OBS Virtual Camera may affect built-in webcams

Cloudmage commented 3 years ago

Using OBS virtual camera in Microsoft Teams able to use teh power of OBS, however on subsequant uses following a reboot of the laptop the inbuilt camera is no longer available on the device. Its being uninstalled or wont load properly.

This has happened on several devices, Lenovo and HP.

Platform

Operating system and version: Windows 10 1909 OBS Studio version: 26.0

Expected Behavior

OBS virtual camera should allow the selection of cameras (inbuilt/external) but also allow them to be accessed via additional applications such as Microsoft Teams.

Current Behavior

OBS is holding the cameras after it has been closed and the only choice available for other applications in the OBS Virtual Camera. In Device Manager the internal camera is now show as uninstalled and trying to reinstall with updated drivers does not work Uninstall of OBS does not solve this as the uninstall is not removing everything.

Steps to Reproduce

Install OBS 26.0 on a laptop with an inbuilt camera, MS Teams
Run a Teams meeting using OSB virtual camera
Reboot laptop - internal camera now missing in Teams

Additional information

This has happened to several people all using different hardware.

wildenrou commented 2 years ago

Same here. Both webcams have been killed by OBS... my internal webcams are not recognized in any app of my laptop. Can't believe it. Here is what I tried so far:

Troubleshoot and Reinstall hardware
Registry editor EnableFrameServerMode
BIOS camera switch
Third-party software
Using restore point when i installed OBS

Any news from the OBS team???

Fenrirthviti commented 2 years ago

Same here. Both webcams have been killed by OBS... my internal webcams are not recognized in any app of my laptop. Can't believe it. Here is what I tried so far:

Troubleshoot and Reinstall hardware

Registry editor EnableFrameServerMode

BIOS camera switch

Third-party software

Using restore point when i installed OBS

Any news from the OBS team???

The news has not changed. We still need someone who is willing to work with us to investigate a system that is actively having the issue, as we cannot replicate on our end. Until someone is willing to help us investigate, there's not really anything we can do. See: https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/3555#issuecomment-964700670

benjoOBS commented 2 years ago

I'm willing to work with you. I have the same issues with my PC. bpapellero@gmail. com

LukeNK commented 2 years ago

I also have the same issue except that after the temporary BIOS fix, it was detected but as a black canvas. I have already contacted the email and hopefully get this bug fix. It is also worth noticing that my camera has a physical light that lights every time it is on, but for this occasion, it just flickers randomly.

JadSDK commented 2 years ago

Hello,

I have the same problem, has anyone been able to resolve the issue? (& Shouldnt the developers warn users about this before they install OBS)

JadSDK commented 2 years ago

Same here. Both webcams have been killed by OBS... my internal webcams are not recognized in any app of my laptop. Can't believe it. Here is what I tried so far:

Troubleshoot and Reinstall hardware

Registry editor EnableFrameServerMode

BIOS camera switch

Third-party software

Using restore point when i installed OBS

Any news from the OBS team???

The news has not changed. We still need someone who is willing to work with us to investigate a system that is actively having the issue, as we cannot replicate on our end. Until someone is willing to help us investigate, there's not really anything we can do. See: #3555 (comment)

If you still havent found anyone willing to work with you on this problem, email me at jadsadaka99@gmail.com, id be more than happy to.

wildenrou commented 2 years ago

Hi, Not been able to resolve this issue on my brand new laptop since then and no news from OBS. I am a lawyer and would be ready to take a class action suit pro bono (or other legal remedy, TBD). Anyone interested to be part of the group please let me know asap.

On Sat, Mar 26, 2022 at 12:11 PM JadSDK @.***> wrote:

Same here. Both webcams have been killed by OBS... my internal webcams are not recognized in any app of my laptop. Can't believe it. Here is what I tried so far:

Troubleshoot and Reinstall hardware

Registry editor EnableFrameServerMode

BIOS camera switch

Third-party software

Using restore point when i installed OBS

Any news from the OBS team???

The news has not changed. We still need someone who is willing to work with us to investigate a system that is actively having the issue, as we cannot replicate on our end. Until someone is willing to help us investigate, there's not really anything we can do. See: #3555 (comment) https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/3555#issuecomment-964700670

If you still havent found anyone willing to work with you on this problem, email me at @.***, id be more than happy to.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/3555#issuecomment-1079746563, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AW5NQ3UIOUFF4X25WMU4IK3VB5HN5ANCNFSM4SERFTUA . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: @.***>

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benjoOBS commented 2 years ago

I fixed mine after:

Uninstall/Reinstall - fail Update drivers (system, camera, etc) - failed System restore - failed (tbh my only restore point was only after I installed OBS) Uninstalled Bitfocus Companion app - failed (fixed for a couple of weeks but was back) Soft reinstall of windows 10OS -failed Full OS reinstall - fixed

Fenrirthviti commented 2 years ago

Hi, Not been able to resolve this issue on my brand new laptop since then and no news from OBS. I am a lawyer and would be ready to take a class action suit pro bono (or other legal remedy, TBD). Anyone interested to be part of the group please let me know asap.

I don't think threatening legal action against a piece of free, open source software, developed by a community for free, provided as-is with no warranty, is a great way to get us to fix a problem. But, best of luck with that I suppose.

We know this is an issue. We don't know why. We've asked for people who are willing to help us by giving us access to a host which has the issue, and have not been able to coordinate with anyone yet. We have reached out to a few of the people offering help, but scheduling a time has been challenging where everyone is available.

Nobody is ignoring this, nobody is saying it isn't an issue, and if we knew how to fix, we already would have.

aeshirey commented 2 years ago

My webcam no longer works and isn't even recognized by Windows. Not sure how long it's been, as I rarely use my webcam on this machine. Before I try going back into my BIOS to try resetting configuration, is there anything you'd like me to check or try?

To be clear: while I've experienced this problem and believe it's tied to OBS, I don't know whether anything I've done recently has caused this recurrence.

JadSDK commented 2 years ago

Hi, Not been able to resolve this issue on my brand new laptop since then and no news from OBS. I am a lawyer and would be ready to take a class action suit pro bono (or other legal remedy, TBD). Anyone interested to be part of the group please let me know asap.

I don't think threatening legal action against a piece of free, open source software, developed by a community for free, provided as-is with no warranty, is a great way to get us to fix a problem. But, best of luck with that I suppose.

We know this is an issue. We don't know why. We've asked for people who are willing to help us by giving us access to a host which has the issue, and have not been able to coordinate with anyone yet. We have reached out to a few of the people offering help, but scheduling a time has been challenging where everyone is available.

Nobody is ignoring this, nobody is saying it isn't an issue, and if we knew how to fix, we already would have.

I have initiated contacts with Mr Ryan, a developer from the OBS team. Hopefully we'll coordinate a meeting very soon and resolve this issue once and for all.

notr1ch commented 2 years ago

For those where the camera has physically disappeared (e.g. the integrated camera no longer appears as an option in various apps), please post the camera's original hardware ID, found as follows:

Open Device Manager by right clicking the Start menu and selecting "Device Manager"
From the menu, choose View / Show Hidden Devices
Under Cameras or Imaging Devices, find the integrated camera (it should be greyed out). There may be more than one - if so just pick one - they should all have the same hardware ID.
Right click it and go to properties and go the details tab
Select "Hardware IDs" from the dropdown, then right click and copy the first value in the list and reply here with it (your laptop manufacturer and model would also be useful). It should look something like USB\VID_046D&PID_0843&REV_0013&MI_00.

MBR5 commented 2 years ago

Glad to hear this is progressing, thanks!

Laptop: Gigabyte Aorus 5
Camera Hardware ID: USB\VID_04F2&PID_B685&REV_5404&MI_00

ExceptionRegret commented 2 years ago

What about Mac OS Guys?🙂 Edit: Anyone Tell How to Find that hardware id in macbook

wildenrou commented 2 years ago

Laptop: Microsoft Surface Book 3 Camera Hardware ID: VIDEO\VEN_8086&DEV_8A52&SUBSYS_00431414&REV_07&INT3480

notr1ch commented 2 years ago

From what I can tell, the affected cameras are all based on the same OEM model from Sunplus Innovation Technology. Symptoms seem to vary from the device disappearing entirely, to the device failing USB device descriptor requests.

BitoGx commented 2 years ago

Laptop : ASUS TUF FX504 Hardware ID: USB\VID_13D3&PID_5666&REV_1015&MI_00

wu1601 commented 2 years ago

Laptop : Dell Inspiron 7559 Hardware : USB\VID_1BCF&PID_2082&REV_0100&MI_00

invertedplant commented 2 years ago

Laptop: ASUS N580VD Hardware ID(s): USB\VID_13D3&PID_56A2&REV_1701&MI_00 / USB\VID_13D3&PID_56A2&MI_00

Edit for more info: This started very recently for me after updating to one of the newer versions on the 2nd of July. After this, my laptop stopped recognising my inbuilt camera and my only option is to use the OBS VirtualCam. Even after uninstalling, it was prompting me to use the nonexistent VirtualCam. After re-installing and running the uninstall-virtualcam.bat file, now no cameras are detected at all, and my in-built webcam is listed as "not plugged in" under device manager.

Olawumi-create commented 1 year ago

I also installed OBS on my Lenovo laptop yesterday, but my webcam keeps failing in Microsoft team and zoom. Has anyone found a way to resolve this?

derrod commented 1 year ago

I also installed OBS on my Lenovo laptop yesterday, but my webcam keeps failing in Microsoft team and zoom. Has anyone found a way to resolve this?

Could you please provide the your hardware information as detailed in https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/3555#issuecomment-1102981845 ?

phansant commented 1 year ago

I am having this issue as well.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Windows 11 Integrated camera: USB\VID_04F2&PID_B67D&REV_0407&MI_00

marsf commented 1 year ago

Hi,

I have investigated some module codes and found. It seems that obs-virtualcam-module sets the wrong path for FOLDER property. I'm not sure this is really a issue or not. Is it related?

https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/blob/f5be6f5fdd2fe34b18518ecd38030f0768845688/plugins/win-dshow/virtualcam-module/CMakeLists.txt#L66-L67

In addition, does anybody tried to uninstalling OBS virtualcam to recover built-in webcams? https://github.com/maykbrito/mini-video-me/issues/79#issuecomment-1227644257

derrod commented 1 year ago

I'm not sure this is really a issue or not. Is it related?

Unrelated, that folder isn't anything to do with the program's file structure, it's just for organisation of the projects in your IDE and build folder: 2022-09-04_07-48-04_gsmsO0

In addition, does anybody tried to uninstalling OBS virtualcam to recover built-in webcams?

What a stupid-ass video (in so many ways). For anybody who wants to know how to manually uninstall the virtualcam, go to C:\Program Files\obs-studio\data\obs-plugins\win-dshow and run virtualcam-uninstall.bat as admin. The normal uninstaller will do the same as that script as well.

Based on existing comments on this issue however, uninstalling did not seem to fix anything for the affected users.

marsf commented 1 year ago

Unrelated, that folder isn't anything to do with the program's file structure, it's just for organisation of the projects in your IDE and build folder:

Understood. Thanks.

Kobi-Blade commented 1 year ago

I'm not sure this is really a issue or not. Is it related?

Unrelated, that folder isn't anything to do with the program's file structure, it's just for organisation of the projects in your IDE and build folder:

In addition, does anybody tried to uninstalling OBS virtualcam to recover built-in webcams?

What a stupid-ass video (in so many ways). For anybody who wants to know how to manually uninstall the virtualcam, go to C:\Program Files\obs-studio\data\obs-plugins\win-dshow and run virtualcam-uninstall.bat as admin. The normal uninstaller will do the same as that script as well.

Based on existing comments on this issue however, uninstalling did not seem to fix anything for the affected users.

The only way to get my Logitech 920 back working, was to uninstall OBS Virtual Camera plugin (through that bat file) and restarting the PC.

Up until then none of the other applications would detect my Logitech 920, only Virtual Camera from OBS showed as option!

This was back in OBS 27, I haven't tried with OBS 28, but I don't honestly need the Virtual Camera anyway, it only gets in way.

skipt1206 commented 1 year ago

This is anecdotal, but may be important. I've been having the same problem, it seemed like the OBS VIrtual Camera had taken over my laptop (Dell E6540 running Win10). I uninstalled the OBS program and ran the script to remove the virtual camera, it appeared that OBS Studio was completely gone from the WIndows installation perspective. I ran a few online webcam tests via my browser and it looked like OBS Camera was still in charge. I added the DWORD 32 key to my registry and checked the BIOS setting (camera was enabled per the screen) and that seemed to help--the built-in camera started working again.

A couple days later same problem, built-in camera seemed to disappear. Not in devices listing, nowhere to be found and wouldn't turn on. Seemed to be related to a couple of Ring Central and MS Teams meetings. Camera was missing from devices listing, nowhere to be found and wouldn't turn on. Went into the registry, searched on OBS found an OBS Virtual Camera key key I thought shouldn't be there and deleted it. As I recall built-in camera worked sometimes and not others.

Continued playing around for a few days without luck and on a whim went back into the BIOS to see if camera was still enabled. It was enabled, I exited the BIOS and ever since then built-in camera is working fine.

It has been a long time but in my career I've had occasions to get involved in BIOSes and their associated NV memory and I know from experience that things can be quirky. We're talking way back here, back to the days when plug and play was first being implemented. So don't ask me any questions about today's systems, just let me say I still don't 100% confidence is those lowest-level underpinnings. What strikes me here is that twice now I went into the BIOS to check the camera, made no changes and the built-in camera started working. If my camera stops I will try it again and if I remember, update this posting.

To others struggling with problem I'd suggest if you've uninstalled OBS and still have problems, humor me and go into the BIOS, even if the camera is enabled, exit, and see if the situation improves.

hefalump commented 1 year ago

Thank you skipt1206,

I have uninstalled OBS on my Asus TP501US laptop running Windows 11. Then I booted into BIOS and quit without saving anything . Now I can use Facebook to video call again.

The weekend before your post I was having another go at fixing the issue, without luck. When I would try to use Facebook video messaging from this computer, a blue square box with a message about OBS and also in the square was the icon of a video camera with a line through it signifying that the camera was disabled without any way of enabling it. I could use the camera in Windows, not that I have much use for it there.

Thanks again and have a great day, Shane

On 10/4/2022 4:20 PM, skipt1206 wrote:

This is anecdotal, but may be important. I've been having the same problem, it seemed like the OBS VIrtual Camera had taken over my laptop (Dell E6540 running Win10). I uninstalled the OBS program and ran the script to remove the virtual camera, it appeared that OBS Studio was completely gone from the WIndows installation perspective. I ran a few online webcam tests via my browser and it looked like OBS Camera was still in charge. I added the DWORD 32 key to my registry and checked the BIOS setting (camera was enabled per the screen) and that seemed to help--the built-in camera started working again.

A couple days later same problem, built-in camera seemed to disappear. Not in devices listing, nowhere to be found and wouldn't turn on. Seemed to be related to a couple of Ring Central and MS Teams meetings. Camera was missing from devices listing, nowhere to be found and wouldn't turn on. Went into the registry, searched on OBS found an OBS Virtual Camera key key I thought shouldn't be there and deleted it. As I recall built-in camera worked sometimes and not others.

Continued playing around for a few days without luck and on a whim went back into the BIOS to see if camera was still enabled. It was enabled, I exited the BIOS and ever since then built-in camera is working fine.

It has been a long time but in my career I've had occasions to get involved in BIOSes and their associated NV memory and I know from experience that things can be quirky. We're talking way back here, back to the days when plug and play was first being implemented. So don't ask me any questions about today's systems, just let me say I still don't 100% confidence is those lowest-level underpinnings. What strikes me here is that twice now I went into the BIOS to check the camera, made no changes and the built-in camera started working. If my camera stops I will try it again and if I remember, update this posting.

To others struggling with problem I'd suggest if you've uninstalled OBS and still have problems, humor me and go into the BIOS, even if the camera is enabled, exit, and see if the situation improves.

— Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/issues/3555#issuecomment-1267532040, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ACZJBV7GHKH32TCOHMKRMMDWBSGR3ANCNFSM4SERFTUA. You are receiving this because you commented.Message ID: @.***>

Kobi-Blade commented 1 year ago

Unrelated since this issue affects desktops that do not have a BIOS switch for webcams.

KebiruSketch commented 1 year ago

Desktop: Surface Studio Camera: Surface IR Camera Device USB\VID_045E&PID_0910&MI_00\6&1d3334c5&0&0000

I don't know much about computers so I don't know how to fix or access my BIOS (though I might have found it by reading this tread). I installed OBS a year or so, but only recently been using it a few weeks ago with no camera. I've been teaching workshops on Zoom and need my internal camera for visual refences. Last week (Dec 2, 2022), the OBS virtual camera blocked my camera. I only noticed the OBS symbol today and found this tread. All "fixes" imply that I have to use OBS virtual camera by pressing Start VC. I only have the options r Virtual Camera and pt Virtual Camera. This also poses a problem that I HAVE to use OBS in conjunction with Zoom.

I've read through this tread and I'm scared to do anything. Uninstall doesn't work, playing with BIOS doesn't work, uninstalling camera doesn't work, etc. And there seems to be a recurring pattern both on Windows and Mac where OBS is involved. Yet OBS doesn't want to acknowledge it because they can't recreate it.

I don't have the knowledge to fix this myself and I don't want to go down that road. I just want an OBS virtual camera update or an idiot's build to restoring my internal camera.

RytoEX commented 1 year ago

Please note that this Issue is about the OBS Virtual Camera on Windows potentially causing your system's internal camera to no longer be listed in any application or in Device Manager (or possibly to show in Device Manager as disabled/unavailable). It is not about OBS and other applications blocking access to the internal camera while one of them is using it.

All "fixes" imply that I have to use OBS virtual camera by pressing Start VC. I only have the options r Virtual Camera and pt Virtual Camera.

Expand the size of your OBS window or the Controls dock itself. The word "Start" is simply cutoff. Please also note that using the OBS Virtual Camera is not a "fix" for your internal webcam disappearing as an available option, since your internal camera will continue to be unavailable entirely.

Per an earlier comment:

For anybody who wants to know how to manually uninstall the virtualcam, go to C:\Program Files\obs-studio\data\obs-plugins\win-dshow and run virtualcam-uninstall.bat as admin. The normal uninstaller will do the same as that script as well.

Based on existing comments on this issue however, uninstalling did not seem to fix anything for the affected users.

As for the instruction that you are referring to:

To others struggling with problem I'd suggest if you've uninstalled OBS and still have problems, humor me and go into the BIOS, even if the camera is enabled, exit, and see if the situation improves.

You would have to find the documentation for your computer/motherboard and find the key to press during the boot sequence to access the BIOS. This key is normally one of Escape, F1-F12, or Delete.

machinelinux96 commented 1 year ago

Please note that this Issue is about the OBS Virtual Camera on Windows potentially causing your system's internal camera to no longer be listed in any application or in Device Manager (or possibly to show in Device Manager as disabled/unavailable). It is not about OBS and other applications blocking access to the internal camera while one of them is using it.

All "fixes" imply that I have to use OBS virtual camera by pressing Start VC. I only have the options r Virtual Camera and pt Virtual Camera.

Expand the size of your OBS window or the Controls dock itself. The word "Start" is simply cutoff. Please also note that using the OBS Virtual Camera is not a "fix" for your internal webcam disappearing as an available option, since your internal camera will continue to be unavailable entirely.

Per an earlier comment:

For anybody who wants to know how to manually uninstall the virtualcam, go to C:\Program Files\obs-studio\data\obs-plugins\win-dshow and run virtualcam-uninstall.bat as admin. The normal uninstaller will do the same as that script as well. Based on existing comments on this issue however, uninstalling did not seem to fix anything for the affected users.

As for the instruction that you are referring to:

To others struggling with problem I'd suggest if you've uninstalled OBS and still have problems, humor me and go into the BIOS, even if the camera is enabled, exit, and see if the situation improves.

You would have to find the documentation for your computer/motherboard and find the key to press during the boot sequence to access the BIOS. This key is normally one of Escape, F1-F12, or Delete.

Hello sir, my internal webcam of macbook air is also not working after using virtual camera is their any way to fix it sir.

RytoEX commented 1 year ago

Hello sir, my internal webcam of macbook air is also not working after using virtual camera is their any way to fix it sir.

This Issue is strictly about Windows, not macOS. The code for the Windows and macOS cameras are completely separate, so whatever issue you're experiencing is not the same as this one, despite the similarity.

machinelinux96 commented 1 year ago

Hello sir, my internal webcam of macbook air is also not working after using virtual camera is their any way to fix it sir.

This Issue is strictly about Windows, not macOS. The code for the Windows and macOS cameras are completely separate, so whatever issue you're experiencing is not the same as this one, despite the similarity.

Sir completely my internal cam is gone from hardware information after using obs virtual camera

machinelinux96 commented 1 year ago

Hello sir, my internal webcam of macbook air is also not working after using virtual camera is their any way to fix it sir.

This Issue is strictly about Windows, not macOS. The code for the Windows and macOS cameras are completely separate, so whatever issue you're experiencing is not the same as this one, despite the similarity. sudo rm -rf /Library/CoreMe diaIO/Plug-Ins/DAL/obs-mac-virtualcam.plugin sudo rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/obs-studio/plugins/obs-mac-virtualcam after using these two commands still no fix

Fenrirthviti commented 1 year ago

As a note, this issue is specific to Windows-based machines. Please submit a new report if you are on a non-Windows system.

As we don't need any further information at this time, I'm going to go ahead and lock the comments here.

Next steps is us purchasing a machine with one of these affected cameras, so we can do some deep debugging. There is likely some kind of kernel-level bug happening here, which is why this is proving so difficult to track down and isolate.

obsproject / obs-studio