 1: All cameras I tried show up in device manager.
 
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Solution
I didn't see Discord as a default app to set but I did reset the camera app. It gave me basically the same error I was originally getting before I updated to Windows 11, except the text in the <> is <WindowShowFailed> instead of <PageOpenFailed>:

Can't start your camera
If you're sure the camera is connected and installed properly, try checking for updated drivers.
If you need it, here's the error code:
0xA00F429E <WindowShowFailed> (0x80070003)
HUGE PROGRESS MADE! I got the camera to work in Logitech G Hub and the Bluetooth & devices > Camera > HD Pro Webcam C920 preview window! I did a search for the new WindowShowFailed error code and found this guide: Can't Start Your Camera Guide. The step that seemed to fix it was...
can you open windows 'Device Manager' and unplug, then plug in your camera and watch and see if any new camera hardware show up in the device manager devices list to see if windows is actually picking up the camera when plugged in.
 
can you open windows 'Device Manager' and unplug, then plug in your camera and watch and see if any new camera hardware show up in the device manager devices list to see if windows is actually picking up the camera when plugged in.
Windows detected the cameras everytime. I also tried uninstalling the driver and scanning for hardware changes.
 
Go into Settings >System > Sound
and have a look at the Input area to see if a device is showing as Microphone and has the Model underneath HD Pro Webcam C920

I have the same device and have plugged it into a windows 11 pc to try
 
Go into Settings >System > Sound
and have a look at the Input area to see if a device is showing as Microphone and has the Model underneath HD Pro Webcam C920

I have the same device and have plugged it into a windows 11 pc to try
I had to leave for an appointment, but I'll try this when I get home in a few hours.
 
Also double check the Privacy settings to make sure that the camera/microphone is turned on, along with any other related settings and make sure apps have access etc.. within drop-downs or toggles. Open a seperate app that uses the camera and do a microphone sound check and also see if you get the camera showing up. I did a windows sound check in settings but it showed 0%. I opened a seperate video editing/capture app and the sound/mic worked ok. I did get video working after changing camera privacy settings and selecting the webcam where needed in windows, as I have very tight overall system settings. Hope something helps. Cheers.
 
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Also double check the Privacy settings to make sure that the camera/microphone is turned on, along with any other related settings and make sure apps have access etc.. within drop-downs or toggles. Open a seperate app that uses the camera and do a microphone sound check and also see if you get the camera showing up. I did a windows sound check in settings but it showed 0%. I opened a seperate video editing/capture app and the sound/mic worked ok. I did get video working after changing camera privacy settings and selecting the webcam where needed in windows, as I have very tight overall system settings. Hope something helps. Cheers.
Just got home and tested your suggestions. All my camera privacy settings are "on". The webcam does show up as a microphone and works as one, tested in Discord, but still no video. It still shows up as a video source in Discord but no image comes through. So Windows definitely detects it and it does work as a mic, just not a camera so far.
 
Where do you have the Camera plugged in at, granted it worked in that port before. Also has there been any windows updates or any updates since you noticed the camera not working.

I have found at work that the front ports on our Dells do not allow USB camera or mics to be plugged in, they have to be plugged into the back of the case.
 
Where do you have the Camera plugged in at, granted it worked in that port before. Also has there been any windows updates or any updates since you noticed the camera not working.

I have found at work that the front ports on our Dells do not allow USB camera or mics to be plugged in, they have to be plugged into the back of the case.
I had it plugged in a rear motherboard port originally but since it's stopped working I've tried multiple ports, front and back. For these tests I've had it in a rear port. And no there weren't any updates that I'm aware of since it stopped working, unless they were automatic Windows updates that didn't require a restart.
 
Look Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer. Either one or both tools may be capturing some error codes, warnings, or even informational notices just before or at the times the video and/or camera app fails.

= = = =

Try running the built in Windows troubleshooters. The troubleshooters may find and fix something.

Likewise try "dism" and "sfc /scannow". Could be some corrupted file(s) involved.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161
 
I think its maybe a camera setting in windows not turned on. I tried mine last night and had the same problem. Mic sound but no video. Searched around through windows settings and found a camera toggle that wasn't turned on. Maybe a similar problem with yours ??. Not on my pc atm so can't have another look until later today. I also had mine plugged into the back usb port.
 
Look Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer. Either one or both tools may be capturing some error codes, warnings, or even informational notices just before or at the times the video and/or camera app fails.

= = = =

Try running the built in Windows troubleshooters. The troubleshooters may find and fix something.

Likewise try "dism" and "sfc /scannow". Could be some corrupted file(s) involved.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-use-dism-command-line-utility-repair-windows-10-image

https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-scannow-to-repair-windows-system-files-2626161
I checked the Event Viewer but didn't notice anything from the camera. I'm not that familiar with E.V. so maybe I wasn't looking in the right area? I ran the Windows troubleshooters, nothing useful or anything I haven't tried already. I ran "sfc /scannow" and it didn't find any integrity violations.
I think its maybe a camera setting in windows not turned on. I tried mine last night and had the same problem. Mic sound but no video. Searched around through windows settings and found a camera toggle that wasn't turned on. Maybe a similar problem with yours ??. Not on my pc atm so can't have another look until later today. I also had mine plugged into the back usb port.
I've triple checked all camera and permission settings are turned on, disabled and re-enabled. The cameras always show up in the Bluetooth & devices > Cameras settings. In device manager it shows up under "Sound, video and game controllers" as HD Pro Webcam C920.
Have you always had mic sound in discord, but no camera, or did you get the sound going from yday?
I use a standalone mic, Elgato Wave 3, for Discord, Teams, etc. I always had the mic on the webcam disabled since I've had it. I re-enabled it today to test if it worked and it still does, just no video. Would updating my motherboard BIOS possibly help? I'm running a non beta version from June and this issue started in August.
 
How old is your system?

Did you make sure its enabled for all apps?

I will look again layer today to double check
I build it last year around June I think so just over a year. My system I used to have before is my sim racing pc now. And yes it's enabled for all apps. Discord isn't on the list though. I don't know if it was before or not because I never had to check/enable it.
 
I doubt if the bios update will help. This camera has been around for a few years. I will send a screenshot through.

Camera Settings
My settings match yours, still nothing. I did get the Windows Camera app to finally load and it said it needed permission to use the camera and had a button to go to the camera permission settings. It also had a "Get help" button that opened a troubleshooter for "Troubleshoot Camera App error code 0xA00F4245". It still shows up as a connected camera under devices. When I select it just loads the preview forever. I've attached an image.

Camera Device Screen
 
Ok, one last thing...
Settings>Apps>Installed Apps
Then click the three dots on the right of Camera and click on Advanced Options.
This allows you to add Discord to 'Set Default Apps'
, Terminate, Repair, Reset and Uninstall.
A reset may help.
Take a look at this link re: error code

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/fix-0xa00f4245-0x80070005-camera-error-on-windows
I didn't see Discord as a default app to set but I did reset the camera app. It gave me basically the same error I was originally getting before I updated to Windows 11, except the text in the <> is <WindowShowFailed> instead of <PageOpenFailed>:

Can't start your camera
If you're sure the camera is connected and installed properly, try checking for updated drivers.
If you need it, here's the error code:
0xA00F429E <WindowShowFailed> (0x80070003)
 
I didn't see Discord as a default app to set but I did reset the camera app. It gave me basically the same error I was originally getting before I updated to Windows 11, except the text in the <> is <WindowShowFailed> instead of <PageOpenFailed>:

Can't start your camera
If you're sure the camera is connected and installed properly, try checking for updated drivers.
If you need it, here's the error code:
0xA00F429E <WindowShowFailed> (0x80070003)
HUGE PROGRESS MADE! I got the camera to work in Logitech G Hub and the Bluetooth & devices > Camera > HD Pro Webcam C920 preview window! I did a search for the new WindowShowFailed error code and found this guide: Can't Start Your Camera Guide. The step that seemed to fix it was the registy edit. I did it in both places it lists, restarted, and it worked! Also before this step I updated my chipset drivers since I hadn't done it since updating to Windows 11 a few days ago. It didn't work between that step and registry editing but just wanted to make note of it. I'm still not getting video in Discord which is odd. I reinstalled but that didn't work. Still looking for a fix
 
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Solution
Very similar to the link I sent you, just with a couple of extra tweaks. Didn't get a chance to search the same site for those extra codes. Same website though. Bit of a tough one 📷🥳 I don't have discord but its surely a discord settings problem or windows/discord on/off or selection allow setting somewhere ???? Some hard work paid off. Just a bit to go 👍
 
Very similar to the link I sent you, just with a couple of extra tweaks. Didn't get a chance to search the same site for those extra codes. Same website though. Bit of a tough one 📷🥳 I don't have discord but its surely a discord settings problem or windows/discord on/off or selection allow setting somewhere ???? Some hard work paid off. Just a bit to go 👍
Did some more searching and saw other people seem to have a similiar issue. The weird thing is the cam works in Discord's web app but not the desktop app. Some people said they turned off webcam protection in their BitDefender software to solve the issue but I don't use BitDefender. Seems like it's a Windows/Discord issue like you said.