If you are trying to make content for TikTok but can't because the app shows a black screen whenever you open the camera. This article will guide you through some steps that will fix the problem. The steps in this guide will work for Android and iOS devices. Just be prepared to work your way through a few steps before you land on the one that solves the problem for you.

Takeaways:

  1. What is causing the black screen on TikTok when opening the camera?
  2. Learn how to fix the TikTok camera showing a black screen.

What's Causing TikTok Camera Black Screen

  • Camera permissions being disabled for TikTok
  • Corrupted or outdated app cache
  • Temporary software or system glitches
  • Another application already using the camera in the background

How to Fix TikTok Camera Not Working (TikTok Black Screen Issue)

Before you start anything in this guide, make sure the camera works in other apps. If it doesn't work everywhere else, the issue is most likely with the camera hardware. Which means you need a professional repair, or a warranty claim may be required. If the camera works fine outside of TikTok, you can work through the steps below.

Restart Your Phone (Android & iPhone)

This is a simple, quick test that you should have done already, but for whatever reason, people really don't like to restart their phones. It's actually a good habit to get into doing at least once a week. It will clear out a lot of potential issues, and your device will generally run better as well.

Check Camera Permissions for TikTok

TikTok requires specific permission to use your phone’s camera. If this setting is disabled, the app cannot access the hardware and will display a black screen.

For iOS

  • Open Settings and scroll down to find TikTok.
  • Tap TikTok and look for the Camera option under the Allow TikTok to Access section.
  • Enable Camera access and then reopen TikTok.

For Android

  • Open Settings and locate TikTok through the Apps or App Info menu.
  • Tap Permissions.
  • Select Camera and choose Allow only while using the app.
  • Restart TikTok and check the camera again.

Clear TikTok Cache

Like most apps, TikTok stores temporary data to improve performance and reduce loading times. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or outdated, leading to glitches such as the black screen issue. Clearing the cache removes problematic files and allows the app to rebuild fresh data.

  • Open TikTok and go to your Profile.
  • Tap the three-line menu in the top right corner.
  • Select Settings and privacy.
  • Under Cache and Cellular, tap Free up space.
  • Choose Clear next to Cache and confirm.
  • Restart your phone, then test the camera in TikTok.

Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)

If none of the above things work, it might be time for a factory reset may be necessary. This resets your phone to its default state, removes system bugs, clears corrupted files, and eliminates conflicts caused by third-party apps. Be sure to back up important data first, since a reset erases everything on the device.

For Android

  • Open Settings and go to General Management or System.
  • Tap Reset, then select Factory data reset.
  • Confirm the process and allow the phone to reset and restart.
  • Reinstall TikTok and check the camera.

For iOS

  • Open Settings and navigate to General.
  • Select Transfer or Reset iPhone.
  • Choose Reset and follow the prompts.
  • After the reset, reinstall TikTok and test the camera again.