You can fix your Android camera yourself if the Camera app keeps crashing, won’t open at all, or the app is just black. We’ll also tackle what to do if it’s too slow to take pictures reliably, or if it’s simply not working like you know it should. This article is also relevant for apps that use the camera, like Snapchat, TikTok, etc.

Why the Camera Isn’t Working on Android

Many things could be the cause for a laggy, broken, or blurry camera, including the following:

• There’s a temporary problem with the app or an unresolved bug
• Camera access is turned off
• The app hasn’t been given permission to use the camera
• The physical camera hardware is damaged

How to Fix It When the Android Camera Isn’t Working

Follow these steps in the order they’re given below, which starts off with the easier and more relevant solutions first.

1. Close the app. If the Camera app (or any app with camera issues) isn’t responding, swipe it off the screen to close it

   If this doesn’t work, long-press the app icon, tap the info button, and select Force stop, then tap OK.

2. Turn on the Camera access tile. Swipe down from the top of your screen to find this toggle next to others like Internet, Airplane Mode, and Bluetooth.

   If it’s highlighted, the toggle is on. If it’s off, apps trying to use the camera will display a black screen.

3. Update the app having issues. If an update is available, go to the Play Store on your phone and install updates for the Camera app and any other app experiencing camera problems.

4. Close any other app that might be using the camera. Using the camera in apps like Messages or Snapchat may cause issues when attempting to take a video for TikTok.

5. Reboot your device. While closing apps often resolves lingering camera access issues, a simple device restart can clear software conflicts and restore normal camera access.

6. Check app permissions. Ensure the Camera app, and any other apps using the camera, have the required permissions. Without proper setup, you’ll face issues when taking photos or videos.

7. Clear the app cache. Perform this action for any app experiencing issues, whether it’s Camera, Snapchat, or another.

8. Delete the app, then reinstall it. This method can be effective if clearing the cache doesn’t resolve the issue.

9. Update the Android OS, if an update is available. An operating system update may contain fixes for significant camera bugs.

10. Let your phone cool down. Excessive heat may cause camera problems, so set your phone aside until it cools.

11. Tap the camera. Gently tap the camera or the phone’s back a few times. While this might work temporarily, it suggests a deeper hardware problem and isn’t a long-term solution.

12. Factory reset your phone.  A factory reset should resolve software-related issues. Callout: This is a drastic step that erases everything on your phone, restoring it to its original state. Ensure you back up your Android phone first.

    This is a drastic step. It will erase everything on your phone and restore the software to the same state it’d be in if you had just purchased the phone new. So make sure to back up your Android phone.

13. Replace the camera sensors. Our research indicates that physical damage to camera sensors can cause issues, and a software reset won’t fix them.

    If you have a Pixel phone, check out Google’s Get Your Pixel Phone Repaired page.

Other Camera Troubleshooting Guides

If you’re still having problems with the camera, you might have better luck following a more specific article: