How to Check Your Webcam Firmware Version

Why the firmware version matters

Firmware is the software stored inside the webcam. It controls the image signal processor, autofocus, exposure metering, and video encoding, and it is what the operating system talks to over USB. Manufacturers release new firmware versions to fix bugs, refine autofocus behavior, and add features such as better low-light processing. Knowing your version tells you which fixes you already have and which ones an update would add. The full list of improvements is covered in what firmware updates change.

The way you check the version depends on how the camera talks to the computer. UVC cameras follow the USB Video Class standard and are handled by the operating system's own driver. Proprietary cameras need the vendor's companion software. Your workflow is different for each, so it helps to know which group your camera belongs to.

UVC cameras report through the operating system

USB Video Class (UVC) cameras are designed so that vendors do not write a driver. Instead, the hardware follows the USB Video Class specification, and the operating system queries the camera directly to learn its capabilities, as Microsoft's USB Video Class driver overview explains. Windows ships a built-in UVC driver, Usbvideo.sys, so a UVC camera works automatically with no installation CD and no vendor maintenance.

Because the OS is in direct control, the firmware information is usually exposed by the operating system rather than by a separate app. That means the version is most often found in the hardware device tree, not in a camera-specific program.

If you want to confirm whether your camera is truly UVC, read how UVC webcams work and the driverless UVC setup guide.

Checking the firmware version in Windows

In Windows, camera access is managed through Start, Settings, Privacy and security, then Camera, as shown in Microsoft's camera permission guide. That page controls app access, but it does not show firmware. For the firmware number, open Device Manager, expand the Cameras or Imaging devices section, right-click your webcam, and choose Properties. The Details tab shows hardware identifiers, and on many UVC cameras it includes a revision string that functions as the firmware version.

The exact field name varies by device. Look for entries that contain REV, a version number, or a date code. If the field lists a revision, compare it with the vendor's release notes to see whether the camera has the latest firmware.

Windows version matters too. Microsoft's UVC driver table notes that Windows 7 supports USB Video Class 1.0 and 1.1, while Windows 8 and later add USB Video Class 1.5 with H.264 encoding. A newer operating system may therefore report capabilities that an older one cannot see, which can affect which firmware fields appear.

Checking the firmware version in macOS

On macOS, UVC webcams are handled by the system as well. Open System Information from About This Mac, select USB from the Hardware list, and find your webcam in the device tree. The listing usually includes vendor and product IDs, the USB class, and, when the device reports it, a firmware revision.

If you use an iPhone as a webcam on a Mac, Apple's webcam guide describes how the Mac connects to the iPhone, and the iPhone's firmware is managed through iOS system updates rather than through the webcam itself. External USB webcams do not work that way; their firmware lives on the camera, and the USB tree is where to look.

For guidance on which operating systems a webcam works with, see webcam OS compatibility.

Proprietary webcams need the vendor app

Webcams that ship with their own companion software, such as Elgato, Razer, and OBSBOT models, usually keep settings on the camera itself. Elgato describes saving image settings to the camera's flash memory, and Razer's on-board memory holds your last saved configuration. That is why the firmware version matters for these cameras: an update can change how the camera applies its saved settings.

For these cameras, the vendor's desktop app is the place to check. Open the camera's control panel, look for an About, Device, or Information page, and the app normally lists the current firmware number, the newest available version, and a button to install it. The app is also where you control settings such as exposure and focus, so the version is in the same interface you already use.

OBSBOT cameras, for example, are configured through the vendor's desktop application, which handles remote control, presets, and camera settings, so the firmware check lives there rather than in the operating system. The same pattern applies to most AI-tracking webcams. See webcam driver software for how these apps work.

If you are not sure whether your camera has a companion app, check the maker's support page. If no app exists, the camera is almost certainly UVC, and the OS route described above is the one to use.

What to do with the version number

Once you have the version string, compare it with the vendor's release notes on the official support page. If your version is older than the latest one, read what changed between them. Autofocus refinements, exposure fixes, and encoding improvements are common reasons to update, and the release notes tell you whether an update addresses a problem you have noticed.

If neither the OS nor an app shows a version, the camera may be an older UVC device that does not report one, or the connection may need attention. Reconnect the camera in a different USB port, then recheck. For cameras that do expose a version, the update steps are covered in how to update webcam firmware.

What to pick for your use

Questions

Can I see the firmware version without installing any software?

Yes, for UVC webcams the operating system reveals the version in the device tree, so no extra software is needed. Proprietary webcams require the vendor app to display the version.

Why does my webcam not show a firmware version in Device Manager?

Some UVC webcams do not report a revision string. Check the vendor's support page or try a different USB port. If the camera has a companion app, look there instead.

Does updating webcam firmware require reinstalling the driver?

No. Firmware updates happen on the camera itself, and the operating system's UVC driver continues to work as before. The vendor app or updater handles the process.

Is the firmware version the same as the driver version?

No. The driver is the software on the computer that talks to the camera. The firmware lives on the camera. The OS shows the driver version separately from the device's reported firmware.