When the camera on your phone isn’t working, it’s always at the wrong time. The camera is needed for video calls, scanning documents, logging into banking apps, and QR tickets. The issue can look different: a black screen, a crash on launch, or a message like “can’t connect to the camera”. If the only thing in your head is “the camera isn’t working, what should I do”, start with the short plan below. It will help you find the cause without chaotic actions and unnecessary risk.
- What to Do in 2 Minutes If the Camera Isn’t Working
- Why the Camera Won’t Open or Closes Right After Launch
- Why the Camera Shows a Black Screen
- Why the Camera Doesn’t Work Only in One App
- Why the Camera Won’t Focus and Photos Come Out Blurry
- How to Fix the Camera on Android If It’s a Software Glitch
- What to Do If the Camera Isn’t Working on iPhone
- Why the Camera Isn’t Working After an Update
- When the Problem Is Hardware, Not Software
- Which Mistakes and Myths Only Make the Situation Worse
- Conclusion: How to Get the Camera Working Again Without Risk
What to Do in 2 Minutes If the Camera Isn’t Working
Start with checks that don’t harm your data and often solve the problem right away.
Do a quick check:
- Close all apps and open “Camera” again.
- Restart your phone. If the device is frozen, do a hard restart.
- Free up space in storage (ideally at least 1 GB).
- Check the camera in another app.
- Check separately whether the front camera isn’t working and whether the rear camera isn’t working.
If the camera comes back after that, immediately test photos, video, and switching between the front and rear cameras.
Why the Camera Won’t Open or Closes Right After Launch
If the camera won’t open or crashes on launch, most often the problem is software-related. Causes can include a system services glitch, an app conflict, full storage, or corrupted temporary files.
What Errors Like camera failed, cannot connect to camera, or “can’t connect to the camera” Mean
Such messages mean the system can’t access the camera module. It’s important to understand where exactly the failure occurs:
- if the error repeats in all apps, the problem may be system-related or hardware-related
- if the error is only in one app, permissions or the app itself are more often to blame
Why the Camera Shows a Black Screen
A black camera screen appears when the camera has frozen, is “in use”, or the system can’t initialize it. A short “symptom → first step” logic works well here.
Symptom → first step:
- black screen → restart the phone
- crash on launch → clear the camera cache
- doesn’t work only in one app → check camera access
After these steps, it becomes clear whether this is a one-time glitch or a deeper issue.
What to Do If the Camera Is in Use by Another App
When the camera is in use by another app, close messengers, social networks, QR scanners, and anything that could be using the camera in the background. Then restart your phone and test again. If the situation repeats, it’s worth checking for an app conflict or aggressive power-saving settings.
Why the Camera Doesn’t Work Only in One App
If the system “Camera” works but another app doesn’t, it’s almost always an access issue or a glitch in that specific program. A typical example is: the camera isn’t working in Instagram, what should I do. In such a situation, the module is rarely the problem.
Why There Is No Camera Access and How to Enable Permission
When there is no camera access, the app doesn’t have the right to use it.
Android: Settings → Apps → the needed app → Permissions → Camera.
iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera (or the settings of the specific app).
After changing permissions, close the app completely and open it again. If it didn’t help, update the app or reinstall it.
Why the Camera Won’t Focus and Photos Come Out Blurry
If the camera won’t focus, first eliminate the obvious causes. Wipe the camera glass with a microfiber cloth, and check whether a protective glass or a thick case is blocking the module. Then do a test in good lighting.
Warning signs include: image shaking, clicking, “hunting” focus, especially after an impact. In that case, the problem may be hardware-related (the focusing or stabilization mechanism).
How to Fix the Camera on Android If It’s a Software Glitch
If the suspicion is on software, most often it helps to “clean” temporary data.
How to Clear the Camera Cache on Android and Why to Do It
Clearing the cache removes corrupted temporary files. Path: Settings → Apps → Camera → Storage → Clear cache. Photos and videos are not deleted.
How to Clear Data for the “Camera” App and What Will Change
If the cache didn’t help, you can clear data for the “Camera” app. This will reset shooting settings but won’t affect the gallery. After that, check launch, camera switching, and video recording.
Is It Worth Checking Safe Mode
Yes, if the issue started after installing filters, camera “enhancers”, optimizers, or mods. In safe mode, only system apps run. If the camera is stable there, third-party software is to blame.
What to Do If the Camera Isn’t Working on iPhone
If the camera on iPhone won’t open or a black screen appears, start by force-closing “Camera” and restarting the iPhone. Next, check:
- camera access for apps
- restrictions in “Screen Time”
- whether there is an iOS update
If the problem looks system-related, “Reset All Settings” without deleting data often helps. This returns system parameters to default and removes conflicts that sometimes appear after changes in settings.
Why the Camera Isn’t Working After an Update
When the camera isn’t working after an update, the cause is often old caches or component conflicts. Try restarting, update apps, and check permissions. If the issue appeared right after installing a specific app, delete it and test the camera again.
When the Problem Is Hardware, Not Software
There are situations where spending hours on settings makes no sense because the cause is in the “hardware”.
Signs of a hardware problem:
- the camera isn’t working after a fall or impact
- the camera isn’t working after water or moisture got in (there is fogging, spots)
- errors like “can’t connect to the camera” repeat everywhere
- the phone heats up when the camera starts
After moisture, you shouldn’t put the phone on the charger “just to check”. It’s better to turn it off and give the device a chance for safe diagnostics.
Which Mistakes and Myths Only Make the Situation Worse
Here’s what usually makes it worse:
- tapping the case or shaking the phone
- installing questionable camera “enhancers”
- ignoring full storage
- repeatedly launching the camera after water exposure or when overheated
It’s much more effective to act step by step and observe where exactly the flow breaks.
Conclusion: How to Get the Camera Working Again Without Risk
Start with quick diagnostics, check storage, access, and whether another app is holding the camera. On Android, clearing the “Camera” cache and data often helps, as does testing in safe mode. On iPhone, checking access, restarting, and resetting settings without deleting data usually works. If there was an impact or water, or errors like camera failed repeat in all apps, service diagnostics are most likely needed.
