10 Ways to Fix It When an iPhone Camera Is Not Working

This article explains what to investigate when your iPhone camera's software (or hardware) is acting up, and how to fix it.

Causes of an iPhone Camera Not Working

There are several potential causes for an iPhone camera not working. It could be:

• There's a software conflict
• The OS needs an updating
• The camera (or part of the camera system) is broken

If the camera isn't working at all, start with the software fixes.

How to Fix iPhone Camera Not Working Due to Software

When your iPhone camera is not working, take these steps to test it and solve the problem.

1. Test with FaceTime. The FaceTime app may be the quickest way to test both front and back cameras. Open the app with a friend and switch between the front and back cameras. It is the best app for testing whether the problem occurs with one or both cameras.

   Use our fix-it guide for a black screen on FaceTime if that's the only problem you're having.

2. Quit the Camera application. The problem with your camera may be the Camera app. Whether frozen or not loading correctly, force-quitting the application could be all you need to do.

3. Restart the iPhone. While restarting the phone may sound like an unlikely solution, you'd be surprised how often this resolves problems. When you restart your iPhone, you clear the temporary memory of errors or hung-up apps. While some tech folks joke about turning things off and back on, it fixes many problems.

4. Update the iOS software. Apple continuously improves and updates your phone's operating system (iOS). Updates to the Camera app are included in those iOS updates.

   If you haven't updated your phone's iOS software recently, your camera issues may result from outdated software. Check to see if your phone has the most current version of iOS that is appropriate for your iPhone.

5. Reset the iPhone to default settings without erasing your content. Sometimes you or another app may change settings on your iPhone that cause your camera or Camera app to stop working or malfunction. One way to eliminate this possibility is to reset all the settings on your iPhone.

   Another nice feature of the iPhone is you can reset settings without losing your data, photos, and other personal documents. It is almost like a factory reset without the hassle of reloading and backing up everything.

   If you accidentally select Erase All Content and Settings in the Reset menu, all your content is erased, and the iPhone is returned to factory settings.

6. Factory reset the iPhone. The last-ditch software fix to try before contacting Apple is to set the phone to its factory settings. A fresh start may be the only fix for your problem.

   A factory reset deletes all your data on the phone, so make sure you have a backup.

Ideally, one of these steps has helped. If not, it's time to take a look at the hardware.

How to Fix iPhone Camera Not Working Due to Hardware

Hardware issues can often be easy to diagnose. Here's what to look for.

1. Remove any lens obstruction. Lens obstruction is one of the more common reasons why your iPhone camera isn't taking pictures. First, make sure your hand or fingers aren't blocking the lens. It's easy to do, especially when you're excited to capture that perfect shot. Second, check if your phone case is wholly or partially blocking the lens. Some cases can be installed upside down on the iPhone.

2. Clean the camera lens. Many of us shove our phones into pockets and bags with the lens exposed to whatever lurks there. Take a clean microfiber cloth and wipe the lens. A dirty lens can also affect focus and cause your pictures to be blurry. So, if you have blurry photos or your camera does not focus properly, a quick wipe could fix all that ails your iPhone.

3. Avoid overheating. When an iPhone gets too hot, it can malfunction. If your phone is overheating, you should see an on-screen message stating the iPhone needs to cool down before you use it. If you see this message, turn off your iPhone for a few minutes to give it a chance to cool. If you haven't seen this message, but your iPhone feels hot to the touch, power it off.

   Even as few as 10 minutes can make a difference in the temperature of your phone. However, if it begins to overheat again for no apparent reason, go to your local Apple Store or the Apple Support website for repair or replacement details.

4. Confirm the flash is turned on. Either hardware or software can cause problems with the camera flash. To check the software, make sure you haven't turned off the flash in the Camera app. Look to the right of the lightning bolt at the top of the screen, and make sure that On is highlighted.

   Once you confirm it's on, test the flash by turning on the flashlight. If it's still not working, a trip to the Apple Store for further diagnostics is needed.