The pre-installed camera app shows an error message "Camera not available"

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Valid for

• Android™ 10
• Pre-installed camera app

Solution

Try these methods one after the other. Verify whether the problem was solved after each method before trying the next one.

1. Restart your device using the power key.
2. Force the camera app to stop.
   1. Find and tap Settings → Apps notifications → See all (number of apps) apps.
   2. Find and tap the app that you want to stop.
   3. Tap FORCE STOP.
3. Clear the camera app's cache.
   1. Find and tap Settings → Apps notifications → See all (number of apps) apps.
   2. Find and tap the app that you want to stop.
   3. Tap Storage & cache → CLEAR CACHE.
      Note:

      • You will not lose any personal data by clearing the cache.
      • Only temporary files, which are used, for example, to start an app faster, are deleted. Such files are created again when the app restarts.
      • The option to clear the application cache is not available for all applications.
4. Clear the camera app's data.
   1. Find and tap Settings → Apps & notifications → See all (number of apps) apps.
5. To enable Safe mode

   WARNING! When you perform a factory data reset, you erase all personal data stored on the internal storage of your Xperia device. Make sure that you always back up data stored on the internal storage that you want to keep before performing a factory data reset. Photos, videos, music and documents stored on the SD card are not erased during a factory data reset.

   1. Check for new software in your device.
      • Tap Storage & cache → CLEAR STORAGE.
        Note:

        • Make sure you back up all important personal data linked to the app before you delete the app data.
        • Clearing data from an app will also delete any personal data stored for the app.
        • The cache for the app will be deleted.

   2. Check for new software wirelessly in your device.
      1. Settings → Systems → Advanced → Software update → SYSTEM.
      2. You then need to check for new software using a computer and the Xperia® Companion application.
      3. Tap Storage & cache → CLEAR STORAGE.
         Note: Some updates are not available for wireless download.

   3. Use Safe mode to check if any downloaded applications are causing the problem.
      • In Safe mode, your device starts with pre-installed software and applications only. If the camera works in Safe mode, it's likely that one or more of your post-purchase downloaded applications are affecting the device negatively. If you're not sure which application is causing the problem, start by uninstalling the most recently downloaded application.
      1. While the device is powered on, press and hold down the power key.
      2. In the pop-up menu, touch and hold Power off until the Reboot to safe mode message appears.
      3. Tap OK to restart in Safe mode.
      • If your Xperia device has the latest available software and the problem still persists, try to perform a factory data reset on your device.
      • To back up your data using a computer
        1. Computer: If it is not already installed, download and install the Xperia Companion application from https://support.sonymobile.com/global-en/xperia-companion/.
        2. Open the Xperia Companion application.
        3. Connect your Xperia device to the computer using the USB cable.
        4. Xperia device: When prompted by the Allow access? message, tap ALLOW.
        5. Computer: After a few moments, the Xperia Companion application detects your device. Click Backup on the Xperia Companion home screen, then follow the on-screen instructions.
           Note: Instructions for other ways to backup your data are avilable in the Backing up and synchronizing data chapter of the User Guide for your Xperia device. Manuals are posted on your model support page.

        1. Find and tap Settings → Systems → Advanced → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset) → Delete all data
        2. If required, draw your screen unlock pattern or enter your screen unlock password or PIN to continue.
        3. Tap Delete all data