iPad: Troubleshooting camera issues

Troubleshooting camera or LiDAR issues

Troubleshooting TrueDepth camera or Face ID issues

Troubleshooting camera or LiDAR issues

Identify issues

Read this article if you notice any of the following issues:

  • Photo or video image issue

    • Blurry or fuzzy

    • Too dark or too light

    • Colored lines or bands

    • Spots

    • Incorrect color balance

    • Abnormal flare, haze, or spot near the edge

    • Brightly colored scratches

  • Camera issue

    • Can’t take photos

    • Can’t record video

    • No preview visible in Camera app

    • Camera app quits unexpectedly

    • LED flash not working

    • Camera app doesn’t switch between camera and TrueDepth camera

    • Camera has issues switching to the telephoto camera for optical zoom beyond 2x in bright light

    • Dust or other foreign material in camera lens

  • LiDAR issue

If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.

Try quick troubleshooting steps

  1. Different iPad models have different cameras and features such as LiDAR. Refer to Identify your iPad Model for help identifying the iPad.

  2. Use the Measure app to check LiDAR on compatible models.

  3. Clean all camera lenses with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth — for example, a lens cloth.

    • Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPad first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge the iPad in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.

  4. Remove any case, accessory, or film that may block the camera or flash or that places a magnet near the camera. Remove all accessories before testing.

  5. Inspect the iPad for damage around the camera. Any damage to the camera, such as from dropping the iPad, may require a camera repair.

  6. Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.

Run manual and diagnostic tests

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:

  1. Take a photo from the lock screen using the Camera app to test camera quality.

  2. Run the Mobile Resource Inspector (MRI) diagnostic suite.

  3. Run the Camera Image Quality diagnostic suite. Follow the suite instructions to document any anomalies or distortions present while performing the test.

Replace the part

If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, service the iPad. You can find service options at support.apple.com/repair.

Note: This section requires parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.

Troubleshooting TrueDepth camera or Face ID issues

Identify issues

Read these articles if you notice any of the following issues:

  • Photo or video image issue

    • Blurry or fuzzy

    • Too dark or too light

    • Colored lines or bands

    • Spots

    • Incorrect color balance

    • Abnormal flare, haze, or spot near the edge

    • Brightly colored scratches

  • Camera issue

    • Can’t take photos

    • Can’t record video

    • No preview visible in Camera app

    • Camera app quits unexpectedly

    • Camera app doesn’t switch between camera and TrueDepth camera

    • Dust or other foreign material in camera lens

If the camera or flash on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch isn't working

  • Face ID issue

    • Can’t set up Face ID

    • Can’t recognize a person's face

    • Can’t unlock iPad using Face ID

    • Can’t make a purchase using Face ID

    • “Face ID has been disabled” alert appears

Use Face ID on your iPhone or iPad Pro

If an alert says Face ID has been disabled on your iPhone or iPad Pro

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article, continue to the next section.

Try quick troubleshooting steps

  1. Different iPad models have different cameras and features such as Face ID. Refer to Identify your iPad Model for help identifying the iPad.

  2. Clean all camera lenses with a soft, damp, lint-free cloth — for example, a lens cloth.

    • Important: Unplug all cables and turn off the iPad first. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don't submerge the iPad in any cleaning agents. Don't use compressed air.

  3. Remove any case, accessory, or film that may block the camera or flash or that places a magnet near the camera. Remove all accessories before testing.

  4. Inspect the iPad for damage around the camera. Any damage to the camera, such as from dropping the iPad, may require a camera repair.

  5. Ensure that your eyes, nose, and mouth are fully visible to the TrueDepth camera. If you're wearing sunglasses that block certain types of light, try using Face ID without sunglasses.

  6. Ensure that the iPad is 10-20 inches from your face.

  7. Refer to steps and support resources in Troubleshooting Quick Checks.

Run manual and diagnostic tests

If the issue wasn’t resolved by following a support article or checking for potential causes, run these diagnostic and manual tests to help isolate the cause of the issue:

  1. Take a photo from the lock screen using the Camera app to test camera quality.

  2. Run the Mobile Resource Inspector (MRI) diagnostic suite.

  3. Run the Camera Image Quality diagnostic suite. Follow the suite instructions to document any anomalies or distortions present while performing the test.

  4. Run the Face ID diagnostic suite.

Replace the part

If the issue wasn’t resolved or isolated by following the previous steps, service the iPad. You can find service options at support.apple.com/repair.

Note: This section requires parts and tools. Replacing a part may not resolve the device’s issue. You can find other service options at support.apple.com/repair.

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