Level 1

20 points

Camera flickering during FaceTime on new iPad Air?

Good evening,

I received a new iPad Air for Christmas. All is working brilliantly with this exception. When FaceTiming with someone my camera flickers continuously. It happens both on the front and rear camera and is really distracting for anyone on the call. It doesn’t happen when I try to take a photo using the camera app but it does also happen when I try to record a video.

Any tried and tested solutions? Eager to use as I’m working from home!

Thank you.

iPad, iOS 9

Posted on Jan 6, 2021 9:22 AM

Top-ranking reply

bradleefromprescott

Level 1

8 points

Posted on May 16, 2021 11:03 AM

UPDATE: FLICKER IS SOLVED!

So to update you on my findings this morning about our iPad Air 4 (2020):

The severe screen flicker and video noise WAS indeed produced using the Camera app in front-camera mode.

I connected with AppleCare chat yesterday, and the tech first ensured that I had the latest iPadOS update, which I did. Then she told me to reset Network Settings as a way to remedy the video flicker. Instead, frustrated and assuming this reset would be useless (asking myself, How are network settings related to the camera!?), I ended the chat, drove to the local Bestbuy, they confirmed the screen flicker, and made me another appt. to have the iPad sent in for repair/replacement.

Well, today, on a whim, I decided to Reset Network Settings. After a lot of testing time, to my surprise and delight, the front camera screen flicker has now completely disappeared from the 3 apps I saw it on before: Facetime, Camera and Photo Booth. I have NOT tested the camera on Skype, Zoom or any other apps.

So here's this from Apple support:

"Reset your Network Settings.

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before."

Good luck all - I hope this helps!

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55 replies

May 2, 2021 8:56 AM in response to sdugan14

Same here, only realised the problem a couple of months later when I facetimed and had Zoom meetings with the lights on. The only thing the shop could offer was to send it to the factory for repair. From all accounts I didn't see the point, reckoned it would come back the same.

May 15, 2021 11:00 AM in response to Kelly_Marie

Our ipad Air 4 flickers when using facetime (front) camera only. It's a refurb from Bestbuy, which now becomes a returb? Returned refurb...ha.

We tested with Photobooth & Facetime, both of which displayed white and multi-colored, erratic video noise and screen flicker. The Camera app did fine with both front and rear cameras.

Where do i go to upvote this??

May 16, 2021 3:10 PM in response to Brij011

I agree, we've been had by Apple! An iPad that cost €700 (that's what I paid) a big let-down as it's obviously a fault in the hardware, at least with a certain batch and they're not taking responsibility. There should have been a recall on these!

Kelly_Marie Author

Level 1

20 points

Jan 13, 2021 3:51 PM in response to mingoslkd

Hi. Yes I can confirm I am on the latest update and have used various apps including zoom etc and still no change. I have also tried restarting the system.

Is there anything else I can try?

Jan 27, 2021 12:34 PM in response to Kelly_Marie

I have the same issues with my fairly new IPad Air. Just this evening had to switch to my old IPad mini during a Zoom meeting because it was flickering so much, my IPad mini was good!

Jan 28, 2021 2:44 AM in response to miserablemind

From all accounts it appears to be a downfall of the iPad Air, so disappointing considering it cost twice as much as my previous one!

Jan 28, 2021 2:45 AM in response to miserablemind

Ditto

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

Jan 28, 2021 4:24 AM in response to vrask

Exactly the same thing has happened to me and I am about to return the device, maybe I should rethink?

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

Jan 28, 2021 4:30 AM in response to Brij011

Another strange issue worth mentioning. I get the flickering the front camera only, the back camera is OK.

Feb 3, 2021 7:24 AM in response to Brij011

How many people here are from USA? I am being told all iPads in Europe flicker by technician.

Feb 3, 2021 10:30 AM in response to miserablemind

If it's a hardware issue not sure if there can be a software patch, but then they should definitely recall and replace!

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

Feb 5, 2021 2:47 AM in response to miserablemind

I received my replacement this morning and it's exactly the same! 😕

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

Feb 5, 2021 3:09 AM in response to miserablemind

I should add, a friend preordered an iPad Air 4 so possibly got one from the first batch, he says his is fine.

This adds to the evidence that it's a HW issue in a faulty batch or batches.

Feb 5, 2021 4:34 AM in response to Brij011

That would appear so, in which case Apple should recall them!

Feb 6, 2021 11:19 AM in response to Kelly_Marie

Just want to add a another “ditto” to add weight to the cause. I am in UK and have same issue with my new IPad Air

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Camera flickering during FaceTime on new iPad Air?