How to Change Default Camera in Windows 10

If you have multiple cameras connected to your Windows 10 PC—like a built-in webcam, an external USB webcam, or a capture card—Windows sometimes picks the wrong one as the default. This guide shows you how to set your preferred camera as the default device, so apps like Zoom, Teams, and Skype use it automatically.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with at least two cameras connected (built-in or external).
• Administrator access to change system settings (usually not required, but helpful).
• The cameras should be properly installed and recognized by Windows.

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to Devices. Click on Devices (the icon with a monitor and keyboard).
3. Select Cameras. In the left sidebar, click on Cameras. This will show a list of all cameras currently connected to your PC.
4. Choose your preferred camera. Look through the list and find the camera you want to use as the default. It might be labeled with the brand name (e.g., “Logitech HD Webcam�) or a generic name like “Integrated Webcam�.
5. Set as default. Click on the camera you want, and a button will appear below it. Click Set as default. A checkmark or a “Default� label will appear next to the camera.
6. Close Settings. Your new default camera is now active. Apps that use the default camera should automatically pick it up the next time they open.

Common Mistakes

• Not having the camera connected. If a camera is unplugged, it won’t appear in the list. Make sure the camera you want to set as default is connected and powered on.
• Confusing “defaultâ€� with “per-appâ€� settings. Windows 10 lets you set a default camera for the whole system, but some apps (like Zoom or Teams) have their own camera selection. Even if you set a system default, an app may still use a different camera if it’s configured that way.
• Clicking the wrong camera. If you have multiple cameras with similar names, double-check that you’re selecting the right one. You can preview the camera feed by clicking the camera name and looking at the preview window (if available).

Tips

• Check per-app settings. After setting the system default, open the app you use (e.g., Zoom) and check its own video settings to ensure it’s using the default camera. Most apps have a “Cameraâ€� dropdown in their settings.
• Disable unused cameras. If you never want to use a particular camera, you can disable it in Device Manager. Right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, expand Imaging devices, right-click the camera you want to disable, and choose Disable device. This prevents it from being used at all.
• Update drivers. If a camera isn’t showing up or isn’t working properly, update its driver. In Device Manager, right-click the camera and select Update driver.
• Use the camera privacy settings. If apps can’t access your camera at all, check Settings > Privacy > Camera and make sure “Allow apps to access your cameraâ€� is turned on.

Troubleshooting

If the camera you want doesn’t appear in the list:

• Make sure the camera is properly connected. For USB cameras, try a different port.
• Check Device Manager to see if the camera is recognized. If it has a yellow warning icon, right-click it and select Update driver or Uninstall device (then restart your PC).
• If it’s a built-in camera, make sure it’s not disabled in the BIOS/UEFI. Restart your PC and press the key to enter BIOS (usually F2, Del, or Esc), then look for an “Integrated Peripheralsâ€� or “Onboard Devicesâ€� section and ensure the camera is enabled.

If the default camera doesn’t stick:

• Some apps override the system default. Check the app’s own video settings and select the camera manually.
• Restart the app after changing the default. Some apps only read the camera list at launch.
• If the issue persists, try unplugging the camera you don’t want, then set the default for the remaining camera, then plug the other camera back in. This can force Windows to remember your preference.

If the preview shows a black screen:

• Make sure the camera is not being used by another app. Close any app that might be using the camera (like a video call or camera app).
• Check the camera’s physical privacy shutter. Some laptops have a built-in shutter that blocks the lens.
• Update the camera driver from the manufacturer’s website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different cameras for different apps?

Yes. Many apps have their own camera selection in their settings. For example, in Zoom, go to Settings > Video and choose the camera from the dropdown. This overrides the system default for that app.

Why doesn’t my camera show up in Settings?

If the camera isn’t listed, it may not be properly connected, the drivers may be missing, or the camera may be disabled in Device Manager. Check Device Manager under “Imaging devices� and ensure the camera is enabled and has no errors.

How do I change the default camera in Windows 10 for all apps?

Follow the steps above to set a system-wide default in Settings > Devices > Cameras. This will be used by apps that don’t have their own camera selection. For apps that do, you’ll need to change the setting within each app.

What’s the difference between “default camera� and “camera privacy settings�?

The default camera determines which physical camera is used when an app requests a camera. Privacy settings control whether apps can access any camera at all. If privacy is blocked, no camera will work, regardless of the default.

Can I set a camera as default if it’s not connected?

No. The camera must be connected and recognized by Windows to appear in the list. If you regularly switch between cameras, you’ll need to set the default each time you connect the one you want.

Why does my external webcam keep becoming the default even though I set my built-in one?

Windows sometimes re-assigns defaults when a new camera is plugged in. To prevent this, you can disable the external webcam in Device Manager when you don’t want it to be used. Alternatively, set the default again after plugging in the external camera.

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