Camera not detected in Ubuntu 24.04 on XPS13-9320

A couple weeks ago, it seems like there was an issue with the intel-ipu6-dkms drivers building.  Discussion here: https://github.com/intel/ipu6-drivers/issues/369. If you look in Software & Updates -> Additional Drivers, you can check whether you can actually use your ipu6 drivers or not. Apparently the default drivers switched to something called libcamhal, which doesn't give errors while compiling (good) but still hasn't fixed the camera for me. I'm just putting this info out there in case it helps.

Some people are saying they've gotten the camera working , so I think the correct driver combination is out there somewhere. Maybe things would work on a fresh install of the OS and all drivers.

Here is an update on this situation, but not a solution.

Over the last 3 weeks, I've had a fair bit of interaction with Dell Support.  They say the solution is that I restore the original Ubuntu 22.04 that came with my XPS 13 Plus (9320).  I tried to do that both by restoring from the partition on the hard disc that came with the machine and from a brand-new 64GB USB device, following Dell documentation.  Unfortunately, the laptop's firmware rejected both approaches.   Now Dell says there is nothing they can do about the fact that their OS-restore mechanism isn't working and that I must take the issue up with the Ubuntu support people or user-community. 

I don't know how to go about doing that but I am planning to investigate and will update this thread accordingly.

Unfortunately Ubuntu 22.04 had a couple other problems which led me to switch to 24. The big one I remember is that windows would sometimes end up behind the taskbar when the laptop came out of suspend. These other issues were annoying enough that I don't want to go back just for the camera. It seems our options are either to learn how to write drivers or wait for someone else to do it.

@hanshopkins​  I understand completely.  There were so many little issues with 22.04 that I went to 24.04.  Also, at that time, I was not aware that Dell expected its customers to remain on the installed level of the OS, which was arguably out of date when I got the laptop.  

As I wrote in my opening post, it appears there MIGHT be a solution.  I just don't know how to implement it, but considering what I've been through trying to sort this out and what it implies for the future, my sense is that I'd be better off switching back to Windows.

The building error for intel-ipu6-dkms was fixed for Ubuntu 25.04 (https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ipu6-drivers/+bug/2117188) but it looks like no one bothered to implement the fix for 24. After switching to 25.05, intel-ipu6-dkms successfully builds without errors, but the drivers still aren't fully working. The camera has low framerate and the brightness levels are wrong. There must still be something I'm missing.

It's an unbelievable shame for Dell to give this abysmal support to one of their top notch laptops. I trusted in their reputation for being Linux friendly and bought an incredibly expensive $1800 laptop, and now I'm supposed to be stuck to an OS from 2022 forever or miss out on the CAMERA THAT I NEED FOR WORK? Are you <Prohibited word or character substitution used. See the Forum Code of Conduct. DELL-Admin> crazy Dell? Get this mess fixed NOW. 

@MXPS9340​ I agree completely.  While I do understand the Dell support is limited but considering the significance of this problem and that it would have taken less time for Dell to fix it than to debate it with me and everyone else, Dell's intransigence just does not make any sense.   As my partner and I really need laptops with working cameras, my partner for whom the Dell XPS 13 Plus was originally purchased, has gone back to Apple laptops and I have an ancient Windows 10 laptop (not Dell) still hobbling along.  And now, our nice Dell XPS 13 Plus is sitting collecting dust.   How could I possibly support the idea of getting a Dell machine with Linux?  Once burned; twice shy.

They hide behind the sorry excuse that "Intel dropped support". It's not our problem though. Dell took our money, and Dell needs to address this. Be it by lobbying on Intel or by threatening them to interrupt commercial partnership or whatever, I don't care one bit. These are not gaming laptops, they are laptop for professional use and without cameras they are utterly useless. Just very expensive bricks. Dell should at least give us the option to get our money back, but go figure. I was in love with my laptop until I discovered this. It is an insult and I for one will forever discourage people to buy Dell at my Company or on whatever subreddit or public forum I attend. For shame.