Use Inspiron Camera with connected laptop?

Always include exact PC model and version of Windows in your posts.

If I understand correctly, you're using the Inspiron as an external monitor for the laptop, so this sounds like it's an Inspiron All-In-One with a built-in camera.

How are you connecting the laptop to the Inspiron, using an HDMI-Out port on the laptop and an HDMI-In port on the Inspiron?

Doesn't the laptop have its own built-in camera that's available even when using an external monitor?

The Inspiron's camera might not be available when its LCD panel is being used as a monitor for another PC.

Thanks - my PC is an INSPIRON 7720 AIO. It does have a built-in camera. So does my laptop, but I want to keep it closed. I have limited space which is why I went the Inspiron All-in-One route. But yes, I am using HDMI-Out on my laptop and HDMI-In on the Inspiron. I've seen Youtube videos (and a recent Dell tech who fixed an issue with my new computer) that each said I should be able to use the Inspiron camera after connecting the two units by USB. But so far, it's not working.

The camera on Inspiron AIO can not be used by external computer/laptop.  Because the camera is connected directly to the AIO motherboard and the camera driver is installed, integrated with the operating system (Windows) residing in the AIO. 

The camera on selected models of Dell monitors is accessible by any computer/laptop that connected to it via a provided USB connection cable.  These cameras will be recognized as USB devices and will be functioning after proper driver is installed to the connected device.

With a clearer understanding, you may consider to add a USB camera on top of the AIO and connecting it to your laptop.  That will give you the convenient access to the camera with your preference setup.

Well, that's disappointing, but thanks for the response!