Is your iPhone camera not working, just showing black screen? Check out our troubleshooting guide to fix the issue.
Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 7,, iPhone 6S and iPhone SE.
The camera is probably one of the most-used features on the iPhone. Everyone loves to capture memorable moments, take selfies, and share their daily lives through a camera. It’s a great and convenient tool—which is why when you’re faced with an error that prevents you from taking pictures or videos, it can be frustrating to deal with.
So if your iPhone camera has stopped working, just showing black screen, here are ways to fix the problem.
How to Fix iPhone Camera Black Screen Issue
If you launch the Camera app on your iPhone and see a black screen, try the following troubleshooting steps to fix the issue:
1. Make sure your iPhone’s camera isn’t blocked
If your iPhone camera is showing black screen, your first step should be to make sure the camera lens are not obstructed in any way.
First, make sure your hand or fingers aren’t blocking the lens. It’s easy to do, especially when you’re excited to capture that perfect shot. Second, if your iPhone camera is showing a black screen instead of the viewfinder, please double-check to make sure that the case is installed correctly! If your case is upside down, it could be blocking the camera on your iPhone.
If everything looks okay, move on to the next solution.
2. Force Quit the Camera App and Relaunch It
At times, you can fix the iPhone camera black screen issue by force quitting the camera app and relaunching it. So, make sure to try this nifty trick before trying the other solutions below.
- Swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone to reveal the app switcher.
- Swipe up on the camera app to close it.
- Relaunch the camera app and see if it’s working as expected.
3. Restart your iPhone
As simple as it may sound, sometimes errors can be corrected by restarting your iPhone. This will refresh all your apps and gives the camera software another chance to run without errors. Thus, the next step to fix iPhone Camera black screen problem is to restart the phone itself. Here is how:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap General.
- Select Shut Down.
- Power on your iPhone and check if the camera is working as expected.
4. Switch Between the Front and Back Camera
In some occasions, you can resolve the iPhone camera black screen problem by just switching between the front and rear cameras. You can do that by just tapping on the camera switcher icon.
5. Ensure That the Cameras are Clean
If you are not aware, dust or the pile-up of smudge are also capable of inhibiting the iPhone’s camera from working properly. If you haven’t cleaned your iPhone for a while, there is a good chance that the pileup of dust could be blocking the cameras. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to clean iPhone’s cameras.
Simply grab a soft lint-free cloth and clean both the front and back cameras. If the dry cloth is unable to get rid of the dust, slightly dampen the cloth in water and then try removing the dust.
6. Update IOS
Although the iPhone camera is a hardware component, software issues can cause the camera to show black screen. You should therefore make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. This helps to fix minor Camera glitches including black screen issue. Follow the steps below:
- Open the Settings app.
- Go into General.
- Select Software Update.
Note: If no update is available,you can rule this out as the reason for iPhone camera black screen issue.
7. Avoid overheating
When an iPhone gets too hot, some apps don’t work properly. If this happens, you should see an on-screen message stating the iPhone needs to cool down before you use it. If you see this message, turn off your iPhone for a few minutes to give it a chance to cool. If you haven’t seen this message but your iPhone feels hot to the touch, power it off.
Even as few as 10 minutes can make a difference in the temperature of your phone. However, if it begins to overheat again for no apparent reason, go to your local Apple Store or the Apple Support website for repair or replacement details.
8. Reset All Settings
If your iPhone camera is still showing black screen, try resetting all the settings on your phone. This option will only erase your settings—your saved files and other personal data will still be available after you restart your device. Follow these steps to reset all settings:
- Start the Settings app.
- Go into General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Choose Reset.
- Hit Reset All Settings.
9. Perform a factory reset
A factory reset may fix the iPhone camera black screen issue you are facing, but this should be your last resort. Before you reset your device, you should back up your iPhone, since everything except for the original software and apps will be erased. Follow these steps to reset all settings:
- Start the Settings app.
- Go into General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Choose Erase all content & settings.
10. Repair options
If the iPhone camera black screen issue persists, the camera may be damaged. If you suspect the camera may be broken or have a defect, consider having it serviced by Apple.
The problem may be with the camera hardware components, or it may be internal damage. If you’ve dropped your iPhone on the ground or you suspect that it may have water damage, these could be potential causes for camera hardware failure. Contact Apple Support to arrange a hardware repair at the Apple Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. If your iPhone is out of warranty, you may need to pay for this repair yourself.
Successfully fixed iPhone Camera black screen issue!
Now you know how to troubleshoot the problem if your iPhone camera is not working or showing black screen.