Check your laptop’s manual to find the hotkey that activates your webcam. Some laptops also have hardware buttons just above your number keys. If your webcam is external, plug the USB cord into your computer. Visit the website of the manufacturer for your webcam and download the latest drivers. Run the installation program from the manufacturer and launch the application to test your webcam functionality. Take pictures and record and save video. Review the video for quality and make adjustments based on lighting, saturation and contrast. When you are finished, shut down the program. Open your Start menu and click “Devices and Printers.” Navigate to your webcam and right-click on it. Select “Properties” to review the status of your hardware. Windows will tell you that the device is working properly, and you may begin to use your webcam for video conferencing, video blogging and more. Be sure to position yourself in an area with proper lighting. Make adjustments to colors and contrast within your webcam software so the changes will be reflected globally in each application you use. Keep your camera on a flat service to avoid unnecessary motion blurring, and try to connect with the fastest possible Internet connection to ensure your video isn’t transmitted with a choppy framerate. Writer Bio
