ASUS laptops are from a popular brand with a reputation for reliability at an affordable price point. However, many users who own one may find that their webcam is non-functional when they purchase their computer.

ASUS laptop users can connect a third-party webcam hardware to their computer. The native webcam on an ASUS laptop needs to be activated via a third-party webcam software, such as Skype, or through the control panel in the laptop’s settings.

If you have a brand-new ASUS laptop and you can’t figure out why your webcam isn’t working, it’s usually as easy as changing a few settings. Keep reading to learn how to connect a webcam to your ASUS laptop and which third-party webcam hardware goes best with this brand.

ASUS Has Webcam Hardware But Not Software

A common problem users run into with ASUS laptops is that they’ll purchase a new laptop with a webcam that has no obvious physical defects, but the webcam won’t work. This non-functionality is usually the result of the laptop not having the most recent webcam driver software activated on the machine even if it’s available.

In many cases, connecting the webcam hardware already present in the ASUS laptop is as easy as going through the Device Manager and connecting the necessary software drivers. Follow this method for troubleshooting your ASUS laptop’s native webcam connection (Source: ASUS):

  • Go to the Device Manager. To find the Device Manager on your ASUS laptop, go to the Windows search engine and type in “Device Manager” to find it in the laptop’s system. Once found, select Device Manager and click on it to open the sub-menu.Select the webcam. Click on the arrow next to Camera in the device list, then select Enable Device to activate the webcam and form a connection.

If the webcam hardware on your ASUS laptop isn’t defective, choosing to enable your webcam should activate it and make it ready for use immediately.

Troubleshooting ASUS Webcam Installation

In some cases, you may run into an issue where selecting to enable your native ASUS webcam won’t work. If you’ve ruled out a physical or hardware defect in the webcam, the next solution you can try is to uninstall the webcam driver in the Device Manager and then reinstall it. To do this, perform the following:

  • Click on Camera in the device list in the Device Manager menu and select Uninstall Driver.Confirm the uninstall by checking on the Delete the driver software from this device prompt, then click Uninstall.Go to the Action tab of the Device Manager and select Scan for hardware changes.

After you scan your ASUS laptop for hardware changes, this should automatically reinstall the camera software onto your laptop. In many cases, this can solve any software issues or glitches you may have with the initial program.

What Asus Software Contains Webcam Utilities?

Another way you can connect the webcam on your ASUS laptop is to install a third-party webcam-based software like Skype or Viber. These software programs will automatically activate any latent webcam software you have on your laptop once you follow the set-up instructions for the program.

Here are a few programs you can download that will automatically activate your ASUS webcam:

  • Skype: Skype is one of the most popular video messaging software applications in the world. Downloading Skype is one of the easiest ways to activate a webcam you already have on your ASUS laptop.Viber: Viber is a cross-platform messaging and webcam app similar to Skype. This program is available as freeware across all major platforms such as iOS, Android, Windows, and Linux.Windows Movie Maker: If you don’t want to download a video messaging software for your ASUS laptop to activate your webcam, another software program that can connect your webcam is Windows Movie Maker. While this program no longer receives tech support from windows, it’s still available as a standalone download. (Source: Windows Movie Maker)

If you don’t feel like using the Device Manager route to connect your ASUS webcam, using one of these free third-party programs can make it an easier process.

Connecting Third-Party Webcam Software to ASUS Laptops

Along with activating the webcam that your ASUS laptop already contains, another method for connecting a webcam to your ASUS laptop is to connect a detached third-party webcam hardware. These webcams also typically come with their own software for installation and their video/picture quality are often much better than native built-in webcam technology.

Here are a few of the best third-party webcams for your ASUS laptop:

  • Logitech C920: If you’re looking to get into streaming for Twitch or another service, you’ll want to look into a better video quality than most built-in ASUS webcams are capable of. The Logitech C920 is a perfect low-budget entry while still featuring the advantages of more expensive webcams, like advanced capture software.Razer Kiyo: The Razer Kiyo is a bit more expensive than the Logitech C920, but offers adaptive light sensors and other high-tech accessories that give it an edge in webcamming activities. This webcam is a good choice for when you want your video to appear as crisp as possible.Logitech Streamcam: The Logitech Streamcam is a great choice for budding content creators. With intelligent exposure settings, 60 frames-per-second capture, and full high-definition resolution, this webcam is a bit more costly than the others on this list, but well worth the expense.

These are only a handful of the many third-party webcams available that are compatible with ASUS laptop hardware. These third-party webcams usually offer better quality than built-in laptop webcams. If you make a living through face-to-face video online or you’re just trying to become the next Twitch superstar, they’re an essential upgrade to your gear.

Connecting a Webcam to ASUS Laptops Is Easy

While ASUS may not make it intuitive to get your built-in webcam connected on your laptop, most ASUS laptops have plenty of native capability when it comes to running streaming software and hardware. If you want the best picture and sound quality on your videos, however, it’s well worth the trouble to connect a third-party webcam with stronger features.