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iPhone 4S camera not working ("Shutter" remains closed in app)

Hi,


I fired up the Camera app on the 4S and the "shutter" will not open (either for stills or videos). I tried rebooting the phone and it's still not working -- I've let it sit for about 15 minutes. Note that the FRONT camera DOES work just fine-- it's just the rear that's not functioning 😟. Has anyone else seen this problem?


Thanks,

--S

Posted on Oct 14, 2011 5:50 PM

Reply
158 replies

Oct 14, 2011 5:55 PM in response to servie

Yes. When I try to use the front facing camera, I get the exact thing you described and it bricks the rear facing camera. An iTunes restore will fix the rear facing camera and pictures can be taken, but whenever I try to use the front facing camera, the shutter image appears and locks. If you exit the app and restart it, it then goes to a blank screen.

Oct 14, 2011 9:00 PM in response to FatesClown

I thought both of my cameras were not working also, but that's not the case -- if you switch away from the camera app, then switch back, you'll be able to tap the switch-camera button in the upper right corner, and your front camera will show a live feed (assuming it's working). Trying to switch back to the back camera will of course get you back to the closed shutter. I downloaded a flashlight app to test the LED on the back and my LED DOES work, which is interesting, considering that according to iFixit, the camera and LED are on the same board, so that would seem to imply that the connection between the camera and logic board is intact, so perhaps it's just a software issue (wild-assed-guess)?

Oct 15, 2011 7:32 AM in response to servie

After playing around with it I got the rear camera working again after tapping the camera button about a dozen times.


A friend of mine reports no issues with his camera(s). I also noticed that if he and I take a picture of the same thing, from the same distance, in the same light, at the same angle, his picture is a lot clearer than mine. My picture has a whitewash haze look to it (yes, the protective film is removed).


I too made a genius appointment. hopefully they will have phones in stock.

Oct 15, 2011 10:35 AM in response to servie

I got my iPhone 4s yesterday and I have several camera apps installed. Same problem as the rest of you. The app opens-the shutter doesn't.


I was going to try a reset but that sounds like it doesn't work.


Apple store made me make a Genius appointment and I too hope they have cameras on hand because I can't be without a phone.

iPhone 4S camera not working ("Shutter" remains closed in app)

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