Windows
Camera blocked by a privacy cover in video calls
The camera would not turn on in Zoom and Teams, and the device reported that the camera was blocked or turned off by a switch or button. Windows updates and firmware updates were installed, and the built-in camera was found to have a lid cover/privacy shutter, after which the issue was resolved.
Killed once by someone from XL.net, on 2026-01-14.
Affects
Versions
- Windows
Apps
- Zoom
- Teams
Hardware
- built-in camera with lid cover/privacy shutter
What you see
- Camera does not come on in Zoom or Teams
- Message: "My camera is reporting that it is blocked or turned off by a switch or button on your device"
Why it happens
Likely The built-in camera was blocked by its lid cover/privacy shutter.
When it shows up
A Windows computer's camera fails in Zoom or Teams and the app says the camera is blocked or turned off by a switch or button.
You are in this case if:
- Exact message: "My camera is reporting that it is blocked or turned off by a switch or button on your device"
- A physical camera lid cover/privacy shutter is present on the device
1 fix below
The steps that killed it
The steps are behind a quick check
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Someone from XL.net killed this on a Windows computer on 2026-01-14. It is written up from that one repair, so it cites no outside page.