ERROR- camera not available...problem continues even after two replacements from SONY

[almas_xperiaU]

I earlier had a problem in my xperia U- the screen went black..and displayed later   -"ERROR, camera not available"...I updated the firmware but it was of no use...The service centre repaired the software...Still the problem continued...Next, my fon's motherboard was replaced by sony...still all in vain.

Finally, after a horrible customer service experience, Sony gave me a completely new handset...still many a times, I face the same problem, though many of my friends who also use an xperia U don't find themselves in such a situation...Can anyone tell me where exactly the problem lies?? I am totally fed up of this thing and have started to hate SONY and their products....

[Samuel1]

Hmm, seems strange. Haven't heard about this issue before actually. Are you using the standard/stock ROM in your (and your friends) phones? Also, does this occur while using the standard camera app or while using some 3rd party camera application.

You should also try booting the phone in safe mode by turning the phone on while pressing the menu-button simultaneously and see if the camera works. This to rule out any 3rd party applications interfering with the camera.

[almas_xperiaU]

Hi Samuel,

I, and also my friends, always use the standard/stock ROM. This error occurs while using standard camera app...Not everytime while opening the camera...but once in 10-15 times, or sometimes even earlier....Also, I dont use many third party camera apps...Whats the difference between safe mode and normal mode of booting the fon? Can I use the safe mode everytime I boot?

[Samuel1]

Alright. Of course you could use safe mode every time you start your phone but I won't recommend it. The safe mode launches only Android itself and won't start any widgets/apps in the background. It just starts the basic stuff to get the phone up and running. Try starting in safe mode as described in my previous post and reply here with the results please. You will see a small text in the bottom left corner saying 'safe mode' when you have started it up correctly in safe mode.

[almas_xperiaU]

I pressed the menu(touch button) while switching on the phone with the power button...But I could easily figure out that the fon started in its normal mode and not the safe mode- bcoz nothing like 'safe mode' was written on the screen...also all other things seemed to be normal.

[Samuel1]

It can be a bit tricky to get the phone to start up in the safe mode but try a few more times and it should work. You might need a SIM-card in the phone to get it to boot in safe mode, so if you removed yours please put it back in.

[smani]

Power off and on phone, when you see the Sony text, tap the Menu button repeatedly until it boot up..... now u in safe mode............

[Boomramada]

Hi I'm having the same issue, when I try to use the camara, it sometimes gives me

"ERROR - Camera not available.

Great phone but touch sensitivity of the menu, home or back buttons are hopeless. I can’t get to login in as safe mode. And how come back button is on left hand side not right hand side as other phones?

[almas_xperiaU]

update to ICS has completely wiped away the camera problem...try it...

btw touch sensitivity of all touch buttons is absolutely cool with me...and also with others I guess

[jomonvsprince]

i also got that error twice in last 3 months. n both time it happened when i was using GB (now i am using ICS ). Both times i had to restart my phone n the error was gone