If your iPhone’s flashlight isn’t working, don’t panic, there is a good chance it’s not a hardware issue. iPhone flashlight is actually very robust, and unless you have nailed it with a hammer, it probably won’t face any hardware problems. Multiple times the flashlight has stopped working on my iPhone as well, and it was always a software issue. In this article, I’ll explain why your iPhone flashlight is not working and show you how to fix the problem.
There is nothing new about the problem of iPhone Flashlight not working as it has existed on almost all iPhone models. The issue has affected many iPhone models, including iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone SE.
Thankfully, there’s a handful of reliable tips and tricks to fix the iPhone Flashlight not working problem. So let’s not waste any more time and try out these viable fixes to get your iPhone Flashlight working again!
First off, it would be better to get to the root of the problem, trying to figure out the reasons why the iPhone Flashlight stops working.
Why is iPhone Flashlight not working?
There is no definitive answer to why the iPhone Flashlight is not working. But, there are some possible reasons that cause the Flashlight on an iOS device to malfunction. From what I can tell based on my personal experience, it’s the occasional software glitches that cause the problem.
Besides, you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of bugs preventing the iPhone flashlight from working. Let’s look into each aspect and try to troubleshoot the ill-functioning flashlight on your iPhone.
10 Tips to Fix iPhone Flashlight Not Working Issue (2023)
1. Take off iPhone Cover
Sometimes, the problem of iPhone Flashlight not working is due to the Flash Lens being covered by an ill-fitting or improperly designed iPhone cover.
Inspect the back of your iPhone and see if the Flash Lens is being blocked by the cover. Take off the cover from your iPhone and see if the Flashlight is now working properly.
2. Restart your iPhone
The famous solutions to most tech problems has worked multiple times for me, so it may work for you as well. If a particular app or process is conflicting with the flashlight, then a simple reboot should fix it. This resets some of the temporary settings that cause apps and features to malfunction. You can do this by following the steps below:
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap Shut Down.
3. Exit or Force-Quit the Camera App
If the iPhone Flashlight is grayed out within the iPhone Control Center, an active Camera app’s is most likely the reason. Having the Camera app on may create a conflict between the camera’s flash and the flashlight, since these both use the same bulb and, therefore, cannot be used simultaneously. So, exit the Camera app and re-open the Control Center.
If the Flashlight toggle is still grayed out, you should force-quit the Camera app. To do that, follow the steps below:
- Bring up the App Switcher by swiping up from the bottom of the screen.
- Swipe up the Camera card to shut down the app.
You may also want to force-quit other apps that use the camera.
4. Update Your iPhone to fix the flashlight problem
I know we always ask our readers to update their iPhone’s software in our troubleshooting guides but, that’s because it helps! If your iPhone flashlight won’t work, it could be due to a buggy system software. . If your iPhone is running an outdated version of iOS, take a few minutes and update now. This may resolve not only your iPhone flashlight issue, but other small glitches and bugs you’ve been experiencing. You can check for an iOS update by following the steps below:
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Software Update.
If you find iPhone flashlight not working after update, simply wait for subsequent update from Apple to fix the issue.
5. Check Your iPhone Isn’t Too Hot
When your iPhone gets too hot, the flashlight may stop working. It’s not advisable to continue using an overheating iPhone. If your device exceeds a particular temperature limit, it will eventually shut down until it cools off. You’ll also see a warning appear on screen if the temperature gets too high.
To let your device’s temperature lower down naturally, place your iPhone in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not attempt to put your device into the fridge, though, as this will cause damage to it. Just find somewhere that’s naturally cool and shady. Once your device cools down, your iPhone flashlight should start working again.
6. Remove the Flashlight From the Control Center
If your iPhone flashlight won’t work, one potential fix is to remove the flashlight option from the Control Center and then add it back again. Here’s how:
- Go to the Settings app.
- Select Control Center.
- Under Included Controls, tap the red minus (–) icon for Flashlight (or Torch, in some regions).
- Tap Remove to confirm.
- To add the flashlight back, scroll down to the More Controls section and tap Add next to Flashlight. You can then adjust its position within the Control Center by dragging the control up or down the list.
7. Test LED Flash by Using the Flashlight in Control Center
One easymethod to test if the iPhone’s flashlight is working is by using the control center. Moreover, you can also adjust the brightness of the flashlight by using its slider. Follow the steps below:
- Launch the control center by swiping up from the bottom part of the screen.
- Now, tap the Flashlight icon to check if it’s working normally. Besides, touch and hold the flashlight icon to access the slider and then ensure that the brightness is set at the highest level.
8. Test LED Flash by Using the Camera
You should also check whether the flash-bulb itself is working or not. You can easily do so by using the camera app on your iPhone. Here’s what to do.
- Open the camera app on your iPhone.
- Select the ‘Photo’ option.
- Tap on the arrow icon (or swipe up on the viewfinder) to view extra settings.
- Now tap on the flash icon and choose ‘On’ instead of ‘Auto’ or ‘Off’.
Try clicking a photo and see if the flash fires. If it does, then the issue is not with the hardware LED flash, but rather a software glitch.
9. Reset All Settings
If the previous solutions don’t resolve the iPhone flashlight not working issue, the next step is to reset all the settings on your iPhone. This solution usually comes in handy when dealing with persistent issues. Since it has always been like a go-to troubleshooter for fixing major software-related issues, it’s worth giving it a try out as well.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Choose Reset.
- Tap Reset All settings.
10. Restore Your iPhone to a Previous Backup
This one has long been a nuclear solution for iPhone, especially when faced with a complex issue. If your iPhone flashlight stopped working due to a random glitch, restoring it from the previous backup can fix the problem.
Bear in mind that it will erase your entire iPhone wiping out everything that exists on your iOS device. Therefore, do not proceed with it until you have fully backed up your device.
If you have an iCloud backup (Settings app > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup), you can restore your iPhone without using Finder/iTunes. Follow the steps below:
- OpenSettings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Hit Erase All Content and Settings.
Once the process is complete, follow the setup assistant to set up your device. Along the way, you will get an option to restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup.
you can also use your Mac or Windows PC to restore your iPhone from the previous backup.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and then launch Finder/iTunes. Now, make sure to back up your device if you haven’t done it as yet.
- Click Restore Backup.
- Choose the most recent backup and hit Restore.
11. Use a third-party flashlight app
If the default iPhone flashlight doesn’t work at all, you can utilize another flashlight app. Type ‘Flashlight’ into the search field on the app store then From the search results, choose your favorite flashlight app.
12. Contact Apple Support
If your iPhone flashlight doesn’t work after trying all the above-mentioned tricks, this could be a hardware problem. To fix this, you need to contact Apple support. You can also take your iPhone to an authorized repair outlet. If your iPhone is under warranty, you will get it repaired for free. You can contact Apple Support on the official website or download the Apple Support app from the app store.
Effective Solutions When Your iPhone 14 Pro Flashlight Is Not Working
If your iPhone 14 Pro flashlight wasn’t working, we hope this list of fixes has helped you resolve the issue effectively. If not, please let us know in the comments.