When I Go on MSN My Webcam Goes Black
Using a webcam with Windows Live or "MSN" Messenger shouldn't cause the webcam to go black on the computer screen, where it appears to give you a preview of what your conversation partner sees. Troubleshoot the software and your own computer so that you can resume normal video chatting via Windows Live Messenger.
Other People Are Reading
-
Webcam Hardware Problems
-
A hardware problem with your webcam may cause the webcam to appear black on the screen. To see whether the webcam is to blame, open another application that uses it -- Skype, for example, or the "Chat" application within Gmail -- and see if you are able to successfully make a video call. If you aren't, the webcam is to blame and you should replace -- or, if the webcam is built-in, seek repair services for your computer.
Computer Hardware Problems
-
If your webcam appears to be functioning normally, your computer itself may be to blame. Microsoft recommends that you use a system running at least a 1.4 GHz processors and with at least 1GB of random access memory or "RAM," which controls the speed at which the computer allocates memory to applications. If your computer's RAM is low, video chatting becomes slow and it's possible the webcam might not render on the screen.
-
Video Calling Errors
-
In some instances, Windows Live Messenger doesn't display your webcam if someone else calls you. If this occurs call that person, which results in both webcam images appearing successfully. Out of date software is one cause for errors in video calling that prevent the webcam from appearing when you receive a call.
Updating Windows Live Software
-
If no problems appear in your webcam and your computer meets the minimum system requirements for Windows Live Messenger, the version of Messenger you use may be the problem. Update Messenger by clicking "Yes" when Messenger prompts you to update the next time you log in, or manually, directly from the Microsoft website.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
