Webcam is not functioning

Table of Contents:

1. Troubleshooting Webcam Issues
2. Uninstall and Reinstall the Webcam Central Software
3. How to Start the Dell Webcam Central Software
4. Contact Us
   

 Note:

A blank or black screen can be caused by low light conditions. Make sure to operate the webcam in a well lighted area.

• Click Here if Windows XP is Installed
• Click Here if Windows Vista is Installed
• Click Here if Windows 7 is Installed

1. Close any applications that are currently using the webcam. Save and close any applications that you are currently working on as the computer will need to restart.


2. For best results uninstalling the existing webcam driver before installing a new one is recommended.

  To uninstall the existing driver, perform the following steps: 

1. Click the Start button.
   
2. Click Control Panel.
   
3. Double-click the System icon.
   
4. Click the Hardware tab.
   
5. Click Device Manager.
   
6. Click the plus (+) sign next to Imaging Devices.

(When there is not a listing for Imaging Devices, Contact Technical Support)
7. Right-click Integrated Webcam, then click Uninstall.
   
8. Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.
   
9. Once uninstalled restart the computer.
   (When the Hardware Wizard window opens after rebooting, clickCancel, then download and install the webcam drivers).
3. The Webcam Driver can be found under the Mice and Keyboardssection and is listed as Integrated Webcam on the Drivers and Downloads page, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article "How to Download and Install a Driver".
   
4. For best results the webcam software should also be uninstalled and reinstalled after the drivers are installed, for more information refer to the Uninstall and Reinstall the Webcam Central Software section.

1. Close any applications that are currently using the webcam. Save and close any applications that you are currently working on as the computer will need to restart.


2. For best results uninstalling the existing webcam driver before installing a new one is recommended.

  To uninstall the existing driver, perform the following steps: 

1. Click Start
2. Right-Click Computer.
3. Click Properties.
4. Click Device Manager in the upper left-hand corner.
5. Click Imaging devices.

(When there is not a listing for Imaging Devices, Contact Technical Support)
6. Right-click the Integrated webcam.
7. Click Uninstall.
8. Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.
   
9. Once uninstalled restart the computer.
   (When the Hardware Wizard window opens after rebooting, clickCancel, then download and install the webcam drivers).
3. The Webcam Driver can be found under the Mice and Keyboardssection and is listed as Integrated Webcam on the Drivers and Downloads page, for more information refer to Dell Knowledge Base article "How to Download and Install a Driver".
   
4. For best results the webcam software should also be uninstalled and reinstalled after the drivers are installed, for more information refer to the Uninstall and Reinstall the Webcam Central Software section.

1. Close any applications that are currently using the webcam. Save and close any applications that you are currently working on as the computer will need to restart.


2. Click Start.
3. Right-Click Computer.
4. Click Properties.
5. Click Device Manager in the upper left-hand corner.
6. Click Imaging devices.

(When there is not a listing for Imaging Devices, Contact Technical Support)
7. Right-click the Integrated webcam or USB camera.
8. Click Uninstall.
9. Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.
10. Once uninstalled restart the computer.
     Note:

    The drivers for most webcams are provided by Microsoft in Windows 7, and will be automatically reinstalled when the computer is restarted, however there are specific drivers available for XPS notebooks sold since October 2010 (XPS L501X, XPS L502X, XPS L701X, XPS L702X) on theDrivers and Downloads page. For more information, refer to Dell Knowledge Base article "How to Download and Install a Driver". The webcam driver can be found under the Mice and Keyboards section and is listed as Quanta- Driver on the Drivers and Downloads page.


11. For best results the webcam software should also be uninstalled and reinstalled after the drivers are installed, for more information refer to the Uninstall and Reinstall the Webcam Central Software section.

1. Click Start.
   
2. Click Control Panel.
   
3. Using the drop-down menu next to View by: in the upper-right corner, select Large Icons.
   
4. Click Programs and Features.
   
5. Click Dell Webcam Central.
   
6. Click Uninstall.
7. Confirm the uninstall process by clicking OK.
8. Once uninstalled restart the computer.

1. Navigate to the Dell Support Website
   
2. Click My Account in the upper right corner and sign in with your Dell My Account in the popup box provided. 
   
3. Under the My Software section on the right side of the page, click"Download Factory Installed Software (My Dell Downloads)". 
   
4. Click the checkbox that agrees to the Terms and Conditions of the My Dell Downloads website and click Register System at the bottom of the page 
   
    Note:

   This registration requires a download and scan of your Dell computer that is only functional with Internet Explorer. It will not function on Firefox or Google Chrome browsers. This scan can take up to five minutes
5. At the My Download Locker page, click the registered system that corresponds with the computer you are downloading Webcam Central to. 
   
6. Under the Title section, look for Dell Webcam Central. There may be more than one listing for this software title. 
   
7. Select the listing with the latest version number in the Version column. Click the checkbox under the Download column for this software, and at the bottom of the page click Download Now. 
   
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
9. Once the Dell Webcam software is installed restart the computer.

1. Make sure to start the Dell Webcam Central in a well lighted area (a blank screen can be caused by low light conditions).
2. Click Start
3. Click All Programs
4. Click Dell Webcam
5. Click Webcam Central to start the program.