How to Fix Android Camera App Crashing or Showing Black Screen

When opening the Camera app presents a black screen or immediately closes with “Camera keeps stopping”, camera service locks must be cleared.

Why This Problem Happens

• Another app (flashlight, QR scanner, social media) left the camera sensor in a locked state.
• Corrupted camera lens calibration cache.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Procedure

Step 1: Force Stop and Clear Camera App Cache

Objective: Reset camera state.

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Camera > Storage & cache.
2. Tap “Clear Cache” and “Clear Storage”, then tap “Force Stop”.

Step 2: Revoke Camera Permission from Third-Party Apps

Objective: Release locked hardware handles.

1. Open Settings > Privacy > Permission manager > Camera.
2. Temporarily set social media and shopping apps to “Ask every time” instead of “Allow all the time”.

Step 3: Test Hardware Sensor in Secret Diagnostic Menu

Objective: Verify physical sensor health.

1. On Samsung: Open phone dialer, dial *#0*# and tap “Mega Cam” and “Front Cam”.
2. On Pixel/Others: Download a sensor test app like DevCheck to verify sensor response.

Verified Troubleshooting Tips

• Turn off the flashlight toggle in Quick Settings before launching the camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will clearing camera storage delete my existing photos?

No! Photos are safely stored in your DCIM folder; clearing camera app storage only resets camera settings like grid lines and watermark.