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Level 1

0 points

iPhone 3Gs camera not working, screen frozen gray, photos blank, any ideas?

Hi all, hope someone can assist. I am using the new iPhone 3Gs. Periodically when I attempt to use the camera, after tapping the camera key, the screen pops up with the "closed lens" screen but it is frozen there and the screen is grayed out. When I attempt to look at photos, it shows nothing at all saved in photos. The only way to enable the camera is to reset, (I was shown by another iPhone user), by holding the home key while turning the on/off key and resetting. That works, but it's not long before the camera or video is disabled again. Is there anyone who can assist with any ideas? Could it be a setting or do I have a defective phone? Thanks, any help would be appreciated!

Message was edited by: Kilaeua

iPhone 3Gs, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jun 20, 2009 11:58 PM

Best reply

mrboos

Level 1

6 points

Posted on Jun 21, 2009 8:24 PM

I am seeing this same problem on my new 3g/s and on my wifes 3g since upgrading to v3.0 of the iphone software.

Please help us Apple.

MB

View in context

134 replies

doumé

Level 1

4 points

Mar 10, 2011 2:25 AM in response to snaptease

It didn't work for me. I disconnected and reconnected the camera from the main board. The camera screen app is still frozen when i open it.
Indeed, taking apart your IPhone is not for the faint hearted but it's the easy part. Putting it back together is when you have to show patience and precision.
I can't believe Apple isn't doing anything about that. It drives me crazy.
As soon as i updated my IPhone 3G s to OS 4 my camera app started to act up.
2 or 3 sec latency before the shutter opens, lost pics,etc...It has to be a software bug.
come on Apple, what's the problem?

Apr 13, 2011 2:48 AM in response to Kilaeua

i throw my iphone to the ground and it did fix my camera problem , it does help me , but if you feel like trying it , go a head , but if anything happen to your iphone non of my business 🙂

doumé

Level 1

4 points

May 14, 2011 4:06 AM in response to iphone fans

UPDATE:

I fixed it! Finally. I replaced the camera and it works just fine now. It was an hardware problem after all.

Bought the camera on line for 10€. Took the old one out and snapped the new one in and voilà!

Don't be afraid to take the iphone apart. It was my second time and i had no jitters. It's kid stuff really, just a few screws and snap on cables. Plenty of "how to do it" vids on Youtube.

Good luck!

babsoft

Level 1

0 points

May 30, 2011 4:44 PM in response to Kilaeua

I also have the problem described here.

And since I got several 3gs phones I changed the camera. But I have the same problem. Checked also that the camera is properly connected to the main board.

Jun 7, 2011 4:55 AM in response to Kilaeua

I've got the same issue, only happened after I updated to iOS4.3.3

Just installed a replacement camera yesterday, double checked all the mainboard connections and all looked fine, but the camera still doesnt work.

When I open in the camera/video/record bar just sort of flickers while the 'shutter' remains closed.

I called Apple but tech support couldnt help, anyone had any luck with Geniuses?

doumé

Level 1

4 points

Jun 7, 2011 5:02 AM in response to LaunchpadBS

Geniuses they ain't when it comes to this camera problem. I went the Apple Store and all i got is a "1rst time i ever see the shutter stuck like that". Really?

Too bad the operation didn't work for you. Mine still works but it takes longer and longer for the shutter to open. Cross my fingers everytime i open the camera app.

Good luck.

Jun 13, 2011 7:50 AM in response to LaunchpadBS

Hey LaunchpadBS, exactly the same problem here. I cannot believe this issue cannot be fixed with Apple's guidance. Please let me know if you find a solution, cheers.

Jun 22, 2011 3:39 PM in response to Kilaeua

One of the 10 Iphone 3gs's my company bought has just started doing this too. I have done everything I saw here including doing a restore and nothing helps it. Does anyone from Apple check this "support" site? It seems many of us are having an issue. I will be calling tech support tomorrow but it seems many have done this and gotten no satisfaction.

The only thing I havn't done is setting it up as a new phone in Itunes. The unit in question has some expensive apps added to it that would be hard to lose, also I don't think my company should have to pay twice for apps because Apple isn't supporting the Iphone. If anyone has any idea how to fix this please share. Seems to have been a problem on lots of units for a LONG time.

Jun 22, 2011 3:52 PM in response to craigfromwhitehorse

Don't bother setting them up as new, it's been done and it didn't work, seems apple have all but forgotten the 3rd gen iPhones.

Jul 2, 2011 11:42 PM in response to SuperDude72

For some unknown reason this morning the camera started to work again...we'll see for how long...

Jul 6, 2011 11:18 AM in response to Kilaeua

I've been having this same problem for a few weeks now. turning off all location services didn't work, either. tried it all except restoring as a new phone (since that didn't seem to work) and opening it up to check the connection. Is it even worth a trip to the "Genius Bar'? has anyone actually had it fixed there?

Jul 6, 2011 11:31 AM in response to brokenman(dible)

Hi, here's my update: the camera phone's not working again - it worked for only just about a day.

I did go to the Genius Bar and they said it is a software problem, they would exchange the phone for a fee. unfortunately the price/fee they quoted is not worth it for me, i could easily upgrade my phone with my telephone provider, so unless apple puts out a fix i'm stuck with the problem. too bad.

s_m_s

Level 1

0 points

Jul 27, 2011 9:24 AM in response to benami

I was walking in the rain the other day and next thing was the camera and video on my iphone 3Gs stopped working. I should say they were working intermittently though.

Today after several readings of various posts, finally I decided to leave to phone in scorching sun for 15 minutes to check if moisture was the problem.

Surprisingly, everything started working normally. I will still check for a day or two to make 100% sure it was the moisture locked in (on) the circuitry which was causing the intermittent issue

s_m_s

Level 1

0 points

Jul 27, 2011 9:25 AM in response to brokenman(dible)

I was walking in the rain the other day and next thing was the camera and video on my iphone 3Gs stopped working. I should say they were working intermittently though.

Today after several readings of various posts, finally I decided to leave to phone in scorching sun for 15 minutes to check if moisture was the problem.

Surprisingly, everything started working normally. I will still check for a day or two to make 100% sure it was the moisture locked in (on) the circuitry which was causing the intermittent issue

s_m_s

Level 1

0 points

Jul 27, 2011 9:30 AM in response to Kilaeua

I was walking in the rain the other day and next thing was the camera and video on my iphone 3Gs stopped working. I should say they were working intermittently though.

Today after several readings of various posts, finally I decided to leave to phone in scorching sun for 15 minutes to check if moisture was the problem.

Surprisingly, everything started working normally. I will still check for a day or two to make 100% sure it was the moisture locked in (on) the circuitry which was causing the intermittent issue

iPhone 3Gs camera not working, screen frozen gray, photos blank, any ideas?