My camera all of the sudden stopped working the other day. Whenever I try to use it, the screen goes black then force closes after a few minutes. I tried to download a few other camera apps and nothing happened. Currently running with no root and I don't want to root it until the camera is fixed, unless that would help fix it.
MSK01 said:
My camera all of the sudden stopped working the other day. Whenever I try to use it, the screen goes black then force closes after a few minutes. I tried to download a few other camera apps and nothing happened. Currently running with no root and I don't want to root it until the camera is fixed, unless that would help fix it.
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If you're on a 100% stock ROM with no changes and no root access with a camera that stopped working, there are very few things which can be done.
The only real solution would be to clear out the specific stock camera application's data directory. Not sure if this is possible w/o having to clear all the data.
I'd suggest the following steps in this order:
1) Manage applications under settings is where to look to clear out the specific Camera application data in hopes that only something was corrupted. Reboot and test.
2) Wipe all data on the device. Reboot and test.
3) If none of these worked, personally, I would return/exchange the stock device for another one as at this point, it would definitely seem to be hardware related.
An alternative route would be to gain root access and look into switch kernels/ROMs, but this could end up being a dead end if the issue is hardware related.
The only good/not so bad news is I've never seen the camera completely stop working on any of these devices .. at least not yet. So hopefully this issue is not hardware related! Good luck!
I cleared out the camera information and it worked the second I restarted my phone. Thank you!
That happened to me to, nothing I tried worked. Was good that I had ESRP. The Sprint store replacement the phone in lieu of just fixing the camera
dgr581 said:
That happened to me to, nothing I tried worked. Was good that I had ESRP. The Sprint store replacement the phone in lieu of just fixing the camera
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Sometimes it's nice for them to just fix your phone and not give you a refurb. My sprint store seems to screw ur phone up when they fix it lol.
In the past when I was on the evo they swapped my screen out and broke my volume buttons. Then they just gave me a refurb.
Same thing happened to me. Suddenly, it doesn't work. Oddly enough, the Front Face camera does work by using the Mirror app. But the Rear camera does not respond when launching the Camera app.
I already tried switching ROMs, switching kernels, factory defaults, and nothing worked. Might be a hardware issue. I just hope it can be fixed without replacing my phone. It would suck having a replacement phone with HBOOT v1.50...
I received my Titan device recently and since then the device's camera is not working properly.
When I got the phone the camera was acting superb and I tested it by taking a few shots and a movie roll (all max quality). After the phone did a reboot over night due to drained battery the camera app began to show a black screen instead of a preview and hang up or crash when pressing the shoot button.
I called up the HTC support center in my country and was told that this is a common and known issue with Windows phones and is caused by 3rd party apps using the window's camera API. I got instructed to do a factory resetand afterwards, the camera did work properly, but again for a few shots (obviously after ending the phone call with them ).
So I decided to investigate the matter.
On my phone were installed the 'Skype','Whatsapp' and 'Mykebo free' apps before the reset, none of which seem to have a connection to the camera API (I didn't use Skype's video feature). This made my suspect the HTC's camera control software that maybe interferes somehow with the camera.
I began resetting my device and checking when the camera starts to fail.
Doing a couple of resets I saw that the camera started to fail after connecting the phone to the PC and disconnecting it while the camera app was working (the app itself does not run but shows the Zune 'disconnect to view media' screen). But on the last reset the camera didnt even start.
I am really confused since it doesnt seem to be a hardware issue (the photos were taken perfectly) but neither a camera API malfunction since the phone is used widely and even a best photo competition exists on this forum.
I want to avoid using my warrenty since it includes sending the phone abroad and is a bit costly for me..
Any ideas on what to do next? could it be that the ROM flushed in the phone is corrupt in any way?
loder123 said:
I received my Titan device recently and since then the device's camera is not working properly.
When I got the phone the camera was acting superb and I tested it by taking a few shots and a movie roll (all max quality). After the phone did a reboot over night due to drained battery the camera app began to show a black screen instead of a preview and hang up or crash when pressing the shoot button.
I called up the HTC support center in my country and was told that this is a common and known issue with Windows phones and is caused by 3rd party apps using the window's camera API. I got instructed to do a factory resetand afterwards, the camera did work properly, but again for a few shots (obviously after ending the phone call with them ).
So I decided to investigate the matter.
On my phone were installed the 'Skype','Whatsapp' and 'Mykebo free' apps before the reset, none of which seem to have a connection to the camera API (I didn't use Skype's video feature). This made my suspect the HTC's camera control software that maybe interferes somehow with the camera.
I began resetting my device and checking when the camera starts to fail.
Doing a couple of resets I saw that the camera started to fail after connecting the phone to the PC and disconnecting it while the camera app was working (the app itself does not run but shows the Zune 'disconnect to view media' screen). But on the last reset the camera didnt even start.
I am really confused since it doesnt seem to be a hardware issue (the photos were taken perfectly) but neither a camera API malfunction since the phone is used widely and even a best photo competition exists on this forum.
I want to avoid using my warrenty since it includes sending the phone abroad and is a bit costly for me..
Any ideas on what to do next? could it be that the ROM flushed in the phone is corrupt in any way?
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Click to collapse
Flash its with your device OEM .nbh .... If you haven't done that then maybe something is wrong with an API etc so flashing it might solve the problem.
Tachi91 said:
Flash its with your device OEM .nbh .... If you haven't done that then maybe something is wrong with an API etc so flashing it might solve the problem.
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Click to collapse
I will try this out now.
I noticed that on the factory reset menu there is an option to show the OS CRC.
I recieved the values:
BL CRC-0x439025DD
OS CRC-0x6A9EA866
are this OK? the phone is fully patched.
loder123 said:
I will try this out now.
I noticed that on the factory reset menu there is an option to show the OS CRC.
I recieved the values:
BL CRC-0x439025DD
OS CRC-0x6A9EA866
are this OK? the phone is fully patched.
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Click to collapse
If you got the Titan one go here download the RUU that goes with your titan and flash it while in the bootloader
Tachi91 said:
If you got the Titan one go here download the RUU that goes with your titan and flash it while in the bootloader
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Click to collapse
I did a flush and the camera doesn't work at all, seem like this is a hardware failure :\
Thanks!
since new camera never worked i upgraded stock firmware made a factory reset but the problem is still there, the camera keeps a black screen freezes, buttons dont work and sometimes it says "camera fail"
would it be a hardware issue?
The camera should work with stock (out-of-the-box) firmware. You did the right thing and flashed newer firmware and also factory reset.
That should have fixed it if it was firmware issue...........
Rooting and installing any custom firmware would be a waste of time.
It's obviously a hardware issue, so re-flash the original firmware and return it for replacement asap.
Sent from my GT-P6810 using XDA Premium HD app
Hi, I have bit different symptoms.
My back camera is working fine but I have problems with my front camera.
When I use my front camera it shows very darker screen than other GS3.
Also, when I want to switch from front to back camera it lags and switches after 5 seconds.
Sometimes it gives me error message when switching and it kicks me out to the home screen.
I don't know what is wrong.
I did the factory reset and the symptoms were still there.
When I reflashe the phone the symptoms are gone but it appears later.
I thought it was caused by one of the apps so deleted all the apps I have one by one.
Did not work out.
Will this be a hardware problem?
2 days ago my Camera app stopped working either through the hardware button or software all it does is play the opening app animation and return back to the previous screen. Ive tried soft and hard resets of the phone and now ive even reflashed it via NCS to no avail. Now at this point youd think it would be a hardware thing, but apps like "panorama" and "smart shoot" still work and so do all the other camera apps ive downloaded. Anyone managed to fix this?
You seem to be the only one whom has had this issue and reported it. So no, no fix as of now since you are alone on this one.
same here
Jt612 said:
2 days ago my Camera app stopped working either through the hardware button or software all it does is play the opening app animation and return back to the previous screen. Ive tried soft and hard resets of the phone and now ive even reflashed it via NCS to no avail. Now at this point youd think it would be a hardware thing, but apps like "panorama" and "smart shoot" still work and so do all the other camera apps ive downloaded. Anyone managed to fix this?
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same thing happened to my phone since yesterday and I've tried hard reset but nothing changes.. Camera only works through smartshoot and if I try to open it just using the original app, or use the camera button, it just won't open and turn back to the home screen
576514545 said:
same thing happened to my phone since yesterday and I've tried hard reset but nothing changes.. Camera only works through smartshoot and if I try to open it just using the original app, or use the camera button, it just won't open and turn back to the home screen
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I have exactly the same problem. After 5 days of perfect use of everything, the phone overheated, drained completely within a couple of hours and now it has a permanent problem with the camera: either black screen when launching the camera app, or if it launches, pink stripes and frozen app after 10-15 seconds. It cannot be just a random problem on one device. I've seen the same description of the problem on various forums.
Has Nokia responded on this?
The funny thing is that I live in Greece, the device was bought during a trip abroad and it's not covered by warranty! Regarding Nokia's amazing support policy I have written details at my blog nextbeta.com.
(I'm not a smartphone user that cannot understand what is a bug and what is a hardware problem, 8 years MVP for Mobile Devices and founder of the Greek Mobillity Club in 2001...)
Have you flashed the newest ROM or an older version? Perhaps you might want to try it with the Release ROM to see if that fixes things. Aside from that I fear your only option is to turn it in at a service center and let them figure out what is wrong.
Given that the Flash rewrites the whole system it somehow has to be connected with the hardware.
Im on stock Droid DNA ROM. Have the latest update. Every time I try to open the camera it says "Unable to start the camera." I have already hard reset the phone 2 times and restarted. I also cleared the camera data and cache. I don't know what to do now..
Try downloading a camera app from the market and see how it works. If that app also can't get it to start then it may be a hardware issue. If it can then you know there is something wrong with the stock camera app.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
Jaggar345 said:
Try downloading a camera app from the market and see how it works. If that app also can't get it to start then it may be a hardware issue. If it can then you know there is something wrong with the stock camera app.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
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Click to collapse
tried. It wont use the camera
Sounds like a hardware issue then.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using xda app-developers app
This is the same error I get on the CM10.1 ROM since the camera isn't working yet... as everyone else has mentioned it's most likely a hardware issue especially if you've tried wiping the entire phone and still have the problem.
Had this happen today. Did you ever get it straightened out?
If I try a photo the flash comes on and will not go off unless I reboot. If I try a video the screen goes black and freezes. I've rebooted, "hard" rebooted by holding power button down, turned off fastboot, cleared data and cache.
I tried CameraMX from the market and it doesn't work.
I did not buy my phone from Verizon. What are my options?
It doesn't matter where you bought it, HTC will warranty it as long as you talk to them like a human and explain the situation while being respectful.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
Thanks bud. I'll give it a shot. I really like HTC phones I hope this (along with whatever may happen with the warranty) doesn't leave a bad taste in my mouth.
So, I've been resetting, force closing and clearing data the past 2 days throughout the day for the camera. Usually, after I've did a reset the camera will open, but when I try to take a picture the flash comes on and stays on the the app freezes. The led flash will not go off until I do a reset. A force close won't even shut it off.
Today after a reset, I opened the camera and instead of trying to take a pic I cycled through the flash settings. As soon as I did the interface switched to portrait, (like the phone was held) and it took pics and video like normal!!!!!!!!
It works now. What a crazy problem.
Completely stock DNA with latest ota update. Phone has not been dropped or anything.
Wow, that doesn't make any logical sense. How strange... Glad you got it fixed though!
Sent from my ViperDNA using Tapatalk 2
I see similar camera weirdness a lot when I'm at Best Buy in the best buy mobile section and I've intervened on 10 or 15 exchanges by tinkering with camera and gallery like clearing app data.
You've taught me a new trick in case I ever get to show off for the hot best buy mobile girls.
Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2
If you have a flash light app and do not turn the flash off this will cause the camer to not start
Recently had the problem (camera won't start, or can't connect to camera). Got the solution here:
http://forums.androidcentral.com/verizon-droid-dna/244680-camera-unable-start.html
Just hold the power button for ~20 seconds til it reboots, and camera works just fine. No loss of data or anything. It's supposed to be the equivalent of battery pull.
Mine too!
bluesamg said:
Im on stock Droid DNA ROM. Have the latest update. Every time I try to open the camera it says "Unable to start the camera." I have already hard reset the phone 2 times and restarted. I also cleared the camera data and cache. I don't know what to do now..
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Click to collapse
Hi there ,
I have my DNA in the same situation ("Unable to start the camera").it crashes.... I have tried everything ! NOTHING works..tried to root ,change rom...maybe firmware! nope ,No solution for that i guess.
Please tell me what did you do to get it working ? did you send it back to verizon ?what did they do ? can they fix it ?or they have changed the whole phone ? please be in touch .
One more question is : Does your phone sometimes crashes ? in my case i have the same problem with the camera ..... and i have my phones system gives me :"proccess system not responding " . could that be bacuse of the camera problem ? Do you have the same ?(your phone get stuck sometime ..and goes OFF\RESTART ?)
I have the same case !! but in my country i have NO verizon here ..so actually i can't fix my phone !
What should i do ?
Thanks guys for help .
shadyabs said:
Hi there ,
I have my DNA in the same situation ("Unable to start the camera").it crashes.... I have tried everything ! NOTHING works..tried to root ,change rom...maybe firmware! nope ,No solution for that i guess.
Please tell me what did you do to get it working ? did you send it back to verizon ?what did they do ? can they fix it ?or they have changed the whole phone ? please be in touch .
One more question is : Does your phone sometimes crashes ? in my case i have the same problem with the camera ..... and i have my phones system gives me :"proccess system not responding " . could that be bacuse of the camera problem ? Do you have the same ?(your phone get stuck sometime ..and goes OFF\RESTART ?)
I have the same case !! but in my country i have NO verizon here ..so actually i can't fix my phone !
What should i do ?
Thanks guys for help .
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Click to collapse
Read the thread please. The answer is in it.
Sorry for the necromancy, I'm having the same issue, and no amount of resets, soft or hard, has resolved anything.
I received this phone about a month ago as a total care replacement for a very sad old Droid X that was needing to be put out to pasture. When I first got it, everything worked fine. The camera worked a couple weeks ago, even, but I went to use it today, tapped the camera icon, it briefly opened then instantly closed with a message "Unable to start the camera".
I tried a few more times, force quit, cleared cache, tried again, still nothing. Force quit, cleared data, tried again. Soft reset, tried again, nothing. Held power button for a reset, still nothing. Powered off and back on again, still nothing. Another soft reset, still nothing. Tried 3 other camera apps, Google Camera closed immediately with a similar error message, Vignette just sat there at Initializing Camera forever, and some garbage front camera only selfie app opened but only showed a black screen for the viewfinder.
I did another soft reset, still nothing.
I did a factory reset, and tried again without downloading any of the apps previously installed. Still nothing.
I've tried several more soft resets and cache clears since then.
It's looking more and more like a hardware problem but previous posters in this thread reported fixing similar issues without doing anything to the hardware. It has never been dropped, it has never been wet. It hasn't even been outside in a light drizzle. It's never been sat on, it's never gotten warmer than 109 reported internal temp.
Other than take it to Verizon and whine at them about how the free phone I just got a month ago is a broken piece of crud for no apparent reason or malfeasance on my part (which is probably why they had it on hand to give away, reconditioned my big toe), is there any potential resolution I'm missing that doesn't involve warranty-voiding stuff.
THIS IS PROBABLY THE ANSWER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!
"Today after a reset, I opened the camera and instead of trying to take a pic I cycled through the flash settings. As soon as I did the interface switched to portrait, (like the phone was held) and it took pics and video like normal!!!!!!!!"
I didn't see you mention that you tried this. It fixed my dna and I never had another issue.
natypes said:
THIS IS PROBABLY THE ANSWER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR!
"Today after a reset, I opened the camera and instead of trying to take a pic I cycled through the flash settings. As soon as I did the interface switched to portrait, (like the phone was held) and it took pics and video like normal!!!!!!!!"
I didn't see you mention that you tried this. It fixed my dna and I never had another issue.
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Click to collapse
I can't even get that far, as soon as I tap the camera icon, the camera app flashes open for a moment then instantly closes with an 'unable to start' message. The odd thing is that every so often, with no rhyme or reason, it will randomly start working just fine, then not work at all for weeks on end.
Of course now it's so broken, even LED Flashlight apps don't detect it as even having a camera.