Error: The camera has failed to initialize or may be in use by another program.

The Error the camera has failed to initialize or may be in use by another program message may be displayed when trying to launch the VAIO® Camera Capture Utility. Follow these steps to resolve the issue.

IMPORTANT: This solution only applies to VAIO computers that have a built-in camera and utilize the VAIO Camera Capture Utility software.

NOTE: Because each of these steps represents a possible solution to this issue, check the VAIO Camera Capture Utility status after completing each step.

1. Reinstall the Sony Notebook Utilities application from the VAIO Recovery  application or download and install the application. Downloads are posted on your model support page.

   NOTE: If you upgraded the operating system without using the Sony® Windows Vista® Express Upgrade DVD or the Companion DVD, the VAIO Recovery application will not be available.

2. Download and install any available updates from the Sony website. Downloads are posted on your model support page.
3. Disable programs from automatically running  in the background.

   NOTE: Third-party camera or Web conferencing utilities may interfere with the VAIO Camera Capture Utility. Disabling third-party camera utilities may allow the VAIO Camera Capture Utility to work properly.

4. Perform a system restore  back to an earlier time when the capture utility was working.