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.

[lchmiel]

Does anyone of you use Go Launcher X?

[OdeonMac]

Another here. I've had my z3+ for about six months. Was working fine besides the overheating, then out of no where my Camera stops working. "unfortunately camera has stopped " I've tried everything I can think of. Wiped cachee, removed sim n SD card, factory reset, installed/uninstalled other camera apps, service menu says camera not connected. I'm not rooted, no launchers.I bought the phone out right on amazon, not used but I don't think it has a warranty any one have other suggestions???

[lchmiel]

Did you try to switch the flash light on and off after the system start, as described here? This works fine in my phone. As I already wrote, due to this error I have obtained a new phone, but in my case the error persisted.

Three persons I know have the same model and their cameras work fine.

[OdeonMac]

I looked for my flashlight and it no longer exists, I tried a 3Rd party app and it only lit up my screen not the camera light. I'm at a complete lost.

[lchmiel]

Look in the "Quick active settings" which are visible in the upper toolbar after clicking the toolbar itself and then clicking the icon "Pencil" (the small icon shows a pencil over a background with dots). You can put the "Torch" into the upper toolbar and have it alwys near. No 3rd party app is necessary.

[lenight69]

Also does the same for me on a fresh factory reset with no other apps installed

[Maxime2]

Hi there, same problem, Camera has stopped-message.

Factor reset twice, and tested the camera before installing new apps. Didn't work.

Killing all apps doesn't work.

Starting up in safe mode doesn't work.

Same as OdeonMac, the stock flashlight doesn't appear in the drop down menu. When I tap the pencil in the upper right corner of the drop down menu, the flashlight is listed as a quick access button, but it disappears when I exit the configuration menu.

No other apps work with the camera (snapchat, facebook messenger).

Tried a 3rd party camera app, didn't work.

Tried a 3rd party flashlight app, it didn't recognize the led, and only lit up the screen.

Phone is 2-3 months old.

[nocattle]

me too! I get periodic notices that "Camera Not Available" Camera not available in any app or directly. In reading this thread I discovered flashlight is missing, it's not even in the header. IIt's completely vanished. Using a third party app it only lights the screen. Anyone with a solution yet? Hello Sony help! 

[nocattle · Accepted solution]

FIXED IT!!! problem with camera not available error AND missing flashlight was solved by installing new camera. So it's a HARDWARE ISSUE, not a software issue. Empty your cache all you want, it won't help. Deleting apps won't help. Physically changing the camera worked. Although the factory seal is gone so now it's probably no longer waterproof.

[lchmiel]

I have just marked the above post as "Solution". This is surely a sarcastic conclusion.

In my case the solution outlined here works well until today, but it does not work for all of you, as OdeonMac mentioned in one of the previous posts and as others have confirmed.