When trying to use the web camera on your Windows 10 system, some times, you may come across this error, “Close Other Apps. It looks like another app is using a camera already. If you need it, here’s the error code: 0xA00F4243(0xC00D3704)“. This error prevents you to use the web camera because it’s apparently already in use by some other application.
The inbuilt camera error code 0xA00F4243(0xC00D3704) in your Windows 10 PC arises mainly due to the interruption between two applications using the Windows 10 camera at the same time. While you can check which app may be causing this issue in the Task Manager and end it if you can locate it, mostly it doesn’t work.
Fortunately, here’s a fix that works with most users. Let’s see how.
Solution: By Resetting the Camera App
Step 1: Press the Win + X keys together on your keyboard and select Settings from the menu.
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on Apps.
Step 3: It takes you to the Apps & features section, locate the Camera app and select it.
Click on Advanced options below it.
Step 4: Next, go to the Reset section and press the Reset button below it.
Step 5: A prompt opens with warning. Read it properly before you proceed to complete the reset process. Once confirmed, press Reset again.
Now, go back and try opening the web camera and check if it’s working normally. If you are still facing the same problem, follow the 2nd method.
Method 2: By Setting Defaults App
Step 1: Press the Win + X keys together on your keyboard and select Settings from the menu.
Step 2: In the Settings window, click on Apps.
Step 3: It takes you to the Apps & features section, locate the Camera app and select it.
Click on Advanced options below it.
Step 4: In the next window, go to the Defaults section and click on Set default apps.
Step 5: Under the Choose default applications, scroll down and select Set defaults by app.
Step 6: Next, locate the Camera app and click on Manage.
Step 7: In the next window, under File type and protocol associations section, you have the option to change which application has access to the Camera.
Now, close the Settings apps and try opening the camera on your system. It should work fine now.
In case, you are still facing an issue, running a clean boot may fix the issue. Check this article for how to run a clean boot.