What to do if your tablet camera is not working

Is your tablet camera not working? Not being able to take videos and photos on your device is a pain, but it doesn't necessarily mean the end of your tablet. You just need to know how to troubleshoot the issue.

Here at Asurion, we find and fix tech issues—fast. Whether it's helping you back up data on your tablet or showing you how to speed up your smartphone, our experts can help.

In this article, we'll walk you through the troubleshooting steps for the camera on your Amazon Fire® and Samsung® tablets. If you're looking for a solution for your iPad, check out our guide to fixing your iPad Pro® camera.

Inspect the camera hardware for damage

If the camera is not working on your Amazon Fire or Samsung tablet, check the lens for damage. Is there a crack? Or did you drop your device in a way that could have affected the camera? If so, bring your tablet to a local tablet repair expert.

Restart your tablet

If your camera looks OK, try restarting your tablet. This step often fixes glitches, including a camera that's not working properly.

Samsung

Press and hold the Power button and Volume down button until the screen goes black. Then turn on your tablet again. If this doesn't work, press and hold the Power button for 1–2 minutes until the screen goes dark and then turn your tablet back on.

Amazon Fire

Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds or until you see a shutdown request message. Choose OK. Once your device turns off, press the Power button for 2–3 seconds to turn it on again.

Keep your tablet working the way it should

Our experts can help. Schedule a repair or visit your nearest store today.

Schedule a repair

Force quit the camera app

If restarting your tablet doesn't work, try force quitting the camera app.

Samsung

1. Tap and hold the Camera icon on your home screen or app menu
2. Tap the "i" icon at the top right of the box that pops up.
3. Tap Force Stop.
4. Tap OK.

Amazon Fire

1. Go to the Settings menu, and choose Apps & Games or Apps & Notifications.
2. Select Manage All Applications (if shown), then select the Camera app.
3. Select Force Stop.

Clear camera app cache and data

Clearing the camera app cache and data resets the camera app system and can resolve bugs.

Samsung

1. Press and hold the Camera app.
2. Tap the "i" icon in the top-right in the window that pops up.
3. Tap Storage.
4. Tap Clear data and/or Clear cache.

Additionally, you could also try resetting the camera application back to default settings. From the camera, select Settings, swipe to and tap Reset settings, then tap Reset.

Amazon Fire, 8th generation and newer

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. Select Apps & Notifications.
3. Select Manage All Applications or See all... apps, and choose the Camera app.
4. Select Storage.
5. Tap to Clear Data or Clear Storage, then tap Clear Cache.

Amazon Fire, 4th–7th generation

1. Open the Settings menu.
2. Select Apps & Games.
3. Select Manage All Applications, and open the Camera app.
4. Then select Clear Cache and Clear Data.

Update your camera app and operating system

Updating your tablet's software and apps can help make sure your device is working properly. Follow these steps.

Samsung

1. Go to Settings > Software update.
2. Tap Download and install or Check for software updates, then follow the on-screen instructions. If an update is available, it will start downloading, though depending on your device, you may have to tap Download now.

Amazon Fire

Your tablet takes care of this for you, as long as you’re connected to the internet—software updates will automatically download onto your Fire tablet.

Factory reset your tablet

If your tablet camera still isn't working, your last troubleshooting step is a factory reset. Before doing anything, make sure to back up your tablet, because a factory reset will remove all data, including:

• Contacts.
• Email accounts.
• System and app data.
• Downloaded apps and their settings.
• Music, photos, and videos.

For step-by-step instructions, here's our guide to backing up and completing a factory reset on your Galaxy tablet and your Amazon Fire tablet.