Error! Camera not Available!

[lchmiel]

My phone frequently returns a message "Error! Camera not Available!" when opening any application which uses a camera. This happens specially when the applicatons that scan barcodes are used ("AT&T Code Scanner", "OK Scan"), but not exclusively. Among the apps bringing the camera to a crash there are some of good reputation, like for example "Perfectly Clear". In the emergency mode the camera works OK.

The issue is the same as in this thread for Z1, however it disappoints me that the same happens in Z3 which is so much newer.

The support adviced me to clear the data for the camera (Applications menu) and restart the phone. This did not help much, so they adviced to reset the phone to factory defaults. I did it twice, due to after the first time I found exactly which apps caused the problem. It took me a day to restore everything to the original state :smileyworried:.

Afterwards, the camera was stuck by "Perfectly Clear", a decent app written by a "Best programmer". I was depressed.

However, there is a solution: simply clearing all the apps running in the background (["three permanent keys in the bottom" | "two rectangles" | clear all], or [an icon with a green brush]). This helps without a restart.

I hope Sony issues a correction for Z3 analogical to that of this post for Z1 as soon as possible.

[_alexdon_]

Have you seen the topics about google now being related to this?

[lchmiel]

Please give an example.

In fact, I don't use and do not wish to use Google Now.

[_alexdon_]

/t5/Xperia-Z3-Z3-Dual/error-message-pops-up-when-opening-camera/m-p/845023#M450

/t5/Xperia-Z3-Z3-Dual/Sony-Xperia-Z3-Camera-Error-Prompt/m-p/840637/highlight/true#M267

[lchmiel]

OK, yes, I have seen these. In my case the error message is different - it simply states that the camera is not available, without any reference to other apps. This is why I started a new thread.

The sad thing is that I was adviced to reset to factory defults, which is disastrous when a phone is vastly customised to my needs, while there exists a much more friendly solution.

[Edit] Some lettering errors corrected.

[_alexdon_]

Sorry to hear that.In this case,you should have the device examined.

[lchmiel]

I think a kind of a tentative solution is outlined by myself in the last two paragraphs of the first message in this topic.

[lchmiel]

Hmm... After an update to 23.0.1.A.5.77 the problem did not change at all.

[RAHAlpha]

Have had the same problem. Very frustrating and a rediculous problem to have with a Sony phone. Really weird to read that the problem has been around since the Z1 and Sony hasn't fixed it. Funny too that a full restart won't fix it either but it won't on my Z3v.

That said, though I can't fix it, I can make it go away quickly when it occurs. I use a program called Clean Master; basically a pretty good app killer for all those useless running apps. It comes with a widget too for quick "sweeping". When I get the dreaded "Error. Camera not available." I just hit the Clean Master widget and, when it's finished (maybe 5 seconds) the camera works again. Not exactly a quick and permenant solution (which Sony should find quickly before I send the Z3 back) when you want a quick pic, but it helps for the moment.

I heard the Droid Turbo has virtually the same camera, less bloat, and no such problems. I might have to go look at that.

RAHAlpha

[mr_xzibit]

Sony are not responsible for a 3rd party app that causes the camera to not function. Which sounds like the problem you are both having. Contact the app development team.