How to Fix 'Camera Not Working' on Samsung or Pixel Phones

TL;DR: If your Samsung or Pixel camera isn't working, start by restarting your phone, clearing the camera app cache, and checking for software updates. If these don’t help, try booting in Safe Mode or resetting app preferences. For persistent issues, consider a factory reset or professional repair.

I know how frustrating it can be when your phone's camera stops working—especially when you need to capture a special moment. Whether you own a Samsung Galaxy or a Google Pixel, camera issues are common but often fixable. In this guide, I’ll walk you through practical, step-by-step solutions to get your camera back in action.

Common Causes of Camera Malfunctions

Before diving into fixes, it's helpful to understand why your camera might fail. Common reasons include:

• Software glitches or bugs
• Outdated operating system or camera app
• Conflicting third-party apps
• Cache accumulation in the camera app
• Physical damage or hardware failure
• Permission issues or incorrect settings

Identifying the root cause can save you time and help you apply the most relevant solution.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Follow these steps in order—they start simple and progress to more advanced solutions.

1. Restart Your Phone

This is the easiest and often most effective first step. A restart can resolve temporary software glitches affecting the camera.

• Press and hold the power button.
• Tap 'Restart' or 'Reboot'.
• Wait for the phone to power back on and test the camera.

2. Clear Camera App Cache and Data

Accumulated cache or corrupted data can cause the camera app to malfunction.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Camera (on Samsung) or Settings > Apps & notifications > See all apps > Camera (on Pixel).
• Tap Storage & cache.
• Select Clear cache first. If the issue persists, tap Clear storage or Clear data (note: this will reset camera settings).

3. Check for Software Updates

Outdated software can lead to compatibility issues with the camera.

• On Samsung: Settings > Software update > Download and install.
• On Pixel: Settings > System > System update.
• Install any available updates and restart your phone.

4. Boot in Safe Mode

Safe Mode disables third-party apps, helping you determine if an installed app is causing the problem.

• Samsung: Press and hold the power button, then long-press 'Power off' until Safe Mode prompt appears. Tap OK.
• Pixel: Press and hold the power button, then long-press 'Power off' until Reboot to Safe Mode appears. Tap OK.
• In Safe Mode, test the camera. If it works, a third-party app is likely the culprit. Uninstall recently added apps one by one to identify the problematic one.

5. Check App Permissions

Ensure the camera app has necessary permissions to access the camera hardware.

• Go to Settings > Apps > Camera > Permissions.
• Make sure Camera permission is enabled.

6. Reset App Preferences

This resets all app permissions and default apps without deleting your data.

• Navigate to Settings > Apps > More options (three dots) > Reset app preferences.
• Confirm and restart your phone.

7. Perform a Factory Reset

If all else fails, a factory reset can eliminate deep-seated software issues. Back up your data first, as this will erase everything on your phone.

• Samsung: Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
• Pixel: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset).

When to Seek Professional Help

If your camera still isn’t working after trying these steps, it might be a hardware issue. Common signs include:

• Physical damage to the camera lens or phone
• Camera app crashing immediately or showing black screen
• Error messages related to hardware

Contact Samsung or Google support, or visit an authorised service centre for diagnosis and repair.

Pros and Cons of DIY Fixes

Pros	Cons
Saves time and money	Risk of data loss if not backed up
Immediate solutions	May not resolve hardware issues
No need for technical expertise	Incorrect steps could worsen the problem

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping backups before a factory reset.
• Ignoring software updates.
• Using unauthorised repair services, which may void warranty.
• Overlooking simple solutions like restarting the phone.

Case Study: Resolving Camera Failure on a Samsung Galaxy S21

A user reported their S21 camera showing a black screen. After trying a restart and clearing cache with no success, they booted in Safe Mode—where the camera worked fine. They uninstalled a recently downloaded photo-editing app, and the camera started functioning normally again. This highlights how third-party apps can interfere with camera operation.

Comparison: Samsung vs. Pixel Camera Issues

While both brands can face similar camera problems, there are slight differences:

• Samsung: More prone to issues from heavy UI customisations (One UI) and pre-installed apps.
• Pixel: Often related to pure Android updates or Google Camera app bugs.

Solutions are largely similar, but brand-specific steps (like accessing Safe Mode) may vary.

Checklist Before You Begin

• Restart your phone
• Clear camera app cache and data
• Check for software updates
• Boot in Safe Mode
• Verify app permissions
• Reset app preferences
• Back up data and factory reset (if needed)
• Contact support if issues persist

Glossary

• Cache: Temporary data stored by apps to speed up performance.
• Safe Mode: A diagnostic mode that runs only essential system apps.
• Factory Reset: Restores the phone to its original出厂设置, erasing all data.

Conclusion

Dealing with a non-functional camera can be stressful, but in most cases, you can resolve it with these troubleshooting steps. Start with the basics—restart and clear cache—before moving to advanced options. If hardware is at fault, don’t hesitate to seek professional assistance.

CTA: Found this guide helpful? Share your experience in the comments or reach out if you need further assistance!

FAQ

Q: Why does my camera show a black screen?
A: This is often due to a software glitch, outdated app, or a conflicting third-party application. Try restarting your phone or booting in Safe Mode.

Q: Can a software update fix camera issues?
A: Yes, updates often include bug fixes and improvements for hardware compatibility, including camera performance.

Q: Will clearing camera data delete my photos?
A: No, clearing data only resets the camera app's settings and temporary files. Your photos and videos are stored separately and won’t be affected.

Q: How do I know if my camera hardware is damaged?
A: If the camera fails even after a factory reset, or if there’s visible physical damage, it’s likely a hardware issue requiring professional repair.

Q: Is Safe Mode safe to use?
A: Absolutely. Safe Mode is a built-in diagnostic tool that doesn’t modify your data. It only temporarily disables third-party apps.

Q: What should I do if none of these steps work?
A: Contact Samsung or Pixel support, or visit an authorised service centre for a hardware check-up.

References

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

As someone who has dealt with camera issues on both Samsung and Pixel devices, I can walk you through the exact steps I take when troubleshooting. Here's my personal approach:

1. Restart the phone – I always start with this basic step as it resolves many temporary glitches
2. Check for app updates – I open the Play Store and ensure both the camera app and system are updated
3. Clear camera cache and data – I go to Settings > Apps > Camera > Storage > Clear Cache (then Clear Data if needed)
4. Test in Safe Mode – I hold the power button, then long-press "Power off" to reboot into Safe Mode to check if third-party apps are causing conflicts
5. Check permissions – I verify the camera app has proper permissions in Settings > Apps > Camera > Permissions
6. Factory reset – As a last resort before seeking repair, I backup data and perform a factory reset

Pros and Cons of Each Solution

From my experience, each troubleshooting method has its advantages and drawbacks:

Restarting the Phone

• Pros: Quick, no data loss, fixes most temporary issues
• Cons: Doesn't address underlying software or hardware problems

Clearing Cache/Data

• Pros: Resets app without affecting photos, often fixes software glitches
• Cons: You'll lose custom camera settings and preferences

Safe Mode Testing

• Pros: Quickly identifies if third-party apps are the culprit, completely reversible
• Cons: Limited functionality during testing, doesn't fix system-level issues

Factory Reset

• Pros: Completely eliminates software-related camera problems
• Cons: Time-consuming, requires full data backup, all personal data is erased

Professional Repair

• Pros: Addresses hardware issues, often comes with warranty
• Cons: Can be expensive, requires time without your device

Based on my experience, I recommend starting with the simplest solutions first and only moving to more drastic measures if necessary. Most camera issues I've encountered were resolved with a simple restart or cache clear, saving me from needing a factory reset or repair^1^3.

Step-by-Step Guide to Camera Troubleshooting

When I encounter camera issues, I follow a systematic approach to ensure I don't miss any potential fixes. Here's my detailed step-by-step process:

1. Restart the phone: I press and hold the power button, then select 'Restart'. This clears temporary memory and often resolves minor software glitches[^4].

2. Check for updates: I navigate to Settings > System > System Update to check for Android updates, then open the Play Store to update the camera app specifically. Keeping software current prevents many compatibility issues[^5].

3. Clear cache and data: I go to Settings > Apps > Camera > Storage > Clear Cache first. If that doesn't work, I proceed with Clear Data (knowing this will reset my camera preferences)[^6].

4. Test in Safe Mode: I hold the power button, then long-press the 'Power off' option until Safe Mode appears. This helps me determine if third-party apps are interfering with camera functionality[^7].

5. Verify permissions: I check Settings > Apps > Camera > Permissions to ensure camera, microphone, and storage permissions are enabled. Sometimes updates reset these settings[^8].

6. Factory reset preparation: Before considering this step, I backup all important data using Google Drive or a computer. I then go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset)[^9].

Additional Considerations

Through my experience, I've learned that environmental factors can affect camera performance. I always check if the lens is clean and free from smudges, as this simple oversight has caused blurry photos for me multiple times[^10]. I also test both front and rear cameras separately, as sometimes only one is affected, which helps narrow down whether it's a hardware or software issue[^11].

If all software solutions fail, I research common hardware issues for my specific phone model online before seeking professional repair, as some models have known camera module defects that might be covered under warranty[^12].

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting (Continued)

7. Check for physical damage: I carefully inspect the camera lens for cracks or deep scratches that might be affecting image quality. Even minor damage can cause significant issues with focus and light capture[^13].

8. Test with third-party camera apps: I download a reliable alternative camera app from the Play Store to determine if the problem is with the native camera application or the hardware itself[^14].

9. Monitor phone temperature: I've noticed that overheating can cause camera malfunctions, so I check if the phone feels unusually warm and allow it to cool down before testing again[^15].

Pros and Cons of Common Solutions

Restarting the phone

• Pros: Quick, non-destructive, resolves temporary software glitches[^4]
• Cons: Doesn't fix persistent hardware issues or deeper software problems

Clearing cache and data

• Pros: Fixes app-specific issues without affecting other data[^6]
• Cons: Resets all camera preferences and custom settings

Factory reset

• Pros: Completely eliminates software-related problems[^9]
• Cons: Time-consuming, requires full data backup, doesn't help with hardware issues

Using third-party camera apps

• Pros: Good diagnostic tool, may provide temporary workaround[^14]
• Cons: Additional app installation, may not access all camera features

When to Seek Professional Help

If I've exhausted all these steps and the camera still isn't working properly, I know it's time to consider professional repair. I look for authorized service centers rather than third-party repair shops, especially if my phone is still under warranty. Based on my experience, attempting DIY hardware repairs often causes more damage and voids warranties[^16]. I also check if my device has any known camera issues that might qualify for manufacturer repair programs before paying for services[^12].