Is your iPhone flashlight not working after iOS 17 update? Whether it’s a grayed-out or missing Flashlight toggle inside the Control Center or an LED that refuses to light up, we’ll show you how to fix it. In this article, I’ll explain how to fix the problem when your iPhone Flashlight is not working or grayed-out in iOS 17!
Please note: The solutions explain in this article apply to all iOS 17 supported devices including: iPhone 14, iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11, iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max.
Why is iPhone flashlight not working in iOS 17?
There are several reasons why the iPhone flashlight function may not be working. Usually, a software bug or glitch causes the feature to malfunction. Other times the exact cause only reveals itself with the corresponding fix.
How to Fix iPhone Flashlight Not Working in iOS 17
Follow these steps in the order listed to troubleshoot an iOS 17 flashlight that’s not working.
1. Remove Any Case or Screen Protector
Believe it or not, some iPhone cases/covers, accessories, and even films tend to block the flash and prevent it from working normally. So, remove any case or film and then try to use the flashlight on your iPhone. If it starts working now, your case/film was at fault, and not your iPhone.
2. Exit or Force-Quit the Camera App
Your iPhone’s camera’s flash function uses the same light as the flashlight. If you have the Camera app opened, it’s normal to see the Control Center’s flashlight icon grayed out. This is because you can’t use both features at the same time.
To solve this, just exit the Camera app and access your Control Center again. You should see that the flashlight button can once more be selected as usual.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, force quit the camera app and re-launch it. To do that, bring up the App Switcher (swipe up from the bottom of the screen) and swipe up the Camera card to shut down the app. Additionally, it’s a good idea to force-quit other apps that use the camera.
3. Remove the Flashlight From the Control Center
To fix the issue of iOS 17 flashlight not working, one potential fix is to remove the flashlight option from the Control Center and then add it back again. Here’s how:
- Go to the Settings app. Select Control Center.
- Under Included Controls, tap the red minus (–) icon for Flashlight (or Torch, in some regions). Tap Remove to confirm.
- To add the flashlight back, scroll down to the More Controls section and tap Add next to Flashlight. You can then adjust its position within the Control Center by dragging the control up or down the list.
4. Turn On Your Flashlight Using the Camera Flash
If you can’t turn on your iPhone’s flashlight from the Control Center, a workaround is to turn it on in the Camera app by activating the flash function. Here’s how:
- In the Camera app, go to Video mode.
- Swipe up from the bottom menu (on the word, Video) to bring up more options.
- Tap the Flash icon. Select On.
5. Toggle the Flash in Your iPhone’s Camera App
To get rid of glitches that stop the iOS 17 flashlight working, you can also try turning your camera flash on and off. The steps are the same as the workaround to turn on your iPhone’s camera flash as discussed in the previous solution. But instead of leaving the Flash set to On, toggle between On and Off a few times.
6. Turn Off Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode disables some features on your iPhone to conserve battery power. When it’s activated, the color of your battery level appears yellow instead of green. The Low Power Mode prompt automatically comes up when your battery percentage falls below 20 percent.
But your iPhone’s flashlight is often one of those features that gets disabled by this mode. To turn off Low Power Mode, go to the Settings app, select Battery, and tap to toggle off Low Power Mode.
7. Charge Your iPhone
Even after you turn off Low Power Mode, you may find that your iOS 17 device flashlight still doesn’t work. This may be simply because your device doesn’t have enough battery power left to support the feature at that moment. Therefore, you should plug your iPhone into a power source and start charging it.
The flashlight feature should start working again once your iPhone has sufficient power.
8. Check Your iPhone Isn’t Too Hot
When your iOS 17 device gets too hot, the flashlight may stop working. It’s not advisable to continue using an overheating iPhone. If your device exceeds a particular temperature limit, it will eventually shut down until it cools off. You’ll also see a warning appear on screen if the temperature gets too high.
To let your device’s temperature lower down naturally, place your iPhone in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Do not attempt to put your device into the fridge, though, as this will cause damage to it. Just find somewhere that’s naturally cool and shady. Once your device cools down, your iPhone’s flashlight should start working again.
9. Adjust Flashlight Brightness
If the iOS 17 flashlight brightness appears weak, you can always try adjusting its intensity. To do that, Swipe down from the top-right edge of the screen to launch Control Center. Now, tap and hold the flashlight icon. To increase your flashlight brightness, hold and move your finger up along the slider.
10. Restart Your iOS 17 device
If you find your iPhone flashlight not working after iOS 17 update, restart your device. Many software problems and bugs can be fixed by simply restarting the device. This resets some of the temporary settings that cause apps and features to malfunction. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. Then, drag the slider to the right to turn off the device. Wait for 30 seconds before holding down the side button to reboot it.
11. Force-Restart Your iOS 17 device
A basic restart sometimes isn’t enough to fix iOS 17 flashlight problem. In some cases, you may need to perform a force restart, which is a more powerful reset. To do this, press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
12. Install the latest iOS 17 update
I know we’re always mentioning updating your iPhone’s software in these troubleshooting articles but, that’s because it helps! A malfunctioning flashlight can simply be the result of buggy system software. . If your iPhone isn’t updated to the latest version of iOS 17, take a few minutes and update now. This may resolve not only the iOS 17 flashlight issue, but other small glitches and bugs you’ve been experiencing. You can check for an iOS update by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
13. Reset all iPhone settings
iOS 17 contains numerous under-the-hood settings that create conflicts and prevent various features—such as the flashlight—from functioning correctly. Apple knows that, which is why iOS comes with an option that lets you reset all settings to their defaults. Resetting Settings will erase your WiFi Password and reset all settings and preferences on your iPhone to factory default settings (it will not delete any data from your iPhone)
Head to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > select Reset All Settings option.
On the confirmation pop-up that appears, tap on Reset to confirm. After iPhone restarts, you will have to rejoin WiFi Network by entering your WiFi Network Password.
14. Factory Reset Your iOS 17 device
If the iOS 17 flashlight continues to give you trouble, factory resetting your iPhone might help resolve the issue.
Since you’ll lose all data on the device, you must start by backing up your iPhone to iCloud or a computer. Then, open the Settings app and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings to reset your iPhone. You can restore data after the reset procedure.
15. Use a third-party flashlight app
If your default flashlight switch isn’t working, you can utilize another flashlight app. Type ‘Flashlight’ into the search field on the app store then From the search results, choose your favorite flashlight app.
16. Repair Options
It is likely that the above solutions will fix any issues that you are experiencing while accessing the iOS 17 flashlight. If your iOS 17 device flashlight won’t turn on, or the Flashlight icon or button is greyed out, you might want to get it repaired. If your iPhone is still covered under warranty, take it to your local Apple Store to see if they can fix the problem for you. Before you head to the Apple Store, make an appointment with the Genius Bar to avoid any long waits.
Don’t have an Apple Store nearby? Apple also provides support online, over the phone, and through the mail!
Effective Solutions When Your iPhone’s Flashlight Is Not Working in iOS 17
If your iPhone’s flashlight isn’t working after iOS 17 update, we hope this list of fixes has helped you resolve the issue effectively. Next time your iPhone Flashlight is not working or appears grayed-out in Control Center, you’ll know how to fix the problem! Make sure to share this article on social media, or leave us a comment below if you have other questions about your iPhone Flashlight.