Nothing Phone (2) Camera Not Working (9 Fixes)

If your Nothing Phone (2) camera app is crashing, freezing, or just showing a black screen, start with a simple restart. Press and hold the power button until the shutdown menu appears, then tap Restart. I've seen this fix work for most temporary software glitches that cause the camera to stop responding.

Give the phone a full minute to reboot completely. Sometimes the Glyph Interface lights might finish their sequence before the system is fully ready.

If a simple restart doesn't help, force close the camera app. Swipe up from the bottom and hold to enter the recent apps view, then swipe the camera app away. Alternatively, go to Settings > Apps > Camera and tap Force stop.

After force stopping, try opening the camera again. If it works, you might want to clear the app's cache next. In the same Camera app info screen, go to Storage & cache and tap Clear cache. This deletes temporary files without touching your photos.

Install the Latest Software Updates

Camera issues can pop up after a buggy update or be fixed by a newer one. Check for updates by going to Settings > System > System update. Tap Download and install if an update is available.

Nothing frequently releases patches for Nothing OS that address performance and camera stability. Also check for Google Play system updates under Settings > Security & privacy > System & updates > Google Play system update.

Install any available updates and let your phone restart. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is powerful, but it needs optimized software to run the camera smoothly, especially during heavy computational photography tasks.

Clean the Camera Lenses and Sensors

The Nothing Phone (2) has a distinctive transparent back with a prominent dual-camera housing. Fingerprints and dust love to collect on those large lenses. Use a dry, soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe both camera lenses and the flash module.

Pay attention to the small sensors near the top of the screen as well. Smudges on the proximity or ambient light sensor can sometimes confuse the system and affect camera behavior in certain apps. A clean phone is a happy phone.

Verify Camera and Microphone Permissions

If the camera works in some apps but not others, it's likely a permission issue. Go to Settings > Apps and select the app that's having trouble (like Instagram, Snapchat, or your banking app). Tap Permissions and make sure "Camera" is set to "Allow."

While you're there, check the "Microphone" permission too, as some apps need both for video recording. If you previously denied permission, the app might just show a black screen or crash immediately when you try to use the camera.

Test in Safe Mode

To rule out a third-party app conflict, boot your phone into Safe Mode. Press and hold the power button until the power off menu appears. Then, tap and hold the "Power off" option on your screen until you see a prompt to reboot to Safe Mode.

Tap OK. In Safe Mode, you'll see "Safe mode" in the bottom corner, and all downloaded apps will be temporarily disabled. Try opening the camera now. If it works perfectly, a recently installed app is causing the problem.

Restart your phone normally to exit Safe Mode. Then, start uninstalling apps you installed around the time the camera issues began. Social media mods, camera utility apps, or aggressive battery savers are common culprits.

Reset All App Preferences

This is a useful middle step before considering a factory reset. It resets all app permissions, default apps, and background restrictions without deleting any personal data. Go to Settings > System > Reset options.

Tap "Reset app preferences" and confirm. Afterward, you'll need to re-grant permissions when you open apps for the first time. This can clear up conflicts where system settings for the camera have become corrupted.

Check for Physical Damage or Obstructions

Inspect the camera module on the back. The unique design means the lenses are slightly raised. Look for any cracks, deep scratches, or signs of impact. Even a small crack over a lens will ruin image quality.

Also, make sure no part of your case is obstructing or pressing against the camera lenses. Some cases, especially if they're not designed specifically for the Phone (2), can misalign and block the camera's view.

Try removing the case and testing the camera. If you use a skin or a lens protector, ensure it's perfectly aligned and isn't covering any part of the actual glass lens.

Perform a Factory Reset

If all else fails, a factory reset will wipe the phone back to its original software state. This is a last resort. First, ensure all your photos, contacts, and important data are backed up. You can use Google One or manually transfer files to a computer.

To reset, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). Follow the prompts. After the reset is complete, set up the phone as new initially and test the camera before restoring your backup.

Sometimes restoring a backup can bring back the corrupted software state. If the camera works on a fresh setup, you know the issue was software-related.