Front camera isn't working. Error code 0xa00f4271(0xc00d3704)

Question

I'm using a Microsoft Lumia 950 XL (had it since Jan 2017). Already performed a couple of soft resets (the camera starts working again, but only for about a minute, then I get the error code again) and even a hard reset - both did not fix the issue.

I don't know if it's relevant at all, but the in-app camera (Facebook Messenger) hasn't been working as well since... forever. Skype occasionally showed a "The camera is being used by another app" message when I was in a video chat and tried to switch from one camera to another. Also, I now cannot use the in-app camera in Instagram (both front and main one). No problem with WhatsApp however (apart from the persisting front-camera issue).

Answer 1

Based on what you have described, it appears that the front-facing camera is not working if the Groove Music app is running in the background.

Please try exiting the Groove Music app and then, use the front-facing camera.

We will wait for your update.

Answer 2

I did perform a hard reset just yesterday (as I already stated above), so I would think everything's up to date. I checked my update status just in case (no new updates available) and the Store as well (no new app versions waiting to be installed).

Again, if I restart my phone (soft reset), sometimes the front camera works for a minute or two, and then the error code appears again (with no apps running in the background, or none of relevance to the camera - Groove Music for example).

Answer 3

Hi, Joe!

I appreciate your advice! It's actually swiping down that closes the running apps - at least that's what I've been doing since I got my phone, and it does the trick.

However, I don't think that's the issue here. I gave it a try though - closed all the running apps (although I doubt it's Groove Music or Microsoft Explorer that uses my camera in the background), waited, opened my camera and tried to switch to front-facing. No luck, I got the same error code again.

Any (other) ideas what the problem might be?

You are right about s wiping downward to exit apps that have recently been used. I got confused.

It is possible that your concern is already related to the software of the Camera app. Please check for app updates and phone updates. Do update the Camera app and your phone if updates are available.

Do let us know what happens after.

Answer 4

Hi, Joe!

I appreciate your advice! It's actually swiping down that closes the running apps - at least that's what I've been doing since I got my phone, and it does the trick.

However, I don't think that's the issue here. I gave it a try though - closed all the running apps (although I doubt it's Groove Music or Microsoft Explorer that uses my camera in the background), waited, opened my camera and tried to switch to front-facing. No luck, I got the same error code again.

Any (other) ideas what the problem might be?

Answer 5

Hello Nana Eridan,

The error code 0xa00f4271(0xc00d3704) usually means that your phone's camera is currently being used by another application. Completely exiting the application that may be using the camera should resolve the issue.

Press and hold the Back virtual button on your phone and you should see the apps that are currently running in the background. Swiping upwards on the apps that are running in the background should close them.

After exiting the apps that may be using the camera, wait for five to ten seconds. Launch the Camera app after the said time frame and you should no longer encounter the aforementioned error code.

Let us know how it goes.