Microsoft Disables Features to Get Surface Pro X Cameras Working Again

Microsoft issued a temporary fix for the camera problems experienced by Surface Pro X owners, but it's far from perfect.

Cameras on the Microsoft Surface Pro X stopped working on May 23 due to Windows error “0xA00F4271<MediaCaptureFailedEvent> (0x80004005).” Now, as The Verge reports(Opens in a new window), Microsoft issued a temporary fix to get the cameras working again, but it comes at the cost of some features and image quality.

In a support note(Opens in a new window) for the fix, Microsoft explains that the temporary workaround “might disable some features of the camera or lower the image quality but should allow the camera to function until the issue is resolved by the device manufacturer with an updated camera driver.” So while your camera may work again, don't expect the same experience as before it stopped working.

The Camera app is failing to load on devices using the Qualcomm 8cx Gen 1, Qualcomm 8cx Gen 2, Microsoft SQ1, and Microsoft SQ2 processors. The temporary fix requires running a registry command from the Command Prompt as an administrator followed by restarting your Windows device (see the support note above for step-by-step instructions).

Microsoft points out that using this fix on devices where the camera still works, or attempting to install it by another means (e.g. the Windows Registry Editor) could result in the whole operating system needing to be reinstalled.

So when will the issue will be fully resolved? Microsoft isn't committing to a time frame, but says it's “working with device manufacturers” to update the driver and will tell us when it's available. Until then, enjoy your lower image quality camera experience.

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