Xiaomi’s front camera is not turned on: all causes and ways to fix

You try to take a selfie or run a video call on Xiaomi, but the front camera stubbornly refuses to turn on? black screen, error "failed to connect to the camera" or complete lack of response - these are problems faced by owners of Redmi smartphones, POCO and Mi line regardless of model. 70% of the cases the malfunction is due to software failures, but sometimes hardware breakdowns or even factory defects.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible reasons why the front camera on Xiaomi doesn’t work, from the simple contamination of the module to damage to the plume. You’ll get step-by-step diagnostic and repair instructions, including hidden MIUI settings, ADB commands, and tips on when to contact the service center. And if you’re not sure about yourself, there’s a checklist at the end of this article for a quick check before visiting the master.

1. Software glitches: When the camera "hangs" in the system

The most common cause of a broken front camera is application conflict or firmware error, most often after a MIUI update, installing third-party launchers, or cleaning the cache with system utilities like Security or Clean Master.

How to recognize a software failure:

• 📱 The camera doesn’t open in any app (including the standard Camera and WhatsApp).
• ⚙️ A message appears saying “Camera is busy with another app” or “No access to the camera».
• 🔄 After restarting the smartphone, the problem disappears for a while, but then returns.

The first thing you need to do is to restart the phone in safe mode, which will turn off all third-party applications and help identify the culprit.

1. Press the power button before the off menu appears.
2. Press and hold the "Switch off" item (on some models - "Reboot").
3. Confirm the safe mode entry (the “Safe Mode” will appear at the bottom of the screen).

If the camera is running in this mode, the problem is in one of the installed applications.

2.App conflict: Who is "blocking" the camera?

Many users are unaware that some programs can monopolize access to the camera, even if you did not run them.

• 🔒 Antivirus and security (Avast, Kaspersky, 360 Security) – block access for security».
• 🎮 Gaming accelerators (Game Turbo, GFX Tools – can turn off background processes, including the camera.
• 📹 Streaming apps (Twitch, YouTube Studio) – sometimes forgetting to release the camera after closing.
• 🤖 Launchers and themes (Nova Launcher, MIUI Themes – may conflict with system services.

How to find and resolve conflict:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Sort the list by installation date (new apps are more often to blame).
3. Alternately stop suspicious programs (button "Stop" or "Forced Stop").
4. After each stop, check the camera.

💡

If the camera is running after the app stops, remove it or upgrade to the latest version. Often bugs are fixed in new releases.

Pay particular attention to applications with administrator permissions or special features (like overlaying on top of other windows). These can be checked in: Settings → Applications → Special Access → Device administrators and Settings → Applications → Special Access → Overlay on top of other applications.

Settings and permissions: Checking access to the camera

Sometimes the front camera doesn't turn on because of permissions disabled or privacy settings that have gone wrong, and this is true after resetting, updating MIUI or manually changing access rights.

How to check permissions:

1. Open Settings → Privacy → Application permissions → Camera.
2. Make sure that apps that need a camera (WhatsApp, Instagram, Camera) have a switch in the Allow position.
3. Check Settings → Applications → Application Management → [App Name] → Permissions – sometimes there is disabled access to the camera separately.

If the permissions are fine but the camera still doesn’t work, try resetting the Camera app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Camera.
2. Click on “Storage” → “Clear Data” and “Clear Cache”.
3. Reboot the phone.

⚠️ Attention: Cleaning up the data will reset all camera settings (resolution, timer, filters) to factory.

Firmware and MIUI failures: When the system is to blame

MIUI updates don't always go smoothly. If the front camera stopped working immediately after the update, the problem may lie in:

• 🐛 Bug in the new firmware version (especially relevant for betta versions).
• 📦 Incomplete update installation (files damaged when downloaded).
• 🔧 Conflict with custom settings (if you have changed themes, fonts or system sounds).

How to fix it:

1. Reverse to the previous version MIUI (if the camera was running before the upgrade. → The phone. → Updating the system → Threefold (⋮) → Select the service pack Download the old firmware from the official Xiaomi website and select it manually.
2. Reset to factory settings (if rollback is not possible). Pre-backup: Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup
3. Install the firmware through Fastboot (for power users). This is a radical method that requires unlocking the bootloader.

If you're not sure about yourself, you should go to the service center, and the wrong firmware can turn your phone into a brick.

5. Hardware problems: when the "iron" is to blame

If the software methods didn't work, the problem could be a physical malfunction of the camera or the associated components.

How to diagnose a hardware malfunction:

• 🔍 Light a flashlight on the front camera – if the lens is scratched or cracked, it needs to be replaced.
• 📱 Check if the main camera is working. If it's not, it could be a plume or a board.
• 🔊 Listen to your phone when you try to turn on the camera. Clicks or cracks may indicate mechanical damage.

⚠️ Attention: If you suspect damage to the plume or module, do not disassemble the phone yourself without experience. On Xiaomi models, the camera plumes are extremely thin and easily break.

6. Hidden settings and ADB commands: for advanced users

If standard methods don’t work, you can try manually restarting the camera services via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which will help if the problem is in the “hungry” system process.

Instructions for ADB:

1. Enable Developer Mode: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (click 7 times)
2. Activate debugging via USB: Settings → Additional → For developers → Debugging via USB
3. Connect the phone to your PC, open the command line and type: adb shell pm clear com.android.camera This command will reset the settings of the standard camera app.
4. If it doesn’t work, try restarting the media server: adb shell killall mediaserver

✅ Check permissions for applications

✅ Clear the cache and data of the Camera app»

✅ Restart your phone in safe mode

✅ Update your firmware to the latest stable version

✅ Check the camera through a third-party app (such as Open Camera)

-->

If the camera went live after this manipulation, the problem was systemic conflict, and if it didn't, it was probably the hardware.

7. When to contact the service center?

There are situations when self-repair is not possible or advisable.

• 🛠️ You disassembled the phone and found a damaged plume or camera module.
• 💥 The camera stopped working after falling, getting moisture or overheating.
• 🔄 None of the software methods helped, and hardware diagnostics indicates a malfunction.
• 📱 Phone for warranty – self-repair will deprive you of the right to free service.

The cost of repairing the front camera in Xiaomi depends on the model and type of breakdown:

• Replacement of the plume - from 800 to 2000 rubles.
• Replacement of the camera module - from 1500 to 4000 rubles (depending on the model).
• Diagnosis of the fee - from 500 rubles (sweater work may be required).

⚠️ Warning: Unofficial services often install non-original camera modules that may perform worse in low light or give out artifacts. Demand a warranty for spare parts!

💡

If the phone is warranty, first contact the official service center Xiaomi. self-repair or disassembly void warranty obligations.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi's front-facing camera