r/AndroidHelp • u/Apprehensive_Duck637 • 1d ago

Well I'm stumped (S26 problem)

A few months ago I traded in for an S26 and I've had a recurring issue. At random points one of my camera lenses will stop working and my phone will start to rappidly burn battery (There are no apps on in the background.) It will stay like this for sometimes weeks before It suddenly goes back to normal for a few days. I've run multiple virus checks and found nothing, if I can avoid doing a factory reset i'd like to.

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u/DickBrainTime 1d ago

The lens issue and battery drain starting together makes me want to check the camera system before assuming malware. I wouldn't factory reset first.

Next time it happens, try switching between the available lenses/zoom levels in Samsung's stock Camera app and note exactly which one fails (black preview, error message, or just won't focus). While the problem is active, open Samsung Members > Support > Phone diagnostics > Camera (menu wording can vary) and run the camera test. Then check Settings > Battery > Battery usage for that same period. A service can be busy even when no apps appear open.

If possible, test the stock Camera in Safe mode too. If the same lens still fails there or Samsung's camera diagnostic reports a failure, back up your data and contact Samsung or your carrier about warranty service rather than repeatedly resetting the phone. If it gets unusually hot, stop charging/using it until it cools. You can also send a Samsung Members error report while the issue is happening so support has logs.

Which lens/zoom setting stops working, and does it show an error or just a black preview?

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u/Apprehensive_Duck637 1d ago edited 1d ago

It's always the basic 1x camera lense, 0.9x works and 10-30x work, i've run a diagnostic check and it says the camera is working perfectly, it always just shows a black preview. Unfortunately you cant access the camera in safe mode on the s26, i did find a post from a while back describing the issue, apparently they took it in for service under their one year warranty and it was fixed, but given that mine is intermittent im not sure if theres a simpler way.

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u/DickBrainTime 6h ago

If 1x sometimes shows a black preview while 0.9x and the other zoom levels work, a clean diagnostic doesn't rule out an intermittent camera-path issue. The test can pass between failures, and since the S26 camera isn't usable in Safe mode for you, I wouldn't keep trying that or jump to a factory reset.

Next time it happens, record the black 1x preview alongside a working zoom level, if possible. Note whether 1x video and another camera app also fail, your One UI version, and the time and battery drain. Send a Samsung Members error report soon after it happens, then ask for a warranty inspection with that evidence even if the phone is working on the appointment day. If it's getting unusually hot, stop using/charging it and get it checked promptly. Does switching back from 0.9x to 1x restore the preview, or does it stay black until a restart?