Windows Camera (popularly known as Camera) is one of the default apps that ship with Windows 10/11. The Camera app, although not as feature-rich as third-party apps, supports high-quality video recording and photo capturing.
If at any point in time, the Camera app fails to record video or capture photos, you can easily fix the app by resetting it. Most of the common issues get fixed when you reset the Camera app.
If an issue persists even after resetting the Camera app, you can go ahead and reinstall the Camera app. Reinstalling the Camera app is simple. You just need to uninstall the Camera app and then install a new copy from Microsoft Store.
In this guide, we will see how to reset and reinstall the Camera app in Windows 10/11.
IMPORTANT: If you are having issues with the camera on your PC, we recommend you update the camera’s device driver or reinstall the driver before trying out resetting or reinstalling the Camera app. If the built-in camera is not working, check if you have disabled the camera in Windows 10.
Method 1 of 2
Reset the Camera app in Windows 10/11
To reinstall, refer to the instructions in Method 2 given below.
Step 1: On Windows 10, navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features. On Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps page.
Step 2: On Windows 10, look for the Camera app entry and click on the same to select it. You should now see the Advanced options link. Click the Advanced options link to open the Storage usage and app reset page.
On Windows 11, click on the three dots next to the Camera entry and then click Advanced options.
Step 4: Finally, click the Reset button. When you see the confirmation flyout, click the Reset button to reset the Camera app.
You may now launch the Camera app.
Method 2 of 2
Reinstalling the Camera app in Windows 10/11
Reinstall the Camera app only if the issue persists even after resetting the Camera app.
Unlike some other default apps, the Camera app cannot be uninstalled via the Settings app. We need to use the Windows PowerShell or CCleaner to uninstall the Camera app and then install a fresh copy of the same from Windows Store. Here is how to do just that.
Step 1: Run Windows PowerShell as administrator. Type PowerShell in Start/taskbar search field, right-click on the Windows PowerShell entry, and then click the Run as administrator option.
Step 2: At the PowerShell window, copy and paste the following command. Press Enter key to execute the command to uninstall the Camera app.
Get-AppxPackage *windowscamera* | Remove-AppxPackage
You may close the PowerShell window now.
NOTE: Alternatively, you can use the popular CCleaner to uninstall default Windows 10 apps. Open CCleaner, click Tools, and click Apps. Right-click on the Camera app and then click Uninstall option. Click the OK button when you see the confirmation dialog.
Step 5: Finally, open the Store app, search for the Windows Camera app, and then install the same.
Hope you find this guide helpful!
John Douglas says
I’ve been using Google photo app but their constant invasion of every area in my life is just to much the thing is now I’m without a camera, technically not sound and I’m old also a artist,why is it basically (for me atleast to download your photo app
Dave Whitten says
I tried a couple of the different options to fix the camera. Finally I used the PowerShell option of “Uninstall/Reinstall”. When I click on the camera icon it still tells me, “We can’t find your camera.” I am at a total loss as to what to do.
dash says
awesome had too delete because it was pass its due by date
but over all great
Kushal Thapa says
I have done all of the above the same way it was said to do -But when I tried to open the camera again it doesn’t show any response there only appears a black screen.
santhosh says
Just reset this pc not everything to reset. the camera is working.
Regards,
Santhosh
Richard Wright says
In power user admin
Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsCamera | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Piyusha Choudhari says
I followed Method 1, but it did not work. So, I went for second method. I uninstalled the camera app and then went to Microsoft store to install it again, but it did not install the application. Tried it several times. Now, I don’t have camera application and also not able to install it. What should I do?
Adrian A Bernal says
I was successful in doing all these steps and reloaded the camera app in the Microsoft store. My issue is not necessarily the app, but the device. My device has been uninstalled from device manager. Therefore, I need to know how to reinstall the actual, built-in camera device. Can I please get these instructions?
Thank you!
A. Bernal
momtaj says
same for me I tried I all those still my camera not working
Deldan says
tried all those….. still not working!
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Bibi says
I have done all of the above and its still not working, worse still, in my device manager, the camera is no longer on the list and i find that rather odd, as it was there before
marion gulliford says
it says the Winodws camera app is already installed – but when I try to open the app it says its not connected -and there is an error code. I have a few “remedies” but nothing works – its very frustrating !! I feel we deserve more help with Microsoft apps – they really should be more efficient by now- a very disappointed user !
Immanuel says
Awesome. I went to the device manager and I updated the camera drivers. I worked. Thanks this was so helpful.
Petros says
I tried the reset then went through all that (uninstalled camera app, reinstalled) but still no picture. The little light next to the camera comes on but no picture in either video or photo mode.