Laptops have integrated webcams that have posed a hacking threat for some years now. To tackle this, some companies like HP as installed a camera light to tell you when the front webcam is on. Sometimes it becomes annoying and you think about how to turn off camera light on HP laptop?
Search Control Panel in the search bar of the HP laptop and open it. Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Device Manager. Go to Imaging Devices and double-click on the webcam option below it. Once the Driver Tab opens, click on Disable and confirm the selection.
You can also choose to turn off the webcam as well. In 2014, a UK-based study reported malware that spies on people through webcams. The best antidote against it is strong antivirus software and safe internet habits. Avast is a good antivirus software you can start with in addition to your web camera safety measures.
To turn off the camera light on an HP laptop, follow these steps:
- Open the “Device Manager” on your laptop by typing “Device Manager” in the search bar and clicking on the first result.
- Scroll down and click on “Imaging devices” to expand the list.
- Right-click on your laptop’s integrated camera and select “Properties.”
- Click on the “Driver” tab and then click on “Disable.”
- Click “OK” to confirm your changes.
By following these steps, you can easily disable the camera light on your HP laptop and continue to use the camera without any distracting lighting.
What is a Webcam?
Webcams are small cameras that are used usually for video calling on laptops. The image and video quality are not that good, but they are amazing to work remotely with. It can do real-time video recording, sound capture, or taking photographs.
Purpose of Camera Light
The camera light is an indicator that the camera is on or recording. It can be a defense against malware but it is not a reliable way to warn about a camera hack. Some advanced spyware can hardwire the webcam light while recording. However, in presence of an antivirus, it is safe to turn off the camera light on any laptop.
How to Turn Off Camera Light on Hp Laptop
Often it is not the webcam but the LED light that you want off. You can turn off the camera light on HP laptop in two ways.
- One of the tried and tested methods to turn off the camera light on HP laptop is to go to Control Panel. Click on Hardware and Sound and go to Device Manager. Next, find the Imaging Devices and double-click on the webcam option. Open the Driver tab and click on Disable.
- Search Power Options in the search bar, and click on it. Then, click on Change Plan Settings. A drop-down menu will appear, with three options under On Battery and three under Plugged In. Now, click on each of the six drop-down menus and select Never. Click Apply to disable all the LED lights on your HP laptop, if you are not sure about the camera light. Try and test all and enable the rest of the LED indicators later on.
Almost all cameras are USB devices. If you cannot find the same commands in your HP laptop, then try USB devices in the Device Manager. The UVC standard software controls the host LED of the webcam, so you can disable it from there.
If none of this works, then drawing over the LED light with a small marker or a small blob of matching nail polish can do the magic. It may not block it out but it will reduce the overall intensity of the LED. Another way to cover it is through tape.
However, it is recommended to keep the webcam light as it is. It is there to make the user know when the camera is on. Covering the webcam light may increase the chances of being watched and unaware of it.
Access to Webcam
You can limit the various applications that have access to your laptop camera. If you are unsure about which apps have access or want to change it, then you can change it through settings.
- Go to Start and search Settings. Click on Privacy and select Camera. It will enlist all the applications that have access to your HP laptop, and the extent of the access. All the permissions will be enlisted there. You can Allow or Deny access according to your choice.
How to Turn off Webcam?
If you decide to turn off your webcam, you can do so by going to the Start Menu and searching Device Manager. Locate Windows Device Manager in it and find Imaging Devices. Then, right-click on Intel ® Camera and select Disable. A pop-up will show up with a Yes or No. Click on Yes to disable the webcam. You can turn it on any time by following the same commands and selecting Enable.
Quick Fix to Turn Off Webcam
Some people don’t want to muddle with their laptop software, just to turn the webcam off. However, they still want to maintain their privacy and save their laptop from hacking.
A quick fix for this problem is to put tape on the webcam. It’s a no-brainer and hardly takes any time. Any type of masking or duct tape can be used. However, the tape looks like an eyesore on the laptop’s aesthetics and may leave a sticky residue on the camera screen.
Conclusion
Laptop cameras are an everyday utility and it is great to know how to turn off the camera light on HP laptop if you own one. You can do this with a simple Disable function in the LED settings or the Camera settings through Device Manager. Another easier fix is to tape the area with black tape to keep the LED from disturbing the eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do I Adjust the Camera on My HP Laptop?
You can adjust camera on HP laptop by clicking on Start > All Programs > HP > HP Camera. Double click on the HP Camera to open and adjust it according to your needs. The software shows a camera image, as well as a video setting, so you can adjust image size and quality.
Should I Cover my Laptop Camera?
If possible, it is good to cover or disable the camera when not in use. It will give you leverage against hackers because the camera is the first thing that is used to see if the device is hacked or not.
