Smart devices are increasingly firmly and thoroughly entering our lives. But the undisputed leader among them are smartphones, which are for the user not only a means of communication, but also a navigator, camera, media player, and also a window on the Internet. But like any digital device, smartphones periodically refuse to work properly, causing considerable discomfort to the owner. This article will examine in detail why the camera does not work on the iPhone 5s and what to do about it. The material will be affected by malfunctions of both the front and main cameras, software failures and hardware.
Reasons and diagnosis
In each next smartphone software update, manufacturers add new features, improve stability, and more. But it often happens that all this is good only on paper, and in fact it can lead to various kinds of errors and partial or complete inoperability of the device. And if the camera does not work on the iPhone 5s, the reason may be just a software malfunction.
If this happened, then do not worry too much and immediately bring the smartphone to the service, it is better to try to find the cause of the problem yourself and, if possible, eliminate it, because in case of problems with the firmware its reinstallation is done in an elementary way at home. This self-help troubleshooting guide and diagnosis guide applies to all iPhone models above 4.
Breakdown reasons
A mechanical module and software malfunctions of the device can lead to the failure of the camera module. If we consider software, then this problem can be caused by crookedly installed iOS updates or incomprehensible applications from the AppStore. Moreover, it is not necessary that this be somehow connected with the photograph. And with this type of malfunction it is quite possible to cope independently.

Mechanical damage in almost all cases leads to the need to contact the service. Due to the strong impact of the smartphone, the loop of the camera module may pop out of the socket or be damaged, because of this there will be a black screen instead of the viewfinder (the iPhone 5s camera does not work). Moisture in the case, of course, is fraught with failure of the entire device or individual components, such as a camera or speaker. Strong heating can damage many internal components of the device, especially the motherboard, after which the smartphone will no longer be recoverable. Separately, it is worth noting that poor repair performed by unprofessional craftsmen can lead to various malfunctions, so you should be careful when choosing a service.
Symptoms
The previous paragraph described why the camera does not work on the iPhone 5s. Now it’s worth it to figure out how to find out. Yes, oddly enough, the idle camera itself is a convincing proof of its inoperability, but sometimes there are less obvious prerequisites for this. In some cases, users are perplexed by the fact that before the system update the camera worked properly, and after that it does not work at all. In some cases, the flashlight also stops working or an inscription appears indicating that the device is overheating: “Cooling is required before using the iPhone flash.” Below is a list of the most common problems causing problems with the camera:
- When you start the camera, a black screen instead of a picture.
- The image is there, but it is greatly distorted by noise.
- The display shows a message about overheating of the smartphone.
- At times it is not possible to turn on the flashlight.
- Both cameras and flashlight do not work.
The camera does not work on the iPhone 5s. How to restore performance?
It is worth mentioning that the main camera and flash on the "iPhone 5" and 5s are integrated in them by one module, and on these two models they are absolutely identical. This means that it does not make sense to buy spare parts separately so as not to overwrite the price of repairs. Simultaneous replacement of the camera and flash is a much less time-consuming procedure, and therefore more affordable. Repair in this case is a logical option, since its cost along with the part will be significantly lower than the new smartphone.
What should I do if the camera does not work on the “iPhone 5s”? Self-replacement of the front camera is not an easy task, therefore, in the event of such a malfunction, it is strongly recommended that you contact a service center.
The following will describe the necessary troubleshooting tips for the camera. These are tips from both users and Apple official support. As mentioned above, they are suitable for all iPhones, starting from the 4th.
User Tips
- For starters, it’s worth trying to turn off the device’s power-saving mode.
- Switch cameras among themselves several times.
- Press a little on the device case near the camera.
- Terminate all running applications.
- Reboot your smartphone.
Apple Support Tips
- Carry out a Hard reset by holding the Power and Home buttons.
- Restore your phone to factory settings.
- Restore your phone using iTunes. Connect the smartphone to the computer, launch iTunes, select “Restore” in the iPhone window.
DIY repair
If the above tips did not help, then the answer to the question why the camera does not work on the “iPhone 5s” lies in the hardware. And if you are an enthusiast in self-repairing equipment, then this method is for you. If there is no sufficient practice and skills, then it would be more reasonable to take the device to the service. It is also worth noting that, if the device is under warranty, it is necessary to take it to an authorized service, where it will be repaired for free, while maintaining the warranty. Of course, this does not apply to cases of moisture or mechanical damage.

So, starting to disassemble the device, you must strictly adhere to the instructions. For each model, there are many detailed guides on how to disassemble the phone and replace a particular part. After opening the device, the first thing you need to look at the contact pads of the cables. It is possible that one of them will not adhere well to the connector, which will cause problems with the camera. This is the most favorable outcome.
If everything is in place, then you need to disassemble the device further in order to get and replace the main camera module, while the front one is on the display module.
Conclusion
In this article, we examined why the camera does not work on the iPhone 5s, what are the reasons, what to do with it and how to solve the problem yourself. If the malfunction is caused by damage to internal components and you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to undertake an independent repair, but give the device to the service. But almost any problem can be solved, the main thing is to figure out what was the reason why this article was written.