While the iPhone 7 Plus is known for its powerful camera system, some users have run into frustrating issues like a black camera screen, flashes of purple or green, color tinting, a faulty shutter, or one rear camera lens not working at all.
If you’re facing any of these problems, don’t worry—you might be able to fix them yourself without heading to a repair shop.
Here’s your complete guide to troubleshooting and fixing iPhone 7 Plus camera issues.
Why Your iPhone 7 Plus Camera May Not Be Working
- Software bugs in the Camera app
- Glitches after iOS updates
- Blocked or dirty lenses
- Hardware damage (especially from drops or liquid exposure)
- Faulty third-party cases or accessories
If your phone hasn’t been dropped or exposed to water, there’s a good chance a quick software fix can solve the issue.
Step-by-Step Fixes for iPhone 7 Plus Camera Problems
Step 1: Quit the Camera App and Restart Your iPhone
A quick restart often clears minor app glitches.
To restart:
- Press and hold the Power button until the “slide to power off” appears.
- Turn the device off.
- After 30 seconds, press Power again to turn it back on.
If your phone is frozen:
- Press and hold Power + Volume Down until you see the Apple logo.
Step 2: Force Close Background Apps
A rogue app might be interfering with the Camera.
To force close:
- Double-press the Home button.
- Swipe up on all open app previews to close them.
- Relaunch the Camera app.
Step 3: Check for Lens Blockages
- Remove any case or accessories that might cover the lens.
- Tap the Camera Swap icon to test both the front and back cameras.
If only one camera shows a black screen, the lens or sensor might be damaged.
Step 4: Clean the Camera Lens
Use a soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens.
- Smudges or dirt can cause blurry, dark, or distorted photos.
Step 5: Remove Metallic Cases or Magnetic Lenses
If you’re using a metallic case or magnetic lens attachment, remove it.
- These can interfere with the optical image stabilization system, causing blurriness or focus issues.
Step 6: Adjust Focus Manually
Before taking a photo:
- Tap on the screen to set focus on your subject.
- Stay steady while focusing; moving too much will cause the camera to re-center automatically.
Step 7: Test the LED Flash
To check if your LED flash is working:
- Swipe up to open Control Center and tap the Flashlight icon.
If the flash doesn’t work here, it likely won’t work in the Camera app either.
Tip:
If you see a “Flash is Disabled” message, let your iPhone cool down—it happens when the device overheats.
Step 8: Check If the Camera Is Restricted
If you can’t find the Camera app:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > Allowed Apps.
- Make sure Camera is allowed.
Step 9: Update to the Latest iOS Version
Sometimes, camera issues are fixed through software updates.
To check for updates:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If available, download and install the update.
Note: Updates can take time, especially over Wi-Fi, so make sure your iPhone is fully charged.
Step 10: Try a Third-Party Camera App
If nothing else works:
- Download a reputable camera app from the App Store and test if it can access the camera hardware.
If third-party apps also fail, it’s likely a hardware issue.
When to Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all of these steps and your iPhone 7 Plus camera still isn’t working:
- Contact Apple Support.
- Visit a Genius Bar or authorized service center.
- If your iPhone is under warranty or AppleCare+, you may qualify for a free repair or replacement.
Much like the issue posted in regards to the iPhone 7 camera not working after iOS 10 update, I am having same with iphone6S. The screen goes black or out of focus randomly when in the camera app & I have to restart my phone in order to use the camera. I have replaced my phone with a new phone (not refurbished) so the camera hardware is undamaged and still have the issue. Leaving me to believe it is a bug in the apple camera app. I’ve contacted apple 10 separate times and gone through all of their troubleshooting even restoring a brand new phone. Nothing has worked and they want to keep giving me a new phone insisting it must be hardware issue instead of acknowledging that it has to be software. So far each new phone has same issue. I’m at a loss on what to do.
My iPhone 7 Plus camera has proved itself more blurry than an iPhone 5, and problem with close up macro images (which i have to take every day of my small products i sell online), is immense. The telephoto and digital zooms argue with each other when zooming in close, and refuse to focus properly. Apart from this, indeed, even normal photos, when i have taken them and look at them by zooming in on my desktop screen, they look like blurry pixelly rubbish. The wors camera since iPhone 5. My iPhone 5 is still the camera of choice, and since i got this iPhone 7+, am reluctant to buy any more releases of iPhones at all. They are for selfies and other narcisssistic crap, but not good for professional use. emojicons and selfies.. = iPhone. noting for productivity anymore. By the way this website is tasteless due to the popup floating video ads which are a terribly bothersome thing.. wont be returning to this site due to bad taste video overlays
I am incredibly frustrated with this issue. The rear camera was replaced on my last iPhone 7 and after a few months the blurry issue came back. After all the usual troubleshooting steps I took the phone to an Apple store when the issue started happening again. They swapped out the phone as a last resort but after using this new iPhone 7 for less than a week, the issue is back.
It seems Apple refuses to acknowledge it and closing/reopening an app to capture a photo is not functional if you take a lot of photos.