Camera Shows Black Screen in Zoom/Skype/Teams: What to Do?

Introduction

You start a video call, turn on the camera — but instead of an image you see a black screen? Don't panic. This is one of the most common problems when using a webcam in Zoom, Skype, and Teams. In this article we'll explore why this happens and how to quickly fix it.

Quick Solution

  1. Check if the camera works in other programs.
    Open the built-in "Camera" app in Windows. If it shows an image — the problem isn't with the device, but with the application (Zoom, Skype, Teams).
  2. Restart the video communication program.
    Completely close Zoom/Skype/Teams (via system tray icon) and launch again.
  3. Allow camera access.
    Open Settings → Privacy → Camera and enable access for applications.
  4. Check the camera on DoCam.io.
    If the camera works there — then the issue is in the specific messenger's settings.

Detailed Guide

1. Check If the Camera Is Being Used by Another Application

If the camera is already occupied by OBS, Discord, or a browser, Zoom won't be able to connect to it. Close all programs that may be using video and try again.

2. Select the Correct Device in Program Settings

Sometimes Zoom or Skype selects the wrong camera — for example, a virtual one (OBS Virtual Cam). Go to Settings → Video and make sure the correct webcam is selected.

3. Update the Driver

Open Device Manager → Cameras, select the device → Update driver. You can also reinstall the camera: remove it from the list and restart the computer — Windows will install the driver again.

4. Check Hardware Connection

If the camera is external — try another USB port. Use only direct connection without USB hubs and extenders for testing.

5. Disable Video Hardware Acceleration

Zoom and Teams may show a black screen due to incompatibility with the video driver. Disable acceleration:

  • Zoom: Settings → Video → Advanced → Uncheck "Hardware Acceleration"
  • Teams: Settings → Devices → Video → disable acceleration

6. Check Graphics Driver

Update your graphics card driver (NVIDIA, AMD, Intel). Sometimes it's responsible for the black screen during video capture.

7. Check Antivirus

Some antiviruses (for example, Avast) block camera access for applications. Disable "Webcam Shield" or similar function for testing.

Error 0xA00F4244 — No cameras are attached
(Camera not found)

If you see this error during testing — Windows didn't detect the device. In this case, you need to check the driver and camera connection.

Tips

  • Restart your computer after Zoom updates or camera driver updates.
  • Don't use multiple video capture programs simultaneously.
  • If the camera is built-in — check if the lens is covered by a shutter or lid.

Conclusion

Great! After following these steps, the camera should start displaying an image in Zoom, Skype, or Teams. Now you can calmly join video conferences.

Before the meeting, we recommend checking your camera using DoCam.io