Webcam does not work on Windows Live Messenger? Problem "displaying " Web Cam Sponsored by"

Question

I am using Windows Live Messenger ver 8.1 and Win XP.
My web-cam is correctly installed, as I am able to use it correctly BOTH with Windows Live Messenger as well as Yahoo Messenger.
Problem is that on Windows Live Messenger, I am not able to view the webcam of other person. AFter the other person authorizes my request for Starting Webcam, a box open but it keeps on displaying " Web Cam Sponsored by ... ", and no picture comes on display.
This phenomena happens with my all chat partners , but the same partners are easily able to display their webcams to me on Yahoo Messenger.
Any suggestions ?

Answer 1

I have exactly the same Problem!!! With all other Versions of Messenger was everything OK, just by WLM 8.1 is so.
People HELP!!!

Answer 2

Finally! SOLVED!
i searched internet and tried everything from firewall - router - reinstalling windows but NOTHING helped..
i don't know if this will solve problems of all other people.. but try this..
the short version >>>> i created a new msn live id.. and it worked from there...
long version >>>>> i registered for the msn id back in 2001 and my country was set to "Pakistan"
as u can see (if u have the same problem) u can't view as many advertisements in the main Msn Messenger window and Msn Chat window.. i.e. a multi-tabbed bar sitting in the left side of main msn window and one big advertisment banner below..
now as you are trying to have a Video chat.... ur window will say "Webcam Sponsored By.. " but as ur location is set to a country or area for which there are no advertisments or sponsors... You Are Stuck!
Stupid... isn't it?
so. just login to your hotmail/msn live id online >> goto options >> under "manage your account" click on "View and edit your personal information" ..... then on the right side under "Common Tasks" click on "Edit Your Registered Information"
change your country's location to the current one.. OR even if it's right.. just use uk, america, australia (also give other information like state/postal code/city etc) >> because they won't allow u to view the webcam without advertisements... (which by the way, are from your region)
now... wonder why msn gives you Free 5 GB space ?

Answer 3

argh...can't understand where to change the country .... xD heeeelp my msn: [e-mail]  
have this problem with webcam...

Answer 4

I have just recently bought a new laptop with windows vista and I know I have a web cam built into the computer I can see the lense but I can't seem to access it anywhere in my control panel or computer directory settings, when I am on windows live messenger (msn) it doesn't even reconise that I have a web cam and there is no option to set it up. Any idea where I could locate the activation for my built in web cam?

Answer 5

sorry,folks...am taking baby steps concerning EVERYTHING to do with this cmptr,msngr,webcam,etc...msngr works fine,and once opened and chatting,i used to be able to click on the camera icon below my display foto (or partner"s display foto) thus activating (or inviting activation) of the cams...now,there is no icon displayed for this purpose below either display foto and the only way i can activate cam for OTHER partner is to initiate a video call,which i don't necessarily want to do every time.do i need to connect in some way or otherwise turn on something  i have inadvertantly shut off?   thanks very much...bajadavid

Answer 6

did you ever get an answer to your question/problem??

Answer 7

Im in the same boat as you....i got a Toshiba with Window's Vista and my web cam was working for a while and then just suddenly stopped!!! i have no idea how to fix it!! Can you help me??????

 

Answer 8

 

YOU CAN ACTIVATE WEBCAM AS I DID....

 

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

                     First of all go to your mailbox and then thier you should find "OPTION" at the left side of your Mailbox window....so Click on "OPTION" and then when a new page open thier you should select "My Profile" in "Personal Options" and thier change your location to Australia Capital City with Zip/Postal code: 2600 .... and save changes Enjoy now...after few hours your webcam will work out...

 

here's the solution of your webcam....

 

Go to mailbox >>> select Option >>>> in Personal Option >>>>> select My Profile >>>>> and change your location to Australia Capital with zip code 2600 or change your country to any Europian or any US countries but you must submite the zip code... and Save changes...now enjoy your webcam...

Answer 9

unknown_101 wrote:

I have just recently bought a new laptop with windows vista and I know I have a web cam built into the computer I can see the lense but I can't seem to access it anywhere in my control panel or computer directory settings, when I am on windows live messenger (msn) it doesn't even reconise that I have a web cam and there is no option to set it up. Any idea where I could locate the activation for my built in web cam?

 

Dear...you should install the DRIVER of your web cam... you must have a DRIVER CD of your LAPTOP you can install your web cam driver from that CD or otherwise you can search your WEB CAM DRIVER on in internet by www.google.com  take car

Answer 10

my webcam does not work on windaws live messenger

Answer 11

Please brother,

i have a HP VGA WEBCAM it won't install on my computer i have a window vista pre. and the cam is XP

 

HELP ME

Answer 12

Hello,

I have an Hp Pavillion dv 2000 Notebook with a built-in webcam and it stopped working. It keeps kicking me off Windows Liver Messenger and somehow the driver I had disappeared. On HPs website they have the driver with the  HP Webcam Driver with Firmware Upgrade for Microsoft Windows Vista but it doesn't work. Please help me out!

Answer 13

 

i got it to work on yahoo, but how do i get it to work on msn?

Answer 14

minniemouse32024 wrote:

i got it to work on yahoo, but how do i get it to work on msn?

 

 

YOU CAN ACTIVATE WEBCAM AS I DID....

 

Assalam-o-Alaikum,

                     First of all go to your mailbox and then thier you should find "OPTION" at the left side of your Mailbox window....so Click on "OPTION" and then when a new page open thier you should select "My Profile" in "Personal Options" and thier change your location to Australia Capital City with Zip/Postal code: 2600 .... and save changes Enjoy now...after few hours your webcam will work out...

 

here's the solution of your webcam....

 

Go to mailbox >>> select Option >>>> in Personal Option >>>>> select My Profile >>>>> and change your location to Australia Capital with zip code 2600 or change your country to any Europian or any US countries but you must submite the zip code... and Save changes...now enjoy your webcam...

Answer 15

If it is installed with hp quick play that is the only place yuou can acess it and depending what type it is you cant change the settings

 

Answer 16

i have windows vista n a logitech webcam but the webcam doesent work AT ALL PLEASE HELP ME OUT!!!!!

Answer 17

The problem is that many antivirus programs are blocking the webcams when using Windows live messenger. If you uninstall your antivirus program it will work. Try another antivirus and please let me know which one works.

 

Answer 18

 

i just purchased a toshiba sattalite lap top, with vista-premium, but dont know how to activate the in-built web cam .its not on start up @not located in hardware? but have been told it is definetly on computer.also not located on side of desktop, can anyone help me im going crazy.

Answer 19

In case you have found this yet, I have the same situation.  I went to my search option for my windows and typed in webcam.  That brought up the actual program for it and it's rather cool.  I then made a shortcut to my desktop.  It's called Webcam Manager.

 

Hope you find it.

 

Answer 20

Did not work.  Help!!!  I just bought a new Dell 1525 Inspiron Laptop with a built in Webcam. When I open up the webcam mgr program, I can clearly see myself, so I know it works.

I downloaded Windows Live Messsenger and went to the "audio and video" setup option and made sure the webcam was selected as the default camera and again, I clearly saw myself.

I even went to the windows live website, logged in and set up my country of origin with zip code (us), saved my settings, closed my windows messenger and reopened it...still no luck.

 

I have two contacts added so far to my live messenger.  When I click on their name to send a message, the "video call" button/.icon is there, but it's greyed out.  I can't figure out why

When I go to "action" "video" "start a video call" it brings up a separate window where I should choose the contacts I want but it has a message in the window that reads "none of your contacts are available to join a video call."

 

Does that mean it's setup correctly but they're just not online or does it mean it's not setup correctly?  Do I need to do something to my contacts?  do I need to have a hotmail account? (I don't).  Did I go to the right website to setup my country (windows live.com)  

 

help!!!  i'm ready to uninstall windows live and try another one... 

 

Answer 21

I had exactlly the same problem. I believe that this is a problem which occurs only on the 8.1 version, because before having 8.1, I had 7.5 and the webcam worked perfect on it. Now, I have 8.5 and again it works just perfect. I came to the conclusion that this problem is specific on the 8.1 version.

And one more thing, i read a lot of answers and replies of people recommending to change the location etc etc...i did it,, but i didn't solve the problem.

So, guys, go to http://get.live.com/messenger/config and install the 8.5 version and you will solve this stupid 8.1 mistake. i recommend unchecking all of this useless and worthless services offered. after unchecking, click below on "install".

Answer 22

No.

 

To return to the original question.

 

I have a Logitech Webcam - it works.

 

In Windows Live Messenger - I can see my webcam.

 

In Windows Live Messenger - my contact can see y webcam.

 

In Windows Live Messenger - my contact can see their webcam.

 

Ergo both webcams are installed correctly and work properly.

 

BUT I cannot see my contact's webcam.  Therefore it is either not being sent from their end - firewall?  settings?

 

Or not being received at my end - firewall or settings, so where do we look now?

Answer 23

play it

 

Answer 24

Ihad recently bought a new computer and found my old web cam was not compatible with Vista. There are some very good one's available which are compatible. Hope this helps.

Answer 25

I have just recently bought a new laptop with windows vista and I know I have a web cam built into the computer I can see the lense but I can't seem to access it anywhere in my control panel or computer directory settings, when I am on windows live messenger (msn) it doesn't even reconise that I have a web cam and there is no option to set it up. Any idea where I could locate the activation for my built in web cam?

I'm having the exact same issue!

The only time my webcam works with the new messenger is when someone else starts viewing theirs first. Mine doesn't allow me to view my own cam, and every time I try to start a video call it just gives me a giant red X over the little cam picture.

Answer 26

THis is super.... it solved my issue.... first registered in 97 as Brasil, and now re-installed and registered as USA.... video wouldn't display anymore for other contact seeing me.... use proposed above steps and it works... just change it to whatever country you first registered your user.

Answer 27

I tried that and it didn't work. I have the same problem, my webcam will work anywhere apart from msn?? HELP??

Answer 28

Sorry, but that didn't work!! i changed the zip ode to 2600 and my country to australia/Australia caapital territory!! But it wouldn't work still?? Do you have to like get of msn for 2 hours??

Answer 29

hi to all....

i have problem with Webcam on windows live messenger updated over microsoft updates.

here is a problem: when I send invitation to view my web cam. Problem comming after ppl accept cam after fiew secunds with error like "The webcam session has ended".

I slaved problem with uninstalling some components of windows live messenger

I uninstalled:

Windows Live sign-in assistant

Windows Live Upload Tool

Windows Live sync tool

I think it is problem with Upload tool or sync but m not sure couse m not debugger.

tnx for reading post!

---

I Love my XP

Answer 30

hi to all....

i have problem with Webcam on windows live messenger updated over microsoft updates.

here is a problem: when I send invitation to view my web cam. Problem comming after ppl accept cam after fiew secunds with error like "The webcam session  has ended ".

I slaved problem with uninstalling some components of windows live messenger

I uninstalled:

Windows Live sign-in assistant

Windows Live Upload Tool

Windows Live sync tool

I think it is problem with Upload tool or sync but m not sure couse m not debugger.

tnx for reading post!

---

I Love my XP

the same problem is happening to me. How do you uninstall the components of windows live messenger? I can't even find a list of the components. Please help ASAP.

Answer 31

OK YOU GUYS! I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND I WAS GOING CRAZY! BUT THIS IS HOW I SOLVED IT!
I WENT TO  [START]-->[NETWORK PLACES]-->[VIEW NETWORK CONNECTIONS] AND ON THE SIDE CLICK WHERE IT SAYS [CHANGE WINDOWS FIREWALL SETTINGS] AND CLICK ON THE [OFF (NOT RECOMMENDED BUTTON)] AND TRY USING THE CAM AGAIN ON MSN! GOOD LUCK! LET ME KNO IF ANYTHING!

Answer 32

so, i obviously got the same problem... tried changing country and zip code... did not work. tried turning off firewall completely... did not work. tried uninstall different windows live components, did not work. very frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks for trying tough, please share more solutions if u have?

Answer 33

Windows Live Messenger 2009 has two main webcam / video configuration menus.
Common problem is viewing your own webcam output during a "Video Call" session.
Problem : Windows Live Messenger > Action menu > Video menu > "Show my webcam" is greyed out cannot select
Solution :
Step 1 - start Windows Live Messenger and login
Step 2 - before connecting to anyone open the "Tools" menu and click "Audio and video setup"
Step 3 - perform the tests and click "next" and confirm webcam is displaying video then click "Finish"
Step 4 - before connecting to anyone open the "Tools" menu and click "Options"
Step 5 - select "Personal" and put a check-mark beside "Webcam - Allow others to see that I have a webcam"
Step 6 - click "Apply" then click "Ok"
Step 7 - Sign out and completely EXIT Windows Live Messenger to save new settings.
Step 8 - restart Windows Live Messenger and Login then start a Video Call with a friend.
Step 9 - enjoy!

Answer 34

tried everything suggested above. still no luck. Webcam works well with skype/yahoo. Configured correctly with msn ( i m able to see myself) BUT IT DOES NOT CONNECT and I cannot see others as well. PLz help

Answer 35

Hello,

i have got the same problem as some above.
My webcam works everywhere, even in the Audio and Video Configuration in Windows Live Messenger.
When i start my webcam i see myself, but after a while it says Webcam session ended.
Same error if i want to watch anyone else their webcam, anyone else has this problem and solved it?

Answer 36

If the Windows Live Messenger Video Call session fails even after successfully performing  Steps 1-9 in the above post try the following:

1st - try Video Call sessions during non-peak heavy load times
2nd - stop all other internet apps during Video Call sessions
3rd - verify any Firewall configuration rules are set to allow Windows Live Messenger on all ports
4th - verify Windows Live Messenger > Options > Security & Webcam settings are not blocked
5th - close Windows Live Messenger and open the webcam manufacturers configuration app and reduce the video size to 320x240
6th - login to Windows Live Messenger and start a Video Call with the webcam set at 320x240 to reduce bandwidth usage
7th - update the Windows Live Messenger application
8th - download and install updated drivers for the webcam from the manufacturers website

Keep in mind video will always drop if using a slow 54-128kbps internet connection

Answer 37

Hi
I have done steps 1-9 above post
Cannot find the step 4 on live messenger options security & webcam settings. I am not great at this so if you can help I would be grateful.
My problem is an acer buit in webcam, all functions fine if I connect with my son (thailand) using webcam only. If I try and do videocall the webcam does not show him or me. works fine as long as we type not talk! It seems to me that it should be a simple fix but it is sooo annoying!
thanks

Answer 38

my scrren is just blur cannot get my cam to connect in messenger at all its driving me crazy

Answer 39

Hi again, dont know what I did but it now works most of the time! Have downloaded skype and that works fine so wont bother with msn any more!

Answer 40

help

Answer 41

ok this is what i did.  i uninstalled the whole windows live essential.  then i went to this website: 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/thankyou.aspx?familyId=7a1aae73-48cc-4f7a-b445-0487bd5e84ef&displayLang=en

What Others Are Downloading

Others who downloaded Windows Live Messenger (Version 2008) also downloaded:

1. MSN Messenger 7.0 for Windows
2. Windows Internet Explorer 8 for Windows XP
3. Windows Live Messenger
4. Windows Messenger 5.1
5. Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP

i downloaded the windows live messenger and it installed an older version which completely works with my cam.  I tried to upgrade to the newer version again just to see what happens and low and behold the cam stopped working again.  I'm assuming the new version is the problem.  also, i didnt' download all of windows essential... i only downloaded the messenger.  hopefully this works for you guys.