Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Unlike Facebook Messenger app on our smartphones or tablets where the camera and microphone can be easily accessed, on a Windows 10/11 desktop or laptop PC, there are certain things that have to be done for the cam and mic to work on the new FB Messenger app on Windows 10/11.

In this short guide, we will show you how to allow messenger to access to your camera and mic in the Windows 10/11 privacy settings and how to check if your camera or microphone is working properly.

Also see: How to Test Camera on Windows 11

  • How to Turn On Camera on Facebook Messenger Windows 10/11
    • If Messenger says no camera detected…
  • How to Turn On Microphone on Facebook Messenger Windows 10/11
    • Facebook Messenger cannot detect Microphone

How to Turn On Camera on Facebook Messenger Windows 10/11

In Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC, most apps, including Facebook Messenger desktop app, by default are not set to have access to its connected generic camera or webcam device due to security and privacy concerns.

In most cases, when you do a video call for the first time on the Messenger app on your Windows 10/11 PC, the app will ask you for permission to have access to your camera. You only have to allow access for the first time and the Messenger app will not ask again in the future whenever the app requires access to your camera.

If you don’t see the pop up, follow the steps below to manually allow Messenger to use your webcam via the Windows 11/10 privacy settings.

Step 1: Search for and open Settings via Windows 10/11 search bar or Cortana.

Step 2: In the Settings window, select Privacy. Then, in the left pane, select Camera under “App permissions”.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 10

Step 3: Under “Allow access to the camera on this device“, click on Change and make sure the “Camera access for this device” option is turned on.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 10

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 11

Step 4: Under “Allow apps to access your camera“, make sure the option is turned on.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 10

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 11

Step 5: Under “Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera“, look for Messenger app and make sure the switch beside it is turned on. This is to allow Messenger app to have access to your camera.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Step 6: When you’ve done all of the above, try to make a video call again. It should connect right away without asking for access permission again and your camera should work in the video call now.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

If Messenger says no camera detected…

It could be due to your camera not properly connected, driver issue or faulty hardware. To check if you have a working camera connected to your PC, follow the steps below:

  1. In the Start menu, search for and open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Cameras and see if there is any listed camera.
  3. If there is, right-click it and select properties and see if the device is working properly.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

If there is none listed under the cameras section, it means your camera isn’t connected or installed. Double check if the camera is correctly connected to your PC and make sure to install the camera’s driver using the driver CD that comes along with it when you purchase the camera.

To learn how to test your camera in Windows, read: How to Test Webcam on Windows 11/10 Laptop or Desktop Offline.

How to Turn On Microphone on Facebook Messenger Windows 10/11

Similar to camera privacy settings mentioned above, most apps by default do not have access to your computer’s microphone due to security and privacy reasons. You have to allow Messenger app to access your mic via Windows 10 or 11 privacy settings, so that it can use your mic to record and send voice messages, or to make voice calls.

Read: How to Test Microphone on Windows 11/10 to See If It’s Working

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Follow the steps below to manually allow Messenger to have access to your microphone on your Windows 10/11 PC.

Step 1: Go to Start menu, search and open Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to Privacy > Microphone (in the left pane).

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Windows 10

Step 3: Under “Allow access to the microphone on this device“, click on the Change button. Then, click to turn on the “Microphone access for this device” option if it isn’t already turned on.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Step 4: Next, make sure the toggle option under “Allow apps to access your microphone” is turned on.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Step 5: Under “Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your microphone“, look for Messenger app and make sure the toggle option beside it is turned on. This is to allow Messenger app to have access to your microphone.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

After completing all of the above, try to send a voice message or do a voice call in Messenger Windows 10/11. It should work now.

Similar issue: The Wizard Could Not Start Microphone in Windows 10/11 (Solved)

Facebook Messenger cannot detect Microphone

If Messenger shows “Couldn’t connect to your microphone” when you do a voice call, or keeps showing “Allow messenger access to your microphone” whenever you try to record a voice message, it could be due to your mic not properly connected, driver issue or faulty hardware.

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Couldnt connect to your camera or microphone windows 11

Description for sharing: Camera or Mic not working on Facebook Messenger Windows? Here's how to allow Messenger access your camera or microphone in Windows 10/11.

How do I allow microphone and access to my Facebook camera Windows 11?

Manage app permissions for your camera in Windows.
Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, then make sure Camera access is turned on. ... .
Make sure Let apps access your camera is turned on. ... .
Once you've allowed your apps to access the camera, you can change the setting for each app..

Why can't I access camera on Messenger?

Method 1: Change Privacy Setting Directly. Open messenger.com in your browser. Then, click on the lock icon on the extreme left side of the address bar. Choose Allow next to Camera and Microphone.

Can't connect to your camera or microphone?

Make sure that your computer has selected any external camera, microphone or speakers that you're using. Make sure that your microphone isn't on mute. Make sure that the program has permission to access your camera, microphone or speakers. You can check this on your computer or browser settings.

Why is my computer not detecting my microphone Windows 11?

If your microphone isn't detected after updating Windows 11, you may need to give your apps permission to use it. Here's how: Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone and make sure Microphone access is turned on.