Windows 10 Hello Face is a quick sign-in feature in Windows 10 which allows the user to log in to their computer without even touching the keyboard or mouse. This remarkable feature can make your life easy as this is fast and reliable. But in case if you are seeing “Windows Hello couldn’t turn the camera on” at the time of sign in, then the same feature can make your life miserable. This problem is usually triggered due to outdated webcam drivers. Simply, follow these easy fixes on your computer and the problem will be solved in no time at all.
Note: Please note that your Computer must be Windows hello compatible for it to work.
Fix-1 Disable and Enable Webcam-
Disabling and enabling the webcam device has worked out for many users facing similar issues.
1. Press Windows key+R to open Run window.
2. To open the utility, type or copy-paste this code and then hit Enter.
devmgmt.msc
Device Manager window will be opened.
3. In Device Manager window, expand “Cameras” to see the available camera devices.
4. Right-click on “Integrated Webcam” and click on “Disable device“.
6. Right-click on “Integrated Webcam” and then click on “Enable device“.
Reboot your computer.
Note: – On some Computers the webcam / camera is under imaging devices.
In that case just locate Imaging devices. Double click on imaging devices.
Just Right Click and Disable and then right click and enable the webcam .
After rebooting your computer you will be able to sign in with Windows 10 Hello Face.
Fix 2 – Reinstall Webcam in device manager
Disabling and enabling the webcam device has worked out for many users facing similar issues.
1. Press Windows key+R to open Run window.
2. To open the utility, type or copy-paste this code and then hit Enter.
devmgmt.msc
Device Manager window will be opened.
3. In Device Manager window, expand “Cameras” to see the available camera devices.
4. Right-click on “Integrated Webcam” and click on Uninstall.
5. Now, Click on Action and then click on Scan for hardware changes.
Fix-3 Uninstall camera driver and reboot
1. You can access the Run window, press Windows key+R.
2. Now, type “devmgmt.msc” and hit Enter.
Device Manager utility will open up.
3. Now, Expand system devices.
4. Now, Right-click and Uninstall Surface Camera Windows Hello
5. Reboot your PC.
Fix-4 Turn Biometrics ON (For Windows Pro users Only)
1. Press Windows key + R together from the keyboard.
2. Now, write gpedit.msc in it and click on to open Local Group Policy Editor.
3. Now, Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Components.
4. Then, Click on Biometrics.
5. Then, Click on Allow the use of Biometrics.
Sambit is a Mechanical Engineer By qualification who loves to write about Windows 10 and solutions to weirdest possible problems.
Mark "The Big Kahuna" E says
I have tried all of these fixes and nothing has worked. I bought this camera specifically as it works with windows hello (not every one does). The camera works in every other app, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and even in the windows camera app itself. It just wont turn on for windows hello, despite windows hello recognizing it. Nothing has worked and am at my wits end as I relied heavily on it to get into my computer at logon. Anyone else have any other suggestions?
rsk says
Thank you, Fix #1 worked for me! This was a relatively new problem, was thinking it was after the most recent Windows/Microsoft update. Instead of “integrated webcam”, it listed the camera name. But still Fix #1 worked.
Vince says
C920 Pro here. Windows lists it as an imaging device not a camera. Could that be it?
Robin says
Thanks for the advice. It worked for me!
Lisa says
Fix 1 worked for me – thank you ever so much!
Tony Altwies says
I recently encountered a problem with startup not able to turn on the camera properly. After trying several rebooting options that only worked temporarily before failing again, I did some experimenting and discovered that if I turned OFF “Fast Startup” in the Power settings panel, the camera would turn on properly every time. Since the “Fast Startup” option only saved about 10 seconds in startup time, I would rather have facial recognition at startup.
Farhan Hanif says
Thanks Sambit it worked for me.
Daniel P Ramirez says
Thank you! It worked!
Hudson says
Awesome worked perfectly
Andy says
I think there must have been a recent update which has broken this feature, as I can have the exact same symptoms with a Logitech C920. All other apps (either Windows or 3rd party) are able to initiate the camera without issue.
I’ve tried advice from this and several other articles and nothing has worked, so far.
David says
I’m using a Razer Kiyo camera, and these fixes did not work for me. The camera works fine in all other apps I’ve tried to use it with. Any other thoughts on a fix? Thanks!