Apple iPhone 6s Plus Camera Issues: camera app crashes, blurry photos, no flash, won’t focus [Troubleshooting Guide]

Apple's #iPhone 6s Plus (#iPhone6sPlus) is by far deemed among the most popular smartphones to integrate the best camera features prior to the existence of the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. The 6s Plus comes with many astounding features, catering the needs of every iPhone users when it comes to photography. Live Photos and support for 4K video are just two of the unique features users can benefit from this handset.

But even with its well-structured camera application, random issues still have managed to find a way to affect the iPhone system. In fact, a lot of complaints pertaining to the iPhone camera have been populating relevant sites. Desperate users were seeking for some aide in fixing various issues they've encountered while using the iPhone 6s Plus camera. Among the commonly raised concerns would include issues on the camera outputs like blurry photos, as well as internal camera app errors like random crashes, black screen, no focus and not working flash.

If you came across this page while searching for help in fixing any of the aforementioned issues with the iPhone 6s Plus camera, then you might as well consider giving any of the subsequent methods a try on your end before opting for iPhone repair.

But before anything else, if you have a different issue with your device, visit the troubleshooting page we've setup for the iPhone 6s Plus. We list down every problem we address each week in that page so try to see if we've already addressed your concern before. If we did, try to use the solutions we suggested and if they won't work, then you may contact us by filling up this form.

Possible causes of camera problems

Just like with other mobile devices, problems with the camera app can be triggered by software or hardware malfunctions. BUt majority of the reported problems were tied to the software. Issues relevant to the hardware are considered more serious as they already involve more advanced troubleshooting and likely require a technician's aide to get fixed. Nevertheless, software-related issues can still be remedied by end-users themselves using any applicable workarounds.

Software-related issues affecting certain applications on the iPhone including the camera app can arise due to several reasons. Incorrect or improper configuration on the iPhone's camera app settings, use of inappropriate options that results to unacceptable image outputs, software bugs, and faulty updates. In some cases, the problem or error has something to do with the iPhone's memory status. You may not have noticed it but your device may already be running short of memory space and may possibly no longer be able to store more files like photos or videos taken through the iPhone camera. Error prompts and messages will help you determine if the problem is tied to insufficient memory, so be sure to read or take note of them before you try doing any means to troubleshoot.

Recommended Workarounds and Potential Solutions

The success rate in resolving software-related issues, including with the iPhone 6s Plus camera may vary depending on the complexity of the problem. Sometimes, the problem won't get fixed with minor procedures but rather through a more advanced methods. For the latter, you may already consider getting a professional's help especially if you are not sure of what you are doing so as to prevent making the problem even worse.

The following methods are comprised of standard procedures in fixing common issues with the camera application on your iPhone. While there is no guarantee that these methods would be able to fix the problem, it wouldn't hurt to try them first before opting to pay for a service fee. You may opt to try all or any of these methods, which you think applicable to your situation. Be sure to test your iPhone's camera after completing each step so as to determine whether the problem has already been fixed. Otherwise, continue to other methods.

The following are generic troubleshooting methods and workarounds to deal with problems related to the iPhone 6s Plus camera application. Consider trying these methods first and see if any of them is able to resolve the underlying cause. If none of them works, then you may proceed with other applicable solutions.

Step 1. Restart the camera app.

If all of a sudden, the camera app encounters some problem or not working as it should, quitting the app might be able to fix it. Just close or quit the app for a few seconds and then open it again. If the app is freezing or not responding, then you can force the app to close instead. Here's how:

Double-tap/press the Home button. Doing so will open the screen containing all recently-used apps.

Locate the Camera app by swiping right or left.

To close the app, swipe up on the Camera app's preview. The app will then be closed.

Open the camera app again and try to see if it's already working.

Step 2. Reboot (soft reset) your iPhone.

Problems triggered by minor software glitches can happen randomly. Thus, you shouldn't rule out the possibility that the problem you encounter while using the iPhone 6s camera app might just be due to random software glitches. As minor as they are, these problems are more likely get fixed by restarting your iPhone.

To restart your iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button for a few seconds until the red slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off your iPhone completely. Wait for 30 seconds then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button again until the Apple logo appears. Your iPhone will then reboot.

After restarting the iPhone, open the camera app and try to see if it is now working as it should.

Step 3. Force restart your iPhone.

A force restart may be necessary especially if you're device gets unresponsive or not responding to touches while using the camera app. The application might have been corrupted and caused both the app and the iPhone system to stop working. Should this be the case, a force restart might help.

To force your iPhone to restart, press and hold the Sleep/Wake (Power) button and the Home button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. The phone will then reboot.

Step 4. Quit all apps running in the background.

Apps running in the background can also trigger random issues to occur on certain apps or the device itself especially with insufficient memory storage. Sluggish performance, laggy apps, random restarts, apps crashes, unresponsive device, and pertinent error codes are among the associated symptoms you may experience. To eliminate this from the possible culprits, you can try force closing all your apps that are in standby mode. Here's how to force close an app on your iPhone 6s Plus:

Double-tap or quickly press the Home button twice. Doing so will open a new screen that contains your most recently-used apps. These apps are not open but rather in standby mode.

Swipe up on each app's preview to close it.

Swipe right or left to view more apps to close, if necessary.

After you quit all apps, restart your iPhone and then open the camera app again to see if it's now working fine.

Step 5. Check and manage memory storage.

Sometimes an app may tend to misbehave or malfunction due to memory problems or when your device is running low on internal storage. This is likely to happen to apps that require storage to function completely. The camera app would require enough storage space to store new photos and videos taken using the iPhone camera. Thus, if your iPhone storage is already running low, there is a higher chance for the camera app to not function as it should. Chances are you will no longer be able to store new photos or videos. You may be able to take or record but can't save them. In this case, you need to free up some space of your iPhone's internal storage. To manage storage on your iPhone 6s Plus, start by checking the available memory with the following steps:

Tap Settings from the Home screen.

Tap General.

Tap Storage & iCloud Usage. Doing so will display the available memory.

Tap Manage Storage to view how much storage apps are using. Doing so will display a new screen containing a list of apps and how much storage each one of them uses.

Note: You can view more information about its usage by tapping an app from the list.

Normally, iOS optimizes your iPhone storage by removing temporary files and clearing the cache on your device. If your device is almost full and the system can no longer free up space, you are likely to get a Storage Almost Full alert. This denotes a need for you to remove unnecessary contents from your device yourself.

If deleting is not an option for you, then you can transfer the files to other storage media or create a backup through iCloud or iTunes. You then can delete these files on your iPhone once the backup was created.

Step 6. Update software (app and iOS).

Aside from new and improved features, software updates also contain fixes to certain bugs transpiring on an iPhone including those that affect the camera application. If you haven't yet upgraded your iPhone iOS, then you might as well consider doing it now for this might just be the thing you need to get the camera app working fine again. You can update your iPhone wirelessly or using iTunes.

To get started, check for any available software update for your iPhone and then proceed with the software update installation if there is.

To do so, go to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Software Update.

If an update is available and you opt to update wirelessly, plug your iPhone into a power source and ensure it is connected to Wi-Fi.

Tap the option to Download and Install.

If you're prompted with a message asking you to temporarily remove apps because iOS requires more space for an update, tap Continue to agree and proceed. Otherwise, tap Cancel.

Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the update installation on your iPhone.

Alternatively, you can update iOS on your iPhone manually through iTunes. To do so, you will need to connect your iPhone to a computer (Windows or Mac) with the latest version of iTunes installed. As much as possible, use only the original (OEM) supplied USB connector to connect both devices. Once your iPhone is recognized by the computer, continue with these steps:

Open iTunes and select your iPhone 6s Plus from the list of available devices.

To proceed, click Summary then click the option to Check for Update.

Follow the onscreen instructions to complete iOS update download and installation with iTunes.

If necessary, reboot your iPhone once the update is successfully installed and then try to use the camera app again to see if there are any positive changes.

Problem-Specific Solutions

The following methods are used to deal with specific problems while using the camera app on the iPhone 6s Plus. To proceed, select your problem and then try the recommended workaround to see what happens then.

Step 1. For an iPhone camera flash that is not working.

If the flash is not working, try to test the LED flash to see if it's working. To do so, open the Control Center and then tap the Flashlight icon located on the bottom-leftmost corner. If it turns on, then it's good. Otherwise, check further.

If the flash is not working or goes off every time you take a photo, then try to check your iPhone's flash settings.

To do so, tap the black lightning bolt icon (flash icon) in the upper left of the screen and then select a different setting. After changing the setting, test the camera app again.

Note: You might be seeing an alert message saying that the flash is disabled especially if you take extended video with the flash on or using the iPhone in a very warm environment. In this case, let your iPhone cool down and that message should be gone.

Step 2. For blurred, dark spots, or out of focus photos.

If you're bothered with blurred, dark spots, or out of focus photos from your iPhone camera, it's possible that the camera lens has some dirt and need to be cleaned. Check the lens for any dirt or debris and if necessary, clean the lens using a microfiber cloth. Once the lens is all cleaned up, try to take a new photo using the stock camera app on your iPhone and see the result.

There are also some cases of blurred photos, out of focus and other camera issues which have been caused by a metallic case or magnetic lens that interfere with the iPhone's optical image stabilization.

To rule out this possibility, try taking a picture without the case or magnetic lens and then compare the quality of the result.

Also be sure to focus on a certain object or person before capturing or tap that object or person on the preview screen. As the camera adjusts, you will see the screen pulse or when it briefly goes in and out of focus.

The camera will automatically refocus to the center if you move too far in any direction. You can adjust the focus before you start recording a video in video mode.

Step 3. For missing camera app on your iPhone 6s Plus.

By default, the Camera app is present on your Home screen. If it's not there, then you can search for it or check your iPhone Settings to see if it is blocked. You can use Spotlight search to search for the camera app quickly and then open the app to use it.

Alternatively, you can head over to your iPhone Settings-> General-> Restrictions-> Allow. Make sure Camera is turned ON or Allowed. If necessary, toggle the switch next to Camera to allow use of the app or turn restriction OFF for the camera app.

Step 4. For black screen.

If you all you're seeing is a black screen while launching the camera app viewfinder screen, then check and make sure that nothing is blocking the camera lens.

Try to remove any case if necessary. If that won't do any good, they try forcing the camera app to close and then open it again. If that won't work either, then try to reboot (soft reset) your iPhone and then open the Camera app again.

Also try to switch between front and rear cameras. If you see black screen or closed lens on only one camera, then it likely denotes a problem on either of the cameras and therefore needs to be checked and fixed by a technician.

Other Suggestions

Install alternative camera application. If the problem remains after completing all the aforementioned methods, then you can try installing another app from the App Store, as alternative for your iPhone's stock camera. You may resort to this option if the camera issue you have is triggered mainly by a software update or happens after installing the latest iOS version.

Contact Apple Support for other options. You should contact Apple Support to escalate the problem with your iPhone 6s Plus camera app especially if the problem persists and that you've already ran out of options to try on your end. You may ask for further assistance in troubleshooting or other recommendations.

Connect with us

We are always willing to help fix your problems with your Apple device. Browse through our existing troubleshooting posts or you may contact us directly by completing this form and hitting the Submit button. Make sure you provide all the necessary information about your phone and the problem so that it would be easier for us to help you.

You Might Also Like These Posts...
Source: Apple iPhone 6s Plus Camera Issues: camera app crashes, blurry photos, no flash, won't focus [Troubleshooting Guide]