How to Fix External Windows Hello IR Camera on Lenovo Monitors

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If you’re having trouble getting Windows Hello to work with your external IR camera on a Lenovo notebook, you’re not alone. Many users find that the built-in camera works without problems, but the external one doesn’t activate, even though it shows up correctly in the device manager and the drivers are installed.

Here’s a simple solution to get your external IR camera functioning with Windows Hello:

First, double-check your camera’s connection. Make sure it’s plugged in securely and recognized by your computer. Sometimes, unplugging and plugging it back in can resolve recognition issues.

Next, go to the Device Manager. Locate your IR camera under the Imaging Devices section. Right-click on it and select “Update Driver.” Choose “Search automatically for updated driver software.” Even if it says the latest driver is installed, doing this can sometimes resolve recognition problems.

Now, check your Windows settings. Go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options. Under Windows Hello, see if the facial recognition option is available and activated. If it’s not, click on “Set up” to start the facial recognition setup process.

During setup, if your external camera isn’t detected, try disabling the internal camera temporarily. You can do this in Device Manager by right-clicking the internal camera and choosing “Disable device.” Then, restart the setup process for Windows Hello facial recognition. After successfully setting up the external camera, you can re-enable the internal camera if you prefer.

If the problem persists, check whether your external camera is compatible with Windows Hello. Not all external cameras support facial recognition; ensure your model supports this feature.

Lastly, keep your Windows system and all camera drivers up to date. Regular updates can fix bugs and improve compatibility.

In summary, ensure the camera is properly connected, update the drivers, temporarily disable the internal camera during setup if needed, and verify compatibility. With these steps, you should be able to get your external IR camera working smoothly with Windows Hello on your Lenovo notebook.