How to fix Samsung Galaxy A5 that keeps showing “Camera failed” error [Troubleshooting Guide]

The “Camera failed” error on the Samsung Galaxy A5 almost always means the camera app crashed or lost its connection to the camera sensor — not that your hardware is dead. In most cases, clearing the app data or resetting the camera settings fixes it in under a minute. Here’s every fix, starting with the fastest.

Reset Camera Settings

Before anything else, try resetting the camera app’s own settings. This clears any misconfigured options that may be causing the crash without deleting your photos.

Open the Camera app. If it immediately shows “Camera failed,” skip to the next fix.
Tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-left corner.
Scroll down and tap Reset settings.
Tap Reset to confirm.

Reopen the camera. If the error appeared after you changed a camera setting (resolution, timer, storage location), this usually resolves it immediately.

Clear Camera App Cache and Data

Corrupted cache files are the single most common cause of the “Camera failed” error. Clearing them forces the app to rebuild from scratch.

Go to Settings → Apps (or Application Manager on older firmware).
Find and tap Camera.
Tap Storage.
Tap Clear cache first, then reopen the camera to test.
If the error persists, go back and tap Clear data (this resets all camera settings but does not delete your photos — those are stored in the Gallery/DCIM folder).

Important: Also clear the cache and data for the Gallery app using the same steps. The Gallery and Camera apps share processes on Samsung phones, and a corrupted Gallery cache can trigger the Camera failed error.

Check and Re-enable Camera Permissions

A software update or app conflict can sometimes revoke camera permissions silently, which triggers the “Camera failed” error rather than a permission request.

Go to Settings → Apps → Camera → Permissions.
Make sure Camera, Microphone, and Storage permissions are all enabled.
If any are disabled, toggle them on and retest.

On Galaxy A5 models running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later, you can also check this via Settings → Privacy → Permission Manager → Camera to see every app with camera access.

Boot Into Safe Mode

If the error started after installing a new app, a third-party app is likely interfering with the camera. Safe mode disables all downloaded apps so you can test this.

Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
Tap and hold the Power off option until the “Safe mode” prompt appears.
Tap Safe mode to restart.

Once the phone boots (you’ll see “Safe mode” in the bottom-left corner), open the Camera app:

Camera works in safe mode: A third-party app is the culprit. Restart normally, then uninstall recently downloaded apps one by one until the error stops. Common offenders include third-party camera apps, flashlight apps, and QR code scanners that hold a lock on the camera hardware.
Camera still fails in safe mode: The issue is in the system firmware or hardware. Move to the next step.

To exit safe mode, simply restart your phone normally.

Update Your Phone’s Software

Samsung has pushed several firmware updates that specifically addressed camera stability issues on Galaxy A-series phones. Running outdated software is a known trigger for “Camera failed” errors.

Go to Settings → Software update → Download and install.
If an update is available, install it and restart your phone.
If your Galaxy A5 is on its final supported firmware version and no update is available, this step won’t apply — move to the next fix.

Note: The Galaxy A5 (2017) received its last major update (Android 8.0 Oreo) and final security patches in 2020. If you’re on the latest available firmware and still experiencing this issue, the remaining fixes below are your best options.

Wipe the Cache Partition

The system cache partition stores temporary files used by Android to speed up app loading. When these files become corrupted — often after a software update or unexpected reboot — camera errors can result. Wiping the cache partition is safe and does not delete personal data.

Power off the phone completely.
Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power simultaneously.
Release all buttons when the Samsung logo appears and you see “Installing system update” briefly on screen. This is normal — it’s accessing recovery mode, not installing anything.
Use the Volume Down key to highlight Wipe cache partition.
Press the Power button to select.
Highlight Yes with Volume Down, then press Power to confirm.
When the process completes, Reboot system now will be highlighted. Press Power to restart.

After the reboot, open the Camera app and test. The first launch may be slightly slower than usual as the system rebuilds its cache.

Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If every software fix above has failed, a factory reset will rule out firmware corruption entirely. This erases everything on the phone, so back up your data first.

Before resetting — disable Factory Reset Protection (FRP):

Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
Remove your Google account (you’ll add it back after the reset). If you skip this step, the phone will lock you out after reset, requiring the original Google credentials to proceed.

To factory reset via Settings:

Go to Settings → General management → Reset → Factory data reset.
Review the list of data that will be deleted, then tap Reset and confirm.

To factory reset via Recovery Mode (if you can’t access Settings):

Power off the phone.
Press and hold Volume Up + Home + Power.
In the recovery menu, use Volume Down to highlight Wipe data/factory reset.
Press Power to select, then confirm with Yes.
Once complete, select Reboot system now.

After setup, test the camera before reinstalling any apps. If the “Camera failed” error appears on a fresh factory reset with no apps installed, the problem is hardware-related.

When It’s a Hardware Problem

If the error persists after a factory reset, the camera sensor, ribbon cable, or motherboard connection is the likely cause. Common hardware triggers include:

Drop damage: Even without visible screen damage, the camera module can become unseated from its connector on the motherboard. A repair technician can often reseat it in 15–20 minutes.
Water or moisture exposure: Check the Liquid Damage Indicator (LDI) — on the Galaxy A5, it’s located inside the SIM card tray slot. A pink or red indicator means moisture has reached internal components.
Aged camera module: On Galaxy A5 models from 2015–2017 that have seen heavy use, the camera module can degrade over time, especially in hot or humid environments.

Third-party camera apps as a temporary workaround: If the hardware is partially functional (e.g., the camera works intermittently), apps like Open Camera (free on the Play Store) sometimes work because they initialize the camera sensor differently than Samsung’s stock app. This isn’t a fix, but it can buy you time while you arrange a repair.

Samsung Service and Warranty Options

The Galaxy A5 is well past its warranty period as of 2026, so repairs will be out-of-pocket. Here are your options:

Samsung Support: Call 1-800-SAMSUNG (1-800-726-7864) or visit Samsung’s repair page to find a service center near you.
uBreakiFix by Asurion: Samsung’s authorized third-party repair partner in the US. They use genuine Samsung parts and can typically complete camera repairs same-day.
Independent repair shops: Camera module replacement on the Galaxy A5 typically costs $50–$80 at local repair shops. Make sure they use OEM or high-quality aftermarket parts.
DIY repair: iFixit has a Galaxy A5 repair guide with step-by-step teardown instructions. Replacement camera modules are available online for $15–$30, but this requires careful disassembly and a heat gun to remove the back panel adhesive.

Cost-effectiveness note: Given the Galaxy A5’s age, if the repair estimate exceeds $80–$100, you may be better off upgrading to a newer budget Galaxy A-series phone like the Galaxy A15 or A25, which offer significantly better cameras and current software support.

Our Recommendation

Start with clearing the camera app cache and data — this solves the “Camera failed” error for the majority of Galaxy A5 owners. If that doesn’t work, wipe the cache partition next, as corrupted system cache is the second most common cause. Only proceed to a factory reset if safe mode testing confirms the issue isn’t caused by a third-party app. If the error survives a factory reset, it’s hardware — get a repair quote and weigh it against the cost of upgrading.