How often have you or a friend become annoyed by the sudden breakdown of your cell phone’s camera? This is the most frustrating thing that could happen, especially when you are in between capturing a moment. Picture this: you have come to your child’s school play, and it is their turn on stage. You try to turn on your camera app, and instead of a happy face, you are faced with a black screen or an error message. You try to improvise on the spot but are left wondering, “Why is my phone camera not working?” So, in this article, we will discuss possible reasons and solutions to this issue.
Reasons why is my phone camera not working
It might be a software glitch, a hardware problem, or even a user error. If you understand the root cause, it will go a long way in troubleshooting your problem effectively. So, let’s first delve into the possible reasons why your phone camera is not working.
Why is my phone camera not working on my iPhone
In the case of an iPhone, a camera that is not working may have several explanations:
Software errors:
While iOS updates are the key to solving your camera issue on iPhone, they occasionally have bugs. A faulty software update is the likely reason why your camera suddenly failed to work. Sometimes, restarting your phone or waiting for the next release of iOS can fix a lot of these issues.
App interference:
Some apps, especially the ones that need the camera to function might interfere with how your phone’s cameras work. Apps like social media platforms photo editing tools, and even games might have conflicts. So, you should also review recently installed or updated apps.
Storage problems:
One of the biggest problems among mobile users around the world is that their iPhone gets filled with photos & videos quickly. In a shortage of storage, the camera is unable to save new photos or videos. This issue can be prevented by constantly maintaining your storage and doing some storage management to free up the space.
Hardware damage:
iPhones are built like tanks these days, but they can still break. It is entirely possible that the camera is damaged if you have dropped your phone recently. If part of the lens appears to be cracked, you may have damaged hardware. The only fix here is to take your iPhone to a verified Apple store.
Misconfiguration:
The camera settings in your device might be at fault here. Make sure that the access permissions are not restricted to your iOS device. This is a likely case, especially for people who are using third-party applications to access their phone cameras.
Overheating:
If your iPhone is overheating then it can make the camera malfunction. If your phone ever feels very warm, maybe it’s time to stop using those resource-hogging apps and give the processor a rest. Letting your iOS device cool down will sort out this error in less than 10 minutes.
Why is my camera not working on my Android phone
Android phones have similar issues, albeit details can vary slightly:
Glitchy update:
There are many reasons for this issue such as software bugs in the Android updates or a bug within the app. A bug can likely cause your camera to function abnormally following an update. Occasionally, you can roll back the update or a patch will eventually fix things.
Third-Party Apps:
As mentioned on iPhones earlier, third-party apps can play foul with the camera as well in Android. Camera-related apps might not be well-optimized and can cause conflict. It is important to get rid of these apps right away to retain optimal camera performance.
Overloaded storage:
It is common for Android users to fill up their Android devices to the point they are unable to access native apps like the phone camera. If you’ve been getting a few notifications on storage issues, then now might be a good time to deal with them.
Physical damages:
The camera module (hardware) can be faulty due to physical damage. The same goes for any other potential internal damage e.g. after a series of drops or exposure to water. Most people think that their water-resistant phones are waterproof and end up experimenting by dropping them in water. This experiment can be the death of your mobile camera and you need to get your phone checked by an expert.
Corrupted cache:
Cycling too quickly between apps can actually corrupt the cache on older Android devices. Luckily, you’ll just have to restart your mobile device and that will be it to sort out all cache-related issues.
Outdated software:
The compatibility with the camera app will be void when you’re using an older Android version. Make sure to update your OS, if you’ve been holding off on the update for a couple of years.
Malware:
Android phones have more chances of attracting malware than iPhones. Therefore, when your phone gets infected with malware, it may alter some functions such as the camera. Using a trustworthy antivirus is very important to protect your device. Moreover, you should never click on sketchy links or download apps from a third-party source.
Solutions to fix the phone camera not working
Now that we are aware of the potential causes, it’s time to look at some possible solutions for fixing your camera. Here are some ways of doing so:
1. Restart your Phone:
The simplest answer is to give your phone a fresh restart.
- Hold the Power Button to bring up the option on your screen to Reboot.
- Tap Restart and let your phone refresh.
This is a simple thing that could rejuvenate the system and fix any temporary software problems.
2. Check for software updates:
Keep your phone’s OS updated to make the most out of native apps.
– Settings > General > Software Update (iPhone), or Settings > System update (Android).
– Get whatever updates are available and install them.
Along with the software updates, you need to also check for native app updates. If available, don’t hesitate to install the update on your mobile device.
3. Clear cache and data:
If you are an Android user, deleting the cache and data for your camera app can sometimes resolve issues.
- Setting > Apps > Camera > Storage then Clear Cache and All Data.
- On iPhone, you can try to restart the camera app by swiping up and closing it from the App switcher.
4. Free up storage space:
Make sure you have space for new photos.
– Clear out any unwanted files, apps, and photos from your phone gallery.
– Open up Settings and choose Storage to manage your storage space.
A messy storage can kill your device speed and even affect the camera. I’d also recommend that you install a third-party file manager on your Android device to better help with storage management.
5. Reset camera settings:
Sometimes, a quick reset to your camera app is all that you need to sort out all software-related issues.
- You can do this by going to Settings > Camera > Preserve Settings > Reset all settings to factory default on an iPhone.
- In Android, go to Settings > Apps and select the Camera option from the list.
- “Reset to default” can fix your camera app.
6. Check App permissions:
Make sure the camera app is granted all required permission.
– On iPhone: Settings > Privacy > Camera.
– On Android: Settings > Apps > Camera > Permissions.
– Turn on all the necessary permissions.
Without the proper permissions in place, your camera app will not behave as expected.
7. Remove the Phone case and let it rest:
Phone cases can obstruct the camera lens and sometimes create overheating issues.
- Try the camera by removing or adjusting it.
- Let the phone rest for at least 10 minutes in a shaded region.
- Launch the camera app again.
A misaligned case and overheating are never good for the camera, and removing the case can sometimes be the ideal fix. Moreover, you can also get a better quality case for your mobile device.
8. Clean the camera lens:
Dust or finger oils on the lens make a poor shot. So, if the camera app does launch and the issue is with the quality, then consider cleaning the camera lens.
– Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth.
9. Disable Third-Party Apps:
Conflicting and camera-based apps like editing tools or filters or even some social media apps can interfere with your phone camera.
- Remove or disable the recently added apps that may be in conflict.
10. Factory reset:
If nothing else works, you can go for a factory reset.
Warning: This procedure will erase everything, so create a backup of critical files.
– Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings (iPhone) or for Android, System > Reset > Factory Data reset.
In theory, a factory reset solves almost every software problem.
Preventative measures to avoid Phone camera issues
Fixing the phone camera is only half the battle. Read further to learn some of the tricks that can help keep your camera running for years:
Phone Case:
- Use a case made for your phone model.
- A good case fits around your phone without interfering with the camera.
Clean your camera and device:
– Wipe a microfiber cloth very softly on the lens regularly.
– Keep your phone away from dust and dirt.
A clean device means that you’re using your camera without any nasty debris.
Getting too hot can break some parts including the camera.
Review App permissions and privacy settings often:
- Check which apps have permission to use the camera. Go to your app permissions menu in settings so you know what you’ve allowed access to.
- Permission management prevents unauthorized changes.
Monitor App downloads and changes:
More than half the time, you can avoid camera-related problems by being cautious about what you’re downloading and where you’re downloading it from. Many malicious websites can plague your mobile phone with malware, causing the camera to malfunction. So, perform weekly checks on the apps installed on your phone and the permissions allowed for said apps. From there, you can weed out any suspicious tool that you don’ remember installing the first place.
Similarly, kids can be pretty careless when it comes to avoiding malicious websites. They will download anything from a third-party source as long as it has flashy icons and quirky gifs. So, as a parent, you will have to step in and help your kid maintain their mobile device. I’d recommend tools like FlashGet Kids that can help you regularly check all the installed apps and the allowed permissions to said apps. This precaution will at least ensure that your kid won’t ever nag you about their mobile camera not working.
Final words
The camera performance is half the reason why so many people spend money on expensive phones. However, even the most premium devices sometimes run into camera-related issues. Luckily, you can rely on the details mentioned above to figure out why your mobile camera is malfunctioning and how to fix it quickly. Moreover, I’ve also detailed the preventative measures you can take to avoid this inconvenience in the future. So, ideally, you won’t ever have to bother with camera problems if you are just a tiny bit more cautious about your mobile hardware and software health. Also, don’t forget to keep an eye on your kid’s mobile health as well with tools like FlashGet Kids.
FAQs
Why is my phone camera showing a black screen?
Software problems, storage limitations, or camera application issues can show a black screen. Restart your smartphone, clear the camera app cache or just update your software to fix it.
Why does my phone camera say ‘camera failed’?
This error message may indicate that the fault is in the software. Clear the cache and data of your camera app and free up the background resources to get the camera working again.
Why is my phone camera not saving photos?
If your phone camera is not saving photos, it could be due to low storage or a problem with the camera app. Clear up some storage and camera app cache.
Why is my phone camera not switching between front and back?
This problem can be caused by software glitches or other camera app errors. Here, an update to your OS version should be enough to sort out the error.
How do I reset my phone camera settings?
Navigate to Settings > Camera Settings > Reset Settings > Reset. This will reset all the settings of the Camera App to default. Alternatively, you can just use the search bar in your phone settings to find the reset option.
