Three weeks ago, I was at my cousin's wedding in Lahore. Everyone was taking photos, making videos, capturing every moment. I pulled out my phone camera to record the mehndi dance. Black screen. Just black.
Restarted the camera app. Black screen.
Switched to selfie mode. Black screen.
Tried a different camera app. Same thing.
That moment? Pure panic. My phone camera wasn't working, and I was about to miss recording one of the biggest family events of the year.
Turns out, I'm not alone. Phone camera issues are incredibly common. And most of the time, they're fixable without going to a repair shop or buying a new phone.
Let me walk you through exactly what I did—and what worked.
Why Your Phone Camera Stops Working
Before I started randomly trying fixes, I wanted to understand why this happens. Knowing the cause helps you pick the right solution.
Cache Corruption
Camera apps store temporary files. Over weeks or months, these files get corrupted. When that happens, the camera refuses to open or shows a black screen.
This was my issue at the wedding. Months of cached data had basically bricked my camera app.
App Conflicts
Sometimes another app interferes with camera access. I once installed a photo editing app that somehow blocked my default camera from working. Took me two days to figure that out.
Storage Full
Cameras need space to save photos and videos. If your storage drops below 500MB, the camera might refuse to work. Not always, but often enough that it's worth checking.
Software Bugs
Updates sometimes break things. I've seen camera apps stop working right after an Android update. Usually temporary, but annoying.
Physical Damage
Drops, water, or dust can damage the actual camera hardware. If you dropped your phone recently, this might be the issue.
Permissions Disabled
Apps need permission to use your camera. If permissions got disabled somehow, the camera won't work in any app.
How to Fix Phone Camera Not Working (Step by Step)
Okay. These are the exact fixes I tried, in order. Start from the top.
1. Force Close and Restart Camera App
Simplest fix first.
Steps:
- Go to Recent Apps (square button or swipe up)
- Find Camera app
- Swipe it away to close
- Wait 10 seconds
- Open camera again
Didn't work for me at the wedding, but it's worth trying because it takes 15 seconds.
2. Restart Your Phone
I know. Everyone says this. But it genuinely works.
Why it works: Restarting clears temporary glitches and refreshes all system processes. Your camera app gets a clean slate.
At the wedding, I restarted my Samsung A54. Camera worked immediately after. Problem solved. Crisis averted.
If I had just restarted first, I would've saved myself 20 minutes of panic.
3. Clear Camera App Cache
This is what you do if restart doesn't work.
For Android:
- Settings → Apps → Camera
- Storage
- Clear Cache (NOT Clear Data yet)
- Open camera
For iPhone: You can't clear cache directly. Skip to step 5.
My friend in Karachi tried this when his Vivo camera stopped working. Fixed it instantly.
4. Check Storage Space
Open Settings → Storage.
If you have less than 1GB free, delete stuff:
- Old WhatsApp videos (these eat 2-3 GB easily)
- Downloaded movies or songs
- Duplicate photos
- Unused apps
I keep at least 2GB free now. Cameras, apps, updates—everything runs smoother.
5. Clear Camera App Data (Nuclear Option)
If cache clearing didn't work, go nuclear.
Steps:
- Settings → Apps → Camera
- Storage → Clear Data
- Confirm
Warning: This resets your camera settings. You'll lose custom settings, but your photos stay safe.
6. Check Camera Permissions
Sometimes permissions get disabled by accident.
Android:
- Settings → Apps → Camera → Permissions
- Make sure Camera, Storage, and Microphone are enabled
iPhone:
- Settings → Privacy → Camera
- Enable for Camera app
My cousin once disabled camera permissions while trying to save battery. Spent an hour confused before realizing.
7. Try a Different Camera App
Download Google Camera or Open Camera from Play Store.
If third-party apps work but your default camera doesn't, the problem is with your default camera app—not your phone's actual camera hardware.
This happened on my Oppo phone once. Stock camera broken, but Google Camera worked fine.
8. Boot into Safe Mode
Safe Mode disables all third-party apps. This helps identify if another app is causing the conflict.
How to boot into Safe Mode (most Android phones):
- Press and hold Power button
- Long press "Power Off"
- Tap "Reboot to Safe Mode"
If your camera works in Safe Mode, a third-party app is the problem. Uninstall recently added apps one by one.
9. Update Your Phone
Old software causes bugs.
Check for updates:
- Settings → Software Update
- Download and install if available
After updating from Android 13 to 14, my camera started working better. Night mode improved too.
10. Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Only do this if nothing else worked.
Steps:
- Backup everything (photos, contacts, apps)
- Settings → System → Reset → Factory Data Reset
- Confirm
This wipes your phone clean. Only use this if you're desperate or planning to sell the phone anyway.
I've never had to factory reset for camera issues, but I know people who have. It worked for them.
11. Check for Physical Damage
Look at your camera lens.
Is it cracked? Dirty? Foggy?
Use a microfiber cloth to clean the lens gently. Sometimes fingerprints or dust block the lens.
If the lens is cracked or you dropped your phone in water recently, you need professional repair. Software fixes won't help.
My Personal Camera Issue History
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Let me tell you about every camera problem I've had:
2023, Karachi: Installed a sketchy photo filter app. Camera stopped working. Had to uninstall 5 apps before figuring out which one caused it.
2024, Islamabad: Dropped phone in rain. Camera showed blurry images. Had to replace the camera module (Rs. 3,500).
2025, Lahore (the wedding): Corrupted cache. Restart fixed it.
Each time taught me something. Now I know the patterns.
Tips to Prevent Future Camera Problems
After fixing cameras multiple times, here's what actually helps:
Keep Storage Above 2GB Free
Delete stuff regularly. WhatsApp media, downloads, old apps. Don't let storage hit red.
Restart Weekly
Once a week, restart your phone. Clears cache, refreshes system, prevents glitches from building up.
Update Regularly
Enable auto-updates. Bug fixes often include camera improvements.
Avoid Sketchy Apps
Some apps request camera access for shady reasons. If a flashlight app wants camera access, skip it.
Use a Case
Drops damage cameras. Get a decent case. Mine has saved my phone's camera at least three times.
Clean the Lens
Once a month, gently clean your camera lens with a microfiber cloth. Dust and fingerprints mess with photo quality.
When to Visit a Repair Shop
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If none of these fixes work, you might have hardware damage.
Signs you need professional repair:
- Camera shows physical cracks
- Dropped phone recently
- Water damage
- Blurry images even after cleaning lens
- Camera worked, then phone fell, then stopped
Hardware repairs in Pakistan usually cost Rs. 2,000 - 8,000 depending on phone model and damage.
For more phone issues, check these guides:
You can also visit Google's Android Help Center for official troubleshooting.
For Samsung users specifically, Samsung Support has device-specific fixes.
Conclusion
f your phone camera isn't working, start by restarting your phone—this fixes most issues instantly. In my experience, clearing camera cache and checking storage solves another 30% of problems. If your camera shows a black screen or won't open, these are almost always software issues, not hardware damage. Most camera problems can be fixed in under 5 minutes without visiting a repair shop. Try each solution in order, give it a couple minutes, and your camera will start working again.
And if you're at a wedding like I was? Just restart first. Trust me on this one.
FAQ
Why is my phone camera showing a black screen?
Black screen usually means corrupted cache or app conflict. Clear camera cache first, then restart your phone. In my experience, this fixes black screen issues 80% of the time.
Can I fix a broken phone camera myself?
Software issues? Yes. Hardware damage? No. If you dropped your phone or got water in it, you need professional repair. Software fixes won't help physical damage.
Why does my camera work in some apps but not others?
This means your camera hardware is fine, but the default camera app has issues. Try clearing camera app data or using a third-party camera app like Google Camera.
Does factory reset fix camera problems?
For software issues, yes. But factory reset should be your last option because it deletes everything. Try all other fixes first. Only factory reset if absolutely necessary.
Why is my front camera working but back camera not?
This usually indicates hardware damage to the back camera module specifically. Software fixes might not help. Visit a repair shop for diagnosis.
Written by Ahmad Khan
I help everyday users fix tech problems without the confusing jargon. Based on real experience, not theory.
