Instagram Camera Not Working? Best Fixes & Camera Settings

We’ve all learned over time that no app is perfect, and neither is Instagram. We’re going to tackle a crucial topic in this article that could defeat the very reason why you have Instagram installed. It is primarily a platform for sharing images, and we can’t do this without access to the device’s camera.

Many of our readers complained about the Instagram camera not working, and we have had similar issues and have been able to get the camera working again, so we thought it perfect to share a list of possible fixes to get your camera running again on Instagram.

Instagram Camera Not Working? Best Fixes

Examine the App’s Permissions. No app can truly function on our phones without permission to access your phone’s hardware component. That is why you see all these apps asking for permission to access your contact, location, microphones, camera, and others.

Likewise, Instagram requires access to your phone’s camera. So your Instagram camera not working might be because it lacks the necessary permissions.

You might have denied the permission request or disabled it by mistake. Here is how to check and enable the needed camera permissions for Instagram.

Go to Settings >> click on Apps
Scroll through the list and select Instagram
Next, select the Permissions option
Check and Ensure that the Camera permission is toggled ON

Empty the App’s Cache and Data

Instagram regularly releases optimizations and app updates such as face filters and story improvements, the likelihood of it going wrong is possible. This program gathers files and stores them regularly, which might impact the overall performance or certain capabilities, resulting in the Instagram camera not working.

As a result, ensure that you clear the app’s cache and data and check for changes:

Go to Settings
Click on Apps
Pick Instagram and Open Storage
Select Clear Cache
Wait for it to clear and restart your phone

Keep the App Up to Date

Doing an update fixes the Instagram camera not working issue in many cases. So if you’re experiencing issues with Instagram camera settings, a simple app update should do, as it may include features that can solve your challenge.

Navigate to the Google Play Store
Click on your profile at the top right corner and select “My Apps and Games” (or just search for the Instagram app)
Look for Instagram and check for any available updates. Update if you find any
Once the app has been updated, check if you can now use the camera.

Remove and Reinstall the App

If after trying the update method, and the Instagram camera is still not working, then try uninstalling and reinstalling again. Not all updates work, so it is best to uninstall and reinstall the app. This will resolve the “Instagram camera not working” error.

Go to your phone’s Settings
Go to Apps
Click on Instagram
Tap the Uninstall button
After uninstalling the app, you can download and install it again

Android OS Update

Another way to look at this is that your app might not be faulty, but your OS isn’t up to date. If you don’t update your phone, the old android version may become buggy.

That update you refuse to do may be behind the Instagram camera not working issue.

Keeping your software up to date is usually a smart idea. Why? Because each new update comes with patches and fixes for the older version to prevent situations like this from happening.

Navigate to your phone’s settings
Select System >> then Software Update
Check if there is an available update
Click it to download it
Wait for the system to reboot itself
Open Instagram again and see if the camera is working

Check That Your Native Camera Is Active

There are times that your native came isn’t your default camera. So check that you are not using a third-party camera app. The downside of these kinds of apps is that they do not integrate effectively with other apps, such as Instagram or WhatsApp. So using your native camera prevents situations like Instagram camera not working.

Use these steps to make your native camera app the default camera.

Go to Settings
Open Apps, then Default Apps
Open the Camera Tab
Make sure that your default camera app is your native camera
Reopen Instagram again to see whether you’re able to resolve the Instagram camera not working on Android issue

Factory Reset your Phone

This should be your last resort. If all other procedure fails, try resetting your phone to see if it will address the issue. By doing a factory reset, you will erase all of your apps and their data, as well as any other data on your phone. Therefore backup your data before trying this.

Go to Settings >> then the System
Click Backup Your Data to save your data
Then click Reset Options and Erase All Data

Wait for your phone to reboot, then download Instagram and log in. After that, try using the camera. Like I said earlier, this method is the last option if all others fall, but it should solve the Instagram camera not working in most cases.

Best Instagram Camera Settings

Use a Filter and/or Effects
Make the Background Blurry
Add Stickers and Stamps to your Picture
Use Natural Lighting

Use a Filter and/or Effects

One major feature of Instagram is its filters. So you can add any filter you want to your picture to give it a more edgy look.

Make the Background Blurry

Almost everyone likes taking pictures in portrait mode. Some phones like Samsung have a feature called Live Focus, which allows you to blur the background while taking your photo. So you just need to open your camera app, choose the live focus, modify the blur, and you are good to go.

Add Stickers and Stamps to your Picture

Stickers are another thing you can add to your picture to make it catchier. Everyone wants to post pictures on their stories. With these stickers, they’ll each have something to say.

Use Natural Lighting

A lovely photograph is built on the foundation of appropriate lighting. Therefore, the first and most crucial guideline for taking beautiful shots with only your phone is to understand how to use light. If you want to produce more vibrant and brilliant pictures, don’t use your flash.

How to turn ON the Instagram camera on Android

If you accidentally or unknowingly press the “Deny” option, you will have to turn ON the settings manually. The process is easy and hassle-free:

After downloading and installing the app, you must accept permission to access the gallery and the camera. To check the permissions you gave to Instagram on Android, you need to follow these steps:

Tap Settings. Click on “Apps and notifications.”

Tap on “Permissions” and tap on the “Camera” option.

Then verify that Instagram has this permission.
If the “Deny” option is ON, tap “Allow,” and Instagram will have access to your camera.

How to open the camera on Instagram

I know this might be weird and may sound like an easy-to-do thing for Instagrammers. But you have to note that, unlike Snapchat, opening your Instagram doesn’t mean having your camera come up for immediate snapshots. For new users, here’s how you can open the camera for personal snapshots or videos:

Open the Instagram app
Tap on the New Post “+” icon on the top right side of Instagram

Look for the Camera icon in the mid-right part of the New Post page and tap on it.

There you go, your Instagram Camera will open up. To take a camera shot, tap the white circle at the lower middle bottom of the page.

To take a video, press and hold the white circle. Remember, Instagram videos only last for about 30 seconds.

Tip

Don’t forget to turn ON the camera’s flashlight by tapping on the Lightning (⚡) icon in the middle on top of the camera page.

How to open Instagram Reels camera

Although you can have access to Reel Camera via the standard camera opening procedure, it’s more accessible from the first landing page when you open Instagram:

Open the Instagram app
Tap on the Reel icon in the bottom center of the page

Open the Instagram Reel camera by tapping the app’s camera icon at the top right corner.

Once the camera comes up, position your camera to the subject or object you want to video.
Tap the Reel icon at the bottom center, and the video will start.

Note: With Instagram Reel, you can only take and upload videos with your camera.

Best phone cameras to take pictures for Instagram

Would you like to find the best smartphone to meet your Instagram needs? Below, you’ll find a short review of the best smartphone brands whose products have the best cameras for taking and processing Instagram pictures.

Google

Maybe the jack of all trades maxim needs to be redefined for the sake of Google, which seems the master of all in the tech industry.

Google smartphones need no introduction, and I think the Google Pixel 6 Proand other models in the Pixel 6 range are currently the most deserving mobile proposition in the segment of smartphones specializing in photography for social media!

The mobile device has a triple back module consisting of a 50-megapixel primary sensor that opens at f/1.85, a 12 mp wide-angle sensor that opens at f/2.2, and a telephoto lens of 48 mp, offering a focal aperture of f/3.5 and x4 magnification.

It’s accompanied by ever-efficient software processing that helps deliver excellent shots and ensures a perfectly controlled exposure. Although the Pixel 6 Pro manages to offer flawless daytime shots, it stands out at night, offering an even more stunning result.

The Pro version of the Pixel 6 also has an 11.1 Mp front sensor that takes good selfies and offers a remarkable portrait mode, highlighting the subjects particularly well. Finally, this smartphone allows filming in 4K up to 60 frames per second.

Oppo

The Chinese manufacturer comes next when it comes to the best smartphones with great cameras for Instagram. The Oppo Find X3 Pro is one of this brand’s best photography phones.

The Chinese smartphone embeds high-quality photographic technology. It consists of four sensors on the back, which include a 50 mp wide-angle module (f / 1.8), a 50 mp ultra-wide-angle (f / 2.2), and a 13 mp x2 lens (f/2.4), and a 3 mp (f/3.0) microscopic module. Wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle sensors with the exact resolution deliver excellent image quality day and night.

The 32 mp front sensor also offers detailed selfies of the most beautiful effect! Finally, the Oppo smartphone has excellent video recording quality since it offers maximum definition in 4K at 60 frames per second.

Apple

iOS lovers must be annoyed it took me so long to mention their beloved Apple. As you would have guessed, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is one of the best for taking Instagram shots. Like the previous generation Pro Max model, the iPhone 13 Pro Max has three 12 mp sensors on its back: a wide-angle module opening at f/1.5, an ultra-wide-angle opening at f/1.8, and a 3x telephoto lens with a focal aperture of f/2.8.

The most complete iPhone of its generation, this device offers shots of excellent quality, with a rendering faithful to daytime reality.

The Pro Max version of the iPhone 13 can also film in 4K up to 60 frames per second without the slightest hitch, thanks to its optical stabilization! In addition, the iPhone 13 Pro Max also allows HDR Dolby Vision format filming at up to 60 frames per second. Finally, there is the Cinematic mode which allows you to add artistic blur to your recordings.

Best camera apps for Instagram

Okay, wait! I’m not recommending any app for replacing Instagram (at least not today). Instagram doesn’t have the best editing features for some Instagrammers. So below, you’ll find the best apps for processing your photos and videos for Instagram.

1. Afterlight

With Afterlight, image processing is super-fast. In addition to classic features such as exposure, contrast, saturation, and Co., you can choose between almost 60 filters, different textures, light effects, and frames. It’s free on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, but there are in-app purchases.

2. Photo Editor by Aviary

My favorite among the apps for Instagram is the Photo Editor by Aviary App! With this app, you can improve your photos with one click and decorate them with stickers and lettering. Especially remarkable is the meme feature! Of course, brightness, saturation, sharpness, and Co. can also be customized.

There are numerous effects for pictures and cosmetic tools and functions, such as removing red eyes or editing whiter teeth. Again, it’s free on iOS and Android, but you can buy other effects and features.

3. Snapseed

With Snapseed, you get professional image editing software functions on your smartphone. With a tap of your finger, you can retouch photos and images and adjust and edit perspective and exposure. Of course, various frames, effects, and filters make every photo an eye-catcher. You can download Snapseed for iOS and Android on Play Store for free.

4. VSCO Cam

VSCO Cam is an alternative camera app for your smartphone, with which you can take photos and edit them like a pro. Tools include lighting, sharpening, filtering, and cropping, among others. You can also publish your photos in your journal, show them to other photographers and look at their photos.

With VSCO Cam, it is also possible to synchronize the images with different devices and edit them there. The basic version of VSCO Cam is free for iOS and Android. You can buy more filters if you need them.

Conclusion

Instagram camera not working is frustration on its own. Instagram is now known by everyone and used for different things, from comedy skits, photography to music videos. You can find anything on the app. A working camera, however, plays a massive role in all this. So if your Instagram camera setting is all right, then your picture or content will also be.

Precious Odeleye

A tech writer with a passion for demystifying complex technology for the masses. With a background in computer science and a knack for clear and concise communication, I have made a name for myself in the tech industry as a go-to source for understandable and engaging explanations of the latest developments. Learn more about tekpip and the team here on our about us page.