If the flashlight is not working on your iPhone, fret not! We’re here to help you get rid of this problem. So, let’s not waste time and start reading this guide that shows you how to fix your iPhone flashlight problems like it being grayed out, not responding after update or refusing to turn on.

Flashlight Tool on iPhone

Flashlights in phones have long been a useful tool that most of us use in dark/low-light environments. For example, while trekking in the woods or fumbling in a dark room, you may need to turn on the flashlight to find your way or spot something.

That’s why Apple also has made the Flashlight tool accessible directly from the lock screen of your iOS device so that you can easily put it into action.

Why Isn’t Flashlight Working on an iPhone?

Even though this useful feature is designed to work reliably, it is not immune to failure. So, like many others already, if you too have faced the problem of the flashlight not working on your iPhone and wonder what could be preventing the iPhone flashlight from working—here’s the answer finally!

Flashlight not working issues can be both hardware and software related.

If this is due to a random software glitch, then you can get rid of it by trying some reliable software hacks. However, if it is due to a hardware failure, you will need to contact Apple or an authorized iPhone service center.

What Are the Solutions to Fix Flashlight on iPhone Not Working Issue?

Keeping both the above aspects in mind, here we have suggested solutions that are likely to fix the flashlight not working problem on your iPhone.

Basic Prerequisites

  • Check Whether It Is Your Case?

Have you changed your iPhone case recently? If so, your new case may be blocking your iPhone’s camera lens and flash. So, check if this is the reason for your flashlight not working and in case yes, you need to ditch this cover of your iPhone and buy another one.

Also, note that if your case is magnetic or metal, it may interfere with your iPhone camera too!

  • Check Is Your iPhone Charged? 

Whether you know it or not, if your iPhone is in Low Power Mode, the amount of power used by your device is restricted, and you will be unable to use many features. So, make sure that you charge your iPhone enough to not turn on Low Power Mode.

  • Check Your iPhone Isn’t Too Hot 

If you are using your iPhone a lot then it gets very hot and due to this several things happen such as— Charging will slow or stop; Your display will dim or even go black; Your camera flash may stop working, and more. 

So, if your phone is too hot, let it come back to its optimum operating temperature but that doesn’t mean you put it in the refrigerator or freezer to speed up the process! Jokes apart, wait until your iPhone is back to its optimum operating temperature.

Solutions to Fix the Flashlight Isn’t Working on an iPhone

Solution 1: Close the iPhone Camera App 

Since the flashbulb used by your iPhone’s Camera app is the same one used by your iPhone’s flashlight and you can’t use both features at the same time, so if your flashlight icon is grayed out, it’s better to keep the Camera app closed when you activate the flashlight to prevent any potential conflicts.

To force quit the camera app open in the background, just execute these two steps:

  • Step 1: Swipe up from the “Home bar” or double-press the “Home button” to bring up the “App switcher.”
  • Step 2: From it, swipe up on the “Camera app card” to close the app.
Swipe up the “Camera App” from the app switcher to force close it.

Solution 2: Restart Your iPhone or iPad

Next you can try giving your iPhone a simple restart. While doing this is supposed to fix a lot of the problems you experience on the iPhone, it might even fix your iPhone’s flashlight if it’s not working. 

So, here’s how you can restart your iPhone, depending on whether it has Face ID or Touch ID.

  • On an iPhone without a Home button: Press and hold the “Volume Up/Down” button as well as the “Side” button until the “Power off Slider” appears. Now, drag the Power off slider to “Turn off” your device. After that, press and hold the “Side” button until the “Apple Logo” appears.
  • On an iPhone with a Home button: Press and hold the “Side/Top” button. Then, drag the “Power Off Slider” to turn off your device. After that, press and hold the “Side/Top” button to “Reboot” your iOS device.
Restart iPhone using “Volume Down” and “Side” buttons.

Tip: If restarting your iPhone didn’t fix your flashlight problem, you can also try a hard reset. Note, however, that the process of “Hard Reset Your iPhone”

is slightly different for an iPhone without a Home button and an iPhone with a Home button.

Solution 3: Remove the Flashlight from the Control Center & Re-Add

Next, let us tell you that few have already fixed their iPhone flashlight not working issue by removing the flashlight from the Control Center, then adding it back. If you also want to give it a try then, here’s how you can do so:

  • Step 1: Navigate to your iPhone’s “Settings” app. 
  • Step 2: Inside settings, select “Control Center” to open.
  • Step 3: Then, under “Included Controls,” you’ve to tap the “Red minus (–) icon” for Flashlight (or Torch). 
  • Step 4: After that, tap “Remove” to confirm.
  • Step 5: Now, in order to add the flashlight back, scroll down to the “More Controls” section.
  • Step 5: There, tap the “Plus (+) icon” for Flashlight (or Torch).
From Control Centre, tap the “Red minus (–) icon” for Flashlight (or Torch) to remove and then, “Plus (+) icon” to add back.

Solution 4: Turn On Your Flashlight Using the Camera Flash

If you can’t turn on your iPhone’s flashlight from the Control Center, the next solution is to turn it on in the Camera app via activating the flash function. 

Turning the flash on, then off again, while in Video mode in the Camera app has worked for a few people so, you too can try this!

  • Step 1: Open the “Camera app” on your iPhone.
  • Step 2: Then, in the Camera app, go to “Video” mode.
  • Step 3: After that, swipe up from the bottom “Menu” to bring up more options.
  • Step 4: Now, from the menu appeared, tap the “Flash icon” and select “On” instead of “Auto or Off.”
Tap the “Flash icon” and select “On” instead of “Auto or Off.”

Solution 5: Turn Off Low Power Mode

It is not necessary that Low Power Mode turns on only when the battery level of your iPhone is low, it can also be turned on manually intentionally (to save battery life) or unintentionally. 

If Low Power Mode is turned on your iPhone, then you need to turn it off because as already said, Low Power Mode disables certain features including the flashlight of your iPhone in order to save battery power.

So, to turn off Low Power Mode, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Go to your iPhone’s “Settings” app.
  • Step 2: Inside settings, tap on “Battery.”
  • Step 3: After that, simply toggle it ‘Off’ to disable low power mode on your iPhone.
From settings, tap on “Battery” option then, toggle “Low Power Mode” to turn it off.

Solution 6: Reset All Settings on Your iPhone

Another solution that comes in handy when dealing with persistent issues like the one we are discussing today is that you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone.

It has always been a go-to troubleshooter to fix major software-related issues, therefore, it is advisable to follow these steps to give it a try:

  • Step 1: Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
  • Step 2: Inside settings, tap on “General.”
  • Step 3: Then, under the “General” section, tap “Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.”
  • Step 4: After that, when you get a confirmation pop-up, tap “Reset All Settings” to reset all the settings on your iPhone.
Tap “Reset All Settings” to reset all the settings on your iPhone.
  • Step 5: Now that you have reset all settings, “Restart your iPhone” immediately and check if the flashlight starts working or not.

Solution 7: Update Your iPhone’s iOS to the latest iOS

If your iPhone hasn’t been updated to the latest version of iOS, take a few minutes and make sure to update it now. This can not only fix your flashlight not working on iPhone issues, but also solve other minor glitches and bugs you may be experiencing.

  • Step 1: Before you begin, use either “iCloud” or your “PC” to create a “Backup” of your iPhone device.
  • Step 2: Then, make sure to connect your “iPhone to the internet.”
  • Step 3: After that, go to “Settings” on your iPhone.
  • Step 4: Inside settings, tap on “General” and followed by that, tap on “Software Update.”
  • Step 5: Now, what you’ve to do is choose the one you wish to install if you see two “Software update choices.”
  • Step 6: In the end, enter your “Passcode” and hit the “Download and Install Now” button. 
Tap on “Software Update” and hit the “Download and Install Now” button.

Solution 8: Restore Your iPhone to a Previous iCloud Backup

Last but not least, if your flashlight still isn’t working, try restoring your iPhone from an iCloud backup you made before you encountered the issue. 

However, keep in mind that this will erase your entire iPhone. So, because everything you have on your iOS device will be wiped out, don’t continue until you have fully backed up your device.

To have an iCloud backup: 

  • Open “Settings app > Apple ID banner > iCloud > iCloud Backup.”

Now, you can restore your device without using Finder/iTunes. To do so:

  • Step 1: Head over to “Settings app.” 
  • Step 2: Then, tap on “General.”
  • Step 3: After that, select “Transfer or Reset iPhone.”
  • Step 4: Finally, hit “Erase All Content and Settings.”
Inside General settings, tap on “Transfer or Reset iPhone” and then, hit “Erase All Content and Settings.”

Now when your device has been successfully erased, follow the setup assistant to set up your device. Also, you will get the option to restore your iPhone from iCloud backup.

After that, when asked, sign in with your Apple ID to restore your apps and purchases. 

However, if you’ve purchased iTunes or App Store content using multiple Apple IDs, you’ll be asked to sign in to each.

Once you’re signed in, stay connected to Wi-Fi and wait for a progress bar to appear and complete. Well because, depending on the size of the backup and the network speed, the progress bar might need a few minutes to an hour to complete.

What to Do If Flashlight on Instagram Still Not Working?

If you’ve tried all of the above troubleshooting solutions and your flashlight icon is still grayed out, you must be worried about what to do now because the flashlight is still not working, right!

Well, in that scenario we suggest you calm down. If the flashlight not working problem is not resolved by using any of the above solutions, then the reason could be hardware related and as we mentioned in the beginning, there is only one solution to hardware related issues.

Last Resort: Contact Apple Support

Now that you have tried and tested all the above solutions and still the flashlight is not working on your iPhone; it’s time to contact Apple support.

In this regard, keep in mind that you’ll receive free complimentary support if you purchased your device within the last 90 days. Also, if you have paid for AppleCare+ or any other insurance plan, your device may be repaired at a service fee or deductible cost.

Conclusion 

That’s all! As we have discussed enough solutions to the problem of flashlights not working, we hope this helped and now your flashlight starts working properly like it should be!

FAQs

Ques: How to turn on the iPhone flashlight?

Ans: To turn on the iPhone flashlight, press (not tap) the round flashlight icon on the Lock screen of iPhone with Face ID.

Ques: How to restart iPhone to fix Flashlight not working issue?

Ans: To fix flashlight not working issue, here’s how you can quickly restart your iPhone:

  • Step 1: Go to ‘Settings > General > Shut Down.’
  • Step 2: Then, slide the ‘Power icon’ to the right to power off your iPhone. 
  • Step 3: Now, when your iPhone shuts down completely, hold down the ‘Side button’ to reboot it.

Ques: How to fix the flashlight not working issue via resetting factory settings?

Ans: In order to solve software issues related to flashlight not working before contacting Apple Support is to restore your iPhone to factory settings. However, when you factory reset your iPhone, your data will be deleted, so you’ll want to back up to iCloud before taking this step.