In the past few years, WhatsApp has evolved from a simple messaging app into one of Android’s leading instant messaging apps. The instant messaging app allows users to make voice/video calls, send & receive images, start groups, share status, etc.
Although WhatsApp is mostly free from bugs, users still report a few problems while using the app on their Android. Recently, many users have asked us how to fix the WhatsApp camera not working. If you’re one of them to ask, here’s what you need to do.
1. Restart Your Android Device
If you haven’t restarted your Android smartphone in a while, you should do it right now. This is an essential troubleshooting tip that sometimes does wonders.
Restarting Android will offload the WhatsApp app and its related processes from the RAM, forcing your Android device to allocate fresh memory to the WhatsApp app. So, before trying any other method, restart your Android device.
2. Check your Phone’s Camera
If the WhatsApp camera is not working after the restart, you need to check your phone’s camera. First, you need to check whether your phone’s camera is working. To check it, you need to open the default camera application of your Android smartphone.
If the camera interface is loading, capture a few images or record a short video. If your phone’s camera is not working, you must fix it first. In case of a hardware issue, taking the phone to the local service center is recommended.
3. Check the Camera Permissions for WhatsApp
The next best thing you can do to fix WhatsApp Camera Not Working issue is to check whether the Camera Permissions have been enabled. Here’s how to confirm it.
1. First, long press on the WhatsApp app icon on your home screen and select App Info.
2. On the App Info, select Permissions.
3. Now, on the Permissions, select Camera.
4. Ensure the Camera permission is set to Allow only while using the app.
4. Close any other app using the camera
Certain malicious apps can silently use your phone’s camera and prevent others from using it. These apps won’t be found on the recent apps menu, but they will be on the list of installed apps.
If you’re using Android version 12 or above, a green dot will appear in the status bar, indicating that the camera is in use.
So, if you see the green dot, go through the apps immediately and find the suspicious apps. It’s also recommended to close all other apps using the camera to fix WhatsApp Camera not working issue.
5. Update the WhatsApp app for Android
WhatsApp often pushes updates that include critical bug fixes and security patches. You shouldn’t miss these updates at any cost, especially if you are experiencing issues like the WhatsApp camera not working.
So, if the WhatsApp camera is not working due to bugs, you need to update the app from the Google Play Store. Updating the WhatsApp app will also release the bug preventing the camera from opening.
6. Force Stop the WhatsApp app
If your phone’s camera is working fine, but WhatsApp is still not loading the camera, you need to force-stop the WhatsApp app. To force stop WhatsApp, you need to follow some of the simple steps we have shared below.
1. First, open the Settings app on your Android smartphone.
2. On the Settings app, scroll down and tap on the Apps.
3. Now, you can view all apps installed on your device. Next, find and tap on the WhatsApp app from the list.
4. On the next page, tap the Force Stop option, as shown below.
5. This will stop the WhatsApp app. Once done, rerun the WhatsApp app.
7. Leave the WhatsApp Beta Programme
If you’ve joined the WhatsApp Beta Programme, you might be receiving the beta updates for the WhatsApp app.
Even though WhatsApp beta provides access to experimental features, these features usually have bugs and glitches that can trigger various issues.
So, if you still can’t open the WhatsApp Camera, you can leave the WhatsApp Beta programme by following these steps.
1. Open the Google Play Store on your Android and search for WhatsApp.
2. Open the official WhatsApp app listing page.
3. Next, scroll down to the You’re a beta tester section and tap on Leave.
4. On the Leave beta programme confirmation prompt, tap Leave again.
8. Clear WhatsApp’s Cache and Data file
Sometimes WhatsApp fails to load the camera due to a corrupted cache and data file. Hence, you must clear WhatsApp’s cache and data file to fix this issue. Here’s what you need to do.
1. First, open the Settings app on your Android smartphone.
2. On the Settings app, scroll down and tap on the Apps.
3. Now, you can view all apps installed on your device. Find and tap on the WhatsApp app from the list.
4. On the next page, tap the Storage Usage option, as shown below.
5. On the Storage usage page, tap the Clear Data option, then the Clear cache.
After performing the above steps, open the WhatsApp app again. You need to go through the verification process again.
9. Reinstall WhatsApp on Android
If every method fails, the last remaining option is to reinstall the WhatsApp application on Android. Doing so will install new WhatsApp files on your Android device. Here’s how to reinstall WhatsApp on Android.
1. First of all, lonpress on the WhatsApp icon and select the Uninstall option.
2. Once uninstalled, open the Google Play Store and search for WhatsApp. Next, open the WhatsApp app from the Google Play Store search results and tap the Install button.
We are sure the above methods will help you fix the WhatsApp camera not working on Android. I hope this article helped you! Please share it with your friends also. If you have any doubts, let us know in the comment box below.