Front Camera Not Working on Android? Here’s What to Do

We can safely say that the biggest breakthrough in smartphone camera history was the addition of the front (selfie) camera. So many social apps rely on the front-facing camera and most devices even use it as a biometric security measure with which you can unlock your device. An irreplaceable piece of hardware on any device. But, how to fix the front camera not working on Android? We got you covered. Learn how below.

Selfie Camera Not Working on Android? Here’s How to Fix It

If the selfie camera is not working on your Android, you can try and fix it by following these steps:

• Give your device a quick restart. Make sure that nothing is blocking the camera.
• Try using the selfie camera in Safe mode. If the camera works, make sure to stick to the stock camera app and uninstall recently installed apps that might interfere.
• If the camera doesn’t work in third-party apps, check Settings > Apps and grant Camera access permission.
• Clear cache and data from the camera app or switch to a third-party camera app.
• Update your system in Settings > Software update or Settings > System > Software update.

How to Fix the Front Camera Not Working on Android?

1. Restart your device

The first thing to do is to restart your device and check for improvements. This usually fixes all temporary hiccups in the System UI or system apps.

However, if the issue persists, make sure to try from the safe mode. Learn how to enter Safe mode in the next step.

2. Boot into safe mode

The next thing to do is to boot into safe mode. This can help determine if a third-party app is causing the issue.

Follow these steps to boot into safe mode on Android:

1. Press and hold the Power button until you get to the Power menu.
2. Tap and hold on to the Reboot icon for a few seconds until you get the prompt to Reboot into Safe mode.
3. Confirm selection.
4. Once the device boots into Safe mode, check your camera again. If the front camera still isn’t working, move to the next step. On the other hand, if it works, consider resetting app preferences to default values or even factory resetting your device.

3. Check app permissions

This is beyond obvious but stranger things have happened. If you want to access your front-facing camera on a certain 3rd-party app (e.g. Instagram or Snapchat), ensure that those apps have permission to access the camera. For example, not granting Camera access to Instagram is a common reason for Instagram Camera not working.

In case you’re not sure what to do, here’s how to manage app permissions on Android:

1. Open Settings.
2. Choose Apps & notifications.
3. Select Permissions (or Permission manager).
4. Open Camera.
5. Grant camera permission to apps of your choosing.

   

4. Clear cache and data from the Camera app

Here’s how to clear cache and app data from the Camera app on your Android phone:

1. Navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > All apps.
2. Once there, select the Camera app.
3. Open Storage.
4. Clear cache and data, then reboot your device.

   

5. Use a third-party camera app

This isn’t a solution per se but more of a workaround. If your current (that being stock or a third-party camera) isn’t working as intended, consider using an alternative from the Play Store or find a GCAM port for your device and sideload an APK.

We recommend trying the Open Camera. You can get it on Play Store.

Now, if the front camera is still not working for you, chances are that we are looking at a hardware issue. And that’s something we can’t help you with. What we can do is suggest resetting your device to factory settings. Just don’t forget to back up your data before doing so.

6. Reset Camera Settings

If your front camera isn’t working, resetting the camera app settings to default might help. This clears any misconfigured settings that could be causing issues. Here’s how:

1. Open the Camera app.
2. Go to Settings (usually represented by a gear icon).
3. Scroll down and select Reset settings or a similar option.
4. Restart your device and check the camera again.

7. Check for Physical Damage

Most users on the forums agree that the problem is probably hardware-related. So, check your device for any physical damage near the front camera lens, such as scratches, cracks, or dirt that might block the camera’s view. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently clean the lens. If there’s visible damage, consider professional repair.

8. Report probable hardware problem

Finally, if the front camera is still not working on your Android phone, make sure to take your Android handset for repair. We just hope that your device is still covered by the warranty.

With that in mind, we can call it a wrap. Thank you for reading.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in November 2019. We made sure to revamp it for freshness and accuracy.