Is Your Xiaomi Phone's Camera Not Working?
For most of us, the smartphone camera is our go-to device for capturing life's important moments. When your Xiaomi camera suddenly stops working—whether you're met with a black screen, an error message, or the app simply crashes—it can be incredibly frustrating. The good news is that this is usually a software problem that you can fix yourself.
This guide will take you through a series of troubleshooting steps, from the most simple to the more advanced, to diagnose and resolve the issues with your Xiaomi camera.
Why Did Your Camera Stop Working?
Understanding the potential causes can help you quickly identify the right solution. The problem rarely stems from a hardware fault.
Common Reasons for Camera Failure:
- App Cache Corruption: The temporary files used by the camera app can become corrupted, leading to instability.
- Software Glitches: A minor, temporary bug within MIUI or the camera app itself can cause it to freeze or crash.
- Permission Issues: The camera app may have had its necessary permissions accidentally revoked.
- Third-Party App Conflicts: Another application that uses the camera (e.g., Instagram, a QR scanner) might be preventing the main camera app from accessing the hardware.
- Insufficient Storage: If your phone's storage is completely full, the camera may not have space to function correctly.
- Overheating: The device may temporarily disable the camera if the phone's temperature is too high.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Your Xiaomi Camera
Work through these solutions in order. There's a high chance your camera will be working again after the first few steps.
1. Restart Your Phone
The classic fix for a reason. A simple reboot can clear temporary software glitches and release any holds on the camera hardware.
- Press and hold the power button, then select Reboot or Restart. Once the phone is back on, try opening the camera app again.
2. Clear the Camera App's Cache and Data
This is the most effective solution for app-specific problems. It will reset the camera app's settings but will not delete any of your photos.
- Go to Settings on your Xiaomi device.
- Tap on Apps, then Manage apps.
- Find and select the Camera app from the list.
- Tap on Storage.
- First, tap Clear cache. Try the camera again.
- If it still doesn't work, return to this screen and tap Clear all data. This will reset all camera settings to their default.
3. Check App Permissions
Ensure the camera app has the permissions it needs to function.
- Go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Permissions.
- Select Camera.
- Make sure the main Camera app is listed under the 'Allowed' section. If not, find it in the 'Denied' section and allow its access.
4. Test for Third-Party App Conflicts
If the camera works intermittently, another app could be the culprit.
- Close Background Apps: Close all other open applications, especially social media and messaging apps, then try the camera.
- Boot into Safe Mode: Safe Mode temporarily disables all third-party apps. To enter Safe Mode, turn your phone off, then turn it on and press and hold the volume down button during the boot animation. If the camera works in Safe Mode, a recently installed app is causing the problem. Uninstall recent apps one by one to find the offender.
5. Run a Hardware Test
MIUI has a hidden diagnostic menu to check if the camera hardware is functional.
- Open the Phone dialler app.
- Dial
*#*#64663#*#*. This will open the hardware test menu. - Find the camera tests (e.g., 'Main camera', 'Front camera').
- Run the tests. If you can see an image, your hardware is likely fine, and the problem is with the software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why has my Xiaomi camera stopped working? A: This can be caused by a software glitch, a problem with the app's cache, incorrect permissions, a conflict with another app, or, in rare cases, a hardware failure.
Q: How do I clear the camera app's cache? A: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps, find the Camera app, and tap 'Clear data', then 'Clear cache'. This action is safe and will not delete your photos.
Q: Can other apps cause the camera to fail? A: Yes, another app that uses the camera (like a QR code scanner or social media app) might not be releasing its hold on the camera hardware, causing a conflict.
Q: What should I do if clearing the cache doesn't work? A: First, try a simple restart. If that fails, booting into Safe Mode can help determine if a third-party app is the cause. A factory reset is a final software troubleshooting step.