Acer Nitro 5 Integrated Camera and Microphone array not working.

I am not sure how long these haven't been functional, but I noticed it a couple nights ago when attempting to use the microphone. The microphone just gives a quiet static noise when trying to listen to it but will not pick up any noise. The camera looks to be nonexistant entirely and doesn't even show up in the deice manager, but it is definitely there. I have seen numerous "fixes" for this issue but none seem to be my problem. I have the privacy settings enabled for both as shown.

However when trying to open the camera app, I get this.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/nl/w19ity09zk98.png

I have been banging my head against the wall on this for a couple days now and I would love any help. Thanks!

Accepted answers

All comments

Commodore_1995#

Can you inform the notebook model? Example an515-51-58vh. What is the version of windows?

Jacob17

AN515-53

Windows 10 Home 1903

Commodore_1995#

Has this problem occurred recently after any windows update?

Jacob17

I honestly don't know how long it has been like this. I have had the computer about a year now. I know they both worked just fine when I got it and for a few months after that. I've not tried to use either the microphone array or the camera for a couple months now though. I am guessing it was a Windows update along the way that broke them but none of the fixes that I have read for the updates work or are applicable.

sri369

@Jacob17 Can you see the cam and mic under device manager?
Try uninstalling driver and scan for hardware changes to have windows pick the drivers, and see if it helps.

Jacob17

I can see the array but not the camera. I have tried uninstalling the array but when it comes back it's still the same. I have seen suggestions to add the camera manually but the only devices that show up under imaging devices are generic Microsoft scanner drivers and the camera list is completely empty.

sri369

Jacob17 said:

I can see the array but not the camera. I have tried uninstalling the array but when it comes back it's still the same. I have seen suggestions to add the camera manually but the only devices that show up under imaging devices are generic Microsoft scanner drivers and the camera list is completely empty.

That's exactly what i thought - either your component is fried, or it could be a bad driver.
Try making a bootable ubuntu live usb, boot up with it, and see if your mic and camera get detected. This is a safer way for you won't need to install any OS.

Jacob17

Is there a way to find this driver? The Acer support page has very few drivers available and I cannot find the driver for this camera anywhere to attempt to reinstall it.

Commodore_1995#

The drivers for these cameras are usually provided by Microsoft. Have you checked if the problem remains after reinstalling windows?

Jacob17

I booted into an Ubuntu environment and when opening the camera application everything froze. I am assuming that confirms that there is physical problem with the hardware and that it isn't a driver issue.

sri369

Jacob17 said:

I booted into an Ubuntu environment and when opening the camera application everything froze. I am assuming that confirms that there is physical problem with the hardware and that it isn't a driver issue.

There you go... this could very well be the issue - I booted up with Ubuntu 16 Live on my Predator and Nitro and both recognized the camera right out of the box with no special drivers install. Try contacting Acer warranty support if you are still under warranty.

One more thing I would suggest is... back up all your data and clean install windows 10 from scratch using windows 10 installable USB and see if that helps. Acer might also anyways do this when they receive it before they check for any hardware faults.

Jacob17

It's under warranty for another month or two. It looked like a pain to get it sent for repairs though so not sure if I'm even going to bother (that may be the whole point of it being a pain) since I don't ever use the camera and only rarely wanted to use the microphone array. I appreciate the input from everyone!

Quick Links

Top Members

Weekly

Puraw 70

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™