Why can't programs see the webcam? Skype did not detect the webcam: what to do? Download another version of Skype

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The vast majority of modern portable devices, and in our case we will talk about laptops, they are equipped with a built-in optical device, through which the user sets up video broadcast when using popular messenger Skype. However, sometimes this happens: Skype does not see the webcam on the laptop. You will learn what to do under such circumstances and how to resolve the “video problem” from the presented article.

Is your laptop camera turned on?

Of course, the first thing you should do is pay attention to the activity status of the web camera installed in the laptop. Some manufacturers portable equipment used in their devices various schemes anti-inclusion of video broadcasting equipment.

Often such a blocker is a special remote button or a floating mechanism such as a slider, which must be converted into working condition to turn on the webcam. However, basically the device we are discussing starts automatically upon request of the corresponding application, or upon pressing a certain key combination, with the obligatory use function button"Fn".

Finding a software problem in Device Manager

First of all, you need to make sure that the video equipment is installed correctly, and therefore go to the Windows OS control panel.

Next, activate the “System” shortcut.

In the left part of the service window, click on the “Device Manager” link.

As a rule, the item we are interested in “Image processing devices” is at the very end of the list of equipment - go to it.

Most likely, the web camera installed on the laptop will be displayed in this item as “Integrated Webcam” - select it and right click call the mice context menu, from which you should select the “Properties” tab.

In the window that opens (block - device status), “The device is working normally” should be written. Otherwise, you need to reinstall the webcam drivers.

In any case, if there is any warning sign in the above paragraph (exclamation or question mark, red cross line icon), then this can mean one thing - you need to install the appropriate software ( Additional information can be found ).

By the way, you should install only original drivers for the webcam, so to speak, branded ones - from the device manufacturer. Therefore, if you do not have a native installation disk with drivers for your laptop, you have a direct route to the official website technical support your laptop.

Such simple Skype settings: what to do if the webcam does not work in Skype

It is possible that the video messenger uses the wrong equipment to transmit the video signal. Which, in general, is easy to convince oneself of when the user knows the true name of the optical web device.

So open it Skype application and go to the “Tools” tab to the working settings window.

Next, you need to activate the “Video Settings” section.

Indicate in the “Select webcam” checkbox exactly your physical “Integrated Webcam”.

An image of the object being photographed should appear in the active window.

By the way, do not forget to set one of the required values in the “Automatically receive video...” block.

Well, if the quality of the picture leaves much to be desired, click on the “Webcam Settings” button and go to the additional settings menu.

Try clicking on the "Default" button. In most cases this action helps restore acceptable image quality.

We will assume that you have managed to correctly configure your video processing device and the questions regarding the non-working web camera have been resolved. However, I would like to give you some important recommendations, so to speak, for the future, or perhaps to help solve the current problem.

Don't forget that Skype needs to be updated periodically. So keep an eye on official releases developer. After all, very often it is the outdated version of the program that is the cause of the messenger’s electronic “blindness and deafness” that comes from nowhere, as well as another fairly common problem that you can read about in .

Most modern laptops are sold with pre-installed Windows OS, however, on board such a machine there is most likely a special manager, one of the optional features of which is web camera control. Carefully study the list of software installed on your laptop. It may well be that in its (manager) settings you will find the answer to the problematic situation with Skype.

Sometimes the webcam is used by another application that runs in background, which ultimately can cause a conflict when the video messenger is launched. In other words, the webcam will not be available for use on Skype. Launch Task Manager and carefully examine the list running processes. You may see a “greedy” application that blocks the use of the Skype webcam by messenger.

Well, that's all, clear pictures and stable video communication for you!

Often Skype users complain that they cannot make video calls because the program “does not see the camera.” Sometimes they cannot set it up initially, sometimes this happens after some event: “yesterday it worked, today it stopped.” In this article we will look at the reasons, indicate the main points that you need to pay attention to and make the ill-fated camera work.

1. Installing webcam drivers

When you connect the camera to your computer (laptop) for the first time, the device driver is installed. Here you must follow the manufacturer's instructions:

1.1. If your camera comes with an installation disk, you must first install the driver from it, then connect the camera and wait until it is detected.

1.2. Many camera models do not come with any discs. Windows installs drivers for them on its own.

1.3. Some models do not come with disks, but Windows cannot independently select a driver for them. In this case, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website, download the driver for your model there and install it.

In many cases, it is useful to do this, since these drivers are often newer than those that come on the included disk, or are installed by the operating system; some errors have been corrected in them, and improvements have been made. But, unfortunately, this is not always the case: there are cases when, after installing newer, “improved” drivers, cameras begin to work worse, or stop working altogether (computer freezes, blue screens). This is seen very often with Logitech products. In such cases, it is better not to install anything and the drivers installed by the operating system are much better than those offered by the manufacturer.

2. Checking the functionality of the webcam

2.1. After the message pops up that “hardware installation completed successfully,” let’s verify this by going to Device Manager:

Checking for a webcam in Device Manager

It should be located in the “Imaging Devices” section and can be called either simply “USB video device” or by the name of your camera model. At the same time, there should not be any exclamation or question marks near it. They indicate problems either with the camera itself or with its driver.

2.2. Now let's look at the image the camera produces. In Windows XP this was very easy to do: you just had to go to My computer and launch the camera:

If we see ourselves, we move on to the next point.

For users of Windows 7 and Vista, the situation is a little more complicated by the fact that there are no such built-in tools as in XP and in order to make sure that the camera is working you need to use other programs that can receive its image. This could be, for example, Paint:

Or video player(eg Daum PotPlayer):

If we see the image from the webcam, then the camera is working normally.

3. Camera settings in Skype

Now about the painful part: we all camera possible ways We checked it and it is guaranteed to work, but Skype categorically refuses to accept it, saying that "Skype did not detect a webcam...":

The camera is connected and working, but Skype refuses to recognize it as such

The problem has deep, long-standing roots; it can arise or disappear at the most unexpected moment. this moment and the reason for its occurrence seems to be unknown to the developer himself. The official forum of the program is filled to capacity with messages “Skype does not see the Web camera,” to which the developers do not give a clear answer. Users independently found a way out of the situation: installing another (usually previous) version of the program.

3.1. Removing “buggy” Skype

Possible via standard Uninstalling programs(Start -> Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs), but it is better to use a more advanced program, for example RevoUninstaller:

Additionally, you can also do search and then delete By system disk (usually drive C:) all folders named “Skype”.

3.2. Download another version of Skype

Unfortunately, on the official website you can easily download only the latest, “most improved” version of the program. Users who encounter problems because of this will have to put a lot of effort into this, scouring the Internet in search of the desired option, risking along the way falling into the clutches of scammers and infecting your computer with various nasty things. To help our readers, we have compiled a collection here different versions programs (portable Skype 6.13 , offline version installers SSE, 6.6, 6.3, 6.1, 5.10, 4.2) And "corrected" by folk craftsmen complete installers of old versions of Skype 3.8, 4.2, 5.5, 5.9 , which fixed the connection problem.

Download links:

Skype 3.8 patched (fixed) (20.6 Mb) Ifolder DepositFiles	Skype 4.2 patched (fixed)(24.2 Mb) Ifolder DepositFiles	Skype 5.5 patched (fixed) (32.2 MB) Ifolder DepositFiles
Skype 5.9 patched (fixed) (32.2 Mb) Ifolder DepositFiles		Skype SSE 6.1.999.130 (29.3 Mb) Ifolder DepositFiles
Skype 6.13.0.104 portable (784 Kb) Ifolder Letitbit.net DepositFiles	Skype 6.6.0.106 (19.7 MB) Ifolder DepositFiles	Skype 6.3.0.107 (18.6 MB) Ifolder Letitbit.net DepositFiles
Skype 6.1.0.129 (18.7 MB) Ifolder Letitbit.net DepositFiles	Skype 5.10.0.116 (17.4 MB) Ifolder Letitbit.net DepositFiles	Skype 4.2.0.187 (18.1 MB) Ifolder Letitbit.net DepositFiles

Self-extracting archives. Unpacking password: “site” (without quotes).

P.S. (03.10.2014)

Since June 2004 Microsoft company started disconnect older versions of Skype from the network, this method has lost its relevance. For users who cannot cope with this problem, we offer another way to solve it -.

P.S.S. (11.10.2014)

3.3. Changing the web camera

If, despite all our tricks, nothing helps, then nothing remains but camera replacement. It's sad, but most likely your camera on another computer will work fine and Skype will accept it without any comments. In the same way, on your computer any other camera (working, of course) will work without any problems. All that remains is to come to terms with, admitting that you fell an innocent victim of the Hindu programming of the Skype developers, nothing personal))

Perhaps automatic software updates are a good thing, but you also need to know that no one is immune from the fact that in the new version, which will be automatically installed the next time you start it, no incident will happen, for example the camera stops working. To prevent a similar fate from befalling you at the very moment inopportune moment disable automatic updates(Tools->Settings->Advanced->Automatic Updates, click the “Turn off Automatic Updates” button, then “Save”).

4. Other Skype problems

Taking this opportunity, we will briefly describe several other problems that are not related to the one described above, but nevertheless are quite common among users.

4.1. The webcam is being used by another program

Unable to start video broadcast. Close all other programs that may be using the webcam

The webcam can broadcast images simultaneously only one program. All others that try to do this at the same time as the first one will either not have any image or will have a similar message. Accordingly, in order to use the camera, you need to control and close all programs that are currently intercepting the video stream.

Sometimes it can be difficult to understand exactly which program “privatized” the video stream. In such cases, either restarting the computer helps, or it is enough to remove the webcam from the camera for a few seconds. USB connector, and then insert it back.

4.2. Is this the correct camera being used?

If there are several video sources, you need to select the one from where we want to receive the image

If you have several web cameras connected to your computer, or have a TV tuner, or another video device, in the program settings (Tools -> Settings -> Video Settings) you need to select exactly the one with which you want to make video calls.

4.3. Outdated version of Windows

Upon attempt launch Skype a critical error occurs

The next victim of “Indian programming” fell Windows users XP SP2. The solution is appropriate: either update Windows to version SP3, or remove this version Skype, set previous ( 6.6 or less) and disable automatic updating (see paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.4).

4.4. "Weak computer"

New versions of Skype have disabled the ability to make video calls for users who, in their opinion, have an “outdated PC” (for example, based on a Pentium III processor). At first, the user is reassured that they have “another version”:

The solution again is to remove this version, install the previous one ( 6.1 or less) and shutdown automatic update(see paragraphs 3.1, 3.2, 3.4).

When using any communication program, problems sometimes arise, and Skype, unfortunately, is no exception. Skype does not see the camera - a problem that users contact technical service Often. Today we will tell you how to solve it.

We will try to analyze all the reasons why Skype does not see the webcam, both on a computer and on a laptop.

Causes

What to do if Skype doesn't see the camera? First of all, don’t panic. As we already said, this problem is quite common, and, in most cases, there are many solutions. But first, let's figure out why Skype doesn't see the webcam.

Equipment is disabled. The first and most common reason why Skype does not see the camera on a laptop is that the equipment is not turned on. On some laptops none additional connection not required - bought it, turned it on and everything works. But the opposite situation is not uncommon - in order for the web camera to work, it needs to be additionally connected. Sometimes there is a reason for this special button on the keyboard, and in some cases you need to press a specific key combination.

Outdated version. Let's say Skype stopped seeing the webcam on your laptop, and you just noticed it. The first thing you need to check in this case is whether there is an update for the messenger. If a new version came out and you forgot to install it, problems may arise not only with video communication, but in general with the entire functionality of the program. To solve the problem, install the update, restart Skype and try calling again.

Another program is blocking the camera's operation on Skype. A also Skype does not see the camera, both on a laptop and on a computer, if another program is open on the device that can use web equipment. These can be web browsers or instant messengers like Skype.

By the way, before starting to work with this messenger, we advise you to close all open source software, then the quality of communication will be much better.

The wrong device is selected. See which camera is installed by default for communication in the program. Open Skype settings by clicking on the three dots located at the top of the screen and select “Audio and video settings.”

Of course, this problem is more relevant for PC users who additionally connect a webcam to their device. All previously connected equipment remains in the system memory and can, as a result, system error, be set by default by the messenger even when disabled.

If you have a laptop, do not rush to dismiss this reason, even if you are 100% sure that you have never used optional equipment, nevertheless, check - the webcam could have been connected and tested in the store.

By the way, you can find out about that by reading our next article.

The drivers have fallen off. A very common reason that Skype does not see the camera on Windows 10 is a driver failure during the operating system update process. However, this can happen on a device with any operating system. "Firewood" disappears and is not updated. You can check for problems in this area by opening Device Manager (Start menu), and then clicking Imaging Devices. Look for your WEB camera in the list. If not found, the drivers are not installed. If a yellow question mark or Exclamation point(optionally a yellow triangle), the drivers need to be updated or downloaded again.

More reasons

It happens that Skype sees the video camera, but there is still no image. If this is exactly what happened to you, send our instructions to the user you are trying to contact. Most likely, it was he who had the problems.
Or maybe you're trying to start a video call from an outdated device or using an operating system that Skype doesn't support? Difficulties may arise on computers equipped with a processor Intel Pentium III, or in the operating room Windows system XP SP2. You will install the program itself, but this version does not support video broadcasting
If there is still a video connection, but it is very bad (the image is pixelated, freezes during communication, you cannot see the interlocutor), we advise you to check the Internet connection settings. With such “symptoms” this is exactly the case.
And finally, the most unpleasant situation. Your webcam has simply become unusable. Go with the failed device to service center to make sure, or go straight to the store for a new one.

We hope that we were able to help you solve problems related to the camera in Skype! If you have any questions, ask them in the comments.

An article about why is already waiting for you on our website.

Inspect the keyboard module carefully. The keyboard buttons may have a picture of a camera or a camera on them. This key should help you solve a problem related to the functioning of the laptop webcam. On Asus laptop Quite often there are problems with webcam detection after updating the Skype messenger. Try simply uninstalling the unstable one and installing a working version of the software again. Laptops equipped with built-in webcams often have proprietary programs installed to control optical equipment.

Sometimes there are conflicts between such software and skype messenger. As a possible solution to the problem, you can try to remove factory program. To do this, go to the “Programs and Components” section and find a program that has a name similar to “ Virtual camera Asus." This method should lead to a positive result.

In conclusion, I would like to give a few valuable advice. As you can see for yourself, there is not a single way to solve the problem associated with webcam recognition in Skype. There are no hopeless situations. What to do if Skype did not detect the webcam on your laptop? The above tips may help you solve the above problems. Use them and improve your knowledge in the field computer equipment. Today it is fashionable to be an advanced user. Stable communication sessions to you!

Millions of users around the world actively use Skype for communication. There are many options for using the program: text correspondence, negotiations using a microphone or communicating through a camera on a laptop. Sometimes it happens that the program stops seeing the hardware built into the laptop and cannot transmit the image. What to do if Skype does not see the camera? Let's look into it in more detail!

In rare cases, the program cannot detect the laptop's built-in hardware

There are a number of reasons why the webcam is invisible to the application. Let's consider the most popular:

conflict or lack of drivers;
application settings failure;
version incompatibility.

Drivers

First, it is recommended to check the relevance and availability of drivers for the camera. Driver conflicts often occur: software components interfere with each other, causing the device to start working incorrectly. Most often, a disk with installation files is also released along with the laptop; if one is available, then it is advisable to install it with its help.

Device Manager will help you figure out what components are installed. You can enter it through “Run the program” (command dev,g,t.msc).

If everything works well, then there will be at least one device in the “Image Processing Devices” tab. If there is a red cross next to the camera, you will have to reinstall the driver. Under normal conditions, the system writes that the camera is working normally.

Before installing new hardware, it is important to remove old drivers. This is done in the same task manager (right-click on the driver and select “Uninstall”).

If there is no installation disk, download the driver for the camera from the developer's website. Another option is to install a utility that will be in automatic mode“pull up” the drivers that are relevant for your equipment.

Dear friends, do you have Skype? Well, who doesn’t have it now?! However, more and more often new users are faced with a problem when for some reason Skype does not see the camera.

Naturally, this situation casts a shadow over online communication: after all, if you have a webcam, it should work, right?! And here, maximum – voice communication and complete absence Images. Where is this good?

1 Check the camera connection

Well, first of all, you should check one more basic thing: is your webcam connected correctly?
Don’t laugh, because, as practice shows, even experienced users are often “stupid” on little things – it’s a fact!

2 The camera is being used by another program

But let’s say everything is connected correctly, but there is still no image. What's next? Next, make sure that the webcam is not being used by some other program other than Skype.

This happens quite often, believe me. And until you complete the program, Skype will not be able to access your webcam. In general, it is best when Skype work do not use other programs: then the picture will be better and system conflicts will not arise.

Therefore, try completely restarting your computer and launching only Skype, perhaps this will solve the problem that Skype does not see the camera.

3 Check for drivers

The next step is “firewood”. “Firewood” (aka -) are “motors” that allow all programs to work adequately. And if any driver is missing, then the program that depends on the missing driver will not work!

Checking for drivers is a simple matter. For Windows 7, this is “Start” - right-click on “My Computer” - line “Properties”:

Rice. 1 Open Device Manager To do this, go to “Start”. Right-click on “Computer”. Click on “Properties”

Then open the “Device Manager” tab:

There is another way to open Device Manager. Just click “Start” and type “Device Manager” in the Search bar. One way or another, we opened Device Manager.

In Device Manager in Fig. 3, pay attention to number 1. Here there is a triangle surrounded by a red frame, which works like a lock - one click on it opens it and the triangle turns black. Another click on the triangle closes it and it becomes transparent.

Rice. 3 Checking Skype drivers

Open “Image Processing Devices”, your webcam should be here. If you see a yellow question mark or exclamation mark there, then here is a hint: there is no driver. Installation will help solve the problem.

By the way: as a rule, a webcam comes with a driver disk. Perhaps you forgot to install them?!

If there is no such disk, then look at the manufacturer and model on the webcam. Then open the browser, go to any search engine, enter the company and model of the webcam. It is advisable, of course, to go to the official website of the webcam manufacturer and download drivers from there.

4 Reinstalling drivers

What if there are no yellow question marks in the “Task Manager”, but the webcam still doesn’t work? Then the drivers may not be installed correctly. In this case, reinstalling the “firewood” will help.

Insert the disk with drivers into the webcam, open the context menu of the device (right-click on the device icon – number 2 in Fig. 3) and click on “Update drivers” – number 3 in Fig. 3. And then - according to the algorithm indicated by the system.

5 Delete the old one and install a new Skype

If your webcam works adequately with all programs except Skype, then everything points to a problem exclusively with Skype. In this case, a complete reinstallation of Skype will help you: completely remove the installed version and install a new one.

You can remove the old program through “Start” – “Control Panel” – “Programs and Features” – “Remove or change programs”. See where and how to install Skype.

6 About Skype on an old computer

I have repeatedly written about unity, which can be expressed by the formula “computer = hardware + programs” or “computer = hard + software”. It is known that new modern programs such as Skype are “heavy”, their creators-programmers write them with modern hardware in mind. And, accordingly, only appropriate modern hardware can “pull” something as heavy as Skype.

And if you have an outdated computer, then download Skype SSE - this version, which is specially designed for outdated equipment.

Addition from 08/25/2014: Skype no longer supports pre-2001 processors that do not support the SSE2 instruction set. Therefore, you can use SSE for older computers - while this is possible. If it is banned, you will have to buy another computer.

Where to contact?

If the listed tips did not help solve the problem, write it below in the comments.

You can also contact Skype professionals:

P.S. On computer literacy you can also read:

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About existence Skype programs many of us know. It’s no secret that it earned its popularity thanks to the video calling function, which is not available in all analogue programs. Even many competing applications for communication via the Internet cannot boast of a “picture” during a conversation. Its appearance occurs thanks to the turned on webcam.

Thus, you can see the interlocutor if he has this “miracle of technology”. On latest models Laptops have a webcam already built directly into the device itself, but users often encounter a number of problems that arise with it. Let's look at them together.

What to do if the webcam doesn't work?

First of all, you need to find out whether there are drivers for the web and whether they work properly. Often, after a reshuffle, they forget about the drivers for the webcam or do not consider it necessary to install it until it is needed for work. To check, you need to go to the “Device Manager”, this can be done different ways, such as:

Keyboard shortcut Win+R;
Via command line;
In the "Control Panel"
In "My Computer".

Everything is collected there necessary information about drivers. Even an inexperienced user will be able to notice if there is something wrong with the driver: it will not be there at all, a red cross or exclamation mark, for example, will be drawn next to it. The driver properties should indicate that the device is working normally. If you find the cause of your problems, simply reinstall the driver.

Delete the existing one and download a new one. It is best to download the device from the official website, and in general, the drivers should be recorded on installation disk, which comes with your laptop. It will be more convenient to use, which will indicate which drivers are missing and which are not working correctly; there are many of them on the Internet. Skype still doesn't see the webcam on your laptop?

If it's not the drivers

There may be other reasons if the webcam refuses to work. You can check the functionality even without Skype. Launch any video player and in the “open” tab, look for a way to open the camera. If you see yourself, everything works. You can delve into the settings of Skype itself, open the video settings, note that the automatic video reception option should be checked. Check whether your OS or the laptop itself is outdated.