Alexis Kestler
So you‘ve opened up Instagram, ready to capture that perfect photo or video for your story or feed. But when you go to access the camera, it‘s just…not there. Or maybe it‘s showing an error. Or the quality is suddenly terrible.
We‘ve all been there. As both an avid Instagrammer and tech geek, I know how frustrating it is when the Instagram camera stops working properly. But don‘t panic! In this comprehensive troubleshooting guide, I‘ll walk you step-by-step through why your Instagram camera may not be functioning and how to get it up and running again.
Why Your Instagram Camera Isn‘t Working
Before we jump into solutions, let‘s first cover the possible reasons why your Instagram camera is on the fritz:
You Haven‘t Allowed Camera Access
This is probably the most common reason your Instagram camera isn‘t functioning. When you first install Instagram, you get a pop-up asking for permission to access your phone‘s camera. If you hit "Don‘t Allow", Instagram won‘t be able to access the camera going forward.
To check if this is the issue, go into your phone‘s settings, find Instagram in the app list, and check if camera access is enabled. If not, flip the switch and you should be good to go!
A Bug or Glitch in the App
As a fellow tech geek, I‘m sure you know that apps as complex as Instagram will sometimes have bugs pop up. Updates aimed at squishing existing bugs or adding new features can accidentally introduce new quirks.
Recently in June 2022, lots of users (including me!) noticed the Instagram story camera completely vanished after an update. No amount of force closing or reinstalling would bring it back. Clearly an accidental bug from the Instagram engineers!
Your Phone‘s Camera is Damaged
Before you assume it‘s an Instagram issue, try opening up your phone‘s main camera app and other apps that access the camera like Snapchat or TikTok. If none of them can access your camera, there may be a hardware issue with your phone‘s actual camera.
You‘ll probably need to book a repair to get your rear or front-facing camera replaced. Instagram can‘t access a camera that isn‘t functioning at the device level.
Your Phone or Instagram App Needs an Update
Out-of-date software is a common source of app glitches and camera problems. Make sure your phone‘s operating system is updated to the latest version available. Also check the App Store or Google Play store to see if any Instagram updates are pending.
Instagram is Having Server Issues
Instagram‘s servers going down or experiencing lag can mimic issues with your individual camera. Always check third-party sites like DownDetector to see if other users are reporting widespread Instagram problems before troubleshooting your own app. If it‘s definitely an Instagram server outage, all you can do is sit tight!
Quick Fixes to Try First
If you‘ve determined the issue is with your Instagram app specifically, here are some quick troubleshooting steps to try out first:
-
Force close the Instagram app – On an iPhone, swipe up from the bottom edge to bring up your multitasking view. Find the Instagram preview, swipe up to close, then reopen the app. This refreshes things and resets any locked up processes.
-
Delete and reinstall Instagram – Sometimes deleting the app and reinstalling it from scratch can fix bugs and glitches. Make sure your data and photos are backed up first!
-
Restart your phone – The old classic tech fix! Restarting your phone refreshes the operating system and closes all running apps.
-
Update Instagram and your phone software – Double check for any pending updates to Instagram or your phone OS. Software updates often contain fixes for camera issues.
-
Disable camera access, then re-enable – Flip the switch to turn off Instagram‘s camera access, restart your phone, then flip it back on. This may reset any stuck camera permissions.
These basic troubleshooting steps solve most common Instagram camera problems. But if you‘re still having issues, don‘t worry – we‘ll dive into some more advanced fixes next.
Advanced Troubleshooting Steps
If you‘ve tried the quick fixes with no luck, it‘s time to break out the big guns. Here are some more complex troubleshooting techniques to resolve stubborn Instagram camera problems:
Reset Network Settings
If your Instagram camera stops functioning properly after you change WiFi networks or cellular data plans, resetting your network settings may help.
On iPhone:
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings
This will reset WiFi networks, cellular data, and other connectivity tools to their factory defaults. Re-connect to your preferred networks and check if Instagram camera works.
On Android:
Go to Settings > System > Advanced > Reset Options > Reset WiFi, Mobile & Bluetooth
The steps vary across Android models but you want the full reset option for connectivity settings.
Update Your Phone Operating System
Make 100% sure your phone OS is updated to the latest version available. Phone operating system updates contain lots of bug fixes, particularly for camera, WiFi and cellular data issues.
Installing the latest OS update could resolve your Instagram camera not working problem.
On iPhone:
Go to Settings > General > Software Update
On Android:
Go to Settings > System > Advanced > System Update
Check App Permissions
Apps like Instagram sometimes need access to other tools like location and microphone for certain features. If you revoked some of those related permissions, it can strangely affect the camera.
Open your phone settings, find Instagram in the apps list, and make sure all permissions like location, storage, microphone etc. are enabled. Having full permissions can ensure smooth Instagram camera function.
Disable Battery Optimization
To conserve battery life, some phones restrict apps running in the background – including Instagram. This can mean the camera fails to launch when you open the app.
Disabling battery optimization forces your phone to run Instagram at full power.
On iPhone:
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization, switch off optimization for Instagram
On Android:
Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Advanced > Special App Access > Battery Optimization, switch off for Instagram
Update Camera Drivers
You may need to update hardware-level drivers for your phone‘s cameras to keep them running smoothly. Device makers like Samsung release driver updates through their support apps.
Search your device maker‘s app store for any camera driver update apps. Run any available updates and then test Instagram camera again.
Contact Instagram Support
If all else fails, you can reach out to the Instagram support team by tweeting @InstagramSupport or submitting a report in the Instagram app. They may be able to troubleshoot further or confirm if there are any known issues with the camera.
Preventing Instagram Camera Problems
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to avoid Instagram camera issues in the first place:
- Keep your phone and apps updated to the latest versions
- Don‘t ignore system/app permissions prompts
- Maintain plenty of free storage space on your phone
- Be alert for user reports of Instagram bugs
- Handle your phone with care to prevent camera hardware damage
- Only install apps from trusted sources like official app stores
The Instagram Camera is an Essential Tool
As an avid Instagram user myself, I know how essential the in-app camera is for capturing and sharing your daily life. A non-working Instagram camera takes away those possibilities.
Hopefully with the comprehensive troubleshooting guide above, you now have plenty of steps to try to get your Instagram camera up and running again. Don‘t hesitate to contact me or the Instagram support team if you run into any issues or questions!
