How to Install Webcam Drivers
When you buy a web camera, all the associated webcam drivers should be on the installation disk that came with your webcam. And whatever operating system you are using – Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10 – your installation disk should contain the related drivers. You need to install webcam drivers for the webcam to work properly.
Your webcam most likely will have a USB connection cord. You must first install the webcam drivers, before plugging in your new webcam. Insert the installation CD into your CD-ROM drive. The setup screen should automatically appear. If your operating system did not pick up the auto run feature, you may load the setup yourself. You can follow these simple steps to get to your webcam drivers setup.
• Click Start.
• Click Run.
• Click Browse.
• Choose your CD-ROM drive from the drop down box.
• Highlight the SETUP.EXE or INSTALL.EXE.
• Click Open.
Tip: If there is no setup.exe or install.exe, try opening the autorun,inf file with notepad to see which executable should be used.
You should now have the setup screen showing. The steps are simple and the on screen prompts will walk you through loading your webcam drivers. Once all your webcam drivers have been loaded successfully, you will be prompted to restart your system. After you have rebooted and are back into Windows, you will be asked to plug in your webcam. All your webcam drivers should be loaded and your webcam working properly!
Webcam Drivers for Wrong Windows Version
In case you do not have the right driver for your Windows version, for example you have no Windows 7 driver for your webcam, you can always try using a driver for a previous Windows version. Windows Vista drivers often work as is in Windows 7, but even Windows XP webcam drivers can sometimes be used in Vista or even Windows 7. Likewise, Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can very often be used in Windows 10. If running the installer does not work the first time, try running the installer as an adminstrator or run it in XP compatibility mode (both by right-clicking the installer file).
Missing Webcam Drivers Installation Disk?
If you have purchased a webcam without an installation disk (or lost the disk), you will need to find the necessary webcam drivers yourself. You can go to the manufacturer’s web site and usually find the webcam drivers. If the manufacturer does not have the webcam drivers you are looking for, search the net. You can search with the major search engines to locate the webcam driver’s specific to your operating system. It is also possible to seek out forums or blog posts that may relate to your webcam (links to your webcam drivers may be found here).
The same is true if you have a netbook without a CD/DVD drive. It would be possible to use a USB stick to transfer the webcam driver files, but the common solution in that case is also to simply download the drivers from the manufacturer’s website through the Internet.
Why You Need to Update Your Webcam Drivers
True, the required drivers are on the installation disk of your webcam when you bought it but guess what? These drivers may not be the latest drivers at all.
You see, that installation disk was compiled when the webcam was produced. Now, consider warehouse time, delivery time to stores, time on the shelf, and others, and many months – even years – may have passed. Since then, the webcam maker may have released several updated versions of the driver already.
In addition, if you install new software or change to a new operating system, the webcam drivers may need updates to suit these changes.
You can find updated webcam drivers on the manufacturer’s site. You can also find the webcam drivers online via forums and driver-related blogs. You can also use a third-party tool such as DriverFinder, which can scan your PC for webcam drivers and check if you need updated ones.
Once your webcam is working again, have some fun with your instant messenger friends and record each others webcam chat with EatCam.
If you want to make your own movies with your webcam, have a look at our article on recording video with your webcam.
Installed the webcam drivers, but the webcam is still not working? Check out our article on troubleshooting webcam problems.
@Gerty – First thing that comes to mind is to check if your default audio recording device is set to be the camera.
Most recording applications go with the default devices for video and audio, and if the default audio device is configured to be your sound card input, or a USB microphone, the webcam microphone will not be used.
You can find the audio recording device in the Sound settings of the Control Panel.
Hi. I installed a Havit HV-V616 camera on my desktop. When I record a video, I can see the visual but there is no sound. When I tried to troubleshoot it, I received the message that my drivers are up to date. I have also tried plugging it into other ports but the problem persists. I use Windows 7. What can I try next?
@kelly – Did you download the driver for the havit hv-v616 from the Havit hongkong site?
If so, that is a RAR file, which can be opened with WinRAR or 7-Zip for example. If no suitable application is installed, notepad might come up as a default.
The driver is for Windows XP and Vista. I am not sure if it will work on Windows 7.
But to install the driver, unpack the downloaded file (webcam driver.rar), and unpack the .RAR file that is inside also.
You should end up with an .EXE file called DRV_UVC_20091216_whqlforxpvistawin7.exe, which needs to be executed. The filename implies that the driver is suited for Windows 7 also btw.
Hope this helps.
hi i bought a havit hv-v616 web camera but i can’t see any video on it,the shopkeeper said i don’t have to download any drivers for it,just connect it to the usb port and it will work but it isn’t working.Secondly i did download the driver using google but i don’t know how to install it,when i click on the folder…notepad window pop up.PLEASE i need help
@Laney Mullins – First thing I’d suggest is to look at the startup programs, there is probably still something related to the Creative software that triggers the message.
You can check the Startup folder in the Start menu, but also use “msconfig” to check the startup programs. The path of the program is a good indicator of the manufacturer of the program.
Once you think it is possible that you found the program, just disable it and see if that solves it. You can then try removing it.
In future, try uninstalling software using an uninstaller program, that cleans up more than just the regular install process for most programs.
I was using a Creative Webcam..It crapped out so I went to the control panel on Windows XP to uninstall what I thought was everything pertaining to my cam..I still get a pop-up from Creative to register the product..It just doesn’t seem to want to go away..How do I get rid of this after I uninstalled everything..??
@Amber – ArcSoft Webcam Companion is a commercial product, and currently they are at version 4 actually.
But Some computer manufacturers install Webcam Companion standard on their systems. I know HP has a download available for their laptops. What is your laptop brand?
I have a built in webcam for my laptop and I had to have my computer clean bc of viruses and the webcam got erased. How would I be able to get it back on my computer to were I don’t have to pay for it online. Its a Webcam Companion three.
Hi,
I bought a new camer(speedlink) for my laptop(Msi), but dosen’t work because is missing the driver but i installed the driver but dosen’t work ‘error code 28’ and my system operation is windows7.
@coni – If you can check the hardware id for the webcam, I might be able to help you find the driver. Right click the device in the Device Manager and select Properties. Then click the details tab and select hardware ids in the property list.
@danielle – So what is your webcam problem then?
omg this didnt help me
oie como instalo mi webcam pero no usa driver
Webcam 100k 640×480 DM nose como se hace me puedes ayudar por fa
@kalaivani – With more details … maybe.
i cant install webcam…can u hllp me sir
@Emma – What happens when you plug the webcam in the USB port? Do you see the ‘new hardware’ notification in the taskbar at all?
And have you tried different USB ports?