Motorola Moto G Power 2023 Smartphone Not Taking Pictures

If your Motorola Moto G Power 2023 smartphone camera isn't allowing you to take pictures, read along to find out what might be causing this issue.

Your Motorola might not be taking clear photos because the camera lens is simply dirty. Even a thin layer of dust, fingerprints, or pocket lint can affect image quality or make the camera seem broken. Use a clean microfiber cloth to gently wipe the lens. If there’s stubborn grime, lightly dampen a corner of the cloth with water—never use harsh cleaners—and wipe gently, then dry it off. Avoid pressing too hard to prevent scratches.

Sometimes the camera stops working due to a temporary software glitch. Before assuming the worst, try a force restart. Press and hold both the power and volume down buttons simultaneously for about 10–20 seconds, or until you see the Motorola logo. This clears out minor bugs and refreshes system processes without deleting any data. After the reboot, open the camera app and test it again.

If your camera lens is visibly cracked or the app constantly shows a black screen, your phone may have a hardware issue. In this case, a camera replacement might be necessary. Physical damage to the lens or internal components can prevent the camera from functioning entirely. If you're comfortable with phone repairs, you can follow a step-by-step guide for replacing the back camera on the Moto G Power. Otherwise, it's best to visit a certified repair center.

Your phone needs enough free space to save photos. If your storage is nearly full, the camera may fail to capture or store new pictures, or the app might crash altogether. To check your storage, go to Settings > Storage. Delete unused apps, screenshots, old videos, or large files. You can also move files to cloud storage like Google Photos or Google Drive. Once you clear some space, reopen the camera and try taking a photo again.

If your phone gets too hot—like after gaming, charging, or being in the sun—it may temporarily disable the camera to protect internal components. If you notice your phone is warm and the camera won’t work, let it cool down for 10–15 minutes before trying again. Avoid using the camera while charging or in high-heat environments to prevent this from happening again.

The camera might already be in use by another app running in the background—like Instagram, Snapchat, or a QR code scanner—which can block access for the default camera app. To fix this, open your app switcher and close all running apps. Then relaunch the Camera app and test it again. If the problem keeps coming back, restart your phone to fully clear background processes.