Hardware Access Error – Here we can see “Facebook hardware access error”

Facebook displays the hardware access error because it can’t access your camera or microphone. This is due to browser incompatibilities, permissions, or outdated Windows/system driver drivers. Conflicting drivers and applications may also cause this issue. This problem occurs when users attempt to make a video chat using Facebook messenger (in an Internet browser), but fail to do so. This error message is commonly thrown.

“An error occurred while trying to request access to Camera and Microphone. Hardware Access Error”

This is a common problem that can be solved by setting permissions on your computer. If permissions are not already enabled, this means that there is a drag together in your browser or other software modules. We’ll start by learning the basics of troubleshooting and workarounds before we move on to more technical solutions.

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To rule out hardware issues, first check that other video calling apps like Zoom, Hangouts, Zoom, and Skype are functioning properly. To rule out temporary communication issues, make sure your browser is up-to-date. Also, press F5 to refresh Facebook’s page. Furthermore, consider disabling your antivirus or close up your firewall and use the incognito or in-private mode of your browser or clear the browsing data of your browser.

Solution 1: Allow Mic and Camera to be used within Privacy Settings

Windows 10 allows you to set privacy settings that prevent applications from accessing certain resources and features of Windows. Hardware access errors will occur if you disable access to your camera and mic in your privacy settings. In this case, you can enable access for your browser so that your camera and mic are available to you.

  1. Use the Windows key to sort Camera Privacy Settings. Next, click Camera Privacy Settings in the search results.
  2. Click on the Change button to toggle the switch from Disabled to Enable Camera Access for This Device.
  3. Check the box that says Allow apps to access your cameras. If Disabled, enable it.
  4. Scroll down and click on the heading “Choose which Microsoft Store Apps can access your camera” to locate your app (if you are using Messenger), and allow the camera access.
  5. Now, enable the option to Allow desktop apps access to your camera settings.
  6. Repeat equivalent steps for your Microphone. Next, open Facebook to verify that it is working properly.

Solution 2: Reset Site Permissions

Site permissions are used by your browser to control access to the location of different resources. The error below will occur if any of these permissions isn’t properly configured for Facebook. This can be solved by resetting your location permissions. Follow the below steps to install Chrome.

  1. Click on the padlock icon in the browser’s address bar. Next, click on Site Settings.
  2. Click on Reset Permissions to go ahead with permissions.
  3. Relaunch Chrome and open Facebook. Ask for access to the microphone and camera, and confirm that it is working properly.

Solution 3: Update Windows and System Drivers

Many system problems are caused by outdated Windows versions and system drivers. The current hardware access error will occur if the system driver or Windows version is not compatible with the Facebook website. The problem may be solved by updating Windows or system drivers.

  1. Windows Update to the most recent build
  2. Then, update your system drivers. You can visit the vendor’s website to find the latest version of your system drivers, particularly for your mic and camera drivers.
  3. After installing Windows and system driver updates, turn off your computer and verify that the issue with Facebook has been resolved.

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Solution 4: Get rid of conflicting applications

The Facebook website will throw an error if any third-party applications prevent the browser/Facebook website from accessing certain resources. Your browser can run alongside third-party apps. It’s a good idea to reboot your Windows to eliminate any potential software conflicts.

  1. You can clean boot your system (to eliminate driver issues), and you’ll use safe mode.
  2. Open Facebook and use Messenger to check if the error message is gone.
  3. Find and remove any conflicting programs if it has. Messenger Beta and Corel Video Maker are two examples of such programs.

You can enable multiple applications until you find the problem again. This will help you narrow down the problem to the application that caused it.

Solution 5: Disable conflicting devices

Let’s say that some devices have issues with the operation of the camera/mic. This could be a Bluetooth device or a secondary camera. Facebook will not be able to access the camera in this case and display the Hardware Access error. This can be solved by disabling additional devices, such as microphones or cameras that you don’t use.

  1. Click on the Windows button and type Device Manager in the Windows search box. Next, click on Device Manager in the search results.
  2. Expand the device category. Next, locate and right-click the device you suspect is causing the difficulty. Click on Disable device.
  3. Bluetooth devices, secondary cameras and IR sensors, secondary microphones, and secondary mics could all be problematic devices. However, these devices can cause other issues such as the disability of Windows Hello. You’ll be able to turn them back on if they don’t work.

Solution 6: Reinstall the problematic drivers

Windows comes with its own library of drivers. This error could occur if any of the devices (e.g. camera or mic) are using a third-party driver, or an old one. The problem may be solved by uninstalling the driver and then installing the compatible Windows driver.

  1. Open Device Manager, locate and right-click your camera, often under Cameras Sound and video or Imaging devices, then click on Uninstall device.
  2. You should also check the box marked Delete driving force software
  3. Click on the Uninstall button to restart your computer.
  4. After restarting your device, the default drivers should be installed automatically. If not, open Device Manager and click on Scan for Hardware Changes.
  5. For your Microphone, repeat the same process.
  6. Now, open Facebook through the browser.

Solution 7: Creating EnableFrameServerMode Key in Registry

Windows Registry is the central hub of all configurations and settings for your system. The registry can be used to manage settings that aren’t accessible anywhere else in the OS. We can help you with the registry workaround if nothing else has worked.

Be aware: Editing a registry is a complex task that requires you to have a certain level of experience. If not done properly, it can cause long-lasting damage to your system.

1. Before you start to solve the problems, back up your registry. To do this, press Windows + R and type Regedit, then hit Enter.

2. Follow the below path:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Microsoft\Windows Media Foundation

3. Select the Platform key in the left pane. You can create a Platform key by right-clicking the Windows Media Foundation, and choosing New >Key Name it Platform

4. Right-click in the registry window’s right pane, hover over New and then choose DWORD (32 bit) Value.

5. Now rename the new key as EnableFrameServerMode and choose its value as zero.

6. After saving your changes, exit the registry editor and restart your computer.

7. After restarting, you can open Facebook with your browser to check if the error is beyond hardware access.

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Solution 8: Use Microsoft Store Messenger App

Windows Store offers many popular apps in its library. The Windows Store app can be used to solve problems with Facebook Messenger in the browser.

  1. Click on Search in the upper right corner of Microsoft Store to sort Messenger.
  2. Click on Messenger (published via Facebook) in the search results.
  3. Next, click on the Get button. Wait for the installation to be completed.
  4. Launch the Messenger app now and sign in using your credentials
  5. To resolve the problem, you can make a video conference using the app.

Solution 9: Use another browser

This bug could cause a Facebook hardware problem in your browser. Each browser stores temporary configurations and storage alongside the installation files. You’ll experience problems similar to the one below if any of these are missing or corrupted. Try another browser to rule out this.

  1. Install another browser. Be aware that if Chrome is having problems, Chrome will also have issues with other chromium browsers. In this case, you can try a non-chromium browser such as Mozilla Firefox.
  2. Open Facebook and launch the browser you just installed.

Solution 10: Switch to video calling after you have started a voice call

If you haven’t had success, there is a way to bypass the error and make video calls from a browser. First, we’ll start the voice calls and then switch to a video chat.

  1. Open Facebook in your browser. Select the contact you wish to call.
  2. Next, start a call to the contact.
  3. Once you have established the voice call and both parties can hear each other, click on “Camera” to modify the video conference.
  4. If you are trying to make a gaggle call then the users should first establish the voice call and then switch the camera one at a time to begin the video call.

Reset your browser if you continue to have problems.

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