When the LED flash on your Fairphone 5 stops working, it can be a real hassle, especially when you need it for photos or as a flashlight. The button in your quick settings might not respond, or the flash might not fire when you take a picture. Let's get it sorted.
Close Any Camera App
The flash LED is a shared component between the flashlight and the camera. If any camera app is running, even in the background, the system will lock the flashlight function. Swipe away the camera app from your recent apps view. You should find the flashlight toggle becomes active again right away.
Restart Your Fairphone 5
This is often the quickest fix for a software hiccup. Press and hold the Power button for about 10 seconds until the device restarts. For a more thorough reset, you can power down completely, wait a minute, and then power it back on. This clears the temporary state controlling the LED module.
Check Your Battery Saver Mode
While Battery Saver shouldn't outright disable the flash, it can sometimes make system functions less responsive. Pull down your notification shade twice to access the quick settings and see if the battery saver icon is highlighted. If it is, tap it to turn it off and then test your flash again.
Let Your Phone Cool Down
Android has built-in thermal protection. If your Fairphone 5 feels warm to the touch, it may have temporarily disabled power-intensive features like the bright LED flash to prevent damage. Set it down in a cooler spot, out of direct sunlight, for 10-15 minutes. The flash functionality should return once the temperature drops.
Use Google Assistant to Toggle the Flashlight
Say "Hey Google, turn on the flashlight". If the Assistant can control it but your quick settings tile can't, it points to a minor interface bug. You can try toggling it off with your voice as well. A simple restart after this will often clear up that UI glitch.
Test the Flash in Your Camera App
Open your camera app and look for the flash icon, it usually looks like a lightning bolt. Tap it to cycle through the modes: Auto, On, and Off. Set it to "On" and take a picture. If it works here but not as a flashlight, the issue is likely with your flashlight app or quick settings tile, not the hardware.
Update Your Software
Fairphone is committed to long-term updates, and bugs do get patched. Go to Settings > System > System update and check for any available downloads. Installing the latest software can resolve conflicts or bugs that might be affecting the flash controller.
Reset App Preferences or Settings
If a specific app is causing trouble, you can reset its permissions. Go to Settings > Apps, find your camera or flashlight app, tap Storage & cache, and then Clear cache. For a broader fix, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences. This resets notification controls and app permissions without deleting any personal data.
Inspect the Flash Module
One of the Fairphone's advantages is its modular design. Power off the phone completely and remove the back cover. Gently press on the camera module to ensure it's seated correctly in its connector. While you're there, check the clear plastic cover over the flash LED for any cracks or dirt that could be diffusing the light and making it seem dim.