Camera Error, Camera is unable to initialize.

[Sharee L]

I would really like to not have to do a hard reset on my 1 month old Droid Ultra, but it may give me no choice. I have been getting this error "Camera Error, Camera is unable to initialize." on the camera function for a couple of days. I have stopped and restarted the service, have done countless soft resets, but I am still getting the error. There isn't a removable battery or that would be my next step. Please tell me there is something I don't know about that can correct this error. I would love not to have to take it to the Verizon store...the wait where I live is a PITA!

 

[B. Diddy]

Try going to Settings/Apps/All, select Camera, and Clear Cache and Clear Data, then Force Stop. Open the Camera again and see if that works.

 

[Sharee L]

Try going to Settings/Apps/All, select Camera, and Clear Cache and Clear Data, then Force Stop. Open the Camera again and see if that works.

Thank you for the reply, I have tried before and tried again just now and even restarted after, still getting the error.

 

[B. Diddy]

Hmmm. Have you disabled any system apps recently? If so, maybe an app was disabled that the Camera needs.

 

[Sharee L]

No updates, no disabling, nothing new installed.

 

[B. Diddy]

Ok, try a system cache partition wipe, which erases temporary system data that can sometimes mess things up. Important personal data will not be lost.

1. Ensure the device is powered off.
   
   
   Ensure the USB cable is disconnected.
   1. Press and hold the Power button (located on the right edge above the Volume keys).
   2. Select Power off.
   3. Select OK.
      
      
      Allow several seconds for the device to power off.
2. Press and hold the Volume down button, while holding the Volume down button press the Power button and hold both buttons for three to five seconds then release both buttons.
3. From the Boot Mode Selection Menu screen, press the Volume down key to highlight Recovery then press the Volume Up key.
4. From the Android triage screen (Android figure with an exclamation point), press and hold the Volume up key, while holding the Volume up key press and release the Power button then release all keys.
5. From the Android system recovery screen, select wipe cache partition.
   
   
   Utilize the volume keys to highlight and the Power button to select.
6. When complete, highlight reboot system now​ and press Power to execute.

 

[Sharee L]

Dern it all to heck, still doesn't work

 

[B. Diddy]

Bring it to a Verizon store and show them how messed up it is. Hopefully they can simply give you a replacement--otherwise, they might tell you to send it in to Motorola for warranty work or replacement.

 

[Sharee L]

Thank you so much for all the insight and help. At least I learned something!

 

[B. Diddy]

Glad to help (or at least try to). I actually can't be sure there isn't some way to fix the problem, but since it's relatively new, I figure you have a much better chance of Verizon replacing the phone outright rather than trying to brute force figure it out!

 

[Sharee L]

I usually wait at least 3 months after a new device is released, but my old phone wasn't making the grade anymore and had to upgrade.

 

[B. Diddy]

I meant new as in you've only had it for a month. But you're right, it's also helpful to wait a while to see if any bugs start rearing their heads before buying!

 

[Sharee L]

By the way...I have a flashlight app that has been on the device almost since day one, it is also giving a failed to initialize error. I think the light for the flash went out which is causing the error.

 

[B. Diddy]

Interesting. What happens if you uninstall the flashlight app?

 

[Sharee L]

No change.

 

[Manictoddy]

I have the exact same problem and also had the flashlight app installed? I've deleted the app, done a factory reset and also a hard reset----all to no avail. I'm going to call my service provider and get an exchange.

 

[Dave Hawthorne]

Ok hope this helps... Ihave been having the same problems tried everything... Took off my otter box case presto issue resolved.... let me know how you make out

 

[88]

I also have the same problem. Droid Maxx here system version 12.15.15

 

[downstorffleon]

I also have the MAXX, brand new, switched to the MAXX because my S4 had an issue with the using folders (would act like a folder opens but nothing happened, no apps in app drawer), I repeated that on 2 devices (replaced by verizon), now i have the MAXX, thought my problems were solved, but to no avail now its this damn camera failed to initialize error. I have done all the troubleshooting steps outlined except a full wipe. I am just tired of setting up all my accounts (4 times in the last month, 3-6 hour process).

This must be a system wide issue, there is no way that it is only related to a couple people.

does everyone that is having issues with their camera also have snapchat installed, just seeing if there is a correlation...

 

[Igor Bogachev]

Has anyone found a solution? It happened to my new phone as well and hard/factory reset does not help. It worked in the beginning.
System version is 12.15.15 Droid version is 4.2.2 Build SU1-15.