Camera stopped working

[ginazat]

I am seeing weird colors through my camera "lens". It only is for the regular rear-facing camera. It almost looks like a thermal image -- greens and pinks and reds clustering together when you "look through" the camera lens. I can take normal front-facing pictures. I can't even capture one of these weird-looking rear-camera pictures, as the camera won't save anything but a broken image file.  I have uninstalled several (if not all, I can't remember) of the apps I downloaded in the time since I last took a successful picture with my phone and so far, it hasn't helped.  I *really* don't want to lose all my application data by doing a factory reset, so I don't want that to be the "first try this" standard answer here.  Anyone?

[Wildman]

Sounds like a hardware issue but you can try a hard reset, also you wont loose apps because they are saved on Market but if you want you can backup apps with MyBackup or Astro File Explorer.

[ginazat]

I did a system reset and it didn't help. So are you saying it's busted for good? Do I need to take it in to a store?  Thanks for trying to help me with this. I really have no idea what could have happened other than an app screwing it up, but since that's clearly not the problem, I am clueless.

[WCMack]

I would definitely take it to the VZW store (if you bought it there) for a tech check. If you are within 14 days of purchase, you can get another Charge for free from the VZW store. If you bought somewhere else, you need to check on their return/refund/exchange policies.

[JerryF]

It's probably broken but do try reloading the Camera Application in case that is your problem.  To do this choose a blank area on your home page and hold your finger there until another screen comes up.  Then Touch Shortcuts.  Then touch Applications.  Then go down the list to Camera and choose it.  Go back and click on the new shortcut to see if the Camera now works. 

JerryF

[JoeL_VZW]

Great Suggestions by the community!

I would be glad to look into this issue with the camera as well. Have you recently put a case or shell or cover on the device? Did using a file manager help? Something simple that I often forget with 4G devices have you tried removing the battery? When you say a system reset did you wipe the device back to its factory original settings? If so it may be a hardware issue. Please send me a PM and I'll troubleshoot with you further.

Thank you

[ginazat · Accepted solution]

Took the phone to my verizon store and they issued me a replacement (certified used). They said it was hardware. Thanks for the help.