Many users face the issue where they are unable to use the camera within their messaging application. Apart from occurring on mobile phones, this is a common issue on computers as well. You can trace back the cause of this error to permission problems or some software glitches. When these problems occur, they prevent the apps from accessing the camera to capture any type of media.
Therefore, this article will explain the key reasons behind the WhatsApp camera not working problem. Additionally, we will provide extensive solutions to resolve this error on your phones and desktops. Other than simple solutions, you will learn about an advanced tool that supports the backup of your conversations locally.
Part 1. Why is My WhatsApp Camera Not Working on iPhone/Android?
As said above, many reasons can prevent your camera from opening in the messaging app. To discuss it in detail, here are the top causes behind the WhatsApp front camera not working problem:
- App Permissions: The application needs access to the camera to capture pictures or videos. When this permission is not granted by the device, WhatsApp will not be able to use it.
- Outdated Version: Older variants of apps may contain bugs or simply aren’t compatible with the new camera settings. That’s why developers release updates to fix these bugs and improve performance.
- Software Glitches: Many times, when users don’t restart their apps or the device, glitches start to appear. It happens because the new data starts to conflict with the existing cached files in the app.
- Camera Conflicts: Other applications, like Zoom or Skype, can use using camera in the background. As a result, they prevent this app from accessing the functionality of the camera.
- Hardware Issues: A damaged camera sensor can also prevent WhatsApp from detecting it. It usually happens when dust accumulates in the sensor or the internal hardware fails due to various reasons.
Part 2. How to Fix WhatsApp Camera Not Working on Your Phone
Although the problem is common on both mobile phones and desktops, its solutions are almost the same. However, due to OS differences, we will provide separate solutions to solve the WhatsApp camera failed issue in the following sections:
Fix 1. Check App Permissions
For Android
Step 1 Press the “WhatsApp” icon for a few seconds and tap the “Info” button from the pop-up menu. Afterward, use the “Permissions” option to manage the app’s access to various features.
Step 2 Going on, select the “Camera” permission from the list and choose the “Allow Only While Using the App” option.
For iPhone
Instructions: Access the “Privacy and Security” section from your Settings and select the “Camera” option. In the end, toggle on the button beside “WhatsApp” to allow the app access to the camera.
Fix 2. Check for WhatsApp Updates
For Android
Instructions: Go to “Play Store” and tap the “Profile” icon at the top of the screen. Afterward, press the “Manage Apps and Devices” option to find updates for the applications on your phone. In the end, navigate to the messaging app and press the “Update” button to resolve the WhatsApp camera not working problem.
For iPhone
Instructions: Begin by opening the “App Store” and navigating to the “Search” tab. Next, look for “WhatsApp” and select it from the search results. Finally, tap the “Update” button to initiate the installation process.
Fix 3. Test Camera in Other Apps
When updating the app doesn’t resolve the WhatsApp front camera not working problem, you should try to see if it works in other applications. In this way, you can ensure the problem is with the messaging app rather than the camera itself. The option, in this case, is to launch the default camera app and click a few pictures with it.
You will know the problem is with the messaging app if the other apps can take photos smoothly. When even the other applications fail, you might need to retry after restarting the phone. If the issue remains the same, go to the repair service center and get your camera lens checked for any physical damage.
Fix 4. Force Stop WhatsApp
For Android
Instructions: Start by holding on to the messaging app for a few seconds and tapping the “Info” button. Then, press “Force Stop” and follow up by tapping the “Ok” button to complete the process.
For iPhone
Instructions: Upon launching the messaging app, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and get all the apps running in the background to remove “WhatsApp.”
Fix 5. Check for System Updates
For Android
Instructions: In your phone’s settings, head to the “Software Update” section and press the “Download and Install” option. If there is a newer version available, tap the “Download” button, and the installation will begin after the necessary analysis.
For iPhone
Instructions: Upon accessing the “General” section in your phone’s settings, tap the “Software Update” option. Afterward, press the “Update Now” button once the system detects an upgrade to start installing it.
Part 3. How to Fix WhatsApp Camera Not Working on PC
Now that you have resolved the camera issue within the messaging app on your mobile, it’s time to do the same on your PC. So, find the top solutions to resolve the WhatsApp camera not working on PC problem through the following solutions:
Fix 1. Restart WhatsApp Desktop App
A simple restart can often resolve the camera isn’t working issue on the desktop version of the messaging app. This is because closing the app ensures that any glitches or background conflicts are cleared. Once reopened, the messaging app establishes its connection with the system, which may help the camera function again.
Additionally, this way, your app can reload necessary components that may not have initialized correctly when it was first launched. By doing so, you can refresh permissions and settings that might have been disrupted because of recent updates.
Fix 2. Check Camera Permissions on PC
Step 1 You can change these permissions by accessing the “Privacy and Security” tab in your system’s settings. Once there, scroll down and press the “Camera” option under the “App Permissions” section.
Step 2 In this final step, ensure the button beside the “WhatsApp” app is toggled on. Afterward, restart the app and see if you can access the camera this time.
Fix 3. Reinstall WhatsApp Desktop
Step 1 Before going to the reinstallation process, you need to delete the app from your device. For that, access the “Apps” tab in the PC’s settings and from there, go to the “Installed Apps” section. Afterward, press the “Three Dots” beside “WhatsApp” and click the “Uninstall” button.
Step 2 Upon uninstalling the application, go to the official site of WhatsApp and press the “Download” button to install its setup. Alternatively, you can open the “Microsoft Store” app to get it from there.
Fix 4. Disable Other Camera-Using Apps
Instructions: Inaugurate by pressing the “CTRL+SHIFT+ESC” keys simultaneously to access the “Task Manager.” Afterward, right-click on any program that is using the camera and press “End Task” to complete the process.
Pro Tip. Get into the Habit of Backing Up WhatsApp for Better Data Protection
While following the above methods to solve the camera not working in WhatsApp problem, there are chances of losing your conversations and media files. That’s why it is important to back up your data using a reliable source to ensure it remains safe from any kind of harm. For this purpose, iToolab WatsGo is a recommended tool as it allows quick backup of your data locally.
Utilizing advanced features, it works without requiring an internet connection. In addition to backups, the tool allows users to transfer all their conversations and media files from one phone to another. It does so by using a wired connection to ensure the whole process’ security and safety of the data. Since it uses USB cables for connection, you get significantly higher transfer speeds than any cloud method.
Moves WhatsApp data from one operating system to another without restrictions.
- Let users restore their backups from Google Drive to their iPhones directly.
- Transfers GBWhatsApp to the regular version while ensuring no data is lost.
- Moves over 40,000 messages, including stickers, between different phones.
Extensive Guide to Backup WhatsApp to Protect Your Data
From these features, you can see how WatsGo can help preserve your data while solving the WhatsApp video call camera not working problem. Thus, follow the given steps to use them to back up your conversations quickly.
Step 1 Utilize the Backup Feature in WatsGo
Upon installing the software, launch it and access the “WhatsApp Backup” feature. Afterward, connect your phone to the PC using a quality USB cable.
Step 2 Choose Your Phone to Backup
When you see your device’s name on the following screen, click the “Backup” button to initiate the process. Your backup will be automatically completed if you are an iPhone user.
Step 3 Encrypt Your Backup on Android
As an Android user, you will have to follow an additional step to secure your backup files. To do so, follow the on-screen instructions and access the encryption key after securing the backup. Make sure to save that security key to verify the backup in the later phases.
Conclusion
To conclude, facing issues with the camera in the messaging app can be challenging, but it is usually fixable with simple steps. Whether it’s a matter of adjusting app permissions or updating software, most users can resolve the problem without much hassle. For those facing the WhatsApp camera not working issue on a computer, ensuring proper permissions and reinstalling the app are effective solutions.
Moreover, it’s always wise to back up chats and media files before making significant changes to the app or device settings. To cater to these needs, iToolab WatsGo ensures that valuable data remains secure. Therefore, you should download and try iToolab WatsGo today to secure your precious chats and other data before trying any fixes.
iToolab WatsGo – Safely back up your WhatsApp data
389,390,209 people have downloaded it
