Microsoft Surface Pro Camera Not Working: Fix It Today Dubai

When a Surface Pro camera stops working, the cause is usually a privacy setting, another app holding the camera, security software or a driver, not a broken camera. Check that Windows lets apps use the camera, close other video apps, then follow Microsoft's order: the camera troubleshooter, updates through the Surface app, a fresh driver and a force restart. If the camera is missing from Device Manager after all that, or the picture is cracked or black, it is a hardware fault.

Which Camera Has Stopped?

A Surface Pro has more than one camera, and they can fail separately. Microsoft's spec pages for Surface Pro 7 and Pro 8 list a front camera, a rear autofocus camera and a separate front-facing Windows Hello camera for face sign-in. Surface Pro 12-inch also has a Windows Hello camera alongside its front and rear cameras.

• Front camera dead in every app: start with the steps below.
• Works in the Camera app but not in Teams or a browser: usually a permission or app setting.
• Rear camera dead, front fine: the Windows checks still apply, but a single failed camera after a drop points to hardware.
• Face sign-in failing, video meetings fine: see the Surface Pro Windows Hello guide.

Quick Checks

1. Make sure nothing covers the lens. A case flap, sticker or smudge can look like a dead camera.
2. Close other apps using the camera. Microsoft notes that a camera already in use can block another app. Open Task Manager, right-click any video app and choose End task.
3. Test in the Camera app. If it works there, the hardware is fine and the problem is in the other app's settings.
4. Restart. Select Start > Power > Restart and test again.

Check Privacy Settings

Go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on:

• Camera access
• Let apps access your camera
• Let desktop apps access your camera. Microsoft points out that browsers and video meeting apps need this one.

If these settings are greyed out on a work or school Surface, your IT administrator controls them.

Microsoft's Surface Steps

1. Run the troubleshooter. Open the Get Help app and run the camera troubleshooter, or go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters > Camera > Run.
2. Check security software. Microsoft notes that antivirus apps can block the camera. Look in your security app's settings for camera or webcam protection.
3. Update through the Surface app. Open it, expand Help & support and select Check for updates to install drivers and firmware through Windows Update. In the Surface app, Get help also reports any issues it detects. Microsoft's update history for Surface Pro 12-inch shows several camera fixes, including camera stability, video streaming in meetings and a front camera fault, so this step matters.
4. Reinstall the camera driver. Open Device Manager and expand Cameras. On many models you will see Intel(R) AVStream Camera or Intel(R) TGL AVStream Camera. Double-click it, select Uninstall Device on the Driver tab, tick the option to remove the driver, then Uninstall and restart. Skip this on Surface Pro X. Microsoft warns that restoring its drivers afterwards needs a full system reset.
5. Force restart. Shut down from Start > Power. On Surface Pro 5th Gen and later, including Pro X, hold the power button for about 20 seconds until the logo appears. On Surface Pro 4 and older, hold volume up and power together for at least 15 seconds, release, wait 10 seconds, then press power.
6. Reset as a last resort. Back up your files, then use Settings > System > Recovery > Reset PC.

Avoid switching the camera to the generic USB Video Device driver as a shortcut. Microsoft notes that Windows Hello face recognition may stop working with it.

Error Codes You Might See

• 0xA00F4244 (no cameras attached): Windows cannot find the camera. Check Device Manager under Cameras. If the camera shows Enable device, it was turned off, so enable it, then recheck the privacy settings.
• 0xA00F4243 or 0xA00F4289: another app is using the camera. Close it in Task Manager.
• 0xA00F4246: security software may be blocking the camera.

When It Is Hardware

Microsoft lists the front and rear cameras as replacement parts for Surface Pro 9 and later, including Pro 10 for Business and Pro (11th Edition), and also lists the infrared camera for Pro 12-inch. On earlier models the cameras are still serviceable after a diagnosis. A camera that has vanished from Device Manager after updates, a driver reinstall and a reset will not return with more software steps.

Getting It Repaired

Book a check if the camera is missing from Device Manager, the picture is damaged, or it failed after a drop or spill. Every repair starts with a free diagnosis and a written quote before any work, with walk-ins welcome at our Concord Tower workshop in Dubai Media City (by car, metro or on foot) and a 90-day warranty on the repair. See Surface Pro front camera repair, Surface Pro rear camera repair and Surface Pro repair in Dubai.

Message us on WhatsApp or use the quote form on this page, and tell us which camera has stopped and any error code you see.