How to Fix It When Your Surface Pro Camera Is Not Working (2024)

> Microsoft

The Microsoft Surface Pro has two integrated cameras: a front-facing camera for video conferencing and a rear-facing camera for recording video or snapping photos. These cameras can stop working due to bugs and hardware issues. Below are all the fixes we recommend.

Why Isn't the Camera Working on My Surface Pro?

The Surface Pro's integrated cameras may stop working for a number of reasons.

• The video app you're using doesn't detect the camera.
• Multiple apps are attempting to use the camera simultaneously.
• Privacy settings have blocked access to the camera.
• Your antivirus software has blocked access to the camera.
• The camera's driver is out of date or faulty.
• The camera is turned off in the UEFI settings.

How to Fix It When Your Microsoft Surface Camera Is Not Working

These solutions apply to both front-facing and rear-facing cameras. While these instructions are intended for the Surface Pro, they apply to all Surface devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11.

1. Select the correct camera in the app you're using. The Microsoft Surface Pro has a front-facing and rear-facing camera. This can cause confusion if the wrong camera is selected.

   

2. Check for conflicts between apps trying to access the camera. Only one app can access the camera at a time, so it won't work in a second app if the first remains open.

3. Check your privacy settings. Search Windows for Camera privacy settings and open the search result. Verify that the toggle for camera access is on.

   You'll also see a list of apps. Check that access is enabled for the app you want to use with the camera.

   

   See Also

   Microsoft Surface Camera Not Working? 7 Fixes to Try

4. Restart your Surface Pro. This will clear our most software conflicts.

5. Run Windows Update. This will download and install new drivers, which may fix a camera issue caused by a bug in the camera's driver.

6. Check your third-party antivirus software. If you have one installed, examine its settings to make sure the camera isn't blocked. Alternatively, try temporarily turning off the antivirus app to see if the problem is fixed.

7. Open Device Manager and check the System devices category for arrows and other symbols that could indicate a problem.

   For example, if Microsoft Camera Front or Microsoft Camera Rear has a down arrow next to it, it means the device is turned off. You can enable a device in Device Manager by right-clicking it and choosing Enable Device.

   

   Device Manager Error Codes

8. Turn off and re-enable the device. If the camera was not turned off in Device Manager, right-click Microsoft Camera Front or Microsoft Camera Rear and choose Disable device. Then, right-click the camera again and select Enable device. This effectively reboots the camera and may clear up any lingering conflicts.

9. Uninstall and reinstall the device. Still in Device Manager, right-click Microsoft Camera Front or Microsoft Camera Rear and then select Uninstall device.

   Once uninstalled, tap Action in the menu at the top of Device Manager and then select Scan for hardware changes. The camera you uninstalled will reinstall and again appear in Device Manager.

   

10. Boot into UEFI mode. To do that, shut down your Surface Pro, then hold down the Volume Up button and press the Power button. Continue holding the Volume Up button until the Surface UEFI appears.

    Select Devices from the menu on the left. A list of system devices will appear with toggles to enable or turn off each device.

    Check the Front Camera and Rear Camera are enabled. If not, use the toggles to enable them.

    

11. If the steps above fail to help, the problem is a hardware fault with the camera or cameras on your Surface Pro. You can verify this by attaching an external USB webcam to see if it functions.

    If it does, but the Surface Pro's cameras still won't respond, then a hardware fault is likely. You should contact Microsoft support for repair or replacement.