Webcam missing after clean install

I recently performed a clean install of Windows 7 on my AW 18 and I've gotten mostly everything back up and running. The webcam is giving me trouble though. It is not listed in device manager at all and any software that I install that should detect it (manycam, skype, etc) just doesn't pick it up. Is there a driver for it that I need to download from somewhere? It worked just fine before the clean install.

 

First, be sure it is enabled by pressing FN+F9. OSD has to be installed for that to work.

If that still does not work, I haven't run into the webcam and mic array not being detected on an Alienware, but I have seen reports of it on a few Dell laptops. The webcam and mic array should be supported natively by Windows, without any third-party drivers.

Have you tried installing Dell Webcam Central to see if that changes anything. If not, give that a shot.

If all of the above does not help, see if you can manually install it using the manual add hardware wizard from Device Manager.

If you cannot find Dell Webcam Central anywhere, let me know and I will upload mine for you.

Edit: here's the link in case you need Dell Webcam Central (M18x)

 

I have tried all of these solutions and none of them seem to work. On the AW 18, the FN+F9 combination is for HDMI in, and I do not see an F key that says anything relating to the webcam on it.

I installed the Webcam Central software but that gives me the same result as Skype and Manycam in that the program does not detect my webcam.

When I try to manually install through device manager, nothing new pops up that I can see would get my webcam working again.

Is it possible that my webcam has a loose connection inside? I don't see how considering it worked fine before I reinstalled Windows, but something's gotta give here.

 

As, sorry about that. Not sure on the 18 what the deal is. I haven't even looked at the one I have for a couple of months. I did not remember if there is an F-key for it.

It is possible that a connection is loose, but if you know it was working before the OS reinstall, that's probably not the problem.

Open Device Manager, go to "View" (top menu) and select "Show hidden devices" and see if anything appears under a name like "Imaging Devices" or something referring to cameras. You might find it that way. If you do, try right-click and see if there is an option to "Enable" the webcam. I have found things like Bluetooth modules that were turned off and was able to turn them back on that way before.

 

Also check in windows update specially if you reinstalled and use win8.

 

There is no FN key combination to turn off the webcam like in the older Alienwares. If it's not being detected by default, the only thing that can be is a lose connection.

 

Or being disabled.

Webcams, USB hubs, network adapters and Bluetooth modules can be hidden and disabled by Windows to save power. Because of this, not having a switch to manually turn these devices on and off on the new Alienware systems is a design defect.

Curious to see if he finds it under "Show hidden devices" as previously mentioned. If not there, then it is probably a bad connection or a hardware failure. That would be an odd coincidence if they were working and only stopped working with the OS reinstall.

 

Checking "Show hidden devices" reveals nothing new unfortunately. Could you tell me what name the webcam has under "imaging devices" in device manager? I know that it is definitely not in there, but it may help if I know what name Windows gives the webcam itself. Only two things are listed currently, which are "Manycam virtual webcam" and my wireless printer.

I have also already installed all of the "important" Windows updates so I don't think they will solve my webcam issue.

I may have to take my computer apart when I have some time to see if there is a loose connection. I haven't opened it up in quite a while though so I'm going to have to re-learn the process I think.

 

Install manufacturer specific chipset and usb hub drivers first. Webcam runs via both of them, if standard 7 drivers don't list all buses (common with usb) then the webcam remains hidden as well.