How to fix your iPad Pro camera

If your iPad Pro® camera won’t take pictures or videos, you may wonder if the camera is broken or if your iPad needs to be replaced. The good news is your device is probably fine, and we’ll walk you through some easy ways to get it running properly.

At Asurion, we find and fix any issue—fast.Whether it’s speeding up your iPhone® or Android™ or fixing Xbox One® controller drift, our experts can help. Here’s our guide on what to do if your iPad Pro camera isn’t working, so you won’t miss another shot.

Why isn’t my iPad camera working?

There are several reasons your iPad Pro camera may be malfunctioning. Some of the most common culprits include:

• Something is blocking the lens.
• The lens is dirty.
• A third-party app is glitching.
• The iPadOS® is outdated.

Whether you’re dealing with one of these issues or something else entirely, here are some things to try.

Remove barriers

Take off any case, accessory (especially anything metal or magnetic), or film that could be blocking the lens.

Clean your iPad Pro and camera lens

You may think your camera is broken—especially if the images are turning out fuzzy—when it really just needs a good cleaning. Be sure to regularly (and gently) wipe both the rear and front-facing lenses on your device with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust or lint. For more stubborn debris, spritz the cloth with a mild lens cleaner, then gently dab the lens clean.

If you see dirt or debris inside the lens, or if the lens appears to be damaged, reach out to an iPad repair expert for help.

Restart your iPad

Restarting your device may be the simplest solution to get your camera working again.

If your iPad has a Home button:

1. Press and hold the Top button until the Power Off slider appears.
2. Switch the slider off, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the Top button until you see the Apple® logo.

If your iPad doesn’t have a Home button:

1. Press and hold either Volume button and the Top button until the Power Off slider appears.
2. Switch the slider off, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off.
3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the Top button until you see the Apple logo.

Check your app permissions

When your iPad camera doesn’t work while you’re using a third-party app, you may think the app is to blame. But it’s possible that you never granted it permission to use your camera. Here’s how to check:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera.
2. On the list of apps, make sure the app you want to use is switched on.

If the camera still doesn’t work after that, try switching back to your default camera app.

Update your software

Make sure your iPadOS is always updated to the latest version. Outdated software can cause problems with your iPad, including your camera. Here’s what to do:

1. Plug your device into power and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
3. If there’s an update available, tap Download and Install.
4. Turn on Automatic Updates to keep your device updated.

Reset all settings

If your iPad Pro camera still isn’t working, try resetting the settings on your iPad. This option will only erase your settings—your saved files and other personal data will still be available after you restart your device.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad.
2. Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
3. Enter your passcode, and tap Done.

Perform a factory reset

A factory reset may fix the problem you’re having with your camera, but this should be your last resort. Before you reset your device, make sure you back up your iPad, since everything except for the original software and apps will be erased.

See our guide for how to back up, factory reset, and restore information to your iPad.