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

Mar 7, 2021 11:44 AM in response to Mac-m1-2021-ind

So not only in Europe as was said! If it's a hardware issue can't see how a patch can solve it.

Mar 20, 2021 2:35 PM in response to MagickMonkey

They obviously didn't do enough research. In good daylight no problem, video quality is good but at night with the lights on it's absolutely rubbish!

Apr 11, 2021 10:38 AM in response to MagickMonkey

Didn't work for me either unfortunately, with video recording it didn't flicker as much but facetime just as bad!

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

May 2, 2021 9:40 AM in response to sdugan14

When you noticed the problem, were you still in the US?

sdugan14

Level 1

4 points

May 2, 2021 10:07 AM in response to Brij011

Yes I am still located in the US. Talked to Tech Support today and I am going to send it in to see if it can be fixed.

May 2, 2021 10:35 AM in response to Brij011

I'm in Europe, the Netherlands, was at first suggested it was a problem only in Europe but obviously not so!

May 3, 2021 3:50 AM in response to Brij011

I also have no problem in natural lighting, but apparently some do, strange!

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

May 16, 2021 1:22 PM in response to bradleefromprescott

I tried a total reset which didn’t work. This would also reset the network settings wouldn’t it?

Brij011

Level 2

167 points

May 16, 2021 2:54 PM in response to sdugan14

Don’t get your hopes up, I got a replacement and it had exactly the same problem.

Apr 11, 2021 4:05 AM in response to Brij011

I agree with the word of caution above - I've found that enabling the PAL formats and recording in PAL 25 fps certainly solves the video recording (although I'd like the option of 50 fps), it seems intermittent for me with FaceTime - either it works for front camera, but not rear, or a bit later it's started flickering again. Maybe if the option was available for FaceTime, rather than having to trick it by using the camera beforehand it would be more reliable. I've been through the whole reset process with Apple Support and will be taking it into an Apple Store at some point to get them to look at it. My iPhone 11 doesn't have this problem, nor my previous iPad Air. So even if the setting it to 25 fps PAL format solved the problem, I don't think that's a good enough solution, so would be looking for a repair/replace/refund.

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Camera flickering during FaceTime on new iPad Air?