Fix your Camera app on your Pixel phone

To troubleshoot camera problems, you can use our self-help flow.

Fix your camera issue

Important: Pixel phones have a larger camera that uses additional components to focus quickly. If you shake the phone, the camera may make a slight rattling noise. This is normal and expected behavior. On Pixel 6, you may hear it on the main camera.

To get camera help, activate Google Assistant on your Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro and say, "I'm having issues with my camera." Learn more about Pixel support on Assistant.

Step 1: Clean your camera's lens & laser

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 8.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

To clean the camera lens and laser sensor, wipe them gently with a soft, clean cloth.

• If your photos and videos seem hazy or the camera won’t focus, clean the camera lens.
• If your phone has a laser sensor, also clean the sensor. Find where your lens and sensor are located for your Pixel phone or Nexus device.

Tip: Your camera might let you know if it senses that your lens is dirty. Learn how to turn off dirty lens warnings.

Step 2: Restart your phone

1. Turn your phone off.
   • On Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
   • On Pixel 6 and later (including Pixel Fold): To power off your phone, press and hold the Power and Volume up buttons for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
2. After your phone turns off, press and hold the Power button until your phone turns back on.

Step 3: Clear the Camera app's cache

1. Turn your phone off.
   • On Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
   • On Pixel 6 and later (including Pixel Fold): To power off your phone, press and hold the Power and Volume up buttons for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
2. After your phone turns off, press and hold the Power button until your phone turns back on.

Step 4: Update your apps

Check if an update for the Camera app is available:

1. Open the Google Play Store app .
2. At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps & devices.
4. Under "Updates available," install any updates available for Pixel Camera.

Check if an Android System Update is available:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Software Updates.
4. Tap System update.
5. Tap Check for update.

Step 5: Check if other apps cause the problem

1. Turn your phone off.
   • On Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
   • On Pixel 6 and later (including Pixel Fold): To power off your phone, press and hold the Power and Volume up buttons for a few seconds. Then, on your screen, tap Power off .
2. After your phone turns off, press and hold the Power button until your phone turns back on.
3. Your phone starts in safe mode. The words "Safe mode" show at the bottom of your screen.
4. Open your camera and check if the camera is working.
   • If Camera app works in safe mode, another app might cause the problem.
     1. To turn off safe mode, restart your phone.
     2. Uninstall your most recently downloaded app.
     3. Open your camera and check if you fixed the issue. If not, repeat the previous step.
     4. If you fixed the problem, reinstall any apps you removed before the last app.
   • If Camera app doesn’t work in safe mode, learn more ways to fix an app.

 

Tip: Your camera might let you know if it senses that your lens is dirty. Learn how to turn off dirty lens warnings.

Still have camera problems on a Pixel phone?

For possible solutions to other issues with your phone’s camera, you can post questions on our forums to the Pixel community.

Related resources

• Change your Camera app settings