Discord is a great resource for gamers around the world. You can talk to your friends, create chats and broadcast all in one place.
If your webcam isn't working with Discord, you're limited to what you can do on the app. Contrary to what you might think, your webcam problems may not be hardware related. There are a few simple things you can try to get the app to recognize your webcam.
Read on for tips, tricks, and solutions that will have your webcam up and running in no time. Note that most of these issues stem from software-related bugs or a lack of updates.
There are rare cases of hardware-related issues, so be sure to test your webcam for visible damage.
Webcam fixes
Even if you need to update your webcam drivers regularly anyway, here are some particular fixes that can solve your problem on Discord. Start by changing the method you use Discord. So if you are using the browser version, download Discord for your device, and vice versa.
You can also uninstall Discord from your computer and reinstall it using the link above. Also, the official Discord team suggests deleting your webcam from your device manager.
When you remove your camera, you can easily reinstall it. Follow the instructions:
- Open Device Manager on your computer.
- Find your webcam, right-click and select Uninstall device.
- Your camera will be deleted from your computer. Disconnect it and reconnect it. Follow the setup as you did before.
Try using your webcam again in Discord. The full reinstall should do the trick for the Discord part. If the problem persists, continue applying general fixes until your webcam starts working again.
Enable app permissions
Similar to your cellphone or tablet, Discord may just need permission to access your system's camera. To enable permissions (or verify that they are already enabled), follow these steps:
Using the keyboard shortcut Win+I, open your system settings. Click "Devices" or just type App permissions in the search bar and click the option for your camera. Scroll down in the right pane and enable the Discord option if it isn't already.
If permissions were already enabled, don't worry. We have more fixes below.
General webcam fixes
After making sure your webcam is not damaged, test it with another application that requires a camera. Best for testing is the built-in camera app. Follow the instructions to quickly check your camera on a Windows computer:
- Make sure you've properly connected your camera, unless you have a built-in laptop webcam.
- Press the Win key on your keyboard and find the Camera app in the Start menu.
- Select the Camera app and it will start automatically.
- If the camera app is working, your problem is with Discord.
- If your camera is not working, you will see a screen like this:
Listen to Windows and disable any antivirus software that may be preventing your camera from recording. If your camera is properly connected and nothing is blocking it, it may need a driver update.
Update webcam driver
Updating the webcam driver is a walk in the park on a Windows computer with an internet connection. You can get the update manually, using Device Manager:
- Press the Win key on your keyboard.
- Enter Device Manager in the search field and select the application in question.
- Find your camera in the device list
- Right-click on the name of your webcam and select the Update Driver option.
- Let your computer check for automated updates.
You can use a third-party app for updates if needed. Note that most of them are not free. These programs automatically check for updates and allow you to update all your drivers with a single click. Although they are not free, the best options among them are well worth the price.
You can also use Auslogics to do a one-time driver update for free. Each subsequent driver update will take longer, extending the wait time for updates. It's not perfect, but at least you can use it for free.
Update graphics driver
You can also try resetting your computer after updating the driver. If updating your camera driver doesn't help, perhaps updating the GPU will.
Your graphics card is responsible for displaying the image on your computer screen, so it makes sense that it could be responsible for any bugs or visual issues.
If you are an NVIDIA user, visit the official downloads page, select your graphics card series, operating system, etc. and download the latest update. If you are using AMD graphics, visit their official drivers and support page. There you can select your graphics card and get the update you need.
Of course, you can also use dedicated graphics software from Radeon or NVIDIA, which will automatically update your graphics drivers. The choice is yours; both manual and automated updates work perfectly.
Disable hardware acceleration
Hardware acceleration is a feature that routes certain tasks to your GPU to improve performance. However, some users have found that this causes issues with their webcam. If none of the other options listed above worked for you, try this:
Open "Settings" in Discord by clicking on the settings cog at the bottom (next to your username). Then click on “Appearance”. Next, scroll down and disable the hardware acceleration option.
Now check your webcam again.
Latest Thoughts
These are the best solutions that you can use to fix your webcam issues on Discord. Be sure to check if your webcam works in other apps before jumping to conclusions. If none of the above solutions worked for you, consider restarting or updating your system.
If you are using an external camera, try unplugging it from the USB port and then plugging it back in. If the connection is bad, it may help.
System updates are essential, as are individual driver updates. Keep your drivers up to date and all of your devices should work just fine. Have any of these methods helped you bring your webcam back to life? Was it a hardware or software issue? Feel free to leave a comment below in the comments section.
