Lumia 1020 Camera Won't Hold Focus

Ok, I have had this problem too and after scouring the net and not finding an answer, I decided I would have to fix this on my own.  I will explain the facts as I see them so that you can understand my conclusion (and yes, it worked for me)

1.  Different camera apps all have same issue - so the issue must be either OS or hardware related
2.  Many ppl claim it started after update to denim, but even more ppl say it happened randomly - So its likely just a coincidence and has nothing to do with updating to Denim; less than 1% of people who updated to denim reported the problem
3.  Most ppl who got their phone replaced no longer had the problem - so this tells me it has something to do with hardware

But what?? What could possibly have changed in the hardware?  Did we all drop our phone?  Then I thought harder about the problem:  It appears to focus for a second then it gets distracted and focuses on something else.  Led me to ask: How does the system know the correct point to focus?  Well it goes through all the focus settings and the software then uses algorithms to figure out which one represents optimal focus in the part of the screen that you tap.

I also observed that this issue happens more often if I tap in certain parts of the screen to focus than other.

So with high confidence, I assumed that somehow some calibration issue or other hardware issue was causing this to happen. 

But what could have changed?

Then it hit me.  What if the camera decided that focusing on something really close was the correct place to focus?  Why would it think that?  Because of dust or another particle on the lens.  So I tried cleaning the lens thoroughly.  It seemed to help but still had the issue.  What about dust inside the lens?  Cleaned this and the problem was resolved.

How do you clean the dust inside the lens?  Well, thats the real trick.  I had certain tools that allowed it, but for most people, you might have to take it to an expert.

I hope this helps some of you.  Try it.  At least try to clean the outside thoroughly.  A fingerprint on the lens could cause this issue.  The camera will attempt to focus on the fingerprint.

its not even lumia 1020 my htc 8x does same no matter if chose 8mpx or 6mpx

I have the same focusing problem with my Nokia Lumia camera.  Has CRAIG actually told us what the problem is?  Like a lot of you I bought this phone because of the camera and I really feel let down.  Craig help me out here.

Cheers

bob

Hi, Since I had my device covered under an extended warranty, I sent it in for repair.  They replaced the camera parts, but it still would not focus.  They reset it to factory settings and totally updated it ... still no good.  They finally gave it to the circuit board specialist where it is now being diagnosed.  They expect this to work .. if not they too are at wits end as to the problem.  I will let you know the outcome.  3 weeks without my phone is torture.  Nokia please help!

Hello Everyone,

I had been constantly following this thread, since I had my device 2 months ago. Just like everyone else, the camera features made me purchase this phone. I did not know about this issue until I got home and get the device out of the box. I immediately went online and look for possible troubleshooting and I found this post. Reading all other people's reply, sharing the same problem, I thought it will never be fixed. I even saw one post that talked about returning the unit but still got the same problem after getting it replaced. So I did not consider going back to the store. I've looked everywhere and I did not see any posts that confirms any solution. I figured, I just have to accept the fact that I will never use the focus feature of the camera. It is just one feature that is missing, any way. I still get to take pictures, sms and call, go online, watch movies, and do my work. I let it pass. I do not want to get pissed looking for a solution that is nowhere to be found. I realized that the manufacturer will, one day, address this issue.

So I continued using the phone like nothing was wrong with it. I noticed that it heats up after using it for so long with data on. I have used iPhone 5 before and I thought smart phones these days are supposed to heat for whatever reason. 

1 week ago, while taking pictures of my toddler, I notice a big difference on the pictures' resolution. It was so much clearer than before. To my surprise, the camera is now focusing. I even tried doing manual focus and confirmed that it is finally working. I did not do anything. I just used it as normal; Recharge when batt is low, keep it inside my pocket during my mobile mode, and under the pillow on my sleep.

But if you will ask for my opinion, I think this is a hardware issue. I did not recall updating any camera related apps. Though, I tried doing the restore option the first time I found out about this problem, but it did not help.

I think that THAT part of the lens doing the focusing is, somehow, stuck. And that the constant heat soften the the plastic surrounding it, that it finally made it's way out and function. 

It continued to function since then. If what I think is right, I guess I will expect it to get stuck for more times and wait until its fixed, again, and again.

I hope I made sense, please don't laugh if I did not.