The Predator Helios Neo 16 has a webcam above the screen and microphones in the bezel, and faults are mostly permissions and drivers. In Settings, Privacy and security, Camera and Microphone, make sure apps are allowed and that the system-wide switch is on. Acer laptops often have a function key that disables the camera, so check the keyboard icons. If Device Manager shows no camera under Cameras, reinstall the camera driver from Acer's page for your model. For a black picture, close other apps that may hold the camera.
The checks in more detail
For a faint microphone, check Sound settings, Input, run the test and turn off enhancements, since owners on the Acer Community found audio drivers and PredatorSense interfering with audio, and ending PredatorSense can clear microphone issues too. Update the Realtek audio driver cleanly. Test in the Windows Camera app. A camera that never appears needs Acer service under warranty. The Helios Neo 16's webcam is a basic one for video calls, and its picture depends on the light:
in a dim room it looks grainy and slow, and a lamp in front of you transforms it. If the picture lags, check that the app is set to 720p or 1080p and that no other app is using the camera. Because the laptop is sold for gaming, many owners use an external webcam and a headset microphone for streaming, and Windows may keep the built-in devices as the default, so check Settings, System, Sound, Input and Bluetooth and devices, Cameras to see which device each app uses, and set your preferred device as the default.
A new device often leaves the old one selected silently. Gaming laptops also include Acer's own utilities for the camera and microphone in some builds, so check the Acer apps in the Start menu for a switch that mutes them, because a software mute is easy to leave on after a call and looks like a hardware fault. Reset the utility to defaults if its options seem stuck.
Differential
Likely causes of “Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 camera or microphone is not working in calls”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Privacy settings
What separates it Apps say no camera or microphone
How to confirm Allow access in Privacy and security
- 2
A camera key or setting
What separates it The camera is off
How to confirm Check the function key
- 3
A missing camera driver
What separates it No camera in Device Manager
How to confirm Reinstall from Acer
- 4
PredatorSense or audio driver interference
What separates it The microphone is faint or noisy
How to confirm End PredatorSense and reinstall the Realtek driver
- 5
A hardware fault
What separates it No camera anywhere
How to confirm Contact Acer
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which app fails
- Whether the camera is in Device Manager
- Whether PredatorSense is running
- The audio driver version
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck Privacy settings
ReversibleCamera and Microphone.
Check the camera function key
ReversibleOn the keyboard.
Check Device Manager
ReversibleFor the camera.
End PredatorSense
ReversibleAnd test the microphone.
Reinstall the Realtek driver
ReversibleFrom Acer.
Test in the Camera app
ReversibleTo check hardware.
Improve the lighting
ReversiblePut a lamp in front of you.
Set the app's resolution
ReversibleChoose 720p or 1080p in the call app.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Camera key
- Some Acer laptops disable the camera with a key.
- Audio interference
- PredatorSense can disturb audio.
- Basic webcam
- It needs light.
- Resolution settings
- The app may set a low resolution.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the camera is missing after the driver, contact Acer
- !If the microphone is silent after a clean driver, ask for a repair
- !Do not open the lid cable
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Crackling that appears only with PredatorSense running.
An owner's fix: blocking DTS packages and a clean Realtek reinstall.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why does my Helios camera not work?+
Privacy, a key or a driver.
Can PredatorSense affect the microphone?+
Owners say it can interfere with audio.
Where is the driver?+
On Acer's support page.
How do I test the camera?+
Open the Camera app.
Why is my webcam grainy?+
Low light.
Can I use an external camera?+
Yes.