Android phone doesn't take photos: 12 reasons and how to fix them yourself

Are you trying to take a photo, but the camera on your Androidsmartphone refuses to work? Does the screen go blank, a black rectangle appear, or does the application crash completely with an error? This problem occurs in every fifth user, and its causes can lie in both software failures and physical damage to the module. In 80% of cases, the malfunction can be eliminated without contacting a service center - it’s enough to know where to look for the root of the evil.

In this article we will analyze all possible scenarios: from banal lens contamination to critical firmware errors. You'll learn how to diagnose a problem in 3 minutes, which settings to check first, and when it's really worth taking your phone in for repair. And for owners of older models (Samsung Galaxy S8, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5, Huawei P20), we have prepared separate recommendations - their cameras most often suffer from wear and tear on the cables.

We warn you right away: if the camera stops working after the phone has been dropped or moisture has entered, repairing it yourself may worsen the situation. In such cases, it is better to immediately contact specialists. For everyone else - let's go!

1. Software glitches: camera app or system

In 60% of cases, the problem lies not in the hardware, but in the software. Let's start with the simplest thing - checking the camera application and operating system.

First step: restart your phone. This is a basic procedure that closes all background processes and resets temporary data. On Android 10+ hold the power button and select Reboot. If after reboot the camera started working, the problem was in a frozen process.

If reboot did not help, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Clear the camera application cache. Go to Settings → Applications → Camera → Memory → Clear cache. This will delete temporary files that may have become corrupted.
• 📱 Update the camera application. Go to Google Play, find the official application from manufacturer (for example Samsung Camera or Mi Camera) and update it.
• 🔧 Reset the application settings. In the same menu Settings → Applications → Camera select Reset settings (or Delete data, but this will erase all your shooting settings).
• 🤖 Check for system updates. Outdated firmware may conflict with the camera. Go to Settings → System → Software update.

If the camera still does not work, try using a third-party shooting application, for example Open Camera or Google Camera (for supported models). If it works, the problem is in the native software. If not, the problem is in the system or hardware.

2. Conflicts with other applications

Sometimes the camera refuses to work due to the fact that it is exclusively occupied by another application. These could be instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), social networks (Instagram, TikTok), or even weather widgets that use the camera for AR effects.

How to check:

1. Close all applications through the recent tasks menu (swipe up and hold).
2. Disable notifications from applications that can use the camera (in Settings → Notifications).
3. Check permissions: go to Settings → Applications → [application name] → Permissions and disable access to the camera for suspicious apps.

Pay special attention to:

• 🔍 Applications for scanning QR codes (they often hang in the background).
• 🎮 Games with AR modes (for example, Pokémon GO).
• 🛡️ Antiviruses and parental control apps (they can block access to the camera “for security”).

If, after disabling all suspicious applications, the camera starts working, turn them on one by one to identify the culprit. Most often, conflicts arise after updates Facebook or Snapchat.

3. The lens is dirty or damaged. data-i="91">The most obvious, but often ignored, reason is physical contamination of the lens. Dust, fingerprints, scratches or even a drop of water can block the light, causing the camera to either not turn on or display a black screen.

The most obvious but often ignored reason is physical contamination of the lens. Dust, fingerprints, scratches or even a drop of water can block the light, causing the camera to either not turn on or display a black screen.

How to clean the lens:

1. Take with a soft, lint-free cloth (for example, for glasses) and gently wipe the lens glass in a circular motion.
2. If there are greasy stains, lightly moisten the cloth distilled water or with a special liquid for optics. Never use alcohol, acetone or household detergents - they will damage the protective coating!
3. To remove dust from the recesses, you can use a dry brush with soft bristles or a can of compressed air (keep it at a distance of 10 cm!).

Check to see if it is on the lens:

• 🕳️ Scratches or chips (especially relevant for phones without glass on the camera, for example Redmi 9A).
• 💧 Moisture or condensation (if the phone was recently in the cold or in the bathroom).
• 🎨 Traces of glue or stickers (sometimes users they seal the camera for privacy and forget about it).

If after cleaning the camera still does not work, shine a flashlight into the lens. If dust or moisture is visible inside, this is a sign of depressurization of the module. In this case, the camera will need to be replaced at a service center.

What. what to do if water gets into the lens?

If the phone is not waterproof (IP rating below IP67), immediately turn it off and put it in a bag of silica gel for 24-48 hours. Do not turn on, charge or shake the device! and let the phone dry naturally for 4-6 hours. In both cases, after drying, check the operation of the camera. If the problem persists, contact the service. Samsung Galaxy S22 with IP68), blot the moisture with a cloth and let the phone dry naturally for 4-6 hours. In both cases, after drying, check the operation of the camera. If the problem persists, contact service.

4. Damage to the cable or camera connector

If the camera stops working after falling, hitting or disassembling the phone, most likely the problem is a damaged cable or a disconnected connector. This malfunction is typical for models with a removable back cover (Samsung Galaxy J-series, Xiaomi Redmi 4X) or phones that are often dropped.

Signs of damage to the cable:

• 📸 The camera does not turn on at all (black screen, no response to pressing).
• 🔄 The camera application opens, but the image does not appear or flickers.
• 🔊 When switching to front/rear camera, the phone makes a click, but the image does not change.
• 🛠️ After disassembling the phone (for example, to replace the battery), the camera stopped working.

You can check the cable yourself only if you have experience disassembling phones. If you are not sure, it is better to contact the service. However, there is an indirect test:

1. Try to take a photo on front camera. If it works, but the main one does not, the problem is definitely in the cable or the module of the main camera.
2. Connect the phone to the computer and try to take a photo via ADB (instructions below). If even through ADB the camera does not respond, this is a hardware problem.

For advanced users: if you are ready to disassemble the phone, check whether the cable connector is pressed tightly to the motherboard. Sometimes it just goes away from the vibration. But remember: independent disassembly voids the warranty can lead to additional damage!

Try the front camera

Check operation via ADB

Inspect the case for cracks after falls

Listen the phone for extraneous sounds when switching cameras

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5. Problems with firmware or updates

After updating Android or resetting the camera settings, the camera may stop working due to:

• 🐞 Bugs in the new firmware version (especially relevant for beta versions).
• 🔄 Conflict with user settings (for example, after manually changing a file build.prop).
• 📱 Incompatibilities with custom firmware (for example, LineageOS on unofficially supported models).

How to restore functionality:

1. Update rollback: If the camera stopped working immediately after the update, try rolling back. To do this, go to Settings → System → Software update → [three dots] → Uninstall latest update (not available on all models).

2. Reset settings: Go c Settings → System → Reset → Reset settings. Attention: this will delete all your data, so make a backup copy first!

3. Flashing via Fastboot: If you are confident in your abilities, you can flash the phone again using the official software from the manufacturer. For Samsung this is Odin, for Xiaomi — Mi Flash Tool. Look for instructions on the forums 4PDA or XDA-Developers.

4. Check via ADB: Connect the phone to the PC, enable USB debugging in the developer settings and run the command:

adb shell dumpsys media.camera

If the output contains lines with status=DISCONNECTED or error the problem is at the system level.

6. Hardware failures: camera module, motherboard

If all software methods have been tried, and the camera still does not work, the problem is in the hardware. Here are the most common hardware faults:

Problem	Symptoms	Solution
Failure of the camera module	Black screen, artifacts in the photo, error "Could not connect to the camera"	Module replacement (cost: 1,500–5,000 RUR depending on the model)
Damage to the connector on the motherboard	The camera works intermittently, the phone overheats when shooting	Repairing the board (soldering the connector) or replacing the board (expensive, often impractical)
Short circuit in the camera power circuit	The phone turns off when you try to open the camera, the battery quickly sits down	Diagnostics in the service, replacement of damaged elements
Wear of the cable (relevant for phones older than 3 years)	The camera only works in a certain position of the phone	Replacement of the cable (cost: 800–2,000 ₽)

The most vulnerable models according to service center statistics:

• 📱 Samsung Galaxy A50/A70 - frequent problems with the main camera cable.
• 📱 Xiaomi Redmi Note 8/9 - the macro camera module fails.
• 📱 Huawei P30/P40 - overheats and The camera turns off due to defects in the board.
• 📱 Google Pixel 3/4 —a bug with a “pink tint” in the photo due to a faulty spectral sensor.

If your phone is on this list, be especially careful when diagnosing. For example, the Redmi Note 8 camera may “die” after severe overheating (for example, if the phone was lying in the sun or playing heavy games). In such cases, sometimes it helps cooling the phone turned off for 1-2 hours.

7. Camera blocking at the system level (corporate phones, MDM)

If your phone displays a message like "Device policy prohibits the use of the camera", most likely it has Mobile device management (MDM) softwareinstalled on it. This is relevant for:

• 🏢 Corporate phones (issued by the employer).
• 👨‍💼 Phones with parental controls (for example, through Google Family Link).
• 🔒 Devices with custom firmware for security (for example, GrapheneOS).

How to unlock the camera:

1. Check for applications like MobileIron, VMware Workspace ONE, Microsoft Intune. Remove them if they are not critical for operation.
2. Go to Settings → Security → Device Administrators and disable unnecessary policies.
3. If the phone is corporate, contact the IT department - removing MDM yourself may violate company rules.
4. For phones with parental controls, request unlocking from the administrator (parent).

On some firmware (for example, MIUI for Xiaomi) the camera may be blocked due to regional restrictions. For example, in China, some camera functions are disabled by law. In this case, changing the region in the settings will help. firmware of the global software version.

8. When to contact the service center

If you have tried all the methods in this article, but the camera is still there. doesn't work, it's time to take the phone in for repair. Here is a checklist that will help save time and money:

Make a backup copy of your data

Write down the phone model and serial number

Prepare a receipt (if there is a warranty)

Check out the cost of diagnostics by phone

Take a photo of the fault (black screen, artifacts, etc.)

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Repair cost in 2026 (average prices in Russia):

• 🔧 Replacing the camera cable: 800–2 000 ₽.
• 📸 Replacing the main camera module: 1 500–5 000 ₽ (depending on the model).
• 🔄 Replacing the front camera: 1 000–3 000 ₽.
• 🛠️ Motherboard repair (soldering of connectors): 3 000–10 000 ₽.
• 🔄 Full flashing with IMEI restoration: 1 000–2 500 ₽.

Pay attention to the following points:

• 🛡️ Warranty: If the phone is under warranty, repairs should be free (except for cases of mechanical damage).
• ⚠️ Unofficial services: Cheaper, but the risk of getting poor-quality repairs or “wrong” spare parts is higher.
• 🔄 Repair time: Replacement of the camera usually takes 1-2 days, repair of the board - up to a week.

If the cost of repair exceeds 50% of the price of a new phone, it makes sense to consider purchasing a new device. For example, replacing a motherboard with Samsung Galaxy S20 can cost 15,000 rubles, while a used model of the same class costs 20,000–25,000 rubles.

How to choose a reliable service center?

1. Check the reviews on Yandex.Maps or Google Maps (pay attention to the latest reviews from the last 3 months).

2. Check to see if they provide a warranty for repairs (minimum 3 months).

3. Ask if they use original parts or substitutes (for example, for an iPhone, original parts can be verified by serial number).

4. Avoid services that ask for 100% prepayment before repairs.

5. If the phone is under warranty, contact only authorized centers of the manufacturer.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the camera not working on Android

The camera shows a black screen, but the application does not crash. What's the matter?

Most likely, the problem is plume or camera module. Try to lightly press the phone body around the camera - if the image appears, the outgoing cable is to blame. Also check whether the lens is covered with a protective film or sticker (sometimes they forget to remove them after repair). What to do?

After the phone falls, the camera displays the error “Failed to connect.” What to do?

This is a classic symptom a damaged cable or a broken connector on the motherboard. You can't do anything on your own - take it to a service center. If after a fall the phone also overheats or quickly discharges, the problem may be more serious (for example, a short circuit).

The camera works, but the photos turn out blurry or with artifacts. How to fix it?

Possible reasons:

1. Dirty lens — wipe the glass with a soft cloth.
2. Damage matrix —if artifacts are in the form of stripes or dots, the module will need to be replaced.
3. Software failure —try resetting the camera application settings or flashing the phone again.
4. Wear of the stabilizer (relevant for phones with an optical stabilizer, for example, Google Pixel 6) - the module needs to be replaced.

Is it possible to replace the camera on Android yourself?

Theoretically yes, but:

• 🛠️ For most modern phones (Samsung Galaxy S22, Xiaomi 13) is required special tool (suction cups, tweezers, hair dryer for peeling off the display).
• ⚠️ The risk of damaging the cable or motherboard is very high, especially for phones with a frameless design.
• 🔧 On some models (iPhone, Google Pixel) after replacing the camera you need link programmatically a new module, otherwise it will not work.

If you don’t have experience, it’s better to contact the service. Self-replacement is only advisable for old phones with a removable back cover (for example, Samsung Galaxy J5 2016).

The camera does not work after updating Android. How to roll back?

Rollback methods depend on the manufacturer:

• Samsung: Use Odin to update the previous firmware version Software (find instructions for your model at 4PDA).
• Xiaomi: Enable OEM Unlock in the developer settings and flash through Mi Flash Tool.
• Google Pixel: You can roll back through Android Flash Tool (official tool from Google).
• Other brands: Look stock firmware on thematic forums.

⚠️ Attention: Rolling back the firmware will reset all data on the phone! Also on some models (for example, Huawei) the rollback may block the bootloader.