If you are reading this, then most likely your smartphone has suddenly refused to focus more than once at the most inopportune moment of shooting. This problem can affect both the main and selfie cameras, but the worst thing is if both cameras are affected by this problem. Even in this case, you shouldn’t worry too much, since we have a solution for this case too, which will certainly help solve the problem for most users.
The problem, when the smartphone camera suddenly stops catching focus, overtakes me from time to time and often at the wrong time. At some point, I thought about the fact that every problem should have a solution, and then I went online to look for a solution to my, as it turned out, not at all unique problem - this happens regularly and not only with Android smartphones, but also on iOS.
One of the authors from the phoneArena resource had a similar problem with focusing on the Samsung Galaxy S10, but he also notes that this in no way means that the problem applies to the entire Galaxy S line and does not affect smartphones from other manufacturers. This author has encountered a similar problem before, but on other smartphones, like the iPhone 6, Huawei P10 and Galaxy S8.
If you have already searched the Internet for solutions to a similar focusing problem, you have probably come across advice about restarting your smartphone, force closing the camera application by unloading it from memory, clearing the cache, and so on. However, since this problem is most likely related to the hardware of the device, we have decided to skip such “solutions” in this article, but you can still follow these tips as they can help you too.
Method for determining whether you have focusing problems
Any modern gadget with a camera is equipped with an electronic and mechanical focus control. The principle of focusing is that the phone system carefully studies surrounding factors, for example, the degree of illumination, distance to the object and other elements, and then independently adjusts the camera based on calculations.
Consequently, defocus may occur due to technical and software errors. Owners of budget phones should not be upset, because this problem occurs even on flagship devices.
To make sure your phone's camera is working, you need to check its level of accuracy. There are several reliable methods for this, one of which can be used at home. The user will need to take a blank landscape sheet and perform the following manipulations:
- Place the phone in a stationary position. You can use a tripod or book stand.
- Take a landscape sheet and stand in front of the camera so that the lens completely captures the torso.
- Gradually step back until the camera captures the user's full height. Fixation of third-party objects should not be allowed.
Healthy! This diagnostic method is called manual. During the procedure, the owner of the phone allows the lens to extend to its full length. If any mechanical defect is present, the camera will jam on the problem area.
No focus on your phone - update your camera apps
Outdated programs on Android are often the source of system problems.
- Open the Google Play Store app on your device
- Click Menu ☰ and then select "My games and..."
- If any programs need updating, select Update.
Check if the above steps fail. If not, try the last method.
Type of errors
There are many errors that can be caused by hardware or software failures. Before identifying the problem, you should ensure that the surrounding conditions are compatible:
- The camera does not respond well in low contrast or monotonous background conditions. In this case, you need to add flowers.
- If the subject to be captured is too close to the camera, the focus will not work. To check, you can move 5-7 meters from the camera.
When the above steps do not help restore focus, you should check your phone for the following errors.
Integrated camera app error
Typically, this problem occurs for a number of the following reasons:
- Accumulation of large amounts of garbage. To do this, you will need to go to the application settings and delete the cache.
- The software is outdated. The user will need to reinstall or update the smartphone operating system.
- System failure. To confirm a system failure, you can use a third-party snapshot utility. If focusing works in this case, then you will need to reflash the phone.
- Incompatibility of installed programs. Often, smartphone users use third-party apps to take photos. Many such programs negatively affect the operation of the standard utility.
Error in camera settings
Some advanced smartphones have an option that allows you to fix the focal length. In this case, the focus will only work at a certain distance set in the application settings. This tool is designed for creating creative photos. If this option is enabled, you need to disable it and recheck the focus.
Error in system settings
This option should be resorted to in cases where the above sections are not useful. The user will need to examine the system settings. The problem is that after installing a large number of applications, the OS gradually loses its performance, which can lead to software errors. The only way out is to reinstall the software or reset to the factory configuration.
Technical errors
If such circumstances arise, an inexperienced user will not be able to do anything. Any of the elements in the phone can fail at the hardware level, so in this case you will need to contact a repair center.
Mechanical deformation
There are several options for such damage:
- Damage to internal camera components. The described incident occurs as a result of a fall or strong impact of the lens on a foreign object. Otherwise, the camera will completely stop functioning.
- Damage to the lens. Focusing will not work even if dirt or grease gets on the lens. If scratches occur, the element will have to be replaced.
Causes of the problem and should you worry?
The problem can be caused by completely different factors. Most often due to small lenses that are located in the smartphone camera getting stuck. The problem also occurs when small particles or moisture get into the smartphone.
What do you prefer: live communication or your favorite messenger?
Ultimately, it all depends on how carefully you handle your gadget. If you have taken good care of your smartphone, but cannot understand the reason for the out-of-focus of your photo lens, then you should contact a service center. Specialists will disassemble your smartphone and find the cause of the problem.
Author, specialist in the field of IT and new technologies.
Received higher education in fundamental computer science and information technology at Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov. After that, he became an expert in a well-known online publication. After a while, I decided to try writing articles on my own. He runs a popular blog on YouTube and shares interesting information from the world of technology.
Home / Product Help and Support / Mobile Devices Last updated: 07/19/2018
Methodology for troubleshooting software errors
When you turn on the photo application on your smartphone, the system uses many resources to calculate environmental parameters. Consequently, if the device does not have enough resources, in our case RAM or internal memory, the application will slowly read information and process the image poorly. Also, do not forget that focus may be lost due to the following factors:
- Activation of manual mode.
- Incorrect system or camera application settings.
- Incompatibility of third party programs.
- OS system errors.
- Errors occur in standard services and applications.
Whatever type of error occurs, to protect your device and restore full functionality of the camera, you should follow these steps:
- Perform a normal reboot of the phone. After turning on, you should turn on the camera again and check the focus.
- Clean your phone from malware, temporary files, third-party applications and junk. It is worth taking care of sufficient memory on your phone.
- Deactivate manual mode in the camera app. The priority should be the standard shooting option.
- In the camera application settings, reset to factory configuration.
- Reset your mobile phone to factory settings using standard services. Before the procedure, you must make a backup copy of your data, save the numbers and copy media content to an external memory drive.
- Find a new version of software for your phone. This operation can be performed in the device settings, software update section.
- From time to time, due to automatic software updates, some OS components may not function properly. The camera app that most often suffers from this is the camera app. You can correct the situation by rolling back the operating system. To do this, you need to use your phone settings. The next step is to be sure to disable automatic updates.
- Perform a factory reset via the boot menu.
- Try out third-party snapshot apps. To download specialized programs, you can use the official Play Market store.
- Reinstall the software yourself.
How to fix camera defocus
One of the functions of the lens is focusing - changing the distance between the lens and the sensor. The phone's camera has a set of small lenses that move back and forth. They change their location so that the light penetrating through the lens hits the sensor, which determines which objects are in focus and which are not. But these lenses can get stuck.
When are you most likely to buy a new phone?
What are the main ways to eliminate defocus?
- forced closing of the “Camera” and unloading the program from the phone’s memory;
- clear cache;
- restarting the smartphone.
If none of these methods helped, it is time for the simplest, but at the same time effective method. You just need to turn your smartphone over and tap the lens with your finger. After that, check the focus. If the problem persists, try shaking the device or gently tapping it on your palm.
Often, after this mechanical action, the lenses will snap into place and your camera will be able to focus again.
Solving software glitches
If the recommendations described above do not solve the problem, then all that remains is to move on to eliminating the possible cause of the failure using software methods:
Reset camera settings
To do this you need:
- Go to the settings of your mobile device;
- Click on “Applications”. In this section, find a subsection with the same name. Go into it;
- Click on the “camera” item. In it - on “Memory”. Use a tool that allows you to perform a reset.
Phone is rebooted, free up some space
Physical damage is not always the reason why the iPhone 5 camera won't focus. When you have multiple apps running on your phone at the same time, one of them may crash. This is not necessarily camera software, but any other software as well.
The lack of normal functioning is explained by the filling of RAM. Although the iPhone is a powerful gadget, it cannot work simultaneously with several intensive applications at once. Try to disable unnecessary programs. To do this, double-click the “Home” button and pull up the window with the application that is no longer required.
Is the lens clean?
The glass that protects a mobile camera is one of the dirtiest because the covers and covers protect the entire body of the phone except that part. For this reason, this is the place where more dust accumulates.
To correct focus problems due to contamination, wipe the lens with a clean, dry cloth; this often solves most camera problems. Of course, if the protective plastic film is still attached to the device, it would be better to remove it at this stage as it may fog up and cause more problems than solutions.
