IPhone camera stopped working - what to do. What to do if the camera on the iPhone won't turn on? Black camera on iPhone 5

IPhone 5 camera does not work - fix the problem yourself

The breakdown of the rear camera on the IPhone 5 may be the result of mechanical damage or the result of third-party software. Let us consider in more detail all the common causes of breakdowns, as well as methods of its correction.

Breakdown reasons

If after launching the standard "Camera" application the lens does not show anything (iPhone 5 camera black screen), check if the case or other external objects are blocking the view of the camera. The most common causes of a malfunction are:

  • firmware update. Often, after updating the version of the installed OS, users may encounter incompatibility between the software and hardware components of the camera. Because of this, the camera does not work in the IPhone 5;
  • too little RAM of the device, because of which the program cannot load;
  • the main directory of the camera is filled;
  • ingress of moisture into the housing;
  • severely dropping or hitting the phone, which could damage the camera module.

Method 1. Emergency reboot

This method will help to fix the problem of a non-working camera if there is not enough RAM on the phone at the moment, or if the lens stopped working after updating the standard Camera program.

Press and hold the power key for 10 seconds.

Wait for the menu to turn off the device. Slide the slider to the right to turn off iPhone 5. Then start your phone again. Check if the camera is working.


Method 2. Delete the camera directory

Often times, the camera on iPhone 5 doesn't work when the root folder with all photos is full. Connect your phone to your computer and delete the directory that stores all videos and photos. It is located at "private / var / mobile / Media / DCIM / APPLE".


Method 3. Restoring device settings

To fix all existing software problems, including the problem of the camera's functioning, it is better to restore the phone through iTunes. Connect your phone to a computer that has iTunes installed. The program will automatically detect your phone. After a few seconds, a window will open containing information about the iPhone. Click on the "Restore" button and wait for the formatting process to finish.


Important! After recovery, absolutely all data will be deleted from your smartphone. All settings will be returned to factory defaults.

Method 4. Replacing the camera module

The most efficient way is to replace the camera module. First, turn off your phone. Use a screwdriver to remove the two screws from the bottom of the case.


Use a suction cup to detach the back cover and pry off the bottom edge with a spatula. Place the cover 90 degrees away from the phone without removing it all the way.

Use a screwdriver to remove the shield from the motherboard as shown.


Using a spatula, carefully detach the cables from the front camera, ADC and LCD of the phone.


Unscrew the screws shown in the photo:


Remove the battery connector holder.


The place of the connector must be pry off with a spatula. Then pry up the battery itself and disconnect it. Lift up the ribbon cable of the antenna module.

Remove the protective panel that holds the top of the motherboard. Use a screwdriver to release the indicated cables:


Unscrew the screws at the top of the case:


Unscrew the screw and remove the center holder of the main board:


Remove the SIM card from the phone. Disconnect the motherboard completely and remove it. Disconnect the Wi-Fi cable from the back of the motherboard. Detach the camera and replace it with a new part. Repeat all the steps in reverse order to assemble the phone.

One day, you may face the fact that the main camera of the Apple iPhone 5S does not work. It happens that at the same time the flash, flashlight and front camera also do not work. The reasons why the camera doesn't work on the iPhone 5S are quite different. In this article, we will look at different cases and, most importantly, fix the camera ourselves.

In the iPhone 5S device, the front camera, flash, flashlight and front camera are interconnected. When the camera iPhone is not working, when you press it, a black screen will appear and show the entry: "iPhone needs cooling before using flash." This is an indication that the flash on the iPhone 5 is not working.

First, try starting the hard reboot mode, simultaneously holding down two buttons - Power and Home for 10 seconds until the apple logo appears, after a minute turn on the device.

If that doesn't work, try updating your content by resetting all settings on your iPhone to factory defaults. But before that, do not forget to copy all data from the iPhone via iTunes, if the data is more than 5 GB, to another device. Or upload files to the cloud via the iCloud program if the storage of the backed up data is more than 5 GB. After resetting the iPhone, try starting the camera, but if it does not work, then the problem is apparently different.

Some people are helped by updating iOS to version 10 to reset the system error due to old software. But this does not always help, if it is not a system error, but still a technical breakdown on the iPhone 5 or iPhone 6.

Eliminating the causes of camera iPhone 5S breakage

As a rule, the reason for a non-working flash can be the fall of the iPhone, moisture ingress into it, failure of the board or microcircuit, the unsuitability of the flash itself. You need to know how to clean the camera on the iPhone 5. In any case, in order to find out exactly your reason with the non-working iPhone camera, you still have to disassemble the device.

To do this, we will arm ourselves with tools: a plastic pick or spatula, a special set of screwdrivers, tweezers, a suction cup with a ring for opening the display, a rubber mat and containers for bolts, so as not to confuse which one when reassembling.

After all the tools are ready, turn off the iPhone 5S by first putting out the SIM card, holding down the Power button and the Home button at the same time for 10-20 seconds until the Apple logo appears, as well as the shutdown sound.

Using a special Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the two bolts on the bottom end panel of the iPhone, near the connector. Then we attach a suction cup with a ring to the screen glass in the middle from below, above the Home button, and, holding the smartphone by the body with one hand, gently and smoothly pull the suction cup ring with the other hand to separate the screen from the rest of the iPhone. If the screen does not immediately give way, carefully, without damaging the case, push the sharp end of the pick into the lower slot to pass it around the perimeter of the display in order to help unfasten the latches, now gently pull the ring again.

Do not forget that the iPhone 5S has the screen fastened with a fingerprint sensor cable from the side of the opening, near the touchscreen. Therefore, do not lift the screen at a right angle without first unfastening the cable using tweezers or a plastic spatula.

After the lower ribbon cable is disconnected, it is necessary to detach the upper ribbon cables that attach the sensor and cameras. Sometimes at such a moment you can visually determine that the camera cable was already disconnected, apparently when the iPhone fell, the latch shifted and the cable was detached, therefore, most likely, the camera does not work either. Then you need not to disassemble the iPhone further, but, on the contrary, carefully connect all the cables in the reverse order and, without tightening the bolts, turn on the iPhone. On the touch screen, try to turn on the non-working flash, if it works (turns on and off, the flashlight works), then the breakdown has been eliminated at this stage. It remains to assemble the iPhone by tightening the bolts.

Chip repair

But the problem is not always so easy to fix. If you connected all the cables, and the camera did not work, then the breakdown is more serious and we disassemble the iPhone further. Having detached all the cables, he unscrews the bolts on the side panels of the smartphone, on which the iPhone display is attached to the body.

We remove the protective film around the flash and disconnect the camera cable itself, and then take it out. If, upon visual examination, it is determined that the camera is working, we reconnect it, it is possible that the problem is in the contacts or microcircuit. Usually, if the iPhone has been disassembled more than once, then the protective film has been removed and now, with a slight shake, the camera cable easily snaps off and flies out. Therefore, it is important to keep the protective film on the camera.

The next step is to unscrew the bolts holding the battery. And then we remove the bolts from the microcircuit boards. We take out the tray from under the SIM card. We take out the microcircuit and unfasten the antenna. We install the microcircuit itself on a special holder-clip and with a special device for cleaning the boards we warm up the microcircuit in the area of ​​the camera, having previously installed a pair of radiators to remove heat.

After that, using a special napkin and tweezers, we clean the connections on the microcircuit, gently wipe the glass plates and let the board cool. Next, connect the board to its place in the iPhone, snapping all the cables in the reverse order and tightening all the bolts in place with a Phillips screwdriver. Next, start the camera by turning on the iPhone. If the camera turns on when you touch its icon, then the problem is fixed.

If the camera does not turn on again, then the circuit is interrupted somewhere and therefore power (charge) is not supplied to the board. Using the device, we will establish where there is weak power on the microcircuit or is completely absent. For example, when ringing a circuit, an inoperative capacitor or track can be detected. Then it is necessary to establish contact by replacing the capacitor with a working one and re-soldering the connection.

After performing these manipulations, do not forget to ring the microcircuit for a short circuit. If everything is in order, you can install the microcircuit in place by connecting all the cables in the right order, installing the film in place and fastening the bolts. After that, we turn on the iPhone, and also launch the camera in order to check its working condition. As a rule, after this procedure, the cameras resume their work - front and back.

The front camera is widely used not only for selfies, but also for video calling, face recognition, and even as a mirror. In Apple products, its breakdown happens infrequently, but it can greatly interfere with the daily use of the device.

Causes of iPhone front camera malfunction

Obviously, repairs are needed when the front camera won't turn on. But the following signs also indicate the need for repair:

  • cracks;
  • internal streaks and stains;
  • the appearance of highlights;
  • completely black screen when shooting;
  • freezing of the application when photographing;
  • focusing problems.

The above problems are caused by mechanical damage, liquid ingress, or software failure due to an application conflict. Using an iPhone in an inappropriate temperature range can also affect its performance.

The ability to photograph is influenced by:

  • plume;
  • connector for a loop;
  • internal sensors;
  • elements of the central processor circuit;
  • motherboard contacts.

Preventing iPhone Front Camera Problems

When it comes to a serious breakdown, the following actions can help you:

  • free up memory for new pictures by deleting unnecessary photos;
  • quit third-party applications;
  • use a special tissue to clean the lens;
  • try to take a photo without a case, if you have one;
  • try changing focus before taking a picture;
  • make sure the shooting app is not on the block list.

IPhone Front Camera Repair

It is impossible to repair the camera on your own, as there is a high probability of aggravating the breakdown, as well as damaging other, more expensive iPhone parts.

To carry out any manipulations, professional diagnostics will be required, which will include checking not only the software, but also the hardware. Depending on the problem found, the wizard will reflash the Apple device or replace the defective part, and then completely restore the front camera element circuit.

Problems with the front camera are an alarming sign that requires contacting professionals in their field. Come to our Total Apple Service Center and we will help you!

Our world has changed dramatically in recent years. There were a lot of new things that had a strong impact on him. One of these events is the emergence of the iPhone (iPhone). It revolutionized the world of smartphones and is an innovation to this day.

iPhone is a full-fledged mini-computer that can handle almost any task. One of the most popular smartphone features that users use is photography.

Agree, earlier the number of photos we took was negligible. Today, we use the iPhone more often than the camera. According to the Internet publications, the iPhone camera is considered the most popular in the world. And above all for the reason that it is convenient to work with it. You just need to take out the gadget, start the camera from the unlock screen, and the smartphone can take pictures. And the quality of the photo is amazing.

Like many other smartphones, it can also crash. And one of the most common problems is that the front camera of the iPhone (iPhone) does not work. With such a problem, the owners, not knowing what to do, immediately go to the service center. But it also happens that you can return the normal operation of the front camera on your own.

In general, there can be many reasons why the front camera fails in an iPhone. Although usually they all come down to moisture or mechanical damage.

So why the front camera of the iPhone (iPhone) does not work

You need to start by launching the Camera application. If the program does not work and there are malfunctions, then at startup the system will display errors or a black screen. From this point on, you need to look for the cause of the malfunction.

  • Remember if your smartphone has been dropped. If it worked properly before the fall, then the reason becomes clear.
  • Next, you need to understand where he fell. It could have been hard ceramic tiles, a soft sofa, or damp grass. Or maybe you dropped it in the restroom or bath?
  • If the front camera stops working as a result of falling into the water, then you need to contact our APPLE-SAPPHIRE service center as soon as possible, otherwise this can lead to disastrous consequences.
  • If the smartphone did not fall, moisture did not penetrate into it, you did not hit it, then the reason is most likely a software failure. The camera may stop working due to unsuccessful flashing, upgrade, or jailbreak.

What to do if iPhone front camera does not work

  1. Mechanical damage.

If your smartphone is mechanically damaged, you will have to disassemble the device to fix the camera breakdown. After you disassemble it, you need to carefully study the camera mount and the cables. This must be done to check the cause of the breakdown. Falling down may cause the ribbon cable that connects the microphone and camera to the motherboard to come loose. As a result, no power will be supplied to the microphone and camera.

The camera module must be reconnected, and then the devices must be assembled. Turn it on and check it works. In the event that the serviceability has not gone anywhere, then the problem is in the module. The user will have to completely replace it, since it is not collapsible.

If you do not have time to do this or have confidence in your abilities, it is better to take your smartphone to our specialized APPLE-SAPPHIRE workshop. Our staff will repair your "apple" device, very soon it will again delight you with high-quality images.

  1. Ingress of moisture.

Also, the front camera can stop working when moisture gets into the phone, which most often penetrates through the microphone hole. The repair methods are the same here: disassemble the device and replace the camera module.

  1. Software errors.

Among the number of software errors, it is worth highlighting the problems with the firmware. This can happen if the flashing or update was unsuccessful. Also, errors can be generated by a jailbreak installed on a smartphone.

But these are only isolated cases. In fact, this rarely happens. Similar problems happen if you update the gadget to the beta version of the firmware, and there are many bugs in it. However, everything can be fixed by flashing the smartphone again.

We do not recommend trusting your iPhone to dubious craftsmen, since repairing this modern technology will require special equipment and relevant knowledge. Therefore, if the front camera does not work on the iPhone, contact our company APPLE-SAPPHIRE, where your smartphone will fall into the hands of professionals.

Our world has changed dramatically in recent years. There were a lot of new things that had a strong impact on him. One of these events is the emergence of the iPhone (iPhone). It revolutionized the world of smartphones and is an innovation to this day.

iPhone is a full-fledged mini-computer that can handle almost any task. One of the most popular smartphone features that users use is photography.

Agree, earlier the number of photos we took was negligible. Today, we use the iPhone more often than the camera. According to the Internet publications, the iPhone camera is considered the most popular in the world. And above all for the reason that it is convenient to work with it. You just need to take out the gadget, start the camera from the unlock screen, and the smartphone can take pictures. And the quality of the photo is amazing.

Like many other smartphones, it can also crash. And one of the most common problems is that the front camera of the iPhone (iPhone) does not work. With such a problem, the owners, not knowing what to do, immediately go to the service center. But it also happens that you can return the normal operation of the front camera on your own.

In general, there can be many reasons why the front camera fails in an iPhone. Although usually they all come down to moisture or mechanical damage.

So why the front camera of the iPhone (iPhone) does not work

You need to start by launching the Camera application. If the program does not work and there are malfunctions, then at startup the system will display errors or a black screen. From this point on, you need to look for the cause of the malfunction.

  • Remember if your smartphone has been dropped. If it worked properly before the fall, then the reason becomes clear.
  • Next, you need to understand where he fell. It could have been hard ceramic tiles, a soft sofa, or damp grass. Or maybe you dropped it in the restroom or bath?
  • If the front camera stops working as a result of falling into the water, then you need to contact our APPLE-SAPPHIRE service center as soon as possible, otherwise this can lead to disastrous consequences.
  • If the smartphone did not fall, moisture did not penetrate into it, you did not hit it, then the reason is most likely a software failure. The camera may stop working due to unsuccessful flashing, upgrade, or jailbreak.

What to do if iPhone front camera does not work

  1. Mechanical damage.

If your smartphone is mechanically damaged, you will have to disassemble the device to fix the camera breakdown. After you disassemble it, you need to carefully study the camera mount and the cables. This must be done to check the cause of the breakdown. Falling down may cause the ribbon cable that connects the microphone and camera to the motherboard to come loose. As a result, no power will be supplied to the microphone and camera.

The camera module must be reconnected, and then the devices must be assembled. Turn it on and check it works. In the event that the serviceability has not gone anywhere, then the problem is in the module. The user will have to completely replace it, since it is not collapsible.

If you do not have time to do this or have confidence in your abilities, it is better to take your smartphone to our specialized APPLE-SAPPHIRE workshop. Our staff will repair your "apple" device, very soon it will again delight you with high-quality images.

  1. Ingress of moisture.

Also, the front camera can stop working when moisture gets into the phone, which most often penetrates through the microphone hole. The repair methods are the same here: disassemble the device and replace the camera module.

  1. Software errors.

Among the number of software errors, it is worth highlighting the problems with the firmware. This can happen if the flashing or update was unsuccessful. Also, errors can be generated by a jailbreak installed on a smartphone.

But these are only isolated cases. In fact, this rarely happens. Similar problems happen if you update the gadget to the beta version of the firmware, and there are many bugs in it. However, everything can be fixed by flashing the smartphone again.

We do not recommend trusting your iPhone to dubious craftsmen, since repairing this modern technology will require special equipment and relevant knowledge. Therefore, if the front camera does not work on the iPhone, contact our company APPLE-SAPPHIRE, where your smartphone will fall into the hands of professionals.