How to Use Monitor Camera | Built-In Webcam Setup in Minutes

Guide / By

Using a monitor camera means connecting your monitor to a PC, enabling camera permissions in Windows, and selecting the webcam from your app’s video settings.

Most people discover the hard way that their shiny new monitor has a camera they cannot get working. One wrong cable, one blocked permission, and the webcam stays dark. The fix is simple when you know the order. Whether your monitor has a built-in webcam or you are plugging in a separate USB camera, the steps take about two minutes once you get the connection right.

What You Need Before Starting

A monitor camera only works if your monitor actually includes a built-in webcam. Many monitors do not. Check the specs or look for a small lens housing on the top bezel. If there is no built-in camera, you will need a separate USB webcam plugged into your computer instead. For the built-in type, your monitor must also be connected to the PC with both a display cable (HDMI or DisplayPort) and a USB uplink cable for data transfer. The USB cable is what carries the camera signal to your operating system.

Step-by-Step: How to Use a Monitor’s Built-In Camera

ASUS recommends starting with the monitor’s power cord, then connecting the USB cable and HDMI or DisplayPort cable between the monitor and your PC or laptop. For a monitor camera to appear in Windows, follow this exact sequence:

  • Connect cables: plug in the monitor’s power, then the USB cable (usually Type-B to Type-A), then the display cable to the PC.
  • Turn on the monitor and let Windows detect the new hardware. The webcam may need a moment to initialize.
  • Enable camera privacy: go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and toggle on “Let apps access your camera.”
  • Test the camera: open the Camera app from Start. If you see yourself, the monitor camera is working. If not, check cables and then reset the monitor through Menu > Tools > All Reset > Yes.
  • Choose the camera in your app: in Zoom, Teams, or any conferencing software, open Settings > Video or Camera and select the monitor webcam from the device list. You will see the preview update immediately.

The when you open the Camera app and the feed appears live, every step worked. If the image is black, the most common cause is a missing USB connection or a blocked privacy permission — check those two first.

Using a Separate USB Webcam With a Monitor

If your monitor has no built-in camera, any standard USB webcam works the same way. HP’s guidance says to plug the camera into an available USB port on your computer (not the monitor’s USB hub, unless the monitor is connected via USB uplink to the PC). Wait for the OS to recognize the device, install any manufacturer software or drivers if prompted, and restart if Windows asks. Then enable camera permissions and select the webcam in your conferencing app. For an affordable option that works reliably, browse our roundup of the best budget camera monitors with built-in webcams — these remove the separate-camera hassle entirely.

Using an External Camera as a Display Input

This is a different scenario: connecting an external camera directly to a monitor for display, not for PC video calls. The camera must have a video output port such as HDMI, VGA, or DVI, and the monitor must have the matching input. This setup is common for DSLR cameras used as live preview displays or for security camera feeds. Check both devices’ manuals for port compatibility — mismatched connections produce no image. Once connected, select the correct input source on the monitor using its input button.

Common Mistakes That Block Your Monitor Camera

  • Assuming every monitor has a camera: only specific models include one. If no lens is visible, you need a separate webcam.
  • Forgetting the USB uplink cable: the display cable alone does not carry the camera signal. The USB data cable is mandatory for built-in webcams.
  • Blocked privacy permissions: even a perfectly connected camera stays dark if Windows camera access is off. Always check Settings > Privacy & security > Camera.
  • Choosing the wrong video input: your conferencing app may default to a different device. Manually select the correct webcam from the app’s video settings.
  • Missing drivers: some monitor models require specific drivers from the manufacturer’s support page. A generic driver may not work.

When the image fails despite correct connections, ASUS recommends using the monitor’s All Reset function before replugging cables and reopening the Camera app. That reset clears any internal state that might be blocking the webcam signal.

FAQs

Does every monitor with a built-in webcam need drivers?

Most modern monitors use standard UVC (USB Video Class) drivers that Windows installs automatically. Some models, particularly business-grade monitors with advanced features like IR cameras, may require a manufacturer driver for full functionality.

Can I use a monitor webcam without a USB cable?

No. The webcam signal travels over the USB data connection, not over HDMI or DisplayPort. If the monitor’s USB uplink cable is disconnected, the camera will not appear as a device in Windows even if the display works perfectly.

Why is my monitor webcam showing a black image in my video app?

This usually means a privacy permission is blocked. Open Windows Settings, go to Privacy & security, and enable camera access for apps. If permission is already on, test the camera in the Windows Camera app — if it works there but not in your meeting app, check that app’s specific camera permission.

References & Sources

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