Under normal conditions, the camera list in the laser control software should display the following two cameras:

• Lid camera: displayed as “Camera” in the software;

• Movable camera: displayed as “Movable camera” in the software.

When using a Nova Pro 35, we once encountered the following issues:

1. Two options named “Movable camera” appear in the camera list. Selecting either option displays the lid camera feed in the preview window.

2. The movable camera feed appears only after the USB cable for the lid camera is disconnected from the expansion board.

3. After the USB cable for the movable camera is disconnected from the expansion board, the lid camera feed appears normally, but the lid camera is still listed as “Movable camera.”

These symptoms generally indicate that the system has not identified the two cameras correctly, resulting in duplicate names, an incorrect camera feed, or camera-switching issues. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot the problem.

Screenshot of the issue:

2. Troubleshooting Steps

2.1 Restart the Machine and Software

1. Close the laser control software.

2. Turn off the laser machine, wait a few moments, and then turn it back on.

3. Restart the laser control software.

4. Open the camera list and check whether the camera names are now correct. Confirm that each camera displays its corresponding feed.

If the issue persists, continue to the next step.

2.2 Check the Cameras Using the Windows Camera App

This step determines whether the operating system can identify and access both cameras correctly.

1. Close the camera preview in the laser control software. If necessary, exit the software completely to prevent it from occupying the cameras.

2. Keep the laser machine connected to the computer.

3. Open the built-in Windows Camera app.

4. Switch between the available cameras and verify that the number of cameras, their names, and their video feeds correspond correctly.
   

Important: A camera generally cannot be accessed by multiple applications at the same time. Before testing it in the Windows Camera app, make sure the camera preview in the laser control software is closed.

Open the built-in Windows Camera app	Switch to the corresponding camera

2.3 Check Device Manager and Re-detect the Cameras

Open Device Manager > Cameras. In older versions of Windows, the cameras may be listed under Imaging devices. Expand the applicable category and check the number and names of the cameras.

Scenario 1: Duplicate camera names also appear in Device Manager

This generally indicates a Windows device-identification issue rather than a problem with the laser control software. Follow these steps:

1. Right-click a camera with a duplicate name and select Uninstall device.

2. Uninstall each camera entry that has an incorrect or duplicate name.

3. From the Device Manager menu, select Action > Scan for hardware changes.

4. Wait for Windows to detect and install the cameras again.

5. Check whether the camera names and the number of listed cameras are now correct.

6. Restart the laser control software and confirm that you can switch between the two cameras and view the correct feed from each one.

If the camera names return to normal after Windows re-detects the devices, the issue was most likely caused by an incorrect device identification in Windows. If duplicate names remain, continue to Section 3, “Other Possible Causes.”

Scenario 2: The names are correct in Device Manager, but incorrect in the laser control software

If the device manager shows normal names but only the laser software is malfunctioning, or if the issue is that the name is correct but the preview image does not match the name, you can still try uninstalling the camera from Device Manager, then rescan to detect hardware changes, to re-add the connected camera, and check again in the laser software.

Uninstall the camera(s) in Device Manager	Rescan to detect hardware changes

3. Other Possible Causes

3.1 Other Laser Machines Are or Have Been Connected to the Same Computer

If the same computer is currently connected—or was previously connected—to another laser machine equipped with a camera, Windows may retain or detect camera information from that machine. If another machine remains powered on or connected, the laser control software may detect additional cameras, resulting in duplicate names, mismatched feeds, or camera-switching issues.

Disconnect any other laser machines from the computer, or turn them off, and then restart the laser control software and test the cameras again.

3.2 The Camera Is Being Used by Another Application

If the camera name is correct but its preview cannot be opened, another application may already be using the camera. Examples include:

• The built-in Windows Camera app;

• Video conferencing software;

• A browser page with camera access;

• Other software with a camera-preview function.

Conversely, if the laser control software is already using the camera, the Windows Camera app may be unable to display its feed. The application may show an error message, or it may pause briefly, skip the unavailable camera, and switch to another available camera.

Close all applications that may be using the camera, and then reopen the application in which you want to test it.

When the built-in App is using the camera	When the laser control software is using the camera

4. If the Issue Persists

If duplicate camera names, incorrect camera identification, or camera-switching issues remain after you complete the steps above, contact Thunder Laser Technical Support at tech@thunderlaser.com and provide as much of the following information as possible:

• Machine model and serial number;

• Computer operating system and version;

• Name and version of the laser control software;

• Results of each troubleshooting step;

• A screenshot of the camera list in Device Manager;

• Screenshots of the camera list and incorrect preview feed in the laser control software.

Providing complete information will help the Technical Support team identify the cause and provide a solution more quickly