How to set up a laptop webcam for a simple user

Modern laptops are mostly equipped with webcams. This device allows you to see the person with whom you communicate in skype, hold web conferences and business negotiations. But here you are combed, settled in front of the screen, went into Skype ... and it turns out that the webcam does not work. Do not be discouraged: it may be that the device is simply not connected. How to set up a web camera for a person who is far from knowing a computer device? This is quite easy to do.

The first step is to turn on the camera. Most laptop manufacturers believe that all ordinary users know how to set up a webcam, but in practice it's the other way around: it happens that users do not even know how to get there. In order to turn on the camera, you need to follow the following steps in strict sequence. If the laptop has a built-in web camera, then on its keyboard there should be a Fn button (it is usually located in the lower left corner next to Ctrl). At the top of the keyboard there are a number of keys starting with the letter "F". Find among these buttons the right button with an icon or camera image. Press the Fn key and, without releasing it, simultaneously press the key with the camera icon. A "On" or "Off" picture will appear on the monitor. Set the cursor to "On" and turn on the camera.

You can configure the web camera and using the utility. To do this, click on the "Start" button, then click on "All Programs". There, find the "Camera" folder (it can have the English name Cam or Web). Start the device, and when its interface appears on the screen, go to the settings and turn on the webcam.

In some new laptops, the built-in camera is turned on by default, when you just go into Skype and make a video call. Thus, the easiest way to configure the built-in webcam is simply to start the Skype program.

Sometimes cameras are not built-in, but stand-alone. In this case, carefully examine the web camera and check the presence of its "On" button. Connect the camera to the laptop via the USB port. Turn on the camera. The application interface should appear and expand on the screen. How to set up a webcam, if the computer signals: "Unknown device found"? Click the Start button, go to the "Control Panel" section. There, find the "Device Manager" or "Hardware Manager" section, open it. Before your eyes there will be a structured list of different devices on your computer. Clicking on the "+" icon, you will open a nested list in which the "Image processing device" line will be displayed. Go into it. In the list that appears, find the name of your standalone camera, right-click on it and select "Enable". It only remains to press the "OK" button to confirm the activation.

If you do not find the icon of your webcam in the device manager list, it means that your software does not have the necessary drivers and you will need to install special webcam drivers. In this case, to force the computer to cooperate with the camera, you need to go to the Windows Device Manager and, most likely, download the necessary program from the site.

It happens that you did all this, and instead of the image in front of you a black screen. This means that you need drivers for working with the camera. How to set up a webcam, if you do not have drivers or a bootable disc with drivers? First, remove the previous drivers that prevent your new webcam from working. On the Internet go to the website of the manufacturer of your computer / laptop. From the main page go to the section "Technical support" and "new drivers". Download the necessary drivers that are suitable for your camera model, and install them. If the webcam is working - it should earn.