USB Webcam & Printer Conflict

Downloading updated drivers for devices such as webcams can solve multiple problems.

Conflicts between a USB webcam and printer can often be solved by updating the hardware drivers and the operating system on your computer. Going through this process ensures the latest bug fixes and compatibility updates are applied for the webcam, printer and system software. In addition, if any necessary files or settings have been erased or damaged, updating Windows and the hardware drivers should be enough to replace them.

Downloading Drivers

Browse to the official websites for the manufacturers of the webcam and printer to locate and download the relevant drivers for the hardware. Look for a link labelled "Support" or "Downloads" to find the correct setup file -- you will typically be asked to select a model number and operating system version. Once the files have been downloaded, launch them one at a time and follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation. Reboot the PC and reconnect the webcam and printer to check if the issue is resolved.

Updating Windows

Alongside updating the hardware drivers, applying the latest patches to Windows itself can help solve hardware conflict problems. As with the drivers, Windows bug fixes and updates to improve compatibility with both new and old hardware devices will often fix conflict issues. Microsoft recommends that Windows be configured to update itself automatically -- the relevant dialog is accessed through the Windows Update section of Control Panel. Within Windows Update, click on individual update entries for more details about each one.

Other Troubleshooting Steps

Updating the installed hardware drivers and applying the latest Windows drivers will solve many conflict issues, but if the problem persists there are alternative troubleshooting options to try. Switch the USB ports used by both the webcam and printer and avoid plugging them into a USB hub rather than the motherboard. Reinstall both devices from scratch -- this has the effect of replacing any configuration files that have been erased or corrupted. To do this, open the Device Manager from Control Panel and choose the "Uninstall" option for both devices in turn. Once the process is finished, reinstall the webcam and printer by following the instructions provided in the supplied documentation.

Finding Further Help

If the conflict problem persists, visit the support section of the website for the manufacturer of both the webcam and the printer, or contact the manufacturer directly. Most manufacturer websites feature troubleshooting guides and resources, as well as community forums that you can make use of to report your problem. Include as much information as possible about your system, the hardware devices involved, and any error messages that appear on screen. The Microsoft support website at support.microsoft.com is another useful resource for searching for troubleshooting articles related to your problem. If your issue isn't already covered, you can start a forum thread.

Resources

• Microsoft: Support