Camera trouble on the Galaxy S20 falls into three groups: blurry pictures, a camera that fails or shows an error, and a selfie bug reported across the line. For blur, wipe the lens with a soft cloth first, because pocket dirt on the lenses is the commonest cause, then remove any case or protector that overlaps the cameras. Owners report that the main lens loses focus at some zoom levels, and tapping the screen to focus or switching to 1x and back sometimes clears it. For an app that crashes, clear the camera app's cache, update it and restart.
iFixit's guide separates a failing camera into software and hardware by testing in Safe mode. PhoneArena reported a front camera bug on S20 phones that blurred selfies, which Samsung addressed with updates. A lens that stays blurred after cleaning and a restart points at hardware. Pro mode and Single take can look blurry because of their own settings, so reset the camera settings in Camera, Settings, Reset settings if the problem started after you changed something. Use the Samsung Members diagnostic to test the cameras individually before you send the phone in.
Differential
Likely causes of “Samsung Galaxy S20 family camera is blurry, shakes or will not focus”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A dirty lens
What separates it Pictures look hazy or soft
How to confirm Wipe the lenses with a microfibre cloth
- 2
Focus problems at some zoom levels
What separates it The main camera will not focus
How to confirm Tap to focus, or switch to 1x and back
- 3
A camera app fault
What separates it The camera crashes or shows an error
How to confirm Clear the camera app's cache and update it
- 4
A front camera bug
What separates it Selfies look soft
How to confirm Install the latest software update
- 5
A hardware fault
What separates it Blur remains in Safe mode
How to confirm Contact Samsung
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Which camera is affected: main, ultrawide, zoom or front
- Whether it happens in Safe mode
- The case and protector
- Whether the phone was dropped
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedClean the lenses
ReversibleUse a soft microfibre cloth.
Remove the case
ReversibleCheck nothing overlaps a lens.
Clear the camera cache
ReversibleSettings, Apps, Camera, Storage, Clear cache.
Update the camera and phone
ReversibleInstall the latest updates.
Test in Safe mode
ReversibleHold power, then touch and hold Power off and choose Safe mode.
Contact Samsung
ReversibleIf a lens remains blurred.
Reset the camera settings
ReversibleOpen the camera, Settings, Reset settings, which returns the focus, zoom and mode options to normal.
Run the camera diagnostic
ReversibleIn the Samsung Members app, Phone diagnostics, Camera, to test each lens.
Check for a protective film
ReversibleA thin plastic film left on the lens window of a new case or a second-hand phone looks like a smear.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Zoom lenses
- The S20's long zoom lens is the one most likely to hunt for focus.
- Selfie bug
- Software updates addressed a reported front camera issue.
- Space zoom
- At very high zoom levels the S20 is digitally cropped and always looks soft.
- Close focus
- The ultrawide and zoom lenses have minimum focus distances, so a blurry close-up may simply be too near.
- Selfie bug
- The reported front camera issue was addressed in software updates.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the blur remains in Safe mode after cleaning, contact Samsung
- !If the camera shows a persistent error, ask for a repair
- !A cracked lens needs service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
Why is my S20 camera blurry?+
A dirty lens, a focus issue or a software fault.
What is Safe mode for?+
To tell an app problem from hardware.
Was there a front camera bug?+
PhoneArena reported one.
Can I fix a lens myself?+
Only clean it.
Why is my close-up blurry?+
The lens has a minimum focus distance; step back.
Can I test the lenses?+
Yes, with the Samsung Members diagnostic.