Have you also encountered the “can’t connect to the camera error” on your Android/tablet? Well, you are not the only one going through this issue. There are several users out there who are facing the same error on their smartphones and tablets.
In this scenario, you wouldn’t be able to take shots using the Android device camera. All you can see is the black screen with this error message:
Can’t connect to the camera.
It is such a frustrating issue. Isn’t it?
And, this error message can be found on any Android device. So, it doesn’t matter which Android phone or tablet you are using, you may face this issue with the camera.
Talking about the causes, this error mostly occurs due to the hardware and software issue. However, there could be other reasons behind getting this issue.
Now you must be wondering about how to fix this camera error on Android. So, this article is completely dedicated to resolving this issue. Here, we are going to cover all the possible reasons responsible for this error and the solutions to fix it.
Why You Get Can’t Connect to Camera Error on Android?
There is no particular reason for getting the can’t connect to the camera error on the Android device. So, here are the possible reasons responsible for this camera error:
1: Hardware Issue: If your Android phone or tablet is damaged/broken or any other internal hardware is broken-down, then the camera might stop working and result in this error.
2: Software Issue: This error may also get triggered due to the corrupt files present on your Android phone/tablet or because of any other software issue.
3: Low RAM: If your Android device doesn’t have enough RAM, then it may cause this camera error on your phone.
4: Third-Party Apps Permission: Sometimes, we give permissions to unauthorized apps without any concern. But permitting such apps creates software issues, and this may lead to the “can’t connect to the camera” error on Android phone/tablet.
5: Low Storage Space: If your Android device is running into the low storage space, then you are likely to receive this error.
6: Updates Issue: Sometimes, outdated Android devices generate such issues. So, it’s advisable to keep your devices updated to avoid these kinds of problems.
7: Camera Compatibility: If you are using a third-party application to capture images and is not compatible with your device, then also you will get this error message on your Android device.
8: Virus Infected Files: Device containing virus-infected files may throw this can’t connect to the camera error.
How to Fix Can’t Connect to Camera Issue on Your Android Device?
Solution 1: Restart Your Device
Solution 2: Restart Your Device in the Safe Mode
Solution 3: Use a Third-Party Camera App
Solution 4: Wipe Out Cache & Data of Camera App
Solution 5: Stop the Camera App Forcefully
Solution 6: Clear the Cache Partition
Solution 7: Reset the App Preferences
Solution 8: Remove and Reinstall the Updates of Camera
Regardless of which Android phone/tablet you are using, if you are facing the can’t connect to the camera issue, then you probably seeking for solutions to fix this issue. So here is a list of solutions you should try out to fix this error on your smartphone.
Solution 1: Restart Your Device
The very first and most common solution that users have tried to fix the can’t connect to camera error on Android is to restart the device. As per the reported users, they were able to fix this issue by restarting their Android devices.
So, before moving towards any technical method, try this quick fix. First, turn off your phone and restart it after a few minutes. Do it 3-4 times and then check if your camera is working or not.
If your camera is still not working and throwing the same error, then move ahead to the next solution.
Solution 2: Restart Your Device in the Safe Mode
The Android device comes with a very useful option, “Safe Mode”. This feature allows restarting the phone only with the required apps and features. It is the best feature if you want to troubleshoot your smartphone/tablet.
The safe mode will help you to determine which app is causing the can’t connect to the camera error on the Android device. If you don’t know how to start your smartphone in the safe mode, then follow these steps:
- Hold the power button of your phone until it shows the shutdown option.
- Tap and hold down the Power-off option for a couple of seconds.
- Now, a message box will pop-up to confirm the reboot in the safe mode. Here, tap on the OK.
- After starting the device in the safe mode, try to access your camera app.
Now, take some pictures from the camera if you can and close the app. Do the same to check if your camera allows you to take shots.
If you are able to take pictures without any error, then it means the third-party app on your phone is causing this issue. Find the app and uninstall it to fix the error.
Solution 3: Use a Third-Party Camera App
If your smartphone’s default camera app is not working properly or not responding, then you should try a third-party camera app instead. For this, go to the play store and search for the camera apps.
You will find loads of apps there. Pick any one of the apps and install it on your phone. Now, try to take pictures using the third-party camera app.
If you are still getting the can’t connect to camera error, then the problem lies in your device’s camera app itself. To fix this issue, try the next solution.
Solution 4: Wipe Out Cache & Data of Camera App
You can delete the cache and data of your camera app to fix the can’t connect to camera error on Android. It will wipe out the saved information of the camera app and may help you to fix your camera error. To do so, follow these steps:
- Go to your phone Settings.
- Tap on the Apps & notifications.
- Search for your camera app and then open it.
- Next, tap on the Storage option.
- Click on the Clear Cache and Clear Storage.
After clearing the cache and data, try to access the camera and check whether the “can’t connect to the camera” error on the Android device is fixed or not.
Solution 5: Stop the Camera App Forcefully
According to some affected users, force stopping the camera app fixes the can’t connect to camera error on their Android device. So, you can try this trick as well. Here are the steps you need to follow to do the same on your Android phone:
- Go to the phone’s Settings > Apps and notifications > Camera.
- Under the Camera section, tap on the Force Stop button.
- Now, minimized the app and try to open your camera.
You should be able now to click the pictures. But if still getting the error, then apply the next given solution.
Solution 6: Clear the Cache Partition
Clearing the cache partition will clear the temporary data of the device that might be cluttering the things up. Doing this will remove the leftover files after the system upgrades. In simple words, it removes the update of your phone.
And, if you are getting this error after updating your smartphone, then this solution would help you to fix the can’t connect to the camera error on Android phone/tablet. To do this, you need to do the following:
- Power off your phone.
- Hold the Power button and Volume Up button and choose the Recovery Mode option from the menu.
- On some devices, you will get the Boot Mode so select this option and then select the Recovery Mode.
- Now, the Recovery Mode will display the menu or Android logo on the screen.
- Here, select the Wipe cache partition button and wait for some time.
- Next, you will get the Cache wipe complete message.
After performing the steps successfully, restart your phone and access your camera to check if the error is removed or not.
Solution 7: Reset the App Preferences
You can also reset the app’s preferences to fix the camera error on the Android phone. Follow the below-given steps to reset the app preferences:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Open the Apps or App Manager.
- Search for All Apps.
- Tap on the menu icon given at the top-right corner of the screen.
- Next, tap on the Reset App Preferences.
Now, restart your phone and check if this solution worked.
Solution 8: Remove and Reinstall the Updates of Camera
In some cases, removing and reinstallation of the camera’s updates helped users to fix this error on their Android devices. So, if your camera app has the option to uninstall the updates, then do it.
Then, go to the Play Store and reinstall the updates on your camera app. Once the update is completed, check whether your camera has started functioning normally or not.
Solution 9: Clear Google Services Framework Cache
Google Services Framework syncs all data and stores your device data. It helps all the apps on your device to functioning properly.
So, being a smartphone user, if you are using the Google camera, then clearing the Google Services Framework cache would be a great move towards fixing the camera connection error on Android.
To apply this solution, you need to do the following:
- Go to the Settings of your device.
- Next, tap on the Application Manager.
- Select All > tap on the Google Services Framework.
- Click on the Force Stop and then on the Clear Cache button.
- Now, reboot your phone.
Solution 10: Factory Reset
If the camera is still working and displaying the same error message, then the last option to fix this error is the factory reset. Factory reset will wipe out all data of your device and will make your device like a new one. So, take a backup of all the data before resetting the phone.
There are two methods to perform a factory reset on your smartphone.
1st Method: Using Recovery Menu
- First, power-off your phone.
- Press and hold down the Power and Volume Up button for a while.
- From the menu, select the Recovery Mode option.
- Select the Wipe data/ factory reset option (use the volume button to navigate through options and press the power button to select option) from the Recovery Mode menu list.
- Next, select Yes — delete all user data under the Wipe data/factory reset section.
- Wait for some time. Now, turn off and turn on your phone.
2nd Method: From System Settings
- Go to the device’s Settings.
- Click on the Backup & Reset.
- Select the Factory data reset option.
- Click on the Reset Phone button.
- Wait till the phone reset completely.
Alternative Solution to Fix “Can’t Connect to the Camera” Error on Android
Apart from the above given manual methods, there is an alternative way to fix the issue is by using Android Repair. This is a recommended professional tool that will help you to fix any kind of error on Android phones.
It can fix the can’t connect to camera error on Android phones without wasting time and the need to follow the manual methods.
This is a reliable tool that is able to fix several Android issues like Android setting has stopped, app crashing issue, apps are unresponsive, Android BSOD error, and many more. So with its one-click, you can effectively fix several Android issues.
Note: It is recommended to download and use the software on your PC or laptop only.
Conclusion
So, these are the fixes that will help you to get rid of the can’t connect to the camera error on Android. Apart from the manual fixes, I have also mentioned the tool that will make your work even easier to fix this error.
I hope, you have applied these fixes and now your able to take pictures through your Android phone’s camera. If you have any other Android device-related issue, then you can ask us on Facebook or Twitter. Our technical team will help you in all possible ways to fix your issues.
Henry Morgan is a professional blogger who loves to write blogs about Android & iOS related topics. He lives in Northern California and has almost 15 years of experience in the field of technology, tackling all kind of issues, errors or other problems. Currently he is a great contributor on Android Data Recovery Blogs and his blogs are loved by people where he guides to solve several Android related issues or any other problems. During his busy schedule, Henri finds some moments to spend time with his family and loves to play cricket.