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Droid Razr M Camera is unable to initialize problem HELP!!

I have a Droid Razr M and lately when I try to use the camera I get a message saying "camera is unable to initialize". Now this doesn't always appear but when it does I have to reboot my phone if I want to use the camera. As you can imagine this is very frustrating and time consuming especially if you are just trying to snap a candid pic. Does anyone else have this issue or know a fix for it?? Thanks!

Comments

breezex

I don't know if it will fix the problem or not, but I would try two things first:

Settings > Apps > All > Camera and clear cache and data
A system cache clear/cache partition reformat. Just follow the instructions for an alternate factory reset (using volume and power buttons) and do the cache clear instead of a factory reset. Be careful.

locoroho

I have a brand new Droid Razor Maxx HD and my camera keeps saying "camera is unable to initialize" also. It's only a few days old...very frustrating. Tried clearing the data/cache thing...it has nothing to clear.

breezex

Did you try #2 ?

Verizon_Support

Hey locoroho!

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words but I'll be sure to work on providing a fix in much less than that. In other words, while I'm terribly sorry to learn of this experience given your phone is really just a few days old, no need to worry as we want to provide resolution ASAP.

Now, I'm extremely happy to know you've already tried some troubleshooting thus far by clearing data/cache although it was to no avail. May I ask if this has been going on ever since you got it? At this point, I'd recommend launching your device in safe mode http://vz.to/W6Ax37 . That will disable third party applications so we can check if an app you may have installed is causing the issues. Please let me know if that provides any luck as you deserve a working camera with your new phone.

EvanO_VZW

VZW Support

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

locoroho

I tried that too.....I have to turn the phone off and on a couple of times to get it to work....inconvenient, but it does get it to work.

PDES

I have the same problem with my one year old Razor Max.

I did what was suggested by breezex in #1 (pasted below) but don't know how to system cache clear/cache partition reformat.

Settings > Apps > All > Camera and clear cache and data
A system cache clear/cache partition reformat. Just follow the instructions for an alternate factory reset (using volume and power buttons) and do the cache clear instead of a factory reset. Be careful.

I launched in Safe Mode without success. I went to my local Verizon store and they eventually did a factory reset (wiping out everything). Then the camera worked. That was yesterday, 4/3/13.

Now: same thing all over again, except Safe Mode helps. Camera starts but often freezes on a random image.

This is probably happening a lot more than we see here in this page.

Please HELP Verizon!!!!

chrisblake

A power off restart worked for me to fix this problem.

Verizon_Support

@Chrisblake,

Thanks for sharing this information! I'm glad the restart fixed this for you. I'm sure others with this issue will try that as well since it helped you.

JohnB_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Jake16

From Verizon Wireless Customer Support.... "I'm glad the restart fixed this for you. I'm sure others with this issue will try that as well since it helped you"

You're kidding me, right ? You REALLY think a power reset is a fix ?

I have the same issue. My R MAXX is less than a month old. If I have to power off the phone in order to get the camera to work, then I'm getting a different phone. Having to reset the cache (if that's even an option) is bad enough. Now I have to power off the phone to get the camera to work ? Doing a factory reset might as well be like getting a new phone.

I realize it might not happen all the time, but at what rate should this occur where Verizon takes the problem seriously enough to actually fix the problem or get Motorola to fix it. I'm still within the 30-day window, so returning the phone is still an option for me. Others are not so lucky.

hammfamvt

My phone started giving that can't initialize camera message two days ago and after trying the clear cache and powering on/off multiple times only the front facing camera works. Any suggestions? The phone is only 7 months old.

Verizon_Support

Let's get that camera snapping again hammfamvt! Are you receiving this error message when using a specific function or app other than the camera itself? Clearing the cache is a good start. Did you also try power cycling? If so, the next step I would recommend is safe mode, which will rule out app conflict. http://tiny.cc/j1i9zw

Jonathan_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

Jake16

Jonathan,

Are you (Verizon Wireless Customer Support) even reading these posts? How many times can you reply to the camera question with either (a) it must be a third party application causing an issue (obviously, there can't be a legitimate problem with the RAZR MAXX) (b) try running in safe mode or (c) power cycling the device.

Can I get some answers to my 7/12 post ?

Jake16

B33

Jake have you Tried updating your Razr M there is New Maintenance Update that might be out Now and help in your Situation you having with your Razr M Here's the Link to my Post on New Update have a Look:. Razr M Update 98.16.3 To be out Soon!

CAS55

My Razr M is only 3 months old and the camera won't focus. The focus is locked at infinite focus, so only things 3 feet away or so are in focus. I can't focus or scan text anymore. It happened first after going into multishot mode. Afterwards the focus would no longer worked. Sporadically I'll turn on the camera and it will work, but after a little while it no longer works. I tried resetting cache/data, rebooting and doing the system update. But the problem always recurs. I suspect it's a hardware problem, any ideas?

uunter

I've had my DRM for about a year, with no serious problems until three days ago, when the camera froze up while I was using it at work. After waiting for a while for it to unfreeze itself, I force-closed it. From that point on, I get the "camera is unable to initialize" error whenever I try to start it. I've tried many power cycles, safe mode, and #1 from breezex's post, all with no success. But what instructions are you referring to, breezex, for #2? When I boot up with the volume and power buttons, I see the following options:

Normal Powerup
Recovery
AP Fastboot
BP SBF Flash
BP Only
BP HW Diag & Boot AP
BP Tools

Nothing about cache clearing or factory reset.

breezex

When you get to this menu quickly press volume down to go to "Recovery" and volume up to select it. You will be presented with a Droid. At that screen press and hold the down volume for a few seconds and while holding the down volume press and release the up volume. You should now see a blue menu. Volume buttons navigate and power button selects. If you do not select "Recovery" quick enough the phone will reboot and you will have to try again.

This is for the Razr HD, but should be the same for your M.

https://motorola-global-portal.custhelp.com/app/answers/prod_answer_detail/a_id/93162/p/30%2C6720%2C8448/kw/cache%20partition

Verizon_Support

Yes, we read the posts Jake16! I have a one year old and I would be upset if I couldn't use my camera as well. I wish I had details per the four questions in your 7-12 post. However, I have no information about our product team's findings. I suggest clearing the cache/data from the camera application here http://vz.to/10JxwwT If unsuccessful, I suggest backing up the device and completing a factory reset here http://vz.to/126odlT & test. If you are still unsuccessful please send me a direct message with your mobile number so I may further assist. Thank you.

Tominque_VZW

Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

guinanl

I have been having this problem on my RAZR as well. Normally, a simple reboot would fix it, but lately I was unable to get it to work at all. I have been trying various fixes for a couple weeks now (comments regarding boot loaders/rooting removed) Hoping this will be some help to Verizon support to get a fix, as this is quite annoying when it happens.

Comments edited for mention of boot loaders/rooting. Please refrain from discussing these topics on the community as they are prohibited by the ToS.

Message was edited by: Admin Moderator

hammfamvt

Dear Verizon Wireless,

I've cleared the cache, I've rebooted, I've used safe mode, I've done a factory reset - all to no avail. The camera will not work and my phone will be one year old on December 28th. It is very frustrating that there has been no solution.

Verizon_Support

Thanks for trying those steps hammfamvt! I want to ensure we eliminate this frustration.

Does your device have any physical or liquid damages? Please follow me back and send me a Direct Message including your name, wireless mobile number and your billing account password so I can go over options with you. Thanks again!

ddotevs

I went out of the country and the same thing happened to my phone, but when I got back in the states, the phone retained the same problem. Clearing cache and Power Cycle worked for me, but I agree that this isn't a FIX to the problem if it keeps occurring.

B33

You may end up having to do a Factory Reset.. to solve the issue

Chip_T

I am having this problem with a brand new Droid Maxx (i just upgraded) i have read all the post in this thread and none of it worked. I have however found that using a task killer just prior to using the camera allows it to function. I may or may not need to use the task killer the next time i want to use the camera. This is a faster way to get it to work than a power cycle. i use advanced task killer from the App Store. the funny thing is I have put the camera in my ignore list of the task killer and it still works as I described above so it's not the camera that's causing the problem its something else.

and now for the complaining, it is not a customer's job to fix this problem for you Verizon, Motorola, Google, Android, whoever is responsible for fixing this problem needs to get on it and create a fix. I pay good money for my phone, I use my camera quite a lot in my work taking pictures of jobs, receipts for expense reports etc. as I stated above I bought this phone just recently and it was like this out of the box before I ever installed any other app or anything. and if by chance Verizon representative would reply to this post don't ask me to Twitter, follow, or Facebook. I don't do that crap if you want to help post something here or email me directly. in my opinion that follow me on Facebook Twitter for whatever is a cop out on Verizon's part. Thanks for the non help so far!

Chip_T

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Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

Chip_T

>>Post removed for discussion of moderation; please review the <<

Message was edited by: Verizon Moderator

Chip_T

It would seem that i missed something when reading through this thread. The safe mode stuff. To make a long story short my problem was caused by a flashlight app. specifically the one from the "GO Dev Team" i happen to use and like very much thier stuff the launcher mostly. Thought i would use the flashlight app they had to offer. I got lucky, i did not uninstall all my downloaded apps and updates as suggested by the safe mode instructions. I started with the flashlight app and got lucky. I have not had one problem with my camera starting since i uninstalled it. So with that said, perhaps other flashlight apps might cause this problem as well. I suggest uninstall your flashlight app if you use one and see what happens.

Verizon_Support

We thank all of you for letting us know about the problems with the camera initializing. We understand this can be frustrating no matter how often you use the camera.

We thank you for taking the time to let us know of the steps you have already taken to resolve the issue. We want to provide your test & results to the manufacturer in order to make sure we can get this taken care of.

TamaraH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

seuss516

I have a Razr that was purchased in February 2012. The camera began failing "camera can't initialize" about 6 months ago. Sometimes it would work, sometimes it wouldn't. Annoying but I made a mental note that I'd get a new phone (even though I like my phone) when my contract was up. So! I received notice from Verizon that I was eligible for an early upgrade - not edge - just a straight new phone new contract two months before my expiration. Great, I thought. For ease reasons I'd been toying with the idea of an i-phone (everything else I own is apple) and I was ready.

So I stop at the store, the sales guy is a jerk, says the only way to take advantage of the offer is online even though there is another clerk right beside him telling him they do it at their store. Why wouldn't I want Edge it's much better, cheaper, etc etc etc. I leave, dissatisfied. BUT!

The new software push comes through and my camera works! Great, I like my phone. The camera works. I'll stick with Verizon and just NEVER go to a store ever again.

Yeah......the camera lasted about 1 week and now all over again. I finally broke down and searched for fixes which is how I ended up here. Verizon assistance in the forums appears to be about the same as the store treatment. I tried all the fixes. Deleted all my 3rd party apps. Did a hard reboot. Nothing.

I'm seriously considering both an i-phone and AT&T when my contract is up in a mere 23 days. Not worth the hassle.

Verizon_Support

Seuss516, I know it can be upsetting when the camera isn't working. It sounds like you've tried all the steps that we would suggest. At this point, it sounds like upgrading and replacing the phone would be the best option.

MarquiaF_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

chare28

After reading Chip T.'s post I decided I would start by removing the flashlight app. At the time my camera was showing the error message after removing the flashlight app that I had the camera began working immediately. It's only been a few minutes so I am not sure if this is a permanent solution, and obviously may not work for everyone if you are taking some of the more extreme steps above, but it's definitely a place to start. I'll make sure to update on here if the problem comes back.

Ann154

What you just described is a classic case of an application conflict. By removing one application, you fixed the issue.

Kevin_Jones

Has there been an official 'fix' to this issue? I continue to have this problem and have tried everything suggested in this thread.

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