10 Ways to Fix Flashlight Not Working On iPhone

It's quite frustrating when you need your iPhone flashlight most and it isn't working. However, there are often simple fixes that can get it functioning again without much trouble. Your flashlight may not be defective - it could just be experiencing a temporary glitch or conflict on your device. Before assuming the worst, try some easy solutions to troubleshoot the issue.

This guide outlines 10 potential solutions you can work through methodically to restore your flashlight. Read on to discover what could be preventing it from turning on and learn ways to enable it through alternate means until the direct problem is resolved.

1. Disable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode kicks in automatically once your charge hits 20% to help your battery last longer. Part of how it works is by temporarily shutting down less critical features, like the flashlight, to extend your usage time until you can plug in.

You'll know it's active because the battery icon at the top will change from green to yellow. It automatically kicks in once your battery dips below 20%. To see if deactivating it helps, here are the quick steps:

1. Go into your Settings

2. Tap the "Battery" option

3. Look for "Low Power Mode" and its on/off toggle switch

4. Make sure the toggle is switched to the "off" position instead of "on"

5. That disables Low Power Mode's power saving restrictions

Once that's taken care of, try using your flashlight again. If it's working now after turning off Low Power Mode, then we figured out the culprit - it was just Low Power Mode preventing the light from coming on before

2. Cool Down Your iPhone

It's important to check that your iPhone is not overheating before trying to use the flashlight. If the device becomes too hot, the flashlight may temporarily deactivate as a safety precaution.

A consistently overheating iPhone could even shut itself down until cooled off. You may also notice a warning message appear on the screen if the temperature rises very high.

To allow an overheated iPhone to safely lower its temperature naturally, place it in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight. Once your iPhone has adequately cooled down from an overheated state, the flashlight function should resume normal operation again when needed.

3. Charge up Your Phone

The flashlight requires adequate charge to function, so it's worth ensuring your device is sufficiently powered. Simply connect your phone to a charger and allow it to juice up.

As the battery replenishes with external power, keep an eye on the flashlight. It should power back on once there is enough energy available again to support all features.

4. Close the Camera App

It's possible your flashlight isn't working because the Camera app might be interfering with the light! See, your iPhone uses the same built-in light for both the camera and flashlight.

So if you happen to have the Camera app open in the background while trying to turn on the flashlight through Control Center, it won't let you. The flashlight button will be dim and unusable.

To check if this could be the issue, swipe up from the bottom of your screen. This will show any apps currently running in the background. Take a peek - is the Camera app in that list by any chance?

If so, you've found the problem. All you need to do is close out of the Camera app. This frees up the light so it's no longer in use by the camera. Once that app is shut down, your flashlight button should work like normal again through Control Center.

5. Move Flashlight From Control Center

If your flashlight is still non-functional, even after trying other things, it might help to do a quick reset of it in the Control Center.

1. Open the iPhone Settings

2. Select the "Control Center" option

3. Look for the "Included Controls" section. Find the listing for "Flashlight".

4. Tap the red minus icon next to it to remove the flashlight from the Control Center.

5. Tap "Remove" to confirm removal

6. Then scroll down to "More Controls"

7. Locate the "Flashlight" listing and tap the plus icon to add it back.

After performing these steps to remove and re-add the flashlight button, check the Control Center once more to see if the feature is now operational again. Sometimes a simple refresh of available controls can resolve technical glitches.

6. Ask Siri for Help

Do you know you can ask Siri for assistance lighting things up. Make sure Siri is set up on your iPhone by completing the initial configuration. Then activate Siri by saying "Hey Siri."

Once Siri is ready to listen, state the command "Turn on the flashlight." Siri will action your request and verbally acknowledge that the flashlight has been turned on.

This provides a useful backup when physically accessing the flashlight is problematic. Siri can remotely flip the switch, illuminating your way until regular operations resume.

7. Use the Camera Flash

If the flashlight is still unresponsive even after messing with the Control Center settings, don't panic - there is another way to get a light on temporarily using the Camera app.

1. Launch the Camera and select Video mode

2. Here simply swipe up from the bottom menu named "Video"

3. This reveals additional camera options

4. Tap the Flash icon and select the "On" option

5. The flashlight should now illuminate, giving you light until the direct issue can be troubleshooted

While not the typical flashlight activation method, turning on the video camera flash provides a backup solution when the regular Control Center option fails. This ensures light functionality until the root problem with the dedicated flashlight is resolved.

8. Update your iOS

If all preceding methods fail to restore the flashlight, updating your iOS version could provide the needed fix. Software updates regularly include bug patches and performance improvements.

To check for an available update:

1. Open the Settings menu

2. Select the "General" option

3. Choose "Software Update" to see what's what

4. If an update is showing, go ahead and download it by tapping through the on-screen instructions

Give your iPhone time to complete the process fully before checking the flashlight again. Installing the latest iOS build may resolve glitches preventing flashlight functionality.

9. Restart Your Phone

Restarting refreshes internal operations and can reset hardware glitches.

To restart your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app on your device 

2. Select "General"

3. Choose "Shut Down"

4. Slide the power off slider to power down

5. After shutdown, long-press the Side button until you see the Apple logo

Give things a moment to fully reboot before testing the flashlight once more. A reset occasionally diagnoses stubborn technical problems, so it's worth a try if lighting remains disabled despite troubleshooting efforts. Restarting provides a fresh iPhone startup that could restore normal flashlight performance.

10. Reset All Settings

If restarting the iPhone and updating iOS did not restore the flashlight function, one final option remains - resetting all settings.

1. Open the Settings menu

2. Select "General"

3. Choose "Transfer or Reset iPhone"

4. Tap the "Reset" option

5. Select "Reset All Settings"

6. If asked, enter your passcode to confirm

7. Hit reset one more time to wipe your settings clean

Resetting retains all data like photos and apps but restores default settings which may fix software bugs.

Note this is a lengthy process, so only try it if not urgently need light. It refreshes behind-the-scenes configurations as a last attempt before contacting Apple support. The reset leaves personal files untouched while rebooting preferences in case they are interfering.

If after trying all of these troubleshooting steps your flashlight still refuses to cooperate, it may be time to schedule an appointment with an Apple support representative. They can further diagnose any hardware malfunctions. In the meantime, keep your iPhone charged and don't hesitate to use Siri or the camera flash as temporary substitutes in a problematical situation.

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