Talking face-to-face with friends and family has never been easier. Solutions for cheap video chat are everywhere. Microsoft includes Skype in Windows 8, and those who choose not to use Skype often opt for Google’s relatively new Hangouts service. Both are incredibly easy to use, but those running Windows 8 and the free Windows 8.1 update may encounter a very specific problem that can be both frustrating and mysterious.
What I call the Dark Camera Error in Windows 8.1 isn’t technically classified as a bug, really. By default, all apps that want to use a front- or rear-facing camera on a Windows device are forced to connect directly through the operating system’s Camera app. This is expected to ensure that users always get a reliable experience and that app makers can connect to a camera without having to write their own unique software. There’s just one problem: the camera in Windows 8.1 remembers what its previous settings were, and if for some reason you’ve adjusted the brightness or control, those settings will still be there when Google Hangouts goes to connect to your device’s camera.
The result is a photo that is either too dark because you’ve adjusted the settings for a nice looking outdoor shot, or too bright because you wanted it to look like it was a very sunny day outside when you last took the photo.
Fortunately, there is a simple way to fix this problem and get back to chatting with friends and family, it doesn’t make you look like you joined the witness protection program or don’t know how to use a webcam.
Here’s how to fix camera error in Windows 8.1
Before you begin, you should verify that the problem you are experiencing is not related to the camera hardware of your device. To do this, try video calling from multiple locations or across the room. If the unwanted image effects are still there. If you’re using Google Hangouts on the desktop, close Chrome by clicking or tapping the X button in the top-right window. Users of the Desktop version of other chat apps like Skype should do the same.
Users with chat apps from the Windows Store, especially Skype, should close the app with a mouse by clicking on the top of the app and dragging it to the bottom of their screen. Touch users should place their fingers on the top edge of the app and drag down to close the app.
Now go to by pressing the Windows Key on your keyboard or by pressing the Windows button at the bottom of your screen. Users of smaller Windows 8 tablets without the Windows button should place their finger lightly on it to reveal the Charms Bar and then tap Start.
If you have a mouse and keyboard, click the arrow in the lower left corner of your screen to open the list of all your installed apps. Touch users should place their fingers anywhere on the Start Screen and . Tap or click .
After opening the app you should immediately see what your camera sees. The trick is to set what your camera sees to appear normal to the environment you’re trying to video chat with. If you’re getting a lot more light than indoors, you don’t need to adjust your exposure to an all-time high. .
Mouse and keyboard users should reveal the app bar at the bottom of their screen anywhere in the camera app. Tablet and touchscreen users should rest their fingers lightly on it.
Tap or click the setting in the menu and adjust the bar so that what your camera sees looks exactly the way you want it.
When satisfied, close the camera app by swiping your finger from a touch device or a mouse and keyboard. This is a very important step. If you do not close the application completely, your chat program will not be able to connect to your camera until you close it.
Now go back by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard or the Windows button at the bottom of your device’s screen. Launch your video chat app. Skype users who want to video chat using the Windows Store app on the Start Screen should open the app by tapping or clicking the Live Tile on the Start Screen. Users who want to chat using Google Hangouts should reopen Chrome and then have the Hangout conversations again. Either way, the picture issues should now be fixed.
If this did not resolve your issue, you will want to contact your device manufacturer to make sure there is nothing wrong with your device’s cameras. They will guide you through the standard checks and updates you need. They should also be willing to replace your device if it’s within the warranty period.
Have fun video chat.