If the camera on a ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 shows a black image, first check the privacy shutter: many ThinkPads have a small slider by the webcam, and with it closed the picture is black. Then check the microphone mute key (F4 on the function row) and Windows privacy settings for camera and microphone. If those are fine, update the camera and audio drivers from Lenovo Vantage.
Differential
Likely causes of “Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 5 camera or microphone is not working in calls”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The privacy shutter is closed
What separates it The image is black but the app says the camera is working
How to confirm Slide the shutter open; a closed shutter gives a black picture, not an error
- 2
The microphone is muted with the key
What separates it The mic LED on the F4 key is lit and apps hear nothing
How to confirm Press F4 so the LED goes out, then test again
- 3
Windows privacy settings
What separates it An app cannot see the camera or microphone
How to confirm Open Settings, Privacy and security, Camera and Microphone and allow access for the app
- 4
A driver problem after an update
What separates it The camera vanished from Device Manager after an update
How to confirm Install the latest camera and audio drivers through Lenovo Vantage and restart
- 5
Another app holding the camera
What separates it It works in one app and not another
How to confirm Close every call app and browser tab that could be using the camera
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the camera shows in Device Manager
- Whether the mic LED on the F4 key is lit
- Which app you are using
- Whether the shutter slider is open
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedOpen the privacy shutter
ReversibleLook for the slider above the screen next to the camera and slide it fully open.
Check the microphone key
ReversiblePress F4; its light shows whether the microphone is muted.
Check Windows privacy
ReversibleOpen Settings, Privacy and security, then Camera and Microphone and allow the app.
Update the drivers
ReversibleRun System Update in Lenovo Vantage and install the camera, audio and BIOS updates, then restart.
Test in another app
ReversibleOpen the Windows Camera app and a call app to see whether the fault follows one app.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Privacy shutter
- Some ThinkPad configurations include a physical ThinkShutter; check your model's label or specifications for one.
- Microphone key
- On ThinkPads the microphone mute key carries its own LED so you can see the state without opening an app.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the camera is missing from Device Manager after drivers, contact Lenovo
- !If the microphone records silence in every app, book service
- !If the shutter is stuck, have it serviced rather than forcing it
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Get Help troubleshooter, drivers after updates, antivirus, privacy settings and app problems.
Input device selection, permission and drivers.
Lenovo's webcam article, cited by title.
Lenovo's article for a camera that is not detected by apps, cited by title.
The ThinkPad T-series business laptop line.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook line.
The Yoga convertible laptop line.
The shutter and permission checks for a black ThinkPad camera.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my ThinkPad T14 camera black?+
The privacy shutter is most often closed. Slide it open; if your model has no shutter, check Windows privacy settings and the drivers.
What does the F4 key do on a ThinkPad T14?+
It mutes the microphone and lights its LED; a lit LED means the mic is muted.
Does Windows show the camera in Device Manager?+
It should appear under Cameras. If it does not, it is a driver or hardware fault.