Launch the camera on a windows 7 laptop. How to turn on the camera on a laptop
More and more PC users on the Internet communicate through not only correspondence and voice communication, but also video calls. But in order to be able to communicate in this way, you first need to connect the video camera to your computer. Also this equipment can be used to organize streams, training lessons, monitor the territory and for other purposes. Let's figure out how to turn on the camera on a desktop PC or laptop with Windows 7.
Before turning on the camera on a PC with Windows 7, of course, you need to connect this equipment to it, if it is not built into the case. Physical connection We have a separate article dedicated to it, so we won’t focus on this procedure here. We will consider in detail the procedure within the operating system to activate the video camera.
Method 1: "Device Manager"
In most cases, when connected to a computer, the webcam should turn on automatically, but sometimes it needs to be activated "Device Manager".
- Click "Start" and move to "Control Panel".
- Open "System and safety".
- Further in the section "System" find the item "Device Manager" and click on it.
- Go to section "Image Processing Devices" or "Sound, video and gaming devices» (depending on camera type).
- In the list of devices that opens, find the name of the video camera you want to connect and right-click on its name. Presence of item "Engage" in the menu that appears means the camera is disabled. In this case, you need to click on it.
- In the dialog box that appears, for the changes to take effect, click "Yes" to restart your computer. But before that, make sure to close all active windows and programs so as not to lose unsaved data.
- After restarting the PC, the video camera will be turned on in the system and ready for its intended use.
If you don't find in "Device Manager" name of the video camera, and this sometimes happens, you will need to additionally update the device configuration.
In addition, it should be noted that for correct operation camera and its correct display in "Device Manager" Requires up-to-date drivers. Therefore, you should definitely install the drivers that came with your video equipment, and also update them periodically.
Method 2: Turn on the camera on your laptop
Modern laptops, as a rule, have a built-in camera, and therefore the procedure for turning it on differs from the same procedure on a desktop PC. Often, this action done by pressing certain combination keys or buttons on the case, depending on the laptop model.
How to turn on the laptop's built-in webcam?
Master's answer:
In most cases, laptops are equipped with built-in webcams, and many owners of these laptops often wonder: how to turn on this camera? Don't look for camera activation buttons on the laptop body. They are not there. The camera is activated using software. All drivers necessary for the device to function are supplied with the laptop. They may only be needed if you decide to reinstall the operating system yourself.
To activate the camera you will need very little: drivers and other software.
Turn on your webcam using a special program installed on your laptop. The shortcut to launch this program will most likely be located on the desktop, as well as in the Start menu in the All Programs section. If you were unable to find it yourself, or you don’t know how to use it, then it’s worth looking necessary information help system computer or on the manufacturer’s website.
Also, you can use standard means operating system to enable your webcam. In the Windows operating system, you need to go to the Start menu to do this. Next, go to the “Control Panel” and select the “Scanners and Cameras” section there. In the list of devices that opens, double-click on the shortcut indicating the built-in camera. In the system it can be defined as USB device. To start video recording or just take a photo, you need to click on the “Capture” button located under the camera viewfinder in the window that appears.
Can be used to activate your webcam and standard Windows programs for working with images. The "Get from Camera or Scanner" function is available in the "My Pictures" folder menu, as well as in the Paint programs. To enter Paint, you need to left-click on “Start” and go to the “All Programs” and “Accessories” tabs. To obtain an image, click on the “Capture” button in the window that appears.
You can also use programs to work with the webcam third party developers. Finding them is not difficult. There are many of them on the Internet, both paid and free with different functionality. For example, there are programs that allow you to program your webcam to take photos at an interval you specify. Or if your camera notices any movement, it will take a photo and send it wherever it is convenient for you. Detailed instructions For information about working with such programs, look in their help files or on the developer’s website.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that in some cases the webcam will work automatically. For example, the camera will activate itself if you make a call to popular program Skype. Also, buttons for receiving images from the camera are available on popular social networks and dating sites. For example, to update your photo in Facebook networks, just click on the “Photo” link, which is located in your timeline next to “Status”. A menu will immediately open in which you just need to click on the “Capture from webcam” button.
The Internet offers people many ways to communicate. In the very recent past, users were mostly content with text methods communication via chats, Email and so on.
Due to significant improvements in connection quality, it has gained popularity over time. voice communication with simultaneous video transmission.
The key element for doing this is the web camera (VC). To take advantage of its benefits, you must be able to connect the device and configure it correctly.
Below is a description of all necessary actions for properly launching and configuring a webcam on a computer running Windows 7.
What is VK?
This is a device for recording video (and sometimes sound) into a computer for further transmission via global network assigned client. Most laptops are already equipped with VK, and for desktop computers it is purchased and installed separately.
Most often external web cameras They are attached to the monitor with a special clip, but there are also models that can be installed separately on the table. 
Procedure for connecting and setting up VK
Typically, the already built-in camera in laptops is in standby mode, that is, it is almost completely ready for full use. You just need to open any communication program, for example, Skype, and specify the required video settings in it.
Sometimes the application cannot detect VK. In this case, the camera must be turned on. In laptops, for this purpose, simultaneous pressing of the following two keys is often used: “Fn” and a button with a “camera” icon printed on it.
Functional ones are also often used - “F1 ... F12”. Therefore, it is advisable to check the user instructions from the accompanying documentation for the PC.
It can also be very useful to know how to enable the camera on a computer with Windows 7 programmatically. To do this, you need to perform just a few sequential steps:
What if the VK is not detected in the device manager?
In this case, the equipment must be provided with suitable software.
Windows 7 usually handles the installation itself well. necessary programs. You just need to click “Update Drivers”.
In the next window, it is recommended to click on the first option.
If in automatic mode it was not possible to install the appropriate software, you will first have to read the exact name of the VK from its accompanying documentation, and then install the drivers from the manufacturer’s official source.
How to connect an outdoor VK
Most often, the connection is made using the supplied USB cable. You just need to insert the plug of the cable coming from the VC into the corresponding port on the computer.
At complete absence If there is any reaction from the PC after connecting the VC, we can conclude that the wire or connector in the computer is faulty.
How to check the functionality of the latter? To do this, you will need to install some (known good) USB device into the connector, for example, a flash drive.
In the case when external media is displayed normally in Windows 7 Explorer, which means that everything is fine with the USB port, but you need to replace the defective cable or the VK itself.
External versions of webcam models are mainly equipped with a disk with software. Therefore, after connecting the device to the PC, you need to insert optical drive"CD" and install the software.
Typically, proprietary programs have a wide range of settings, which significantly increases the ease of use of the equipment. 
Third-party applications for VK
Much has been developed useful utilities, working perfectly in the Windows 7 environment. Below are the best ones.
Has wide functionality. Among them, especially noteworthy are the options for zooming, recording video, conveniently taking screenshots and adding large quantity effects. 
It is very similar to the previous utility, but has much wider capabilities for applying effects. 
Allows you to improve image quality. Adds funny effects.
The application specializes in video surveillance and has the ability to constantly transmit streaming video through the global network. Supports simultaneous operation of several VKs. All captured videos are saved on the server. Allows you to remotely control whether the camera is turned on or off. 
When buying a new laptop, we simply do not pay attention to some details. Which? For example, we know very well that every modern laptop is equipped with a camera - even the cheapest one. It is clear that more expensive devices use a better camera. But the first laptop models didn’t have any cameras; back then they didn’t even know that in the near future everything would change so much...
The webcam is most often used when communicating. For example, many users use it when communicating via video or any other similar program. At the same time, with the help of the camera you can take pictures or even shoot video - it all depends on your desire. And given that social media, in particular, enjoy enormous success, then the presence of this device is simply necessary...
Very often, users complain that the webcam does not work. Or rather, it just works, but for some reason it doesn’t want to turn on. And indeed, very often the initial configuration of the laptop does not contain any program for the operation of that same camera, which is why it does not start. Today I will talk about how to enable it.
I want to say in advance that the instructions apply to any of the modern laptops, including companies such as: Asus, Lenovo, Acer, Sony, HP, MSI, Samsung, Dell, Packrad Bell, etc.
Software
You can check the operation of the camera quite simply - to do this, launch any client that supports its operation. The most famous client is the same Skype. Launch the program, click on the test image and if it appears, then the camera is functioning, it just turns on exactly at the moment when it is needed.
If you want to use a webcam to record videos or take photos, I recommend you use special programs that allow you to do this. As a rule, they are produced by third-party manufacturers and are often distributed free of charge. For example, LiveWebCam or WebCam Companion.
Additional keys
Very often the camera can actually be turned off and it turns on with the help of additional manipulations. So, on some few older models a separate button is used for this.
The solution, I must say, is ingenious and extremely convenient. However, for some reason it did not catch on (most likely due to savings) and the manufacturers decided to go a different route. As you know, laptops have special key Fn, which is used to perform additional operations. For example, you can use it to change the sound level of your device, its brightness, go into sleep mode, etc. So, very often it is with the Fn button that the webcam is turned on and off.
Look at your keyboard. At the top of it you can see the keys F1, F2, F3, etc. Immediately below them are blue pictograms that mean additional options. Find the camera icon among them (I have it on the F5 key), then press the Fn button and, while holding it, press F5. This will turn on the camera. You can disable it in exactly the same way.
Using the task manager
If nothing works out, let's try a different route. You need to open Device Manager. You can do this, for example, like this in a simple way: Hover your mouse over the “Computer” icon on your desktop and click on right button, thereby calling up the menu. In it, select “Properties”. Then you will see a window with basic information about your computer. On the right side there is a menu with a “Device Manager” item. That's exactly what we need.
Once you open the task manager, you will see a list of devices. Find “Image processing device” in it, left-click on this item - this way you will see the installed camera.
Then hover over the device itself, click on the right button and go to “Properties”. If the camera is disabled, then turn it on. Alternatively, you can try reinstalling the drivers for the device, which can be downloaded from the laptop manufacturer's website. In some cases, it is advised to remove the camera from the task manager and then try to find it again. They say that sometimes it helps, but I haven’t tried this method myself.
Well, in conclusion, I will say that many users confuse the concepts of working and disabled. Most often, it actually works, it’s just in a non-working state, since it’s not required. It turns on on demand or when you turn on the same client for video communication.