Why is my iPhone camera not working? Back and front camera issues, flashlight problems – how to fix them?

Why is my iPhone camera not working? Back and front camera issues, flashlight problems - how to fix them?

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Why is my iPhone camera not working? Back and front camera issues, flashlight problems – how to fix them?

Apple users love their iPhone, especially the Camera app. The iPhone camera has a great quality, mainly when it’s compared to its first version released in 2007. Now Apple users can enjoy a professional camera. For most people, the smartphone has become the primary and only camera. After a poor screen replacement on iPhone 7, 7 plus, 8, 8 plus, X, Xr, 11 etc, or dropping, damaging device – the iPhone front/back (rear) camera may not function properly, shows a back screen or other issues. Probably both the iPhone camera and the flashlight stopped working, which is a very annoying problem. Why did your iPhone camera and flashlight stop working, and how to fix the camera on iPhone 6,7,8, X, 11 etc? We’ve created this guide to provide you with some tips on how to fix this problem.

If your iPhone front camera, rear camera and flashlight are not working, have focus problems or show a black screen, you may find it soothing to know that you’re not the only one with this problem. 

How to fix the problem of iPhone camera not working

1. First step is to locate the issue: why is the camera not working on my iPhone?

Have you dropped your device recently? If you have, your camera may have suffered some damage. In this case your camera may need a new screen assembly, or a new rear camera. It might be a good idea to visit the nearest iPhone repair shop to fix the issue.

Have you updated your iOS to the latest version? If you have missed this step, this can cause a sudden malfunction. We will talk about this later in this guide.

When your iPhone camera is not working, it may be caused by a hardware issue. Some hardware issues can be diagnosed easily but you may need to visit a repair shop.  

2. iPhone back or front camera is not working: testing black screen problem

If you have a problem with either your front or your back camera, you may try software troubleshooting. Open your cameras, and check if you experience a black display with any of them. 

Remember to check both, so don’t forget to swap them.

The easiest and quickest way to test your iPhone camera is to open the FaceTime app. Have a quick video call with one of your friends and test your cameras by switching between the front and back camera.

3. iPhone camera and flashlight are not working- make sure that your flash is turned on

Open the Control Centre and test if the flash is working. Problems with the flash may be caused by either hardware or software.

If you’ve confirmed the flash is on but the problem persists, pop into the nearest iPhone repair shop for quick diagnostics.

4. iPhone camera not working – Clean the camera lens

If your pictures are blurry, they can be easily caused by a dirty lens.

This might be an obvious step for a lot of people, but it’s overlooked by many. We tend to forget that our iPhone lenses are exposed to so many things during the day, that it would be surprising if they were clear all the time.

So grab a microfibre cloth and wipe the lenses and make sure that you remove all the dirt and debris. This easy trick may avert your current problem.

5. Check any lens obstructions and remove them

It is another common reason for black display. Since many cases can be installed upside down on an iPhone, check if yours doesn’t block the lens. Believe it or not, this mishap is quite common among iPhone users. They would like to take a picture but surprisingly all photos come out black. Later they realise, it was the fault of the iPhone case.

6. Force the Camera App to close

If you tap the Home button twice, you will find all the apps that have been used recently. Find the Camera app, and by swiping up you can close it. Go back to your Home screen and open your Camera app one more time. Check if it works this time. If you couldn’t solve the problem, move on to our next tip.

7. Close all the Apps on your iPhone

Several iPhone software problems can be explained by app crashes. If an app (your Camera app or any other one) crashed in the background, closing it can fix the error.

In order to close all the apps, open the app switcher and swipe your apps up. If they no longer appear in your app switcher, they are all closed.

Now it’s time to reopen your Camera app. If it’s still black or doesn’t work at all, you need to try another trick.

8. Restart or reboot your iOS device

You may try to fix the problem by restarting your iPhone. You can try to turn it on after 1 minute.

It may be a good solution to reboot your device. You can do this by pressing and holding the Home button and power together. You need to do this until the Apple logo appears.

If you are an iPhone 7 user, you need to press the Home button and the Volume down button. Then check if the iPhone 7 camera is working or not.

9. Update to the latest iOS

Apple keeps on updating and improving your iPhone’s operating system.

Please check if there is any iOS update by going to General and then Software Update. If a new update is available, update your iPhone. When there’s any bug in the system, the update will clear it out, and your iPhone’s front and back camera will work again. Your camera issues may have only been caused by outdated software.

10. Factory reset your iPhone

Sometimes a Factory reset is the solution to fix a bug in the system. Please note that this a completely fresh start and all your data will be deleted. Make sure you have a backup.

11. iPhone camera not working – Avoid overheating

If an iPhone is overheating, you may experience many malfunctions. Your device also lets you know if it’s too hot by showing an onscreen message.

If this happens to your iPhone, turn it off and wait for a while until it cools down. In case no message appears, but when touching your phone you can feel it’s too hot, turn it off and wait.

If your phone overheats without any reason, you should probably visit the nearest iPhone repair shop to check if something needs to be repaired in your iOS device.

Closing thoughts – how to fix camera on iphone 6, 7, 7 plus, 8, 8 plus, X, XR, 11 etc?

We hope that your iPhone camera is fixed and it works again. When you come across the same problem again in the future, you will know what to do. If none of the above tips solved your front camera/back camera issues, probably you need to get it repaired. 

You can find the iPhone camera lens (glass) repair costs – iPhone camera replacement prices HERE.

Should you have any other questions about your iPhone camera, just let us know.

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