Samsung Galaxy A20 keeps showing the ‘Camera failed’ error
The “Warning: Camera failed” error that seems to be bothering some users of the Samsung Galaxy A20 is often just a minor problem. However, I’ve seen cases wherein this error is actually a sign of a more serious hardware issue affecting the camera sensors themselves. What this error means is that the app, one of the services or the hardware itself failed to initialize. It’s difficult to determine what the problem really is without doing some troubleshooting procedures.
So, in this post, I will guide you in troubleshooting your Galaxy A20 that keeps showing the “Camera failed” error when the camera app is launched. As a result of this problem, users can no longer snap pictures or record videos because this error shows up the moment you open the app. So, if you’re one of the owners of this device and are currently being bugged by a similar problem, continue reading as this article may be able to help you.
Before going further, if you found this post because you were trying to find a solution to your problem, then try to visit our troubleshooting page as we’ve already addressed most of the commonly reported issues with the phone. We’ve already provided solutions to some of the problems reported by our readers so try to find issues that are similar to yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you and if you need further assistance, fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit.
Troubleshooting Galaxy A20 with “Camera failed” error
The camera is one of the most complicated processes in your phone. Imagine that the app, all its services as well as the sensor must work properly the moment you launch the app. If one of them failed to initialize, the ‘Camera failed’ error may start to show. You need to be thorough in troubleshooting your device that has this kind of problem. With that being said, here’s what you should do:
First solution: Force restart your phone
The very first thing that you have to do if your phone keeps on showing the ‘camera failed’ error is to perform the forced reboot. It’s a simulated battery removal that refreshes your phone’s memory as well as reload all its apps, services and core functions. Most of the time, this procedure will fix problems like this provided that they’re due to a minor firmware issue. Here’s how you do it:
- Press and hold the Volume Down button and don’t release it yet.
- While holding down the volume button, press and hold the Power key as well.
- Keep both keys held down together for 15 seconds or until the Galaxy A20 logo shows on the screen.
Once your device has successfully rebooted, open the app to see if the ‘camera failed’ error still pops up. If it still does, then move on to the next solution.
ALSO READ: How to fix Samsung Galaxy A20 that’s running slow
Second solution: Make sure it’s not due to a third-party app
There are times when third-party applications may cause the camera to fail like screencasting apps that also use the camera. We don’t know what kind of apps you have on your device so we really can’t pinpoint which one is the culprit. Therefore, it’s best to just run your phone in safe mode to temporarily disable all third-party applications. Follow these steps to restart your Galaxy A20 in safe mode:
- Press and hold the Power key until options show.
- Tap and hold the Power off option until it changes into Safe Mode.
- Tap the Safe mode icon to restart your device.
- Once the reboot is successful, you should see ‘Safe mode’ at the lower-left corner of the screen.
When your phone has successfully started up in this mode, open the camera app and see if the ‘camera failed’ error still pops up. If the problem is gone, follow these steps to probe which of your apps is the culprit.
- Restart your phone normal to boot into standard mode.
- Remember the apps you installed about the time when the phone started popping up the ‘camera failed’ error.
- Once you already have an app in mind, swipe down from the top of the screen to pull the notification panel down.
- Tap the Settings icon on the upper-right corner.
- Scroll to and then tap Apps.
- Find and tap suspected app.
- Tap Storage.
- Touch Clear data and tap OK to confirm.
- Tap the back key once and then touch Uninstall.
- Confirm that you want to remove the app from your phone.
On the other hand, if your Galaxy A20 is still showing the ‘camera failed’ error even in safe mode, then it’s time to move on to firmware troubleshooting.
ALSO READ: Fix Samsung Galaxy A20 that won’t connect to WiFi
Third solution: Reset all settings to fix camera failed error
Before moving on to the next solution, it’s best to bring the device’s settings back to default just to rule out the possibility that it’s an issue that originated from some incorrect settings. Don’t worry, this procedure won’t delete any of your files but also effective. Here’s how you do it:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to pull the notification panel down.
- Tap the Settings icon on the upper-right corner.
- Scroll to and tap General management.
- Touch Reset.
- Tap Reset settings.
- Tap the Reset settings button.
- If prompted, enter your PIN, Password or Pattern.
- Finally, tap Reset.
After doing this and the camera continues to fail or stop working, then move on to the next solution.
Fourth solution: Wipe cache partition
The ‘Warning: Camera failed’ error may also occur if your phone has some corrupt system cache. That’s why, at this point, it’s very important to delete the system cache so that it will be replaced with a new one. Here’s how it’s done;
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the Galaxy A20 logo shows, release all three keys.
- Your Galaxy A20 will continue to boot up into the Recovery Mode. Once you see a black screen with blue and yellow texts, proceed to the next step.
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
- Press Power key to select.
- Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
- When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
If the error continues after this, then try the next.
ALSO READ: How to fix Samsung Galaxy A20 stuck on Black Screen of Death
Fifth solution: Master reset your phone
This is your last resort. If the ‘camera failed’ warning continues after this, then it’s possible that the problem is with the hardware. Before doing this procedure though, make sure to create a copy of your important files and data as they will be deleted, especially the ones that are saved in your phone’s internal storage. After the backup, remove your google and samsung accounts so that you won’t be locked out. If everything is ready and the backup is finished, follow these steps to reset your phone:
- Turn off the device.
- Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
- When the Galaxy A20 logo shows, release all three keys.
- Your Galaxy A20 will continue to boot up into the Recovery Mode. Once you see a black screen with blue and yellow texts, proceed to the next step.
- Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
- Press Power button to select.
- Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes’ is highlighted.
- Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
- When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
- Press the Power key to restart the device.
If the problem continues after the reset, then bring your phone back to the store or shop so that a technician can check it up for you. I hope that we’ve been able to help you fix your Galaxy A20 that keeps on showing the “Warning: Camera failed” error. We would appreciate it if you helped us spread the word so please share this post if you found it helpful. Thank you so much for reading!
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