13" 2017 MacBook Pro, Bootcamp, Windows 10 -- Webcam won't work in any browser, only native apps

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Level 1

4 points

13" 2017 MacBook Pro, Bootcamp, Windows 10 -- Webcam won't work in any browser, only native apps

Webcam works fine in MacOS.

When in Windows 10, the webcam works in the native Camera app, Skype, etc -- but not in any browser. I can "allow" access to the camera fine, but it acts like it still doesn't have permission.

I've ensured the camera privacy settings are correct in Windows.

I've deleted the driver from Device Manager, downloaded and run the BootCamp "Windows Support" drivers, restarted, and same...

If I go to webcamtests.com and try to test, it says "Apparently, your webcam is being used or blocked by another application."

This is a fresh install of Windows 10, fully updated, with no extra apps that could cause a conflict.

I've read every single link I've found on Google and this discussion forum and found nothing that worked.

What can I do, other than throw in the towel and buy an external webcam?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 19, 2020 4:07 PM

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Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 20, 2020 3:52 PM in response to Pr0crast

Can you uninstall the current driver, leave the device as Unknown and check the PID/VID?

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 21, 2020 1:09 AM in response to Pr0crast

Does Show Hidden Devices show any new/unknown devices?

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 21, 2020 8:18 PM in response to Pr0crast

What is the error message in the Camera application?
Download the BC drivers using BC Assistant -> Action -> Download and post the Product Version from Bootcamp.xml.
It is an Apple camera, connected to a BCM device as noted in the link you have posted.
As a test, import the Bootcamp partition as a VM using a trial version of VMware Fusion, and check if the webcamtests.com check works.

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Answer 4

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 19, 2020 7:23 PM in response to Pr0crast

I used Microsoft Edge.

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Answer 5

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2020 7:31 PM in response to Loner T

Hmm, so when I uninstall the current driver, the device disappears from the Device Manager list entirely. There is no "Unknown" device in any of the sections, even after expanding them all.

I tried uninstalling but also checking the "delete this driver" box, then restarting -- and now I see a new entry called "Multimedia Controller" that reports having no driver installed.

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Answer 6

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 21, 2020 11:49 AM in response to Loner T

No, nothing else.

Have googled this endlessly. Not sure if this is helpful but it identifies the Broadcom 1570 device. May be a similar situation though this is a newer Macbook.

https://mpetroff.net/2015/10/macbook-webcam-teardown/

Where I'm at...

I re-ran the Bootcamp Repair thing, rebooted. Again, it installed the FaceTime HD Camera driver (9/30/2016 6.1.6500.0).

Rebooted.

Camera now ONLY works in Skype. Not the Camera app (gives an error message). Camera privacy settings are enabled so any app can access including browsers...

Browsers still giving the same behavior.

This is infuriating! Thanks for any other suggestions.

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Answer 7

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2020 10:50 AM in response to Loner T

Doesn't matter what browser I use.

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Answer 8

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2020 11:01 AM in response to Pr0crast

Some more pics

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Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 20, 2020 2:34 PM in response to Pr0crast

This is an Apple Device. Are Bootcamp drivers installed?

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Answer 10

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2020 2:36 PM in response to Loner T

Yep, per my OP:

"I've deleted the driver from Device Manager, downloaded and run the BootCamp "Windows Support" drivers, restarted, and same..."

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Answer 11

Pr0crast Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 20, 2020 10:49 AM in response to Loner T

Not sure what you mean by shut them down. On a fresh reboot with no apps open whatsoever, the same thing happens. Doesn't matter what browser. Tried Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Pic before clicking "Test my cam"

Pic after

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Answer 12

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Dec 20, 2020 12:35 PM in response to Pr0crast

You should either have a UVC Camera or an Apple iSight (0x05AC). You have a Broadcom device (0x14E4). This is incorrect. Boot into macOS and post the output that you see under About This Mac -> System Report -> Camera. It can be connected to a USB bus.

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