Android camera not working? How to fix it

Diagnose and resolve Android camera issues with our comprehensive troubleshooting guide and online camera testing tool

Updated on November 8, 2026

How to fix a camera that is not working on Android

Start with the camera test at the top of this page. If your picture appears here in Chrome, the phone camera works and only one app needs permission. If it fails, test the built-in Camera app next. That one check tells you whether to fix a single app or the device itself, and saves you from trying fixes that cannot help.

Quick checks first

  • Swipe down twice to open Quick Settings and make sure the Camera access tile is not turned off (Android 12 and later). When it is off, every app sees a black camera.
  • Open the Camera app and switch between front and back cameras. If both fail, restart the phone.
  • Remove a case that may cover the lens and clean the lens.

Allow camera access

  1. Open Settings › Apps, select the app, then Permissions › Camera › Allow only while using the app.
  2. For websites like this one in Chrome: tap the site-settings icon left of the address bar › Permissions › Camera, or open Chrome › Settings › Site settings › Camera.
  3. On Samsung and some other phones, also check Settings › Security and privacy › Privacy for camera access controls.

Clear the app cache and check background limits

  1. Open Settings › Apps › [app] › Storage & cache and tap Clear cache. Do not tap Clear storage unless you accept losing the app's local data.
  2. For video-calling apps, set Battery usage to Unrestricted so the camera is not cut when the screen turns off.

Find out if another app is the cause

  1. Restart in safe mode (press and hold the power button, then press and hold Power off until Safe mode appears; steps vary by phone maker).
  2. If the camera works in safe mode, a recently installed app is blocking it; uninstall recent camera, cleaner or security apps one by one.
  3. Install system updates in Settings › System › Software update (on Samsung: Settings › Software update).

Camera not working in one app on Android

If the test on this page works but one app does not, the fix is inside that app:

Skype

Skype was retired; install Microsoft Teams and sign in with your Skype account.

Messenger

Allow the camera for Messenger and clear its cache.

WhatsApp

Allow the camera for WhatsApp and set its battery usage to Unrestricted.

Hangouts

Hangouts was replaced by Google Meet; allow the camera for Meet.

Google Duo

Duo became the Google Meet app; update it and allow the camera.

Viber

Allow the camera for Viber and set its battery usage to Unrestricted.

WeChat

Allow the camera for WeChat and allow it to run in the background.

Microsoft Teams

Allow the camera for Teams; in a work profile your organization may block it.

Zoom

Allow the camera for Zoom in app permissions and clear its cache if the preview stays black.

Android guides to fix your camera not working

When you're facing camera issues on Android within specific applications, it's crucial to find targeted solutions. Our collection of app-specific guides is here to help you troubleshoot and resolve camera problems. Each guide is tailored to address common and unique camera issues within different applications on Android.

Our comprehensive guides cover camera troubleshooting for a wide range of apps, including: