Whether you're gearing up for a crucial online meeting or simply want to video chat with friends and family, it's important to ensure your webcam is working properly. Testing your webcam on a Windows 11 PC is straightforward and can help you troubleshoot any potential issues before they arise.

Test your webcam on Windows 11 via the Settings app

One of the most efficient ways to test your webcam is through the Settings app on your Windows 11 computer. This method is quick and doesn't require any additional software.

Step 1: Open the Start Menu by clicking the Windows icon on the taskbar. Then, click on the Settings tile from the pinned apps section. If you don't see it, type Settings into the search bar and select it from the results.

Step 2: In the Settings window, select the Bluetooth & devices tab on the left sidebar to access device-related settings.

Step 3: Scroll down on the right side of the window until you find the Camera option, and click on it to proceed.

Step 4: Under the Connected cameras section, you'll see a list of cameras connected to your PC. Click on your webcam to access its settings.

Step 5: If your webcam is currently disabled, click the Enable button located on the right side of your webcam's name to turn it on.

Step 6: Once enabled, a preview from your webcam will appear at the top of the screen. This allows you to see if the webcam is functioning correctly.

Step 7: If necessary, adjust the image settings using the sliders provided for brightness, contrast, and other aspects to optimize how your video feed looks.

Step 8: If you're experiencing issues with the webcam in a specific app, you may need to check your privacy settings. Scroll down on the webcam settings page and click on the Camera privacy settings link under the Related settings section.

Step 9: On the Privacy & security page, ensure that the toggle switch for Camera access is turned On. This setting allows apps to access your webcam.

Step 10: Further down the page, you'll find a list of apps that can access your camera. Locate the app you're having trouble with and make sure its toggle switch is set to On.

Note: If you're using a web-based platform for video conferencing, such as Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams through a browser, ensure that your browser has permission to access the webcam.

By following these steps, you can easily test your webcam and make sure it's ready for use whenever you need it. If you're still encountering issues, consider checking out our dedicated guide on fixing webcam problems in Windows 11.