How to Fix Missing Imaging Devices in Device Manager

This would be the case if the "Imaging Devices" category does not exist in Device Manager; hence, the system is unable to detect or access the webcam or other imaging device. Built-in cameras very often malfunction due to this issue. In such a scenario, it happens because of improper driver installation or some software or hardware problem which may have disabled the device. Most commonly, this is because a driver for the camera is missing or outdated.

Fix Missing Imaging Devices in Device Manager

Other causes may include accidentally turning off the camera with function keys, wrong settings to the system, conflict with recent updates, or incorrect permissions of devices.

This post will cover many of the methods through which you can find a solution for this problem.

1. Restart your computer.

Sometimes, the system may fail to install necessary drivers, including those needed by the imaging devices; therefore, a system restart may reload all the drivers and services, hence sometimes resolving the problem.

2. Make sure your webcam is enabled.

Cameras may be disabled at the system level due to either privacy settings or accidental key presses. You are able to check on the status to ensure that your webcam is enabled and ready for action. Most computers will turn on the webcam by pressing function keys, like "Fn + F6." If this is not being recognized or its drivers loaded properly, just ensuring that it's active should fix it.

3. Add Imaging Devices Manually

If Windows does not automatically detect the imaging device, then in most cases you can add it manually. Instead of letting Windows automatically detect the installation of missing components, select the option "Add Legacy Hardware". If at the time of booting the operating system did not recognize the imaging devices, this method will let you choose the correct drivers from a list and install them.

Press Windows Key + R.

Type in hdwwiz.cpl and click on the OK button.

Click on Action then click on Add Legacy Hardware.

Click Next, then click on "Install the hardware that I manually select from the list," click on Next, highlight Imaging Devices, and click Next.

Click on the tab of the manufacturer and add the missing device.

4. Run Windows 10 Troubleshooter.

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in Windows 10 will detect hardware issues for you easily-the missing imaging devices, for example-and fix them quickly. This single, easy process may be able to identify hardware problems like webcam troubles, trace the cause of those problems, then try to fix the issues by re-enabling the device or installing missing drivers.

Type "Troubleshoot" in the search bar inside Start.

Click Hardware and Devices. It scans all your attached devices-including that webcam-for problems and fixes those it finds.

To start this troubleshooter, click it. It takes just a minute or two to run, then it will, or won't, report it has fixed your problem.

Also, to the owners of MSI laptops, we recommend trying to press "Fn" + "F6", since for many users this solved the issue.

We surely hope that with this guide you will be able to solve the problem of missing imaging devices in Device Manager.