Webcam not recognized in Windows 11 VM, VMware Fusion 13.6, MacOS 15.2

[mixi_plitzik]

Hey All,

Thought it was all great but then this: Windows VM does not recognize the USB webcam plugged into a Mac Mini M4 Pro. All latest software installed. I’m still testing the config but as of now everything else seems to work properly. Any ideas how to fix?

Tia

Mixi

[Technogeezer]

What kind of USB webcam are you using?

Is it recognized by the macOS host?

Is the VM configured with a virtual camera (Check the VM's settings and then see if there's a Camera device). If it's there, which physical camera is the virtual camera configured to use?

Have you tried connecting the USB webcam to the VM using the USB settings panel in the VM?

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- Paul (technogeezer)
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[mixi_plitzik]

Technogeezer,

Thank you for your kind and prompt response. Your suggestions got me further but still not to where I wanna be.

The camera, a Logitech Brio HD Windows-Hello compatible camera, works fine on my standalone Windows 11 machine-including the Windows Hello function. Moreover, using Photobooth on MacOS/Mac Mini as a test vehicle it also appears to work properly. Likewise, accessing the camera using the Virtual Machine USB and camera settings; I can add a camera device and under Camera Settings it's recognized as a Brio and the viewport seems to show a proper image.

However, using the virtual machine, when I go into Windows->Accounts-Sign-in Options->Facial Recognition (Windows Hello), I'm notified, "This option is currently unavailable". If I try the camera using Windows Camera App, I get a brief message stating "VMware virtual video device", a consistent warning beep and a quick look at a striated/distorted green camera window. Iow, it doesn't work.

Checking Windows Device Manager, the camera is shown as VMware Virtual USB Video Device.

Any ideas?

Mixi

[Technogeezer]

Try attaching the camera to the VM by opening the VM's Settings in the Fusion menus, then opening the USB panel. FInd the camera in the list of USB devices, select it, and then choose "Connect to Windows".

See if the device is now seen in Windows Settings as the Logitech camera. The VMware Virtual video device may still be there, but it won't be functional since the camera is being seen as a Logitech USB device. 

The downside of attaching the USB device to the VM is that it will be exclusively in use by the VM. It will no longer be shared with the host Mac. 

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- Paul (technogeezer)
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[mixi_plitzik]

Hey All,

I'm back! Still not able to get webcam to work with Windows 11 and looking for some next steps to figure this out. Here are the details:

• Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.2894
• MacOS Sequoia 15.2
• VMWare 13.6.2 (24409261)
• VMWare Tools 12.4.5.23787635
• Logitech Brio Webcam w IR Windows Hello cam

Camera appears to work when I select VMWare USB Camera settings. A MacOS window pops up and shows me, me, as it should.

Facetime seems to work fine.

However, when I go to Windows->Accounts->Sign-in Options->Facial recognition (Windows Hello), I see "This option is currently unavailable".

Moreover, when I open Windows camera app, I see nothing usable, iow, a black screen but occasionally interspersed with horizontal green lines of distortion.

Any ideas?

Mixi 

[Technogeezer]

Can you confirm that you have configured the USB webcam device to connect directly to the VM. It may not work if the webcam is being presented through the VMware virtual camera device. 

While the VM is powered up. go to the Fusion menu bar and select Virtual Machine > USB. Your camera device should be in the list of USB devices, and whether it's connected or not. (My suspicion is that it's not connected). If the device isn't connected to the VM, click "Connect whatever the webcam device name is". Then check Windows to see if the camera appears as a Logitech device (the VMware virtual camera may still be there). If it is, then see if the Logitech camera will work.

You should also check with Logitech to see if the camera is supported on Windows 11 ARM, and if it needs any drivers. Any device drivers for devices have to be specifically compiled for Windows 11 ARM (the ones you use on Intel PCs won't work).

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- Paul (technogeezer)
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