Steam Crashing Webcam

[MikeBob2013]

I've got a Logitech QuickCam Orbit AF plugged into my computer (link below) and sitting on a nearby window sill so I can keep an eye on things outside my front door.

It's an old webcam (so old that it's no longer even listed on Logitech's website), and the latest drivers for it (which I have installed) are also years old, but it's really great for what I use it for.

The problem I'm having (which started a day or so ago) is that the camera stops working (the screen goes black) when I have my Steam browser open and I'm actively doing things in it.

When I try to restart the camera I get an error message stating that the camera isn't connected, and my only recourse is to shut everything down and reboot my computer, at which point the camera operates normally again - until I'm actively using my Steam browser.

This doesn't happen with Steam running on my task bar and the browser closed - only when I've got the browser opened and I'm looking at games at the Store, etc.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this to happen?

(I need this little cam up and running for security purposes and no other browser or program I use has ever interfered with it. If I can't find a solution I'll have to ditch Steam. 😕)

https://www.newegg.com/logitech-quickcam-orbit-af/p/N82E16826104087

[MikeBob2013]

Thank you for your response and the suggestion, Fred.

I tried that and for whatever reason it didn't work (the webcam just wouldn't start), so I reinstalled the Logitech drivers.

I've stopped using the Steam client and begun accessing my Steam account (and the Steam community, etc.) via the Internet / Mozilla Firefox, and I'm experiencing no issues with the webcam whatsoever.

I can't access my Steam library or launch games from here, but I'm not in the mood to play anything right now anyway. (And if/when that changes I can launch games without opening Steam's browser and there shouldn't be any problems.) So at least I have a workaround of sorts.

I'm certain a recent update to that damned browser is causing the issue but there's really no help for it I suppose. (It seems like for everything those clowns on the back end implement, fix, or improve, they break something else.)

Anyway, I know the logical thing to do at this point might be to switch to a newer webcam, but I can't find one that has all the same features as this Logitech - I've looked high and low. (I even have a 2nd brand new Orbit AF on a closet shelf for when this one finally gives up the ghost.)

Oh well. 🙄

[MikeBob2013]

Escrito originalmente por Fred:

Perhaps some form of consolidation, if you enable Steam's Small Mode in the View menu, the Steam built-in browser will never open, and everything will open in your external browser.

There's an idea. I'll give it a try. Thank you, Fred. 🙂

[MikeBob2013]

Escrito originalmente por Fred:

Perhaps some form of consolidation, if you enable Steam's Small Mode in the View menu, the Steam built-in browser will never open, and everything will open in your external browser.

It's working like a charm.

The only issue I've had is that when installing a game while in Small Mode, Steam switches back to Large Mode without warning (or any prompts), and has to be manually switched back again afterward - but my webcam hasn't crashed since I began using Small Mode early yesterday morning.

Thanks again for your help, Fred. Stay safe and have a great week. 🙂