Xiaomi camera doesn’t work: a complete guide to diagnostics and repair

Did the camera on Xiaomi’s smartphone stop working at the most inopportune moment? Does the camera give out a black screen, does the camera app fly out, or does the “failure to connect to the camera” error appear, POCO And Mi — from the budget Redmi Note 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. 80% of the time, the malfunction is caused by software failures, not a physical failure of the module, so it can be fixed independently.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes - from banal lens contamination to firmware conflicts MIUI You'll learn how to check hardware, reset the camera to factory settings, update drivers through ADB, And when to bring the phone to the service center, and for owners of old models, like Redmi. 4X or Mi A2) We will give separate instructions taking into account the features of their "iron».

Before you start repairing, answer two questions: 1. The camera stopped working after a fall, moisture hit, or update. MIUI? 2.The problem only manifests itself in the standard Camera app or in all third-party apps (e.g. Instagram, Snapchat, etc)?

The answers will help narrow down the range of possible causes.

Basic diagnostics: checking the hardware part

Start by visually inspecting the camera module. Take a flashlight and carefully inspect the lenses on the back (or the front camera if the selfie is a problem).

• 🔍 Scratches or chips on the lens glass – even a microcrack can distort the image or block autofocus.
• 💧 Traces of moisture under glass or on the metal frame of the module (especially important after rain or visiting the bathhouse).
• 🧹 Dirt or dust – often accumulates in the recess of the module, especially on models with a protruding camera (Xiaomi) 13T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+).
• 🔧 Shattered module – if the camera is “luftite” when pressed, this is a sign of damage to the mounts.

If everything looks good, check your physical performance:

1. Launch the Camera app and try switching between lenses (main/ultra-wide/telephoto) if one of them doesn't respond, the problem is in the particular module.
2. Point the camera at a bright light source (lamp, screen of another phone) If the image appears, but with a lot of noise or blur, the matrix may fail.
3. Try to take a photo manually by tapping the focus screen. If autofocus doesn't work, but it does (albeit blurry), the focus mechanism is to blame.

⚠️ Warning: If the camera is turning when the lens is switched or focused after the phone falls, don’t try to fix it yourself, it’s a sign of damage to mechanical parts (such as the autofocus motor), and further manipulations can completely disable the module.

For models with a retractable camera (Xiaomi Mi) 9T, Redmi K20) check:

• Whether the mechanism is moving smoothly or getting stuck.
• Do you have any other sounds (crunch, creak) when moving?
• Is the camera blocked by the message "Alien objects found" (this may be dust or deformation of the body).

2. Software failures: reboot and reset settings

60% of Xiaomi’s camera fails due to temporary crashes MIUI Or conflicts with other applications. Start with the simplest methods:

Forced reset

Press the power button for 10 to 15 seconds until the phone shuts down and starts to boot again, a technique that resets temporary data in RAM that can block access to the camera.

Clearing the Camera app cache

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Tapping on "Clean the cache" (not data!) will delete temporary files that may have been corrupted.

For MIUI 14+: The path may be different - settings → Annexes → Show all applications (3 points) → Systemic → Camera.

Resetting camera settings to factory

In the Camera app, open the menu (3 lines or gears) and find the item "Restore default settings." This will return all settings (resolution, HDR, night-time) to standard values.

Safe regimen

If the camera is not working due to a conflict with a third-party app, start the phone in Safe Mode:

1. Press the power button until the shutdown menu appears.
2. Hold your finger to “Switch off” – you will be prompted to switch to safe mode.
3. Confirm and check the camera.

If the camera is running in Safe Mode, remove one of the recently installed apps (especially those that requested access to the camera: TikTok, Likee, filter apps).

The Camera app cache has been cleared

Safe mode operation checked

Suspicious applications removed

Backup of photos and videos made

Attempting to update MIUI last-minute-->

3. Update firmware and camera drivers

Camera failures are often linked to an outdated version MIUI If you have a firmware update, you can fix the problem:

• 📱 The camera stopped working after the previous update.
• 🔄 There is an available update in the settings (check in Settings). → The phone. → Updating the system).
• 📡 Your Xiaomi model is officially supported (the list can be checked on the official website).

If updating through the menu doesn’t help, try manually installing:

1. Download the latest stable firmware for your model from Xiaomi’s website (select Global region or EEA).
2. Copy the.zip file into the phone’s root folder (not into the folder!).
3. Go to Settings. → The phone. → Updating the system → 3-point → Select a firmware file.
4. Confirm the installation and wait for the reboot.

For advanced users, if the camera doesn't work after the update, the drivers may have crashed. ADB:

adb shell pm clear com.android.camera


adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.android.camera




adb shell cmd package install-existing com.android.camera

These commands will reset the camera app to factory status. Attention: developer rights and PC connectivity are required.

💡

If after the update the camera works, but there are artifacts (green stripes, blur), try to roll back to the previous version. MIUI Fastboot. Instructions are on the forums. 4PDA or XDA Developers.

4. Permissions issues and application conflicts

V MIUI The camera may not work due to improper permissions or blocking by other programs:

Permits for the Camera annex

Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management → Camera. → Permits. Make sure they're on:

• 📸 Camera (access to module).
• 📁 Storage (to save photos/video).
• 🎤 Microphone (for recording video with sound).

Blocking by third-party applications

Some programs (antiviruses, optimizers, power saving apps) can block access to the camera.

• Battery Saver (Settings) → Battery → Power saving mode – add the camera to the exceptions.
• Security App (Settings) → Confidentiality → Special permissions – turn off camera restrictions.
• Second Space or Dual Apps – If you use the second profile, the camera can be turned off.

Conflict with Google Camera (GCam)

Many Xiaomi users install Google Camera for the best photos, but it can conflict with the standard app.

1. Remove the Google Camera and all its modifications.
2. Clear the cache of the standard camera (see section 2.2).
3. Reboot the phone.

If you want to leave GCam, try another version (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro will work). BSG GCam and the Redmi Note 10 Pro is Shamim GCam).

5. Resetting the phone to factory settings

If none of these methods worked, the last option before visiting the service is a full reset, which will delete all data, so first:

• 📱 Make a backup copy through Settings → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup.
• 🔐 Remember your Mi Account details (required to unlock after resetting).
• 📸 Save photos on PC or cloud (Google Photos, Yandex Drive).

Resetting instructions:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select “Erase all data” (not “Reset”!).
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if requested).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (may take 5-10 minutes).

After discharge:

• Do not restore data from the backup right away – check the camera first.
• If the problem has gone away, install the apps one by one, checking the camera after each.

⚠️ Note: On models with boot loader lock (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 and later) after reset may require the device to be linked to the Mi Account via the Internet!

6. Hardware malfunctions: when you need help from the service

If all software methods have been tried, but the camera still doesn't work, the problem is probably hardware.

To diagnose hardware problems:

1. Call the Xiaomi service center (the list of official partners is available on the website) and check the cost of diagnosis (usually 500-1000). ₽).
2. If the phone is warranty, don't open it yourself! The warranty is canceled when you see any signs of disassembly.
3. For older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi 5 repairs can be unprofitable – sometimes it’s cheaper to buy a new phone.

For owners. POCO Redmi with removable back cover (for example, Redmi) 9A): You can check the connection of the camera plume yourself, but it requires care:

1. Turn off the phone and remove it. SIM-map.
2. Tap the lid with a plastic card (start at the corner near the card slot).
3. Unscrew the screws that hold the metal plate over the battery.
4. Carefully disconnect the camera plume and reconnect it (do not make an effort!).

💡

If the phone falls or gets wet and the camera stops working after a few days, it's a hidden damage, and in such cases, repairs may be needed even if everything looks normal.

7. Specific problems for different Xiaomi models

Some Xiaomi models have unique camera bugs, and the most common ones are:

7.1. Xiaomi 13/13 Pro/13 Ultra: "Camera is busy" error»

Leica-based flagships often have a conflict between the standard camera and apps like Snapchat or Instagram.

• Open the Settings. → Annexes → Permit management → Permits for special functions.
• Find “Camera Use by Other Apps” and turn it off for all programs except the standard camera.
• Reboot the phone.

7.2. Redmi Note 10/11/12: night-time

On these models, the Night Mode bug appears after the update. MIUI 13/14. Correction:

• Open the Camera app.
• Go to Settings (cogs) → Additionally. → Resetting camera settings.
• Turn off the “Improving Night Snapshots” option (if any).

7.3. POCO X3/X4/X5: camera does not switch between lenses

Nana POCO Multi-camera (main) + ultrawide + macro) can "hang" switching:

• Clearing the cache and data of the Camera application.
• Disable the “Fast Camera Switch” function in the application settings.
• Update your firmware to the latest version (even if the system says there are no updates, check manually on Xiaomi’s website).

Old models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1, Mi 5: The camera does not start

On devices older than 2018, the camera plume or chip often fails. ISP (Image processor. Signs:

• The camera is working, but the image “breaks” or freezes.
• The phone gets overheated when shooting video.
• In #4636##, the camera appears as "Unknown Device".

Repairs will cost 2,000 to 5,000. ₽, But for such models it is often cheaper to buy a used Redmi Note 8 or similar smartphone.

FAQ: Frequent questions about a broken camera on Xiaomi