If you’re seeing “Unfortunately, Camera has stopped” when you open the camera app, you probably can’t take any photos or shoot any videos.
Fortunately, this should be an easy problem to fix. This guide explains what causes the error and walks you through several troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the problem.
What Causes the Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped Error in Android?
The camera on Android can malfunction due to a variety of reasons. It can be the result of something simple like a software glitch or the result of something complicated like a hardware malfunction.
Regardless of the reason, you are bound to get the “Unfortunately, Camera has stopped” error message or some variations of it and it is due to the following reasons.
- Lack of internal storage
- Outdated Android system
- Malicious virus
- 3rd party app interference
- Hardware malfunction
If the error occurred due to software or other internal issues, then you should be able to fix it following our troubleshooting methods below. In case of hardware damage, you may have to take the device to a specialist or a repair center.
How Do I Fix Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped?
So, here are 8 effective solutions for fixing the “Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped” error on Android mobiles. Let’s check them out.
- Restart the Camera App
- Turn Off/On Android Device
- Clear Up Internal Storage & Format the SD Card
- Clear Camera App Cache & Data
- Clear Cache & Data for the Gallery App
- Update Android Firmware
- Enable Android Safe Mode
- Factory Reset Android
Some of these fixes also work when your camera is crashing or a security policy prevents the use of the camera.
1. Restart the Camera App
The “Unfortunately, Camera has stopped” error can appear due to the malfunction of the camera app. So, restarting the Camera app may fix the issue.
Now, the camera app can stop working if it’s been in use for a long time. On the other hand, if the app wasn’t launched properly same thing can happen.
So, you can simply exit the Camera app, then wait for a few minutes before launching it again.
Alternatively, you can also Force Quit the app using the following steps.
- Run the Settings app and tap on Apps.
- Search and locate the Camera app. Then, tap on it.
- On the App Info page, tap on the Force Stop option at the bottom.
After making the camera app force stop, you need to wait a few minutes before launching the app again.
2. Turn Off/On the Android Device
If restarting the camera app didn’t work and you are still getting the “Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped” message, turn off the device by tapping on the Power Off option. Then, turn it On a few seconds later and hope for the best.
Alternatively, you can also reboot the device by tapping on the Restart button from the Power Menu.
3. Clear Up Internal Storage & Format the SD Card
One of the biggest reasons for the “Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped” error is the lack of internal storage. If there isn’t any free space available in the internal storage of your Android, the camera will not be able to function properly.
So, you need to free up some space by deleting unwanted files and photos. You can even go one step further and remove the applications that you haven’t been using for a long time.
On the other hand, if you are unable to remove any files, we recommend moving them to cloud storage. Google Drive should be the most suitable cloud storage option for you, which comes with 15GB of free storage space.
So, after moving a few files to the cloud storage, the error should go away on its own. However, if you are an SD Card user, then this could be a technical issue, instead of a storage issue.
If a few files on the SD Card are corrupted, then the presence of those files could have resulted in this error. In that case, you just have to format the SD Card to fix the issue. Be sure to back up the important files before formatting the SD card.
4. Clear Camera App Cache & Data
All the Android apps create cache files, including the camera app. Over time, these files pile up and consume a huge amount of space. So, it is better to remove them from time to time.
If too many cache files have piled up, then there is the risk of corrupting the cache files. In the presence of these corrupted cache files, your camera will fail to open.
- Launch the Settings app on your mobile and tap on Apps.
- Search and locate the Camera app. Then, tap on it.
- On the App Info page, tap on the Storage option.
- On the following panel, tap on the Clear Cache option at the bottom.
While you are at it, remove the app data as well, just to be safe. Removing app data won’t cause any issues.
However, if you had customized the camera app, then after deleting the app data, those custom settings won’t be available.
So, tap on the Clear Data option at the bottom of the panel, just beside the Clear Cache option.
5. Clear Cache & Data for the Gallery App
Just like the camera app, we also need to delete the cache and app data for the Gallery app.
Now, you may ask, why the Gallery app?
All the pictures and videos taken by the camera app are stored in the gallery app. If there’s an issue with the gallery app, then it may also affect the performance of the camera app.
So, follow the steps discussed in the previous solution. Locate the Gallery app, under Apps. Then, navigate to the Gallery app’s Storage Panel to tap on the Clear Data and Clear Cache options.
6. Update Android Firmware
Keeping your Android OS up-to-date is always necessary, otherwise, you will come across different issues, including the “Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped” error.
So, if you haven’t upgraded your smartphone with the latest Android update. This is the time to do so.
- Run the Settings app on your Android mobile.
- Scroll down and tap on the Software Update option.
- On the following page, tap on Download and Install.
There should be a new Android update available if you haven’t updated the OS recently, as Android frequently releases new updates.
The new update should be downloaded automatically and after that tap on the Install button to begin the installation.
7. Enable Android Safe Mode
The use of 3rd party apps is on the rise, especially if you are a photo fanatic who loves to use numerous filter and editing apps on your mobile.
If the problem is persistent, you should look into these apps. These apps may be conflicting with the camera app, rendering it unusable.
Now, to confirm this hypothesis, you need to put your Android device in Safe Mode. In safe mode apps are disabled. So, you will be able to get a clear diagnosis of the issue.
- Tap and hold the Power button located on the side of your Android phone.
- Tap and hold the Power Off option, after the Power Menu appears on the screen.
- The Safe Mode option will appear on the screen, tap on it to enter Android Safe Mode.
Now, launch the camera app in safe mode. If the app is working properly and no error message is appearing on the screen, you can be sure that an app is causing this issue.
So, you need to boot the device to normal mode and remove the most recent 3rd party app you have installed of unknown origin.
8. Factory Reset Android
Lastly, you have no other option but to factory reset your Android device. Factory resetting the device will likely fix the issue as it is one of the most effective troubleshooting methods. Unless you are dealing with a hardware issue.
However, a factory reset will also erase all the data from your Android mobile. So, we recommend you back up your Android phone before initiating the factory reset process.
- Launch the Settings app on your Android mobile and tap on General Management.
- Navigate to Reset and then tap on the Factory Data Reset option.
- Then, scroll down and tap on the Blue Reset button on the next panel.
The reset process will be initiated immediately. You will probably be asked for your smartphone’s unlock pattern/password/fingerprint for the final verification.
Final Thoughts on Unfortunately Camera Has Stopped
We hope one of the above methods has helped you to fix the “Unfortunately camera has stopped” error in your Android phone.
If none of the solutions presented here worked for you, a hardware issue might be the reason for your camera malfunction.
In that case, you’ll need to contact your phone manufacturer for support. If you don’t have insurance, you might be better off buying a new smartphone instead of repairing the old one.
If you know of any other troubleshooting methods for fixing the “Unfortunately Camera has stopped” error on Android, feel free to let us know via the comment section below.
