How to Fix Error 0xA00F4240 (0x80131502) on Windows 10/11 Camera App

Video calls and conversations have been made possible by the internet and web cameras, allowing people to stay in touch and connect with others no matter the distance. Video call apps like Viber, Messenger, and Skype have made it convenient to hold meetings wirelessly. However, when problems arise with the camera, all this may not be possible.

Thankfully, several solutions can address camera issues on your Windows Camera app. In this specific article, we will tackle the error “A problem has occurred. 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502) camera app” and how to resolve it.

Camera on Windows 10/11 Not working: Error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502) Causes

Since 2016, Microsoft has recorded and recognized a number of bugs that are related to the Camera app. One is error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502). Although it is specific to Windows 10/11 devices, in rare cases it also strikes other Windows computers running on older OS versions.

Microsoft users who have fallen victim to this error said that they’ve encountered this error after getting the Windows 10/11 Anniversary Update. However, after careful investigation, Microsoft found it had nothing to do with the update.

The error surfaces simply because your computer is telling you that the Camera app is not working properly. The Camera app’s functionality might possibly be affected by an outdated camera driver, a faulty third-party antivirus, or junk system files and folders.

Users employing an external camera might face this issue less frequently. Microsoft suggests this problem primarily occurs on Windows devices with built-in cameras.

If you are using an , don’t worry because you aren’t very likely to encounter this. According to Microsoft, it surfaces on Windows devices that have built-in cameras.

How to Fix Error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502)

There are many ways to fix error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502). Some of them are listed below:

Fix #1: Troubleshoot Built-in Windows Store Apps.

Troubleshooting built-in Windows Store apps like Camera is quite a difficult and challenging task because your system often depends on them. However, Microsoft made it possible for average Windows users to perform the troubleshooting process by themselves. As long as you carefully follow all the steps, then you are likely to fix the Camera problem in no time.

Here’s what you should do:

1. Open the Start menu and go to Settings.
2. Click on the Update & Security section.
3. Select Troubleshoot.
4. Scroll down and locate Windows Store Apps. Click on it and follow the onscreen prompts.
5. Wait for the troubleshooting process to complete.
6. Restart your computer.

Fix #2: Check Your Camera App’s Privacy Settings.

After troubleshooting all the built-in Windows Store apps, you might want to be more specific and check your Camera app’s Privacy settings. It is possible that you are not able to use the Camera app properly because its security features do not allow other apps to use it.

To check and correct your Camera app settings, follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and click Settings.
2. Navigate to Privacy > Camera.
3. Make sure the Let apps use my camera hardware option is enabled by toggling the slider next to it to ON. Do the same with the Choose apps that can use your camera option.
4. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Fix #3: Download and Install New Drivers for Your Camera.

Errors in a Windows device generally appear because its drivers are getting too old. To avoid these errors, new computer models that come pre-installed with new apps will require the use of new drivers. Outdated drives are simply not capable of providing the support that a new computer model needs when it comes to running a fresh app.

Renewing these drivers is easy, though. Just follow these steps:

1. In the Search bar, input Device Manager.
2. When the Device Manager window opens, locate the Imaging Devices section. Click on the arrow beside it to expand the list.
3. Find the name of your Camera. You should be able to identify it right away because it often has the name of the manufacturer somewhere in its name.
4. Right-click on your Camera’s name and choose Uninstall Device.
5. At this point, you have disabled your Camera. You can’t use it until you update its driver.
6. Now, using your favorite search engine, go to the official website of your PC’s manufacturer. Find and download the driver installer for your Camera app.
7. Locate the new driver installer and double-click on it to initiate the installation process.
8. Follow the on-screen instructions to install a newer version of your Camera’s driver.
9. Restart your computer.

Fix #4: Diagnose Your System.

Diagnosing your entire Windows system may resolve issues that are causing problems on your computer. To diagnose your whole system, all you need is an efficient PC repair tool.

Tools like Outbyte PC Repair could help diagnose and repair PC issues. Once you download and install it, you can conveniently run an automated check of your system to locate junk files, erroneous apps, and other problems that cause app errors to appear.

Fix #5: Update Your Operating System to the Most Recent Version.

Some Windows users claim that they were able to use the Camera app properly after updating Windows 10/11 to the latest version. Though Windows 10/11 is designed to automatically install updates on your computer, there are times when you have to do it manually, especially if the update failed. If ever that time comes, just follow these steps:

1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
2. Go to the Windows Update section and click the Update History button.
3. Check the latest update that is currently installed on your computer and take note of its Knowledge Base (KB) number. It is often placed inside brackets after the update’s name. It will usually come with a note that it has failed to update properly, hence the need for manual installation.
4. Visit the official Microsoft Update Catalog page.
5. In the search bar, input the KB number you’ve taken note of on step 3. Hit Enter.
6. Locate the name of the failed update and click the Download button next to it.
7. On your computer, double-click on the file you’ve just downloaded.
8. Follow the on-screen prompts to start the update installation.
9. Reboot your computer.

Fix #6: Troubleshoot Your Hardware.

If the problem still persists, it is likely that your hardware is causing the problem. Thus, you might want to try troubleshooting it. Here’s how:

1. Open the Start menu and click Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.
3. Go to the Troubleshoot section.
4. Scan through the list of available troubleshooters and find the Find and fix other problems section.
5. Choose Hardware and Devices.
6. Follow the on-screen prompts to troubleshoot your hardware devices.
7. Restart your computer.

Conclusion

With these six potential solutions, the Camera app error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502) may be resolved. If these solutions do not work, it may be beneficial to seek advice from a professional or a Windows expert before making any further changes to your system.

If you have alternative solutions for fixing error 0xA00F4240 <Unknown> (0x80131502), please feel free to share them in the comments section.