Are you struggling to take the perfect selfie on your iPhone because the iPhone camera is not working, and it only shows a black screen? You’re not alone. Many users encounter this issue, where the built-in Camera app struggles to function properly.
If you want to know why your back camera is black and how to fix it, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more.
Key Takeaways
- To fix the black screen issue on the iPhone, try restarting the Camera app first.
- Switching between the front and rear cameras or disabling the VoiceOver feature may also resolve software glitches that can cause camera malfunctions.
- Updating iOS or resetting all settings fix the problem if it is caused by outdated software.
- If none of the fixes work, the issue may be hardware-related and we recommend that you contact Apple Support.
Why Is Your iPhone Camera Showing a Black Screen?
Your iPhone camera displays a black screen if the software (the Camera App) or the hardware (the camera lens on the back of the phone) is not functioning correctly. The two ways this can happen are if something is covering the camera lens or if there are interferences with the camera app.
For example, you may encounter this black screen problem if you have installed third-party camera apps that interfere with the default app. In that case, try uninstalling those apps and then relaunching the iPhone photo app.
How to Fix iPhone Camera Black Screen
Fixing an iPhone camera black screen issue can be as simple as cleaning the camera lens surface with a clean, lint-free cloth, which can be purchased on Amazon, or as tedious as calling Apple Support for guidance on the next steps. It all depends on which part of your Camera is affected.
If it is the hardware part, that is, the camera lens is covered with dirt, all you need to do is clean it. If it is a software problem, fixing the iPhone camera can be complex, as various issues may arise.
To fix the problem of a black screen on your iPhone camera, we recommend following these troubleshooting steps:
Solution 1. Restart Your Camera App
Sometimes, the iPhone camera’s black screen issue is caused by the camera application not loading correctly. Reinitializing the app might fix the issue.
Here’s how to restart your iPhone’s camera app:
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Step 1. Navigate to the iOS App Switcher.
If you use an iPhone with the home button, double-press it. If your iPhone has Face ID, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle.
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Step 2. Swipe the “Camera” app up.
Swipe through the app cards till you find the photo app.
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Step 3. Reopen “Camera” to confirm the fix.
Solution 2. Restart Your iPhone
If the camera is still not working correctly, the next step is to reboot your mobile system.
Here’s how to restart your iPhone:
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Step 1. Open “Settings”.
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Step 2. Scroll down & tap on “General”.
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Step 3. Scroll & select “Shut Down”.
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Step 4. Slide the “Power Off” slider.
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Step 5. Press and hold your iPhone’s “Side” or “Top button” to turn it on again.
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Step 6. Launch the “Camera” app to confirm that the fix was successful.
Solution 3. Switch Between the Front & Back Cameras
Your iPhone front camera is not working and showing a black screen, which may be caused by the camera being stuck between the two modes (front and rear camera). Switching between the two camera setups may fix the issue.
Go to your “Camera” and tap the “Switch” icon to do this. After a few seconds, you can tap “Switch” again.
Related article: Discover what the iPhone SIM card stores!
Solution 4. Disabling the Voice-Over Feature
The Voice-over feature can sometimes cause glitches in your iPhone’s apps, and it could be the reason why your back camera screen turned black. Turning it off might fix the camera problem.
Note: when Voice Over mode is on you will have to tap once to select an app or item menu and then double-tap to go inside. Use also three fingers to scroll.
- Step 1. Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Step 2. Scroll down with three fingers & enter “Accessibility“.
- Step 3. Enter the “VoiceOver” option.
- Step 4. Double-tap the “VoiceOver” toggle to turn it off.
- Step 5. Open the “Camera” app and try again.
If you want to catch a larger shot on your photo, you should use iPhone’s ultra-wide lens. Find out which iPhones have a .5 camera.
Solution 5. Update Your iPhone
An outdated iOS version may also be the reason why the iPhone camera is not working and displaying a black screen.
Follow these steps to update your iOS on your iPhone and resolve the black screen:
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Step 1. Open the “Settings” app.
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Step 2. Scroll down & tap on “General”.
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Step 3. Tap on “Software Update”.
If a pending update is available for your iOS device, you will see a message prompting you to download and install it.
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Step 4. Tap on “Download and Install” to initiate the process.
Are you using Snapchat and worrying that your child might access it when they borrow your phone? Check out how to block Snapchat on your iPhone!
Solution 6. Reset All Settings on Your iPhone
Resetting your iPhone erases all settings and restores them to the default state, potentially fixing the black camera issue.
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Step 1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
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Step 2. Scroll down & tap on “General”.
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Step 3. Scroll to the bottom & tap on “Transfer or Reset iPhone”.
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Step 4. Select “Reset”.
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Step 5. Tap on “Reset All Settings” & enter your passcode.
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Step 6. Confirm by clicking “Reset All Settings” again.
Please note: Restoring all settings will erase all your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN settings, and cellular settings. However, your data and media files will not be affected.
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Step 7. Launch the “Camera” app to confirm the fix.
Solution 7. Contact Apple Support
If, after trying all the fixes described above, you continue to experience the problem, the next best course of action is to contact Apple Support. Your iPhone may be having a significant hardware issue. An Apple representative will explain the appropriate steps to get a final solution.
However, when reaching out to Apple Support, you will need to have some basic information, such as your iPhone’s model and serial number. This will help the support team identify your device quickly and provide more targeted assistance.
