How I finally fixed the "can't connect to camera" issue on my THL w100

[Guigui96]

Sometime ago after purchasing a new W100 (THL),
I started having the "can't connect to the camera" message.


It has been debated widely over the different forums, and was always associated to ROM, software, permissions issues and such.

First, I'd like to say that this phone is fantastic value for money.

The other day, after trying numerous roms, and permission fixes, and with no luck,
I was playing with the charger cable (while connected), while the camera app was working.

I noticed that fidgeting around with the cable had influence on the app, freezing it at times, making the camera input flicker etc.

I knew right then, this was a connector issue, hardware, rather then something else.

I immediately decided to abandon the "warranty" procedure and take it apart to find the problem.

There is a little rectangular sponge which was right above the connector, but apparently was not pressing it enough,
so I attached 3-4 little squares of thin cardboard (really thin), in the same size of the sponge.

Re-assembled the phone, and voila!, works like a charm ever since!

I will post some photos later, if someone wishes, but the phone has been working for some time now, with no problems what so ever.

So that's it,
the mysterious "can't connect" issue, SOLVED,
at least for me, and to another phone I had ordered which had the same problem (also THL w100).

Gideon.

 

[chenrp]

cool!

 

[capcorn88]

I had a similar problem with my thl w200. I google and tried numerous ways to solve the problem.
But none work. I experienced the same thing like you when I put on the charging cable.
I believe we had similar problem... It would be nice if you can post some pics on how to fix the connector.

Thanks a lot.

 

[nachil]

I also have the same problme. with my thl w200.
Today i install the app cameraMX and after reboot the camera back to work.

I also glad if you uploud some photo

 

[Guigui96]

Added photos of repair

here are the pics as promised...

hope this is helpful:

first, the connector:



now, both the little thin cardboard pieces and
the sponge which should be pressing enough on the connector:


pieces applied with a little snippet of clear duct tape:


the outcome - u can see the shape of the plastic where the flesh is, bent a little upwards as a result:

 

[capcorn88]

Hi Gideon,

Brilliant. Thanks for the pics.
How did you figure that its loose connector?
if I open up my phone, I would guess it's some motherboard issue.

Thanks a lot. I am looking forward to fixing my camera

 

[Guigui96]

Hi Gideon,

Brilliant. Thanks for the pics.
How did you figure that its loose connector?
if I open up my phone, I would guess it's some motherboard issue.

Thanks a lot. I am looking forward to fixing my camera

Thanks.

Well, the first time I took it apart, I just took the connector out, and firmly in again,
but that didn't "fly" fully, still did problems related to touch/pressure (on the area), so I just decided to thicken that place a bit.

Just be careful with the entire procedure, it's not difficult (far from it), but still,
would be a shame to fook something else

 

[Paolorata]

Hello, I'm Italian, sorry for my English is not good.
I have thl w100 and I have the same problem of the camera. My rom is 130912.
I change rom (also cusotm rom), wipe & reset.... nothing I still have the problem.
I tried your solution with the paper under the frame but nothing: "can't connect to the camera"
I have observed the operation of the camera and I have an idea
I have observed that works depending on the battery
I recharged the phone twice using a power bank and the camera is back to work for several days.
Then the last charge came only 99% and returned error.
The error disappears if you restart the phone and the screen does not open before 5/10 minutes.
Then once you open the camera and it works.
Has anyone observed the same things?

 

[capcorn88]

Hello, I'm Italian, sorry for my English is not good.
I have thl w100 and I have the same problem of the camera. My rom is 130912.
I change rom (also cusotm rom), wipe & reset.... nothing I still have the problem.
I tried your solution with the paper under the frame but nothing: "can't connect to the camera"
I have observed the operation of the camera and I have an idea
I have observed that works depending on the battery
I recharged the phone twice using a power bank and the camera is back to work for several days.
Then the last charge came only 99% and returned error.
The error disappears if you restart the phone and the screen does not open before 5/10 minutes.
Then once you open the camera and it works.
Has anyone observed the same things?

Hi Paolorata,

Your English is all right. I understand what you wrote.
I don't think it has anything to do with the battery.
My camera did work even when it is not fully charged.
Maybe when you charge your battery, your charging cable tweak the connector and the camera works.

 

[capcorn88]

I thought I shared my experience in fixing my THL W200.

In the first picture, I removed all the screws and start plying open the casing.
It's tough to ply open the casing. A combination of flat head screw driver and finger nail.
The plastic edges were damaged in the process by the screw driver.

In the second picture, you will see my camera connector.

In the third picture, I cut a small slab from those 3M stick-on-wall sticker and paste it on my casing.
It's quite thick. I mount my casing back. I tested the camera with the casing half mounted.
I wanted to make sure it worked before I mount the casing fully back.
The removing of the casing was quite troublesome.
You also see the power and volume button in the picture.

My observation so far.
The casing is slightly arched like what Gideon has mentioned. The camera works without failure.

But when I put back my sim card, my camera works on and off. Most of the time it works.
I believe it's because the contact point of the sim card is on the motherboard while the end of sim card is on the plastic casing.
This possibly creates a small gap between my sticker and the camera connector.

Possible solution.
Cut my sim card or cut the plastic casing.

 

[Paolorata]

Thanks for answers.
I tried to move the usb connection: the first time it work , the second is not.
The only method by which I can run the camera:
1) restart the phone,
2) wait at least 10 minutes without touching it
3) then open the camera.

9 times out of 10 it works.It is also confirmed by some androidiani.it users.
can you try it and let me know?

 

[Guigui96]

Thanks for answers.
I tried to move the usb connection: the first time it work , the second is not.
The only method by which I can run the camera:
1) restart the phone,
2) wait at least 10 minutes without touching it
3) then open the camera.

9 times out of 10 it works.It is also confirmed by some androidiani.it users.
can you try it and let me know?

If by playing around with the USB connection it works, then I would presume you have the same problem as me...,
and the connector is is troublesome.

 

[kinetix118]

Sometime ago after purchasing a new W100 (THL),
I started having the "can't connect to the camera" message.


It has been debated widely over the different forums, and was always associated to ROM, software, permissions issues and such.

First, I'd like to say that this phone is fantastic value for money.

The other day, after trying numerous roms, and permission fixes, and with no luck,
I was playing with the charger cable (while connected), while the camera app was working.

I noticed that fidgeting around with the cable had influence on the app, freezing it at times, making the camera input flicker etc.

I knew right then, this was a connector issue, hardware, rather then something else.

I immediately decided to abandon the "warranty" procedure and take it apart to find the problem.

There is a little rectangular sponge which was right above the connector, but apparently was not pressing it enough,
so I attached 3-4 little squares of thin cardboard (really thin), in the same size of the sponge.

Re-assembled the phone, and voila!, works like a charm ever since!

I will post some photos later, if someone wishes, but the phone has been working for some time now, with no problems what so ever.

So that's it,
the mysterious "can't connect" issue, SOLVED,
at least for me, and to another phone I had ordered which had the same problem (also THL w100).

Gideon.

Thanks Gideon,
I have a crappy connector on the camera, I tried to push it down but doesn't work reliably.

 

[Guigui96]

Thanks Gideon,
I have a crappy connector on the camera, I tried to push it down but doesn't work reliably.

hey

did u just try to push it down and reassemble again?

or did u put something extra there like i did?

cause at first i just tried to take it out and push back in, but wasn't working good still...
it was only after i put some extra thickness between the connector and back cover was it working 100%.

 

[licenciadofelix]

Tank you so much, for fix the camera for my w100. I folow this steps and fix my phone

Sometime ago after purchasing a new W100 (THL),
I started having the "can't connect to the camera" message.


It has been debated widely over the different forums, and was always associated to ROM, software, permissions issues and such.

First, I'd like to say that this phone is fantastic value for money.

The other day, after trying numerous roms, and permission fixes, and with no luck,
I was playing with the charger cable (while connected), while the camera app was working.

I noticed that fidgeting around with the cable had influence on the app, freezing it at times, making the camera input flicker etc.

I knew right then, this was a connector issue, hardware, rather then something else.

I immediately decided to abandon the "warranty" procedure and take it apart to find the problem.

There is a little rectangular sponge which was right above the connector, but apparently was not pressing it enough,
so I attached 3-4 little squares of thin cardboard (really thin), in the same size of the sponge.

Re-assembled the phone, and voila!, works like a charm ever since!

I will post some photos later, if someone wishes, but the phone has been working for some time now, with no problems what so ever.

So that's it,
the mysterious "can't connect" issue, SOLVED,
at least for me, and to another phone I had ordered which had the same problem (also THL w100).

Gideon.

Tanks so much, for fix the camera for my w100. I folow this steps and fix my phone, it´s very easy and works.

---------- Post added at 07:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:25 PM ----------

Sometime ago after purchasing a new W100 (THL),
I started having the "can't connect to the camera" message.


It has been debated widely over the different forums, and was always associated to ROM, software, permissions issues and such.

First, I'd like to say that this phone is fantastic value for money.

The other day, after trying numerous roms, and permission fixes, and with no luck,
I was playing with the charger cable (while connected), while the camera app was working.

I noticed that fidgeting around with the cable had influence on the app, freezing it at times, making the camera input flicker etc.

I knew right then, this was a connector issue, hardware, rather then something else.

I immediately decided to abandon the "warranty" procedure and take it apart to find the problem.

There is a little rectangular sponge which was right above the connector, but apparently was not pressing it enough,
so I attached 3-4 little squares of thin cardboard (really thin), in the same size of the sponge.

Re-assembled the phone, and voila!, works like a charm ever since!

I will post some photos later, if someone wishes, but the phone has been working for some time now, with no problems what so ever.

So that's it,
the mysterious "can't connect" issue, SOLVED,
at least for me, and to another phone I had ordered which had the same problem (also THL w100).

Gideon.

If by playing around with the USB connection it works, then I would presume you have the same problem as me...,
and the connector is is troublesome.

I have the same model and folow the steps of Guideon, but i don´t use paper i used tape doble face and work perfetly the camera.

 

[umakarton]

It works

Thank you, very useful and helpful! I thought it is a driver software problem since i was running different rom, but it's not.

 

[L4ky]

Thank you! I have a device which one person took me to repair, i tried restore it to official rom then i was looking for a custom rom.. nothing.
I'll try this cause i think it could be the same reason. I'll try soon.

 

[snekone]

I made a video of how to fix the camera thl w200, w100 serves to thl, w200 and w300. I think also w8.

 

[Barony]

Good job ... Guigui96, :good:

Hello, I'm Portuguese, sorry for my english.
I have a THL W100 with s/n CFYSGM4W, and had the same problem with the camera ... "can not connect to the camera".
I already had done many experiments, but no results.
I made many donwload on the Net, and I install many rom's on my phone, but no one put the camara worked.
I installed this version "ThL.W100.130912.JBV2.QHD.EN.COM.V01.8P32_V01_MT65892", and with your precious help...
VOULA....
Everything works, the camera to.

Thank you for sharing with us.

 

[Paolorata]

Good job ... Guigui96, :good:

Hello, I'm Portuguese, sorry for my english.
I have a THL W100 with s/n CFYSGM4W, and had the same problem with the camera ... "can not connect to the camera".
I already had done many experiments, but no results.
I made many donwload on the Net, and I install many rom's on my phone, but no one put the camara worked.
I installed this version "ThL.W100.130912.JBV2.QHD.EN.COM.V01.8P32_V01_MT65892", and with your precious help...
VOULA....
Everything works, the camera to.

Thank you for sharing with us.

I have the same sn but my fw version is ThL.W100.130912.JBV2.QHD.EN.COM.V01.8P32_V01_MT6589... I have not "2" at the end. Is your version an update? where do i find it? can you give me the link? thanks