How to fix a smartphone camera that won’t turn on

These days, smartphone cameras do a lot more than just click pictures or record videos. From scanning documents or barcodes for payments to making video calls and even experiencing augmented reality, smartphone cameras have become versatile. So, it can be really frustrating when your camera won’t turn on.

This can happen for a bunch of reasons like software glitches, app conflicts, hardware issues, or even just some dirt on the lens. So, to help you get your camera back in action, here’s a quick guide on fixing a phone camera that won’t turn on.

How to fix a phone camera that won't turn on

A camera that won’t turn on can be frustrating, even if you’re not into taking photos or selfies. Many apps, like those for scanning and paying with UPI or doing video KYC, depend on your camera. If your phone’s camera isn’t working, here are some potential solutions you can try to get it back in action.

1. Try restarting your phone

Sometimes, all your phone needs is a quick restart to fix minor software glitches that might be blocking your camera from working.

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Simply turn your phone off and back on again and open the camera app to check whether it’s working or not.

2. Check the camera lens and permissions

If restarting doesn’t work, then clean your camera lens to make sure it isn’t dirty or smudged. Also, double-check that the camera app has the right permissions. To do this, head to your phone’s settings, find the camera app, and ensure it’s allowed to access what it needs.

3. Clear the camera app cache and force close the camera app

Sometimes, the cache stored by the app can also cause temporary glitches. To clear the app cache, go to your phone’s settings, find the camera app, and hit the clear cache button. This often helps resolve minor issues and gets your camera up and running. You can also try force closing the camera app completely and reopening it.

4. Update the camera app

Your camera app might need an update to work correctly. Head over to your app store and check if there’s a new version available. Updating can fix bugs and improve performance.

5. Check for phone overheating

Phone overheating can also sometimes temporarily disrupt camera functionality. If your phone’s too hot, let it cool down a bit before trying again.

6. Safe mode

If you suspect that a third-party app could be causing the camera issue, restart your phone in safe mode. This will help you figure out if any apps you’ve installed are interfering with your camera. If your camera works fine in safe mode, a recently installed app might be the culprit.

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7. Factory reset

If nothing else works, a factory reset might be your last resort. This will erase all your data, so be sure to back up everything first. A factory reset can fix major issues that other solutions haven’t resolved, but it should only be done if nothing else works.

If none of these fixes do the trick, there might be a hardware issue either with the camera sensor or the lens. Check your camera lens and the area around it for any visible damage or major scratches. Sometimes, the camera hardware itself could be faulty. If you spot anything unusual or think the hardware might be the problem, it’s best to get in touch with your phone’s service centre.