Use the built-in Camera app to record a webcam video in Windows 11 or Windows 10: open Camera, switch to Video mode, select Record, then select Stop when finished. The recording is saved automatically, normally in your user profile’s Pictures\Camera Roll folder. This guide applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 with the Microsoft Camera app installed. Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025; these recording steps can still work there, but Windows 11 is the supported Windows release for ongoing security and feature updates.

Prerequisites and compatibility​

Before recording, make sure you have:
  • A working built-in webcam or USB webcam.
  • The Camera app installed. Open Start, type Camera, and select the app.
  • A connected microphone if you want sound in the video. Most laptop webcams include one; many USB webcams do as well.
  • Enough free storage for the recording. Video files can use substantial space, especially at high resolution.
  • Camera and microphone permissions enabled for Windows and for the Camera app.
If you use an external webcam:
  1. Connect it directly to a USB port on the PC where possible.
  2. Wait a few seconds for Windows to detect it.
  3. Avoid unplugging the webcam while the Camera app is recording.
  4. If the camera has a physical privacy shutter, lens cover, switch, or keyboard privacy key, make sure it is open or enabled.

Primary procedure: record a video with Camera​

  1. Connect and position the webcam.
    For an external webcam, connect it before opening Camera. Position it securely, remove any lens cap, and aim it toward the subject.
    Expected result: Windows may briefly display a device notification. The webcam should appear in Device Manager under Cameras or, on some older systems, Imaging devices.
  2. Open the Camera app.
    Select Start, type Camera, and open Camera.
    If Windows asks for permission to use the camera or microphone, select Yes or Allow.
    Expected result: A live preview from the webcam appears in the Camera window.
  3. Select the correct webcam if more than one is available.
    If the PC has an internal camera plus an external webcam, select the Switch camera button in Camera. It commonly appears as a camera icon with circular arrows.
    Continue selecting it until the preview shows the webcam you want to use.
    Expected result: The preview changes to the selected camera. If there is only one usable camera, the switch control might not be shown.
  4. Switch from photo mode to video mode.
    In the Camera app’s mode controls, select Video. Depending on the Camera app version and window size, this may be labeled Video or displayed as a video-camera icon.
    Do not select the still-photo shutter button; it takes a picture rather than starting a recording.
    Expected result: The capture control changes to a video record button, typically a red circle.
  5. Confirm the framing and audio environment.
    Check the live preview before recording:
    • Make sure the lens is not blocked.
    • Check that the subject is well lit.
    • Close any application that may be using the webcam, such as Teams, Zoom, Discord, a browser video-call tab, or recording software.
    • For an important recording, make a short test clip first and play it back to confirm the microphone is being captured.
  6. Optional: set available video preferences.
    Select Settings in Camera, usually the gear icon.
    Available choices vary by Camera app version and webcam hardware. Look for options such as Video quality, Video resolution, or other camera-related controls. The available resolutions and frame rates are determined by the webcam driver; not every camera offers the same choices.
    Higher quality can improve detail but creates larger files and can require more processing power. Use a moderate setting if you are recording a long clip or have limited storage.
    Close Settings when finished.
    Expected result: The app retains the selected setting for subsequent recordings, subject to the camera’s capabilities.
  7. Start recording.
    Select the red Record video button.
    The control changes to a Stop button while recording. Depending on the app version, Camera may also display an elapsed-time counter.
    Expected result: The timer begins advancing or the record control clearly indicates that recording is active.
  8. Record your video.
    Keep the Camera app open while recording. Avoid putting the PC to sleep, signing out, closing Camera, or disconnecting the webcam.
    If you are using a laptop, connect AC power for longer recordings. Battery-saving behavior, sleep, or a low battery can interrupt capture.
  9. Stop recording.
    Select Stop in the Camera app.
    Wait a moment for the app to finish saving the clip before closing Camera or disconnecting the webcam.
    Expected result: A thumbnail of the new recording appears in the Camera app, often in the lower-right area of the window.
  10. Open the saved video.
    Select the recording thumbnail in Camera to review it. To locate the file in File Explorer:
    1. Open File Explorer.
    2. Select Pictures.
    3. Open Camera Roll.
    The video should appear there with a date- and time-based file name.

Verification of success​

A successful recording has all of the following characteristics:
  1. Camera showed a live preview before you started.
  2. The recording indicator or elapsed-time counter appeared while you recorded.
  3. Selecting Stop returned Camera to its normal capture state.
  4. A new video thumbnail appeared in Camera.
  5. The file is present in Pictures\Camera Roll.
  6. The clip plays with the expected image and, when microphone permission and hardware are working, audio.
To confirm the file’s size and location, right-click the video in Camera Roll, select Properties, and check the General tab. If the clip plays but has no sound, continue with the microphone-permission checks below.

Alternate method: select an external webcam and adjust Windows camera settings​

Use this method when the image is upside down, poorly framed, overly dark, or when Windows is choosing the wrong connected camera.

Windows 11​

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
  3. Select Cameras.
  4. Under Connected cameras, select the webcam.
  5. Review the preview and any available controls.
Depending on hardware support, Windows may offer basic image settings, effects, or Video rotation for an external webcam. Changes apply to the live camera stream and are saved as defaults for that camera.
Warning: Before changing Video rotation, close Camera and other video applications. Rotation can alter the formats that Windows exposes from some external webcams, which can affect older or specialized camera software. To undo the change, return to the same camera page and set Video rotation to No rotation.
If camera changes create worse results, select the webcam in Connected cameras and use Reset settings to restore its factory defaults. The camera may restart during the reset.

Windows 10​

Windows 10 does not provide the same unified Connected cameras settings page found in current Windows 11 versions. Use the Camera app’s Settings control for options that the app and camera expose. For advanced controls, use the webcam manufacturer’s supported software only if needed.

Troubleshooting​

Camera says permission is required, shows a black preview, or will not start​

Check the privacy settings.

Windows 11​

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy & security > Camera.
  3. Turn on Camera access.
  4. Turn on Let apps access your camera.
  5. Under the app list, make sure Camera is allowed access.
For video sound:
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone.
  2. Turn on Microphone access.
  3. Turn on Let apps access your microphone.
  4. Ensure Camera is allowed.
Close Camera completely and reopen it after changing permissions.

Windows 10​

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to Privacy > Camera.
  3. Under Allow access to the camera on this device, select Change and turn on camera access if it is off.
  4. Turn on Allow apps to access your camera.
  5. In the app list, allow access for Camera.
For sound:
  1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Microphone.
  2. Turn on Allow apps to access your microphone.
  3. Confirm that Camera is allowed.

Camera reports that another app is using the webcam​

Close applications that commonly hold the webcam open:
  • Microsoft Teams
  • Zoom
  • Skype
  • Discord
  • OBS Studio
  • Web browsers with meeting, streaming, or webcam-test tabs
  • Webcam manufacturer utilities
Then close and reopen Camera. If the problem remains, restart Windows:
  1. Select Start > Power > Restart.
  2. After Windows restarts, open Camera before opening video-call applications.
A restart is preferable to a shutdown for this purpose because it fully resets active application and driver sessions.

The camera is not detected or Camera shows “No cameras are attached”​

  1. Disconnect and reconnect an external webcam.
  2. Try a different USB port. Avoid unpowered USB hubs during testing.
  3. Check for a physical privacy shutter, webcam switch, or laptop keyboard key that disables the camera.
  4. Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
  5. Expand Cameras. If necessary, also check Imaging devices and Sound, video and game controllers.
  6. Look for the webcam.
If the camera is listed but has a down-arrow icon:
  1. Right-click the camera.
  2. Select Enable device.
  3. Reopen Camera.
If the camera has a warning icon:
  1. Right-click it.
  2. Select Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
  3. Restart Windows if Windows installs a driver.
If the webcam is missing entirely, use the PC or webcam manufacturer’s official support tools or support site to obtain the appropriate camera, chipset, and firmware updates. For a laptop’s internal webcam, also check for BIOS/UEFI camera privacy settings or a manufacturer-specific hardware privacy control.

Preview works, but recordings have no sound​

  1. Confirm that Camera has microphone permission using the appropriate Windows 10 or Windows 11 path above.
  2. Open Settings > System > Sound.
  3. Under Input, select the intended microphone.
  4. Speak and check whether the input-level meter responds.
  5. Record a new short Camera clip and play it back.
If you use a USB webcam with its own microphone, select that webcam microphone under Input. If you use a headset, ensure its microphone is selected instead.

The video is upside down or sideways​

For an external webcam in Windows 11:
  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Cameras.
  2. Select the external camera under Connected cameras.
  3. Change Video rotation to the required orientation.
  4. Close and reopen Camera to test the result.
If the issue affects an internal laptop camera, update the PC manufacturer’s camera and chipset drivers before attempting other changes.

Camera works elsewhere, but the Camera app crashes or will not open​

Repair the app first.

Windows 11​

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps.
  2. Find Camera.
  3. Select the More button beside it, then select Advanced options.
  4. Select Repair.
  5. Open Camera and test it.
If Repair does not resolve the issue, use Reset on the same page.
Warning: Reset clears the Camera app’s local app data and preferences. It does not delete recordings already saved in Pictures\Camera Roll.

Windows 10​

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
  2. Select Camera.
  3. Select Advanced options.
  4. Select Repair, then test the app.
  5. If needed, select Reset and confirm.
After a reset, reopen Camera and allow permissions if prompted.

The picture is frozen, distorted, or very poor​

  1. Close Camera.
  2. Disconnect and reconnect an external webcam.
  3. Clean the lens with a dry microfiber cloth.
  4. Improve lighting; webcams often produce grainy video in dim rooms.
  5. In Camera settings, choose a lower video quality if the preview freezes or recordings stutter.
  6. In Device Manager, update the webcam driver and restart Windows.
  7. Test the webcam directly connected to the PC rather than through a dock or hub.
If the webcam remains unavailable in Camera and in other applications after permissions, device detection, and driver checks, test it on another computer if possible. A webcam that is not detected on multiple computers or that repeatedly disconnects is likely a hardware, cable, USB-port, or manufacturer-driver issue.
 

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