Database Users

Camera not working

I have done many searches on this topic all over the Blackstone forum and have not found any solution to my problem. I have found a few people that have an error about the camera not initializing or something but that is not my problem.
Soon after I upgraded to WM 6.5 I noticed that my camera would sometimes quit and I would have to soft reset the device to get it working again. This happened more and more often. It got to the point where the camera would not even try to start.
I have tried several different roms and nothing is helping. Since updating to different roms the camera button in the camera tab in TF3D doesn't even show up. All I get is the album. It acts like the camera isn't even there. It does show up in the program menu. If I activate the camera under the programs menu I get nothing or just get taken back to the home page and nothing happens. Depends on the rom.
I found a few threads where people seem to have the same problem I do but usually after three or four posts and no results they just seem to end.
I have also tried installing some of the other camera cab programs. Topaz, Rhodium, Blackstone etc...
Any help would be appreciated.
One last thing. I also switched back to WM 6.1 and still nothing. The only thing I have yet to try is either redo the HSPL or go back to the original stock SPL
---Update---
After three rom updates and many, many, many searches, I found the solution. Using the advanced config tool cab and changing one of the camera settings Encode photos in portrait mode to no the camera has come back to life. I did the soft reset and hit the camera button and nothing happened but a little screen flash and the window's working icon in the middle started then stopped. That has not happened in a while. I hit the button again and it delayed and started and then quit. I tried it one more time and it came on and was able to take a picture. Reminds me of trying to start a cold engine. Prime it then try to turn it over, prime it a little more then maybe some coughing and finally on the third prime. Presto it starts. Very happy again.

i am having the same problem
can you help me plz
what is advanced config tool cab you used
pardon me my english not that good but what are the steps you did in simple language plz
my phone has WM6.1 and standard rom 1.14.415.2 build 32434 wwe
thanks in advanced

x5-rwk said:
I have done many searches on this topic all over the Blackstone forum and have not found any solution to my problem. I have found a few people that have an error about the camera not initializing or something but that is not my problem.
....
---Update---
After three rom updates and many, many, many searches, I found the solution. Using the advanced config tool cab and changing one of the camera settings Encode photos in portrait mode to no the camera has come back to life. I did the soft reset and hit the camera button and nothing happened but a little screen flash and the window's working icon in the middle started then stopped. That has not happened in a while. I hit the button again and it delayed and started and then quit. I tried it one more time and it came on and was able to take a picture. Reminds me of trying to start a cold engine. Prime it then try to turn it over, prime it a little more then maybe some coughing and finally on the third prime. Presto it starts. Very happy again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the not save in portrait mode thing and it worked for me. Thanks. I've spent many hours on this. Great!

It didnt work!
I tried just as you said with the "advance config tool" abd the problem persist.
Any idea?

I think it is hardware probelm. Initially it works with some software tinkering (actual steps vary with different devices, infact may be be coincidental / immaterial in help) and becomes harder and harder as time passes and ulimately fails even on stock ROM/SPL.

Hi all. I've got the same problem. Nothing helps. Maybe i need just to overwrite drivers, instead of installing camera soft?? May anyone send me camera dll files?

Camera Issues On HD2

Hello Everyone,
I made a search, but I could find only one reference to something similar to me...
I keep having the message "Camera Initialisation Error..." (in french, that is), whenever I try to use the camera after a long time...
To correct this, one thing that work but that is hassle is to power on the phone, take out the SD card, that turn on again, and there it works... miracle. Then I can put back the SD card, and it keeps working... till soemthing happen (I don't know what, and why) and it all starts again "Camera Initialisation Error...".
Has any of you got this?
It does not matter where I tell the camera to save the picture.
I did the camera and SD card hotfixes.
It does not look like hardware
So, any clue?
Thanks in advance...

I have the exact same problem. My camera works again with power on and off. annoying!

Leephi said:
I have the exact same problem. My camera works again with power on and off. annoying!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here. nobody knows why it can be?

vdelab said:
Hello Everyone,
I made a search, but I could find only one reference to something similar to me...
I keep having the message "Camera Initialisation Error..." (in french, that is), whenever I try to use the camera after a long time...
To correct this, one thing that work but that is hassle is to power on the phone, take out the SD card, that turn on again, and there it works... miracle. Then I can put back the SD card, and it keeps working... till soemthing happen (I don't know what, and why) and it all starts again "Camera Initialisation Error...".
Has any of you got this?
It does not matter where I tell the camera to save the picture.
I did the camera and SD card hotfixes.
It does not look like hardware
So, any clue?
Thanks in advance...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I may have been the person who posted the original post that you saw, and to be honest you should have just added to that instead of opening a new thread.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=609366
Anyway, no one seems to know what the problem is, but yes doing a simple restart addresses it. Could be a bit embarrassing though LOL...hold on a minute...its reloading...on the Windows splash screen...wont be long...keep smiling...!
Have any of you applied any registry tweaks either manually or via BSB Tweaks? I noticed the issue happening after applying the tweaks, but when reverting the settings back the issue still cropped up anyway.
A mystery me thinks.

Well, im in here too, i had this issue with thee official german ROM 1.48 too, but not with the 1.43 T-Mobile ROM i had before 1.48. Now im on 1.61, but the error was still there after setting up and tweaking my device.
After a hard reset the camera worked, every single time, so it must have something to do with the things i changed on my device. So i made my way through everything i installed/tweaked and reversed it.
To get to my point: The error disappeared after my last action: Uninstalling Skype Mobile and changing the picture saving location in the camera options from SD card to main memory. 2 days later...no error. I have set it back to SD card meanwhile and another day without the message passed. So i think its gone, but im not completely sure why. Maybe thats helpful for you, good luck!

Hello,
sorry about doubling the thread....
If some moderator pass by, please, you can append this thread to the one quoted by Morpheus.
Anayway, I did the check in the registry, so let's see what it give.
Notice that in my case, a soft reset wasn't enough. I really had to do the sd card removal thing...
Also, I did use swype before (but I uninstalled it a whuile ago due to other freeze issues and to the landscape bug as well). Actually, I miss it as I think it was a great SIP. Now I use shapewriter, to try... I don't know if it could lead to the same camera problem....
Anyway, I'll try to re-initialize the camera and see how long it lasts with the change I made in the registry. Only in P2 I had a different entry... instead of 48 I had 20000 -ish.... weird...
Thanks
Vdl

dont we have a chance to reinstall just the device.exe or camera drivers?.
thank u

i get this error when i use swype, everything works until i use the swype then the cam wont work... i really like the swype so i hope someone finds a solution

i've gotten this pop up...but it only happened after i tried to install qik on my phone...

Camera Failed!?

Was showing my phone off today in theatre, and went to do google goggles and it went black ... waiting waiting... nothing..
Tried again and black..
tried normal camera Failed to connect to camera pops up...
rebooted phone 3 times and couldnt get it working, my heart sank as it means I would have to ship it back to UK from AU.
All of a sudden it is working.
Anyone else had this issue? I took the battery out and rebooted and it still wasn't working under camera or app...

dan 6a said:
Was showing my phone off today in theatre, and went to do google goggles and it went black ... waiting waiting... nothing..
Tried again and black..
tried normal camera Failed to connect to camera pops up...
rebooted phone 3 times and couldnt get it working, my heart sank as it means I would have to ship it back to UK from AU.
All of a sudden it is working.
Anyone else had this issue? I took the battery out and rebooted and it still wasn't working under camera or app...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds like you have a corrupt correlation between Goggles & WiFi.
It's been mentioned here.
As mentioned by one of the persons on that thread do the following:-
"Try uninstalling the app, then reinstall it but when it asks if you want to enable or disable history, select disable".

Read the thread and no that advice didn't work
I am unable to find what triggers it to fail as I didn't even use goggles today, just the camera.

dan 6a said:
Read the thread and no that advice didn't work
I am unable to find what triggers it to fail as I didn't even use goggles today, just the camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even though you did not use it, it may still be being called every now and again.
Consider removing it temporary just to test.
Otherwise, lets look at what other software you have installed which may be interfering with the camera?
Do you have installed and use Fring?
It is notorious for doing this.

I did have fring installed. But I have done a factory reset and hoping it doesn't occur again.
Ill leave fring off and see if it helps. If it was common for fring I wonder how my google searches didn't come up with it?
Ta for your replies Beards, This is my first smart phone and still getting used to it all
I did uninstall goggles and reboot but it was still failing, so fring seems like it was maybe to blame..

dan 6a said:
I did have fring installed. But I have done a factory reset and hoping it doesn't occur again.
Ill leave fring off and see if it helps. If it was common for fring I wonder how my google searches didn't come up with it?
Ta for your replies Beards, This is my first smart phone and still getting used to it all
I did uninstall goggles and reboot but it was still failing, so fring seems like it was maybe to blame..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem with the replies and helping you out.... I know what it is like when you are stuck and have no one other to turn to.. quite frustrating.
My money is definitely on Fring.
As to searches but you could not find... have a look here and read post number 1127.

i was having same problem on jf7 f/w you mentioned fring so i realized i had not gone in fring and ran the test video call.. i did that and now camera is working again.. not sure if that was the issue or not.

lgkahn said:
i was having same problem on jf7 f/w you mentioned fring so i realized i had not gone in fring and ran the test video call.. i did that and now camera is working again.. not sure if that was the issue or not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again my money is on fring being the culprit.

Got that also on mine today.
And indeed, that was because of Fring.
Uninstalled, and camera is back.
Thanks for the tip guys.

Phoenix2000 said:
Got that also on mine today.
And indeed, that was because of Fring.
Uninstalled, and camera is back.
Thanks for the tip guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem....

Beards said:
No problem....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem get voodoo lag fix if you have any other lag fix un do them before running the voodoo it works rember after you do the lag fix it takes a long time to boot

the fix
I had the same problem get voodoo lag fix if you have any other lag fix un do them before running the voodoo it works rember after you do the lag fix it takes a long time to boot

[Q] CAMERA crash!

ok so i bought Galaxy S4 i9500.. like a week ago.. then i updated my firmware using keis like 2 days ago.. n now my camera crashes.. when not used after a very long time. im not sure is it either the samsung fault or android fault.. my current version is 4.2.2. if u need anymore details.. i will love to provide them!!

obaid_rock said:
ok so i bought Galaxy S4 i9500.. like a week ago.. then i updated my firmware using keis like 2 days ago.. n now my camera crashes.. when not used after a very long time. im not sure is it either the samsung fault or android fault.. my current version is 4.2.2. if u need anymore details.. i will love to provide them!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does it say "warning;camera failed" ? And are you loading the camera from the lock screen or home screen?

obaid_rock said:
ok so i bought Galaxy S4 i9500.. like a week ago.. then i updated my firmware using keis like 2 days ago.. n now my camera crashes.. when not used after a very long time. im not sure is it either the samsung fault or android fault.. my current version is 4.2.2. if u need anymore details.. i will love to provide them!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the easiest way is to flash another firmware (Stock*) by Odin
download anther firmware from sammobile.com
ur setting and data will remain but problem will fix
:good:

I bought a new samsung galaxy 4s and the camera failed
obaid_rock said:
ok so i bought Galaxy S4 i9500.. like a week ago.. then i updated my firmware using keis like 2 days ago.. n now my camera crashes.. when not used after a very long time. im not sure is it either the samsung fault or android fault.. my current version is 4.2.2. if u need anymore details.. i will love to provide them!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem with my new Galaxy S4 that I bought on 8 of may in 2013.
In the beginning, the camera work fine, but after several minutes, on each time that I tried to open the camera aplication it had black screen with an error message.
I tried to exit the battery and return it, it didn't help.
I tried to rebot to manufacturer settings, at the first couple of minutes the camera work fine, but later the black screen appear again at each time I open the camera application.
Here is a link to youtube that show the same problem that I had :
Search on youtube "samsung galaxy s4 camera fail"
What can I do ?

I am having the same problem with my s4; tried system update, factory reset... maybe i need to try to flash my firmware. so disappointed with Samsung. a flagship phone shouldn't have this problem!
to be safe, getting it exchanged... i never bought insurance before but it looks like i might need to if i am sticking with the s4.

It's a known problem. Loads of people have it. You'll just have to wait for Samsung to fix it.

gili1234 said:
I had the same problem with my new Galaxy S4 that I bought on 8 of may in 2013.
In the beginning, the camera work fine, but after several minutes, on each time that I tried to open the camera aplication it had black screen with an error message.
I tried to exit the battery and return it, it didn't help.
I tried to rebot to manufacturer settings, at the first couple of minutes the camera work fine, but later the black screen appear again at each time I open the camera application.
Here is a link to youtube that show the same problem that I had :
Search on youtube "samsung galaxy s4 camera fail"
What can I do ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From today speaking to a guy who repairs samsungs this is a hardware issue. Reboots and factory resets seem to fix the issue but the root of the problem is the the camera module either not correctly attached/or soldered to the connection so when rebooting or resetting the phone the movement of the device in your hand or laying the phone face up briefly re-connects the module to the device. I'm awaiting my new device as my carrier told me a few people have had this issue also.
Hope that helps

cameracartwright said:
Does it say "warning;camera failed" ? And are you loading the camera from the lock screen or home screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no it dosent.. it just crashes.. with a black screen!

I have taken several pictures with my 2 days old GS4 but in one occasion when I opened the camera and switched from the front camera to the main, the phone froze and reboot it self :/
I hope i only was a one time failure and not hardware or software relate.
Cheers

There are several other topics created for this issue Slow or reboot when opening camera apps and [Q] Galaxy S4 - reboot launching camera from lockscreen
So far, temporary fixes are limiting the background processes to 4 from the developer options in the settings menu and disabling air view options and smart screen options. This has worked for me, I haven't experienced any other reboots but the lag is still present and sometimes when enabling both cameras feature the app would freeze.
I'm not sure whether this is a hardware or a software issue but nevertheless most GS4s experience lag with the camera app, especially those on the octa version, the GT-I9500. I bought the phone internationally, not using a carrier and switching mine will be a pain; therefore i really hope it's a solvable software issue.

This happened to me yesterday. I tried factory resets, going back to stock with Kies, clearing data, but nothing works. I thought it was because of something
I flashed yesterday, but that wasnt it. Sad it happened so quickly and hopefully it can be fixed.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using xda app-developers app

cameracartwright said:
From today speaking to a guy who repairs samsungs this is a hardware issue. Reboots and factory resets seem to fix the issue but the root of the problem is the the camera module either not correctly attached/or soldered to the connection so when rebooting or resetting the phone the movement of the device in your hand or laying the phone face up briefly re-connects the module to the device. I'm awaiting my new device as my carrier told me a few people have had this issue also.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how reliable is your source? will they fix it in the future.. like in the next batch.. n will they take the first batch back and give us the new models? can u confirm this with him?

obaid_rock said:
how reliable is your source? will they fix it in the future.. like in the next batch.. n will they take the first batch back and give us the new models? can u confirm this with him?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He doesn't work for Samsung he just repairs them independently so he is speaking from experience. But I have since asked another independent business and the toldme the same. My problem has now stopped buti believe could be fixed due to my new case on the phone pushing the camera module slightly in place? Who knows but I am replacing incase it happens again (really don't wanna be lumbered with an s4 with a broken camera)

cameracartwright said:
He doesn't work for Samsung he just repairs them independently so he is speaking from experience. But I have since asked another independent business and the toldme the same. My problem has now stopped buti believe could be fixed due to my new case on the phone pushing the camera module slightly in place? Who knows but I am replacing incase it happens again (really don't wanna be lumbered with an s4 with a broken camera)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were you receiving any warning messages?. As I dug into this problem I've found there are 2 error types. In the 1st scenario the camera would crash and a message would be displayed. The 2nd one, would just turn the screen black after accessing the camera app and after a few seconds the phone would reboot.
If a message is displayed then it's most likely a hardware issue. If the phone restarts without warnings then disabling air gesture options and smart screen options along with disabling a few samsung apps temporary solved the matter, therefore being a software misbehave. It's not a permanent solution but until sammy releases a patch this could be a small fix.

G-XtremE said:
Were you receiving any warning messages?. As I dug into this problem I've found there are 2 error types. In the 1st scenario the camera would crash and a message would be displayed. The 2nd one, would just turn the screen black after accessing the camera app and after a few seconds the phone would reboot.
If a message is displayed then it's most likely a hardware issue. If the phone restarts without warnings then disabling air gesture options and smart screen options along with disabling a few samsung apps temporary solved the matter, therefore being a software misbehave. It's not a permanent solution but until sammy releases a patch this could be a small fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No error message for me.. It justs reboots for me.. Btw what's the expected battery life?

obaid_rock said:
No error message for me.. It justs reboots for me.. Btw what's the expected battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Slightly less than 10% / hour with medium use. Coming from a Note 2 this is really frustrating.

G-XtremE said:
Slightly less than 10% / hour with medium use. Coming from a Note 2 this is really frustrating.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i was expecting much better battery life than this... this sucks! my frnd has a note 2.. n thats awesome!

G-XtremE said:
Were you receiving any warning messages?. As I dug into this problem I've found there are 2 error types. In the 1st scenario the camera would crash and a message would be displayed. The 2nd one, would just turn the screen black after accessing the camera app and after a few seconds the phone would reboot.
If a message is displayed then it's most likely a hardware issue. If the phone restarts without warnings then disabling air gesture options and smart screen options along with disabling a few samsung apps temporary solved the matter, therefore being a software misbehave. It's not a permanent solution but until sammy releases a patch this could be a small fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the first scenario. What would actually cause this? Flashing wouldn't cause it, would it?

G-XtremE said:
Were you receiving any warning messages?. As I dug into this problem I've found there are 2 error types. In the 1st scenario the camera would crash and a message would be displayed. The 2nd one, would just turn the screen black after accessing the camera app and after a few seconds the phone would reboot.
If a message is displayed then it's most likely a hardware issue. If the phone restarts without warnings then disabling air gesture options and smart screen options along with disabling a few samsung apps temporary solved the matter, therefore being a software misbehave. It's not a permanent solution but until sammy releases a patch this could be a small fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine did both loaded camera app then black screen with message after a few seconds "warning:camera failed" then one time the phone didn't reboot it simply froze until I force restarted it. I'm getting replacement tomorrow evening as I use my camera a lot when I don't have a dedicated camera with me

cameracartwright said:
Mine did both loaded camera app then black screen with message after a few seconds "warning:camera failed" then one time the phone didn't reboot it simply froze until I force restarted it. I'm getting replacement tomorrow evening as I use my camera a lot when I don't have a dedicated camera with me
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I have that exact thing. Unfortunately, T-Mobile US doesn't have the S4 as part of their replacement "plan" yet. I'll have to check back later.

Camera failed warning

Just to let you all know who are curious as to who is experiencing this fault, i have just recieved the dreaded warning. got my phone 3 days ago from carphone warehouse in plymouth uk, unlocked. seems a pretty widespread fault. mass recall????:crying:

yes, if u read around is a hardware problem with limited S5, only fix atm is replace it.

Any info on which models you can get this problem?
I had similar error yesterday untill I rebooted my phone. Thought its problem with ART...

no, but i think it mostly from US Verizon.

Stiflerlv said:
Any info on which models you can get this problem?
I had similar error yesterday untill I rebooted my phone. Thought its problem with ART...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the G900F and occasionally get the camera failed warning. A reboot always fixes it.
Sent from my SM-G900F using XDA Free mobile app

plymptonpilgreen said:
Just to let you all know who are curious as to who is experiencing this fault, i have just recieved the dreaded warning. got my phone 3 days ago from carphone warehouse in plymouth uk, unlocked. seems a pretty widespread fault. mass recall????:crying:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you not set the phone in save model.
If you use the Go Flash Light App, unload it
If it still not work, you'd better send it to Samsung center for change.
Or you can try to boot the phone.

I had "Warning Camera Failed" problem on my SM-G900SW (S5 in Canada), along with some other weird problems.
After reading an announcement from Samsung that the problem is ROM related download the stack image for my device/provider from Samfirmware and re-flashed the phone.
The problem went away, and so did some other issues.
This is definitely a software issue IMO.

I've read that it only happens to US version of the phone when the user installs another camera app.

daoom said:
I had "Warning Camera Failed" problem on my SM-G900SW (S5 in Canada), along with some other weird problems.
After reading an announcement from Samsung that the problem is ROM related download the stack image for my device/provider from Samfirmware and re-flashed the phone.
The problem went away, and so did some other issues.
This is definitely a software issue IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To add to this, after I flashed the stock firmware everything was fine for a few days until suddenly I was unable to turn on Bluetooth. So the camera still worked, but bluetooth stopped working.
I took the phone back to the store, showed them the problem and exchanged. In the process of exchanging it I did a factory reset to remove personal data. When the reset was done, I turned it on to make sure my accounts were gone, and lo and behold the camera and bluetooth worked again.
I still went through with the exchange since this does seem like a problem related to the storage memory becoming corrupted after a bit of use.
I've had the new one for 3 days, and so far no problems.
---------- Post added at 11:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 AM ----------
jopat said:
I've read that it only happens to US version of the phone when the user installs another camera app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seeing as I'm Canadian, nope.