Iphone 4, camera is staying black or shutter won't open

My camera started not working today. First, the shutter just wouldn't open. Now, sometimes I can get the shutter to open, but the screen stays black/ blank. I've tried-
1) closing the app completely by double-clicking the home button and turning it off, and then reopening it
2) turning phone on and off
3) hard turn off on phone, by pressing and holding the home and power buttons until the Apple symbol appears
4) resetting all settings
5) resetting entire phone while updating to newest firmware, and setting it up as "new phone"
My phone was jailbroken, and I thought that might have somehow caused the issue. However, even after nuking it from orbit the camera phone doesn't work. I'm pretty much at a loss. I would say, as an additional note-- I feel like the phone has been running hotter than normal the last day or two. It's always hotter when I've just finished charging it, etc., but now it's often feeling like that even in normal use. I can't tell if I'm being paranoid, or if it's true.
What are my options from here? Is there anything else I can try? Is there any value in even going to the Genuis Bar?
The phone is long out of warranty and is out of contract as well. Does this seem like a hardware issue? At first, since the shutter wouldn't open on the app, I figured it was some sort of software issue. Now that I've done all the things I've listed above, and considering that the shutter now (sometimes) opens, and the screen is still black, I thought it might be a hardware issue/loose wire? The phone is 2.5 years old.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! It's been quite a bummer.

I'm sure if you brought it in & explained your situation they'd replace it or try to fix it. You could also call Apple Care & perhaps they would mail you replacement. I personally would call Apple Care & most likely they will suggest you update to latest update but ask first whether that would jeopardize returning it....I don't think it should but I'm a cautious person

Similar Messages

IPhone 3GS iOS 6.1.3 - camera doesn't work. Shutter won't open & camera button becomes disabled. Pls advise what to do? I have already tried resetting the phone several times.

iPhone 3GS iOS 6.1.3 - camera doesn't work. Shutter won't open & camera button becomes disabled. Pls advise what to do? I have already tried resetting the phone several times.

Hello Kunmon,
The following article provides some useful troubleshooting that can help get your iPhone's camera working correctly.
Camera isn't functioning or has undesired image quality
If the screen shows a closed lens or black image, force quit the Camera app.
If you do not see the Camera app on the Home screen, try searching for it in Spotlight. If the camera does not show up in the search, check to make sure that Restrictions are not turned on by tappingSettings > General > Restrictions.
Ensure the camera lens is clean and free from any obstructions. Use a microfiber polishing cloth to clean the lens.
Cases can interfere with the camera and the flash. Try gently cleaning the lens with a clean dry cloth or removing the case if you see image or color-quality issues with photos.
Try turning iPhone off and then back on.
Tap to focus the camera on the subject. The image may pulse or briefly go in and out of focus as it adjusts.
Try to remain steady while focusing:
Still images: Remain steady while taking the picture. If you move too far in any direction, the camera automatically refocuses to the center.
Note: If you take a picture with iPhone turned sideways, it is automatically saved in landscape orientation.
Video: Adjust focus before you begin recording. You can also tap to readjust focus while recording. Exiting the Camera application while recording will stop recording and will save the video to the Camera Roll.
Note: Video-recording features are not available on original iPhone or iPhone 3G.
If your iPhone has a front and rear camera, try switching between them to verify if the issue persists on both.
My issue is still not resolved. What do I do next?
Contact Apple Support.
iPhone: Hardware troubleshooting
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2802
Cheers,
Allen

My iPhone 4 camera doesn't work the shutter is not opening. How to fix it?

My iPhone 4 camera doesn't work the shutter is not opening. How to fix it?

iPhone User Guide
The Basic Troubleshooting Steps are:
Restart... Reset... Restore from Backup... Restore as New...
Restart / Reset
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430
Backing up, Updating and Restoring
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
If you try all these Steps and you still have issues... Then a Visit to an Apple Store or AASP (Authorized Apple Service Provider) is the Next Step...
Be sure to make an appointment first...

After the 6.1 update on iphone 5 the camera virtual shutter won't open

After the 6.1 update on iphone 5 the camera virtual shutter won't open so I cannot use the camera at all.
I have tried most things suggested in the web like hard/soft shut down, reopen app, restore from backup. Any other suggestions? It should be a software problem right?

The problem is more than likely being cause by corruption that occured during the iOS install or in the backup that was used to restore the phone after the update.
Standard troubleshooting is:
Re-boot the phone
Restore the phone from your backup
Restore the phone as a new device.
One of the 3 should fix the problem.

My iphone 4 camera shutter won't open. I have already done a restore and I am using the latest iOS. The front facing camera works during FaceTime but crashes when I switch to rear camera. in Camera mode I can't switch to front camera.

My iphone 4 camera shutter won't open. I have already done a restore and I am using the latest iOS. The front facing camera works during FaceTime but crashes when I switch to rear camera. in Camera mode I can't switch to front camera. I plan on replacing this phone with an iphone 5s when it comes out but I need this phone to work until then.

When you did the restore, did you restore from a backup or restore as new? The final step of user troubleshooting is to restore as a new device, not from a backup. If you restore as a new device and the camera still does not function, it is probably a hardware issue. Make an appointment at the Apple Store Genius Bar and have the device checked by a Genius.

IPhone 4 camera shutter won't open when on WIFI

SInce upgrading to iOS 5.0.1 on my iPhone 4 the camera app's shutter won't open when on wifi. Works fine when on 3g.
I reset the phone, restored the os, turned on an off location services, etc etc and nothing works.
Anyone else have this issue or have a solution for this?
Steve

Camera shutter PROBLEM SOLVED on my iPhone 4. It looks the shutter locking is due to moisture. I dried the phone using the cold very dry air from an air conditioner outlet for one hour. The shutter began opening lickety split, better than ever before.(refrigerator or freezer wll not work!!!! - will not dry the phone internals) .
A guy on Youtube suggested drying out an iPhone 3 in the sun to solve Wifi operation problem and I decided to try on my iPhone 4. The trick worked, camera shutter opens in about 1/2 second rather than 4 or 5 seconds or never. To remove moisture from the phone, I suggest the A/C trick as more effective and safer than sun or hair drier. Other possibility could be the 2 day jar of rice treatment. RS in Kuala Lumpur

HT1766 back up my iphone when my screen stays black

how do I back up my iphone when my screen stays black and the home key and shut off switch are not functioning , meanwhile my itunes says it cant back up the phone becuase i have a pass code on my phone that needs to be entered before I can back it up....

It's too late. Backups are something you do to prevent a bad loss. Next time you will know.
Your question is like saying "I just had a disaster strike. Can I buy some insurance now?" No, it's too late.

IPhone 4S camera all of a sudden the shutter won't open, camera freezes.

My camera shutter won't open, won't take pictures, then freezes when I hit any other camera buttons.
This started happening a few days ago, before I updated my phone to 6. But it's still not working.
Tried hard reset shut off. Didn't work.

Well, there are other troubleshooting steps to take that are outlined in the User Guide.

IPad 2 camera shutter won't open! PLEASE HELP!

The iPad 2 camera shutter won't open! I restored the iPad 2 and it still won't open. Any ideas?

I'm having the same problem as well with my U.S. bought iPad 2.
My problem occures when I try to switch from the back camera to the front camera, then the shutter will not open. I've tried everything: turning off, hard reboot, reset to factory, and re-applying firmware... still nothing.
I have not tried charging it overnight, will do and post results.
bummer!

The shutter won't open on iPod touch camera. I have latest version and tried turning on off and force shuting camera. Any other ideas?

Shutter won't open on my iPod touch

Try This...
Close All Open Apps... Perform a Reset... Try again...
Reset ( No Data will be Lost )
Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Release the Buttons.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1430
If no joy...
Connect to iTunes on the computer you usually Sync with and “ Restore “...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414

IPad 4 shutter won't open

I have iPad 4, camera shutter won't open. I have closed out program, restarted the program and reset the iPad and nothing has worked. Is there a fix?

Try closing the Camera app:
1. Double-click the Home button to reveal the Task Bar
2. Hold down the Camera app for a second or two until you see the minus sign
3. Tap the minus sign to close app
4. Tap area above Task Bar to return to Home screen
If the above doesn't solve the problem, do a reset:
Hold the Sleep and Home button down for about 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the red slider

While taking photos my iphone's battery died, now my photos app won't open and I can't save any pictures taken or downloaded. Please help.

While taking photos my iphone's battery died, now my photos app won't open and I can't save any pictures taken or downloaded. Please help.
Also, I can't import my photos to my Windows 7 PC.

Try rebooting your iPhone (holding the home button and sleep/wake button together until the apple logo appear)

New Camera RAW in Photoshop CC 2014 won't open multiple Panasonic RAW (.rw2) at the same time from Windows Explorer.

New Camera RAW in Photoshop CC 2014 won't open multiple Panasonic RAW (.rw2) at the same time from Windows Explorer. If I select 2 raw files and click "Open" Camera RAW will only open 1 raw, then when I click "Done" it will close and open the second, sequentially. Previous Photoshop CC and RAW worked fine, it would open mulitple RAW at the same time. How do I fix this?

If it worked for you that way previously there isn't much to comment about. I just tried opening multiple images from Windows Explorer with Photoshop CS6 and Camera Raw 8.6, and the first image would open and when I clicked cancel then the second image would open. But if I wanted multiple images opened in Camera Raw to work on them simultaneously it was necessary for me to open them from Bridge. I just did it as an experiment because I normally use Lightroom. Anyway, IF it was a feature at one time to work as you described, it doesn't seem to be that way now.

After upgrading my iphone 5 to IOS 7, the iTunes Store won't open. Is there a fix for this?

After upgrading my iphone 5 to IOS 7, the iTunes Store won't open. Is there a fix for this?

I had the same thing yesterday. After google gave me nothing and after I was sure my phone had enough charge to restart, I did a reset on my phone...
Holding down the Power button, volume button and selector button on the front - for about 30 secs (or untill I knew the beeping had stopped).
I cant remember if I then restarted it or it it restarted itself, but now its back to normal! No memory loss from the phone either.
Freeked me out as its a new iphone 4s but glad to have it back! Without having to take it to get fixed by a pro.
Hope that helps

How do i open my idvd project after I have saved it, when I look at the list of projects they are listed but they will not open the letters are like grey not black and it won't open please help thanks

I cannot open my saved idvd files the letters are grey not black and they won't open can anyone help?

Do the files you're trying to open have this extension: .dvdproj ? How are you attempting to open them?
OT

Iphone 4, camera is staying black or shutter won't open

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for