iPhone camera or flash not working? 8 fixes to try

2 min read · 8 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Remove any case or accessory that covers the camera or puts a magnet near it, then restart the iPhone and install the latest iOS. To test the flash, open Control Centre and tap the Torch button. If the camera screen stays black on both cameras, it needs service.

A black camera screen, a flash that will not fire or a torch button that is greyed out can come from a case in the way, a frozen app, heat, or a hardware fault. Work through these checks first.

Step by step

  1. Remove the case and accessories

    Take off any case, film or add-on lens that might block the camera or flash. Remove magnetic mounts and accessories too, because a magnet near the camera can disturb it.

  2. Clean the lenses

    If photos look blurry, wipe the front and back camera lenses with a clean microfibre cloth.

  3. Test the flash with the torch

    Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Centre and tap the Torch button. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom edge instead. If the torch lights, the LED works.

  4. Check the flash setting in Camera

    If the flash fires only sometimes, open the Camera app, tap the flash button and choose a different setting, such as On instead of Auto.

  5. Switch between front and back cameras

    In the Camera app, tap the rotate button to change camera. If one camera works and the other shows black, the fault is with that one camera.

  6. Restart the iPhone

    Turn the phone off, wait 30 seconds and turn it on again. Then open the Camera app.

  7. Let a hot iPhone cool down

    The iPhone switches the flash off for a while when it gets too hot. Move it out of the sun, wait until it has cooled and try again.

  8. Update iOS

    Open Settings, General, Software Update and install any waiting update.

Good to know

If the camera still shows a black screen or the flash never works after these steps, contact Apple Support about a repair.

If the Camera app is missing altogether, check Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, Allowed Apps & Features and make sure Camera is switched on.

In American English the Torch button is called Flashlight and Control Centre is spelled Control Center.

In short: Remove the case and magnets, clean the lens, test the torch in Control Centre, restart and update.

Sources
  • Apple Support: If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working
  • Apple Support: If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold

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