Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10
Windows 10 is a versatile operating system that comes pre-installed with a lot of features, including the Camera app. The Camera app is an essential tool that can be used to capture photos and record videos on your PC. However, sometimes you may encounter an error message that says "Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10". This error message occurs when another app is already using your PC's camera. In this article, we will discuss the various ways you can fix this error and use the Camera app on Windows 10 without any interruptions.
What Causes the "Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10" Error?
The "Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10" error message can occur due to various reasons:
- Another app is currently using your PC's camera
- The Camera app may be disabled in the Privacy settings
- The Camera app may be outdated
- Your PC's camera driver may be outdated or corrupted
How to Fix the "Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10" Error?
Method 1: Check for Other Apps Using Your Camera
The first thing you need to do is check if another app is currently using your PC's camera. Here's how:
- Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open the Task Manager
- Click on the "Processes" tab
- Look for any apps that might be using your camera, such as Skype, Zoom, or any other video conferencing app
- If you see any such app, right-click on it and select "End Task"
- Once you have closed all apps that were using your camera, try using the Camera app again
Method 2: Enable Camera Access in Privacy Settings
If the Camera app is disabled in the Privacy settings, you won't be able to use it. Here's how you can enable camera access:
- Click on the Start menu and select "Settings"
- Click on "Privacy"
- Click on "Camera" in the left-hand menu
- Toggle on the "Allow apps to access your camera" switch
- Scroll down and make sure that the switch for the Camera app is also turned on
- Try using the Camera app again
Method 3: Update the Camera App
If the Camera app is outdated, you may encounter errors. Here's how you can update the Camera app:
- Open the Microsoft Store app
- Click on the three dots in the top-right corner and select "Downloads and updates"
- Click on "Get updates"
- If there is an update available for the Camera app, click on "Update"
- Once the update is complete, try using the Camera app again
Method 4: Update Camera Driver
If the Camera driver is outdated or corrupted, you may encounter errors. Here's how you can update the Camera driver:
- Press the Windows key + X and select "Device Manager"
- Expand the "Imaging devices" category
- Right-click on your PC's camera and select "Update driver"
- Click on "Search automatically for updated driver software"
- If an updated driver is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it
- Once the driver is updated, try using the Camera app again
Conclusion
The "Camera In Use By Another App Windows 10" error message can be frustrating, especially if you need to use the Camera app urgently. However, with the above methods, you can easily fix the error and start using the Camera app again. If none of the above methods work, you may need to seek professional help to resolve the issue.