If Instagram opens but the camera doesn’t work, freezes, or shows a black screen, the issue is usually caused by permission errors, app bugs, or conflicts with your phone’s camera system. In most cases, you can fix it in a few minutes by applying the steps below.
How to Fix Instagram Camera Not Working
1. Check Camera Permission
- Go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions
- Make sure Camera access is set to Allow
- Restart Instagram
2. Force Close and Reopen Instagram
- Settings > Apps > Instagram
- Tap Force Stop
- Open Instagram again and test the camera
3. Restart Your Phone
- Power off your phone completely
- Wait 30 seconds
- Turn it back on and open Instagram
4. Update Instagram
- Open Google Play Store or App Store
- Update Instagram to the latest version
- Reopen the app after updating
5. Clear Instagram Cache (Android)
- Settings > Apps > Instagram
- Tap Storage
- Select Clear Cache (do not clear data)
6. Check If Another App Is Using the Camera
- Close apps like WhatsApp, Snapchat, or camera apps
- Make sure no app is running in the background using the camera
- Try opening Instagram again
7. Disable Camera Access Restrictions
- On some phones, system-level privacy settings can block camera access
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera
- Ensure Instagram is not restricted
8. Reinstall Instagram
- Uninstall Instagram
- Restart your phone
- Reinstall Instagram and log in again
9. Check for System Updates
- Go to Settings > Software Update
- Install any available system updates
- Test Instagram camera again
