If you have been asking yourself: “Why is my phone flashlight flickering” understandably, you want to find a quick fix. Your flickering phone flash can cause misunderstandings in crowded venues. People might assume you’re secretly filming or capturing photos.
Android and iPhone have come a long way in technology; hence, the flashlight is helpful. The problem could be a fixable software issue rather than a hardware problem. Before solving the case, you need to pinpoint why it’s happening.
In a hurry? We care about your time, so here’s a quick answer to the question you’re looking for!
Your phone’s flashlight may flicker for several reasons. A low battery often triggers the flashlight to blink as a signal to charge your device. It could also be due to a faulty charging port or a bad micro USB cable. In some cases, the flashlight may need to be reset. If the issue persists, it’s advisable to consult a service center for a thorough check-up.
Why Does My Phone Flashlight Flickering?
There is no one answer to this question. The problem could be software-related rather than hardware, but multiple software conflicts could cause the flashlight to flicker.
Undetermined Cache
If your cache data is undetermined, it corresponds to a software overload and can randomly lead to your flashlight blinking. Clearing the phone cache is a solution to many software issues, primarily if you need help determining the exact origin of the problem.
Corrupt Application
Another reason for the random flashing can be due to an app. All apps have an underlying code, and some principles get corrupted. If an app on your phone has malware, it could affect your phone’s software.
The flickering flashlight can signify the malware attacking the flashlight’s software. An easy way to check if this is the case is to reboot your phone in safe mode.
Press and hold the power button to bring out a power menu. Press and hold the power off button until you see a pop-up bar. The bar will have several options, including ‘reboot in safe mode (the option may vary on different phones).
Click on the opportunity and tap OK to confirm your action. Your phone will restart and run in safe mode. Navigate your phone to see if the flash still flickers.
If yes, an application is causing it, and you need to find the app in question and delete it. To exit safe mode, restart your phone.
Here’s a tip for deleting apps. Try figuring out when the problem started to appear, then see all the apps you downloaded during this time. Start by removing those apps until you’ve resolved the issue.
A Pending System Update
Since flash flickering is a software problem, old, outdated, and redundant software can be the source. There is probably a pending software update on your phone. The flickering will likely stop once you upgrade to the latest version.
To see if there is a pending software update, click the settings option, go to systems, and then software updates. Click on the update and follow the given guides to download the update.
Improper Charging
If flickering occurs mainly when the phone is connected to a charger, there is a possibility that you’re having a charging issue. You need to determine if the problem is the charging port on the phone or the charger.
Once in the socket, try lifting the plug’s face up or down. If this disconnects your charger, then the pin is loose. During charging, if the plug disconnects or is connected to result in discharging, the flash may go off as an indicator of a charging issue.
Try changing phone chargers. If the problem persists, the issue is with the port, not the charger. However, if the problem is in the harbor, you will have to see a professional to fix it.
Why Is My iPhone Flashlight Blinking?
All the reasons mentioned above are valid for Android and iPhone devices. However, there can be another reason for the flickering flashlight for iPhones, i.e., notifications. iPhone has a default notification alert connected to the flashlight.
The flash notification may be on, and you are unaware of that. This feature is active in average, silent, and vibration modes; hence, it is normal if you miss it.
The blinking flash is an alert helpful feature for people with poor hearing, as the instant notifies them of an incoming call or message.
Whenever you receive a notification, the flash will automatically flicker. To turn off this feature, open phone settings> general > accessibility > hearing and uncheck the ‘LED flash for alerts.’
How Do You Fix a Flickering Flashlight on a Smartphone?
Resolving the issue of flickering flashlights depends on the cause. Even if there isn’t an apparent cause, you can still find ways to make your phone function optimally.
Reboot Your Device
A simple restart of your phone might solve many issues. It fixes the majority of problems, and it improves the weird flash flickers.
Rebooting the torch should fix software issues if some background process or program is causing problems. To restart, press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
Delete Camera App Data
The flashlight’s software is closely linked with that of the camera. The flashlight could go off randomly if the camera’s data is corrupted. Resetting the camera app data can fix this glitch.
Go to the phone settings, tap on applications, search for the camera, and then storage. Click the ‘clear data’ option and press OK to confirm your action. Be aware that this will return your camera to its factory settings.
Reset App Preferences
The problem is only sometimes a glitch in the software; it can also be due to unknown activations. You may have unknowingly tweaked an app’s preference in a way that causes the flashlight to go off randomly.
App preferences include permissions, default apps, disabled apps, etc. Therefore, resetting app preferences can help stop the flashlight flickering. To do so:
- Tap on your phone settings ad then applications.
- Click the three vertical dots and then choose reset app preferences.
- Tap on OK to confirm your action, which will reset the preferences.
Doing so will revert all preferences to default; hence, you must customize them again.
Factory Reset the Phone
This should always be your last resort. If all else fails, resetting your entire phone’s settings is the final solution in our DIY book. It is a somewhat nuclear solution, but if nothing else helps, it’s worth trying.
All the original software preinstalled on your device will be deleted, and your preferences will be reset if you perform a factory reset.
Therefore, it is best to back up important data before the factory reset utterly. The factory reset fixes all software issues; thus, the flickering flash problem should also disappear.
Click on the phone settings, then general and management. Click ‘factory data reset’ and choose ‘reset the device.’ Confirm the pop-up to reset the phone.
Take your Phone to a Professional
If you are reluctant to reset your phone to factory settings, you can go to a professional to see if they can resolve the issue. Of course, you will be charged for the service, but it is better than losing all your data.
If the cause of the problem is a harsh blow or water exposure, it can only be resolved by someone who knows the software and the hardware inside out.
Conclusion
Most flash problems result from software malfunction; one of the above solutions should solve it. However, if the problem persists, visiting a professional repair mechanic is your best bet.
So, the answer to the question: “Why is my phone flashlight flickering” can be due to various reasons. We hope this information was helpful and resolves the issue in no time.