Studio 15’s Integrated Dell Webcam does not work with Windows 7 out of box, the drivers offered by DELL do not support the hardware; in fact, they’ve apparently tested the Studio 1537 and have decided that it is not compatible with Windows 7.
Well, I’ve done some in-house testing and have come to a different conclusion. The hardware works perfectly with Windows 7; everything with the exception of webcam is picked up through windows update.
So, in the tradition of messing with Dell’s strategy and giving consumers the ability to do what they want with their purchased products, like overclocking their laptop GPU, here is the guide to getting your Studio 15 webcam working with Windows 7.
Step 1: Update all your drivers. Check that your microphone works: Control Panel > Sounds > Recording
If the green bar goes up when you tap the microphone (hole right next to webcam lens) the green bar should jump. If its not working make sure you have updated your windows. If the driver works fine but you cannot record anything with the microphone: read my comment below.
Step 2: Download driver R213648. You may download it in a non-annoying installer-less zip file. (mirror)
Step 3: Extract the file to a directory.
Step 4: Go to the driver directory, find setup.exe, rightclick on it and go to properties, find the Compatibility tab and select run in compatibility with Vista SP 2. Look at the picture if you get confused.
Step 5: Hit next a bunch of times and reboot your computer.
Step 6: Your webcam now works. Test it out by using an online webcam test, using some sort of software, or Dell Webcam Central.
As much as I am thrilled you have made this, internal mic is not working and cannot seem to find the BIE file to downlaod. Any help on this would be much appreciated, so that I can finish attempting to get ym webcam working. thanks!
Brittney, what is your laptop model? I am on Studio 1537 and my internal mic works. Chances are yours is muted, to fix this do the following:
control panel > sound > recording > properties > levels … put up your mic boost and your mic volume higher than 0.
Go here to see if it works.
If that doesn’t work get out of the levels tab and go to General, click properties on High Definition Audio Device, go to driver tab and hit update driver, alternately if your roll-back driver button isn’t grayed out you can try using ti as well.
I have the same 1537. Also today, my usb drives are starting to fail.
Also if my computer has been on for longer than a couple of hours, I get memory overload warnings and it shuts itself down. Hate to have to send it off, but I dont see another way.
memory warnings generally imply a problem with your ram, run “memtest 86” overnight to verify you have errors. If thats the case, buying new ram is your solution.
However, if you have warranty you should send it in; I believe they will replace ram for free. Likewise your usb ports are a hardware issue.
already, somehow my memory problems seems to have miraculously healled themself… but i still cannot get the webcam to install/work/ or even been seen the device manager at all.
seems that the microphone works though.
Without looking at the laptop I cannot determine between hardware fault, user error, or genuine hardware incompatibility. If the device is not found in device manager then the device is physically disconnected (cable unplugged inside your computer).
Honestly though, its far more likely you are doing something wrong. If you want me to troubleshoot this problem give me some info to go off, memory problems don’t disappear, and the hardware used in our computers is identical; there’s no reason this should work for me and not you… try disabling UAC and doing step4/5.
I have a 1535 and my mic doesn’t respond at all. So I’m stuck at Step 1 but I have tried all the steps and it still doesn’t respond. It worked for Vista but hasn’t worked since I updated to 7.
Take the same driver you used in Vista and install it using this procedure.
ok, somehow my mic driver is now working, but when i try to install the webcam driver, it gets to 90% and says there is an error and stops
go to device manager (run>devmgmt.msc), find the webcam, and uninstall the webcam driver. Then reinstall the driver again using the steps in the guide.
Also: disable antivirus/firewall software. Make sure you don’t have virus running either.
i cant uninstall a driver te webcam does not even show up on the device manager
Like I said, if it is not showing up in the device manager the wire is disconnected or you don’t know what you are looking at. I can’t help you further, the problem is isolated in your computer configuration.
I am pretty much facing the same problem that Brittney is. I am a hardcore technical guy as well and I really cant find the webcam or anything related to it in device manager. Also while installing the driver you have given above, it stops at 90% and gives me an error. It asks for reboot nonetheless, which I have tried as well.
Even my mic is not working.
Is there anything else that can be tried for this? I use a dell studio 1537 with windows 7 32 bit. Even bluetooth does not work in mine.
Exactly, My install stops at 90$ and ive tried running in every compatability mode possible.
Also, apparently my mic is hit or miss. Althought somehow my memory errors have magically disapeared. weird.
I can take a look, https://www.bayareatechpros.com/services/remote-support/, allow me to make a remote connection… otherwise I cannot diagnose from my armchair.
11am-5pm PST
I was lokinog everywhere and this popped up like nothing!
I made it work by simply going into the face recognition program and getting it to download all updates over the net. As soon as I had done that it all worked *perfectly*. No hacks needed. Using Windows 7 x64, but the software is 32 bit so it will work in either x86 (32 bit) or x64 (64 bit).
If your problem is with software apart from the preinstalled face recognition and webcam studio, then you simply have to quit out of the face recognition software completely, which may require you to do a CTRL-ALT-DEL and go to task manager. After this, the face recognition software won’t be grabbing the webcam and you can use Skype etc no problems.
As a last resort, simply uninstall the Face Access software.
Mike what is your laptop model? I am assuming since you have preloaded software you are using a Studio that came with Windows 7 out of the box – if that’s the case, your webcam is supposed to work.
This guide is for the Studios which were never originally shipped with Windows 7, where users upgraded them and do not have any preloaded soft.
Hi, i recently bought dell inspiron n5010 and windows 7 ultimate 64 bit on it. I have searched but havent found webcam driver on dell driver support site. I then checked device manager and the webcam driver was installed but there’s no way to access it, i mean shouldnt there be some official utility to test your webcam?
The driver only allows for the device to function on your system. You need an app to send the proper calls to the hardware in order to test if it functions. Flash apps are the fastest, installer less way, to check your webcam.
Alternately you could get Dell Webcam Central
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?releaseid=R230103&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=331268
I’m having this same problem, and I have tried to go and download Dell Webcam Central from that link, the Drivers and Downloads page. But I run into a second problem. After I click “Download” and then “Save File”, and I double click on “DellDriverDownloadManager”, I get the message “There are no files to download. Please go to Drivers and Downloads to select file(s).”
Cameron it seems to me you’ve made the mistake of downloading with the Dell downloader rather than the file you wanted. Reload the page completely and when asked how you want to download select use my browser. I hate that dell does this it is extremely annoying, there is no reason to download a download mangaer in order to download a file and that is what confused you. So open up a new browser or clear the cache of your current one and try that download again selecting download with my browser, not DellDriverDownloadManager
Regards
I’ve tried doing all of that, deleting the Download Manager, and restarting my computer, and it won’t give me the options again.
http://ftp.us.dell.com/monitors/Dell_SX2210-Monitor_Webcam%20SW%20RC1.1_%20R230103.exe
press CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE or install a new browser
you have to clear your cache.
Wow, okay, so I feel helpless, but I got it downloaded, and now its asking me to Unzip or Winzip and to chose where to do it. The place it has selected on its own is C:delldriversR230103. It also has a box checked that says “overwrite files without prompting.” Just wondering if I’m in the write place and what I should click. Thanks for all of your help so far and any more help that may come.
Thank you for all of your help, I was able to figure that out and my webcam is now up and running.
I have the mic working, but the driver only installs up to 90% like the other person. You seem to have more knowledge than anyone about this topic, can you please help?
wildcards:
Where exactly should I put the driver file before I open it?
How do I remove the driver without removing the cam from the device manager?
Also, where should it be listed in the Device Manager? I have Live! Cam Virtual under “Sound, Video, and Game Controllers”
Go to device manager and right click on the device, click driver tab, click uninstall. Its probably going to make it disappear, so if it does reboot the computer and it will recognize the device again. After booting up cancel any prompts to find a driver for this device and install the webcam/mic driver using the installer running in compatibility mode.
Hi,
We have recently bought a inspirion 1545 dell laptop and we cant get the web cam to work. it is telling us that there is no supported webcam and to plug in a supported device. I have tried everything I can think of to get the webcam central to work. Nothing has worked. I even tried to unistall and reinstall the program and still nothing. What do you suggest?
Amanda, you are taking the wrong stance. No “PROGRAM” will ever make your webcam work, you need a driver.
I suggest following this guide 100% step by step, I’m not sure you’ve done so yet, you didn’t mention it.
So try this, go to start+r, type devmgmt.msc , find your webcam under imaging devices:
Is it there?
Does it have a yellow thing next to it?
Is it not there?
Once I know this I can give you some real help…
Hi,
I tried the mentioned steps but the camera wont work for me. My mic is working.
I am having a Dell N 56010 (Inspirion 15 R) series.
I got a error after completing the 90% setup.
I also tried to disable the antivirus but still the same problem.
Can you please help me with the webcam?
Thanks,
Hitesh
From my experience it gets stuck at 90% if you don’t set compatibility mode to Windows Vista, if you set it follows through… though thats on my 1537, can’t say for yours. Are you sure you are installing the proper webcam driver? Go to dell support and download the driver for your webcam (vista version if 7 doesnt exist), run with compatibility mode just like described above. That should work.
The alternate is installing the driver through device manager
run devmgmt.msc > imaging devices > camera> doubleclick > driver > update driver > browse computer > let me browse > have disk > C:/Dell/R######/ *.inf somewhere in there
hii few days ago i had purchased dell n5010 and i had installed windows 7ultimate 64 bit …and now i am unable to use my webcam i had insalled all the drivers which i had got with cd and i had installed web cam central but than also it shows and error that no supported devices found please help me my email id is [——–] i am waitng for ur feedback
Ok well #1, always get the latest drivers. The CD was made at the same time the laptop was, and by the sound of it that was before Windows 7 came out. So find the latest drivers for your webcam and install them using this method.
when i open my webcam,it says “please plug in a supported device”…….what should i do now? mine is dell inspiron 15R N5010 n windows 7…………..plz help:(
Help me narrow it down a bit…
Have you ever opened the laptop or do you suspect someone else has? If so, have a qualified person reopen your laptop and reinsert the plug for the video card. Thats unlikely though… what is likely is that you do not have a driver installed. So:
Have you installed the drivers? On device manager (run > devmgmt.msc) does the webcam show? Does it show a yellow question mark next to it? If it shows a yellow box to it attempt to install driver. If install fails what does error message say? Attempt to install using method perscribed above.
Where did you get your driver? Download latest driver from dell.com using your service tag (# bottom of computer).
Attempt a device manager driver install. Open devmgmt.msc, find your card, browse locally, have disk, find the driver inside the folder of the installer if its there, or search directory.
Aleksandr,
I have a Studio 1537 and have recently updated to Windows 7. My internal microphone and my internal webcam are not listed in the device manager. When I try to download the driver for my webcam (and run in compatibility mode for vista SP2) it goes until 90% and then says that there was an error. In the volume controls for my recording devices no green bars come up. The internal microphone is enabled and set as default. If I run the troubleshooter for the audio devices no issues are found. Of course, the microphone isn’t listed in the device manager so I guess it can’t find any issues.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and effort.
Jes
ok well the error is your fault, either a corrupt system, registry, windows installer, breaking hard drive, i can go on…
as for the mic, the driver is provided by windows update, so click on the optional tab and get it.
I have a Studio 1537 and my internal mic doesnt work at all..
it is not muted
and when i go to control>sound>recording and tap on the mic(holes by webcam) no green bars appear
any ideas what could be wrong?
my guess is that you didn’t update, and if you say you did, notice there are two sections for updates: optional and recommended. Mic driver would be under optional.
Hi Guys,
I have a Dell Studio 1537. How do i activate the bluetooth please?
It came with Vista but i have upgraded to Windows 7.
Ever since i purchased it, i have not been able to activate the bluetooth even when it was still on Vista.
i downloaded the bluetooth drivers i found on Dell Support for 1537, but it has made no difference.
I would appreciate any good pointers.
Thanks.
Thank you so much for this, just upgraded to windows 7 and EVERYTHING works!
after days investigating and downloading lot of drivers… i found your post… and it´s so greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!
like you said, after these steps my webcam (and fingerprint sensor) work!!!!
but in black and white :( and in really low quality (it´s like i´m watchin tv through a camera, i can see lines)
any suggestions???? you are my only hope!!!!!
can i put your post on my wall????? you´re owsom!!!
Hey L what application are you using that is showing black and white? It would be really odd for your hardware to do that, likely you have a BW Greyscale filter enabled. What color does the camera on chatroulette show?
actually, on chatroulette the webcam is not working!!! so, i´m using my dell soft dell webcam center…
i have a dell 1735 that came with vista, and i hace just installed windows 7… but all my drivers are for vista! but the only way that i could “see something” with that webcam is doing what you suggest… when i was using de W7 beta the webcam did perfectly…
i´m worry about my ati video driver… could it be that? couse i see everything white and black and in a really low quality, and horizontal lines like when you videotape a tv screen or a computer screen…
but a really don´t know… !!! i´ll be waiting for any idea!!!
If you can play back videos, like youtube, without this problem it is not your video driver, it is your webcam driver. Try reinstalling, it shouldn’t do that and the fact that it is showing something means it works. Updating your ati driver won’t hurt, check out
Do a full removal of the webcam driver by running devmgmt.msc (device manager) and uninstalling the driver software. Then go back and try to reinstall it using my method.
done! the same… when i restarted, a message pop up on my taskbar saying that my usb device could run faster if i plugged to 2.0… could it be the usb driver? couse when i check my webcam device, appears in hardware the integrated webcam and a usb port (that when i was guessing i change once, before finding your website) couse this is not the first time ir shows up
just guessing… i dont know
To see your driver conflicts run devmgmt.msc / go to device manager – the items with a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark will be the ones that are having driver issues.
Additionally a possible issue is that you are using 1537 drivers I linked rather than 1735 drivers for your machine. If this is correct then find the appropriate driver for the 1735 and apply the same procedure to it.
If that’s not the case taking a look at device manger will show the problem with a yellow triangle.
no yellow triangle anyware :(… and i install the driver that my dell brought (1735)…
i re-installed the driver (just in case) and update the catalyst center control (now is pro or sometihing like that) for windows 7…
still the same horizontal bars and the black and white display… but now it work on chatroulette… ugly, but works…
I’m glad it is now working, too bad we still don’t know where the issue is coming from. Best solution would be for Dell to release a driver :)
on google chat still do not work
Can some one help me with dell web cam central please ?
That’s what the article is for, buddy. Asking for help and offering no information for diagnosis is akin to yelling into a pillow.
Hi, I have a Studio 1458 notebook and updated from Windows 7 Home Premium to Ultimate and my webcam does not work with any driver or Dell software. I tried to follow your steps, but my mic still has a problem. Even though every drive is updated and the microphone shows a soft green bar, I cannot record anything or listen to any response when I choose such option. I tried the website you suggested to Brittney, but it just shows the minimum bar and it doesn’t change according to the noises I make. I also tried to install the driver you mentioned on this post, but it shows an error and does not finish installation. Do you have any idea what is happening? I don’t have any other issues on my notebook but this trouble with webcam and microphone.
Hi , I´ve just installed Windows 7 Ultimate on my Studio 1537, and the first thing I´ve notticed is that my max screen resolution is 1024×768 .When I connect a Benq 24¨ the resolution goes to 1920×1080…In Vista it would go up to 1920×1080 on the laptop´s display too….Thanks….
Try this:
1) Update to the latest graphic drivers of AMD/Ati or Nvidia. Download/Install/Reboot
2) Go to Screen Resolution (Display Settings) and ensure the devices are extended and not mirrored
3) Set maximum supported resolutions.
Got the driver, and tried to install it normally, at the end, all i get is problem configuring driver. Ran it again with the vista sp2 compatibility, and the same happens.
Hard to tell what the problem is, only suggestion I have with this limited information is to uninstall the previous driver before attempting to install this.