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

[jwo1214]

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!

[breezex]

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

1. Settings > Apps > All > Camera    and clear cache and data
2. 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.

[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%2C...

[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 ?

[vzw_customer_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.

1. Settings > Apps > All > Camera    and clear cache and data
2. 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.

[vzw_customer_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. 

[chrisblake]

I have had my phone for a month and only had this problem the one time. As a user of a lot of technology I do not consider this a huge problem. No technology is perfect I do not care what it is and this to me is a relatively minor issue with a low recurrence rate (at least in my experience so far).

[vzw_customer_support]

Dear Jake 16,


Good afternoon. I know how frustrating it can be when you experience difficulites with your device. I am sorry if our previous response did not help the issues you are having with your phone.

Do you have a lot of third party applications installed on your phone? If so, I would recommend to run your phone on safe mode and see if you still experience the difficulties. To place your phone on safe mode http://vz.to/1bl2qyZ I understand the a soft reset will not fix everything. However, if you still experience difficulties with your phone after running it on safe mode, I would suggest to process a hard reset. Before you do a hard reset on the device, it is important to back up the content on your phone. A factory reset, will help clear any system malfunctions you may be experiencing. To learn how to process a hard reset on your device click http://vz.to/12m3Dzb

I also wanted to clarify our return policy. If you purchased your phone through Verizon Wireless, we have a 14 day time frame in which you may return the device for any reason. A $35.00 restocking fee may apply. Unfortunately, after the 14 day time frame a device or accessories may not be returned. For more info click http://bit.ly/16VHd9M Should you have further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us. Have a great day!


Thank You,
Michelle_VZW
Please follow us on twitter @VZWSupport

[Jake16]

Verizon Wireless Customer Support,

   Thank you for your sympathetic reply, I'm glad to that you think you know how frustrating it can be. Do you own and use a Razr Maxx? Has the camera failed to initialize on you?   Try raising a child who takes their first steps and you are not able to take a picture because the camera won't initialize correctly.  How do I get that back?  I suppose your next canned response will be you know how frustrating that is too. 

   Maybe if you had taken the time to read the post from "locoroho" on 3/31, you would have seen that starting the phone in "safe mode" doesn't fix the problem.  Mind you 3/31 was a day AFTER Verizon Wireless Customer Support promised a fix "ASAP".  Today is July 12, that's 104 days; over 3 months and no view of a fix.  How's it going ?

  I've read a number of posts in the community (not just this one but others with similar topics) and there is a lot of "understanding" and "sympathy" going on but no real fix, unless of course you consider a power reset a "fix".  I don't and no one else does either.

So if I can ask 4 simple questions about the "ASAP" fix....

1) What has Verizon done to investigate or reproduce the problem? It doesn't seem that hard to replicate.

2) Is progress being made?

3) Has root cause been found?

4) By what date will it be released?

If you can't answer these questions, then I need to ask what is the purpose of the community? To have loyal Verizon customers commiserate and feel better that they are not alone with their issues (i.e. misery loves company)?  That doesn't help. 

Verizon Wireless Customer Support is hearing but not listening. 

I'd like to see the answers to the questions above

Thanks,

Jake16

[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.

[vzw_customer_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!

[Jake16]

OK.  Fair point.  I'll try the new download.

Thanks.

[B33]

Your Welcome Jake:  if you can get your phone to download this new Update Let me know how it runs once it's downloaded I'll be on here for a While tonight..  see ya b