iPhone Camera Not Working? 9 Quick Fixes

Is your iPhone camera not working? Smartphones have drastically reduced the importance of cameras. An iPhone camera offers pictures worthy of a DSLR camera. And, as such, camera malfunctioning can cause you to lose your sanity. 

What if you have an upcoming party? or do you want to shoot videos for your vlog? iPhone camera not working is a major problem. Various reasons can cause this issue. 

For instance, temporary glitches within the camera app can render it dysfunctional. Moreover, hardware concerns can also lead to this scenario. Fortunately, there are multiple solutions one can apply to fix this problem. In this article, we will know more about the possible causes and solutions. 

Why Is My iPhone Camera Not Working

Various reasons can cause the iPhone camera not working problem. For instance, glitches within the Camera app can lead to this issue. It can also be due to the accumulation of dust and dirt in the lens. Debris or dirt can block the camera lens, causing such problems. 

Another reason could be the loading issue of the camera app. In that case, you will see a black screen when you open the camera. The most ideal solution is to simply switch between the front and rear-facing cameras frequently. Software issues can often be resolved, but for the hardware part, you will need support from Apple. Contact the customer team right away. 

How to Fix iPhone Camera Not Working in 9 Different Ways

There are multiple solutions you can apply to resolve the problem of the iPhone camera not working. Keep in mind that there is no need to panic. 

Let's take a look at the fixes –

1. Repair the iOS system

If you're pretty sure there's nothing wrong with the Camera app itself, then you may want to know if it's an unknown and temporary system bug. It's quite easy to fix the issue. Here I recommend a third-party iOS system repair software - EaseUS MobiXpert. It has two repair options. It is suggested to try the "Standard Repair" option first. And if the operating system is severely damaged and the "Standard Repair" function doesn't work at all, then you are expected to try the "Deep Repair" feature.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS MobiXpert on your computer, choose "System Repair" from the Home page.

Step 2.  Then, choose "iOS/iPadOS System Repair" from the new screen.

Step 3. Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer and choose "Standard Repair." If you want a thorough repair, you can choose "Deep Repair."

Step 4. Confirm your device model and click "Next" to move on. Then, EaseUS MobiXpert will download a firmware for you, which will take a while. If you have installed a firmware before using this software, you can directly click "Verify" to continue.

Step 5. Then, click "Repair Now" to start the repair process. After the repair completes, you can check your device and restart it for use. 

2. Quit the camera app and re-open it

One of the simplest ways to fix an iPhone camera not working is to quit the app. Wait for a few minutes and open it again. In some cases, the app may not load correctly or freeze due to glitches. If you are lucky, you won't have to do anything more than this!

3. Use FaceTime for testing

Are you wondering how FaceTime can help resolve the camera not working on your iPhone? Don't laugh yet! Use FaceTime to video call anyone you want. Now, test both front and back-facing cameras. You can at least determine which one is causing trouble. 

4. Restart the device

Another hassle-free solution to the iPhone camera not working problem is to restart the device. You will be surprised by the number of issues this simple hack can fix. Restarting the device clears all temporary errors and bugs. 

To restart iPhone –

Step 1. Press either the volume or side buttons and hold them. Wait till you see the power-off slider. Drag the slider.

Step 2. Now, wait a few seconds, and the device will turn off. Now, press the side button and hold it to turn it on. Wai till you come across the Apple logo. 

Note: This process only applies to iPhone X, 11, 12, and later versions. Other models may have varied steps. 

5. Reset iPhone

Sometimes, an app you installed may interfere with the smooth functioning of the camera app. In that case, resetting the iPhone settings make sense. However, you need to make sure that you don't select Erase All Content And Settings. If you do that, everything will be erased. 

To reset the iPhone, here are the steps you need to follow –

Step 1. Open Settings. Go to General. 

Step 2. Select Transfer or Reset iPhone. 

Step 3. Tap on Reset. 

Step 4. Here, you will see several options: Reset All Settings, Reset Network Settings, Reset Keyboard Dictionary, Reset Home Screen Layout, Reset Location & Privacy. Choose the one you want. 

Note: You can go ahead with Reset All Settings. It won't delete any data from the device. 

6. Update iOS

Apple constantly works to fix bugs and glitches. That is why installing the latest iOS version is of utmost importance. Your iPhone camera not working can also be due to software issues. In that case, the update will help. 

To do that, take a look at the steps –

Step 1. Open Settings. Click on General. 

Step 2. Go to Software Update. If you see any updates, install and download it right away.

You can also select Automatic Updates and turn on Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates. That way, the device will update as per the version available automatically. 

7. Factory reset the device

If nothing else works, you can try factory resetting your iPhone. It is vital to understand that with the factory reset, you will lose all data. The device will become as it was when you first received it. That is why it is advisable to back up data. 

Check out the steps you need to adopt for factory resetting the device –

Step 1. Go to Settings. Click on General. 

Step 2. Choose Reset. Now, select Erase All Content and Settings. 

Step 3. If needed, you need to type the passcode. A warning pop-up will say that all music, data, other media, and settings will be erased. 

Step 4. Click on Erase. 

Remember that it will take some time to delete everything on the device. 

8. Clean the lens of the camera

Dust, dirt, grime, and debris accumulate over the camera lens. That can lead to the camera not working. We often keep our phones in odd places, such as the back of our jeans, bags, etc. The dust and dirt can easily settle on the lens. 

That is why cleaning the camera lens regularly is a good idea. For this, use a clean and dry microfiber cloth. After that, use it on the lens and apply gentle pressure. Remember that a dirty lens can also affect the quality of your pictures. 

9. See if anything is blocking the camera lens.

Did you know that lens obstruction can also cause the iPhone camera to malfunction? For instance, phone cases might sometimes block the camera lens. As a result, the app doesn't work correctly. The only solution is to fix the case or get a new one. 

Another cause might sound silly, but it does happen. Often, we get excited to click photos or shoot videos. Amidst such excitement, ensure your fingers are not blocking the camera lens. That can cause this issue too. Keep your fingers away and start clicking!

FAQs on iPhone Camera Not Working

These are the solutions one can adopt to handle the issue of the iPhone camera not working. However, you can also gather more knowledge by taking a look at the questions and answers listed here -

1. Why has my iPhone camera suddenly stopped working?

Your iPhone camera has suddenly stopped working due to issues with the app. However, it can also be due to the accumulation of dust, dirt, and debris on the camera lens. 

2. Why is my iPhone camera just a black screen?

The iPhone camera being a black screen can be due to loading issues. You will encounter a black screen when the camera doesn't load properly. The ideal solution is to switch between the different cameras. 

3. How do I reset the camera on my iPhone?

To reset the camera on your iPhone, go to settings. Now, select General and choose Reset. Now, press Reset All Settings. That will fix the camera problem. 

The Conclusion

Did you open your iPhone camera to see if it's not working? That can be a mood killer and cause anxiety too! No worries. Dust and dirt accumulation can block the camera lens, or software issues can cause this problem. However, there are some solutions you can implement too. 

For instance, you can try restarting your iPhone. You can also reset the device or quit and reopen the app. Also, cleaning the lens and preventing the device from getting too heated is an excellent idea.