Instax Mini 9 Pictures Coming Out White? – (Quick Fix!)

Wondering why the Instax Mini 9 pictures coming out white? We can help you with that!

In case you’re new to Instax instant cameras, a rookie mistake with the film tape or while filming could result in a problem with the printed pictures.

In this guide, we will clear out the filming situation with your Instax Mini 9 and explain why all of the pictures are coming out white…

The pictures taken with your Instax Mini 9 may be coming out white if the film of the camera is damaged or you’re covering the light sensors.

It is also possible that an issue with the batteries or the camera’s hardware is impacting the way images come out.

Let’s learn more!

Why Does Pictures Come Out White From the Instax Mini 9?

One of the obvious signs that the Instax Mini 9 shoots defective photos are the white face of the images.

This issue can be caused by many factors, so let’s begin unwrapping them thoroughly:

1. The shutter of your Instax Mini 9 camera is defective
2. The film of the camera is damaged/exposed to light
3. The batteries of your Instax Mini 9 are wearing out
4. The environmental temperature is too hot or cold
5. You’ve damaged the film cartridge of the camera

How to Use Instax Mini 9 – Correctly?

The Instax Mini 9 is an instant camera that allows the user to capture moments efficiently and instantly, by directly printing out the image you’ve captured.

When these pictures come out white then there is an issue with the camera so it’s best to learn how to use the camera correctly!

1. Press the button next to the lens to power the camera.
2. Adjust the dial of the camera to the “lit” position.
3. Point your camera and press the shoot button to capture.

Before shooting, you must insert a fresh type of film in your Instax Mini 9. “Film” is what your Instax camera uses to write on and produce instant pictures once they’re taken by the user.

The primary cause of picture quality issues is that the film of your camera is improper or damaged.

Note: Your camera should print out the picture 2-3 seconds after it’s taken!

How to Fix Instax Mini 9 White Photos – 7 Easy Solutions!

Alert: Do not try to shoot your Instax Mini 9 without film inside of the compartment.

1. Don’t Cover the Light Sensors!

If you’ve just purchased your camera, you may not know that covering the frontal lightning and sensitivity sensors will result in your pictures coming out white.

The reason why this happens is that when you place your finger over the sensors, the cam cannot adjust its picture sensitivity.

When are the Sensors Covered?

Do not place anything over the sensors, including your fingers. Hold the camera in a way so that the sensors are not covered by your fingers.

Any sensor obstruction will interrupt your camera’s ability to recognize the environmental lightning and the pictures will come out white.

How to Clean the Instax Sensors?

Another important factor for maintaining the quality of the pictures taken by your camera is to keep the sensors clean.

Make sure there is no debris, smudge, or dirt covering the sensors on your Instax Mini 9 camera before shooting your next picture.

Note: The Instax Mini 9 and 11 have their sensors at an identical location!

2. Shoot from a Shaded Angle

It is possible that the lightning or temperature is not ideal for a proper picture to develop from your Instax Mini 9.

To determine if your camera got sensitive to the environmental lightning, we suggest moving to a potentially darker (or shaded) angle and trying to film/shoot from there.

• Move to a shady area and take a picture from your Instax Mini 9 from there!

Note: Filming towards an area with too much direct light, causes the photos to blur out.

3. Use Up your Camera’s Film

One of the reasons that the Instax camera pictures would come out white is that you’ve exposed the camera’s film to light.

The solution to that problem is to skip the damaged film parts, by taking a large amount of photos one after another, until the pictures start coming out normal.

• Shoot your Instax camera at least 7-8 times and check if the pictures improve!

About Instax’s Film Cartridge:

Upon placing new film material in your Instax camera, exposing it to light will damage only the surface layer of the film.

Your goal is to reach the deeper layers of film that should not have been damaged by the light upon opening the film cartridge of your Instax Mini camera.

4. Clean the Camera Lens

A standard solution to any picture quality problem of your Instax Mini 9 is to clean the camera lens.

If there’s debris on the lens of the camera, it may create the illusion that your pictures are coming out white.

To correct this problem, you must clean the front lens of the Instax camera!

Here’s how to clean the camera lens of your Instax Mini 9 safely:

1. Acquire a soft cloth (anti-fiber if possible).
2. Apply a little bit of rubbing alcohol on the cloth.
3. Using the cloth, clean the lens of the camera.

If there’s debris on the other compartments of your Instax Mini 9, it may also be the culprit to the white photos.

Take out the batteries of your Instax Mini 9 from the battery compartment and the film cartridge to be able to clean both areas.

Note: Don’t forget to inspect the lens closely for any visual defects that might have an impact!

5. Replace the Batteries of the Camera

It’s likely that the Instax Mini 9 pictures coming out white due to a malfunction with the batteries.

Keeping a single pair of batteries in your camera for too long may cause issues with the device, including problems with the printer, the film compartment, and the camera lens.

• The Instax Mini 9 camera uses two AA-size 1.5V alkaline batteries!

How to Replace Instax Mini 9 Batteries?

1. Open the battery compartment on the side camera panel.
2. Eject the batteries inside of the Instax Mini 9 camera.
3. Insert a fresh pair of two AA batteries and close the latch.

Note: Once the batteries are replaced, reboot and test your Instax Mini 9 camera!

6. Insert New Film in the Instax Camera

Perhaps, the instant film of your camera is entirely damaged and must be replaced to continue creating pictures with proper quality.

We’ve already discussed that direct light damages the film but it’s also not excluded that the film you’ve got has fabric defects or another type of fault.

• New film tape can either be purchased online from a nearby convenience store!

Here’s how to replace the film tape of your Instax camera 9 easily:

1. Open the film packaging compartment on top of your camera.
2. Grip and take out the film already placed inside the compartment.
3. Take out a brand-new film tape and hide it from direct light!
4. Install the film inside your camera and close the device’s latch.
5. Shoot several images from different angles to test the camera.

Tip: Open a drawer or a closet, and replace the film of the camera in semi-complete darkness!

7. Reset your Instax Mini 9 Camera

If nothing worked so far and Instax pictures coming out white, it’s recommended to perform a factory reset, which helps with most picture problems.

The whiteness on your images can also happen due to a software issue with the camera’s printer so it’s worth attempting the reset.

Here’s how to reset your Instax Mini 9 camera in easy steps:

1. Power off your Instax Mini 9 camera before proceeding.
2. Open up the battery compartment on the side of the device.
3. Locate the reset button inside and press it for 3 seconds.
4. Release the button and reinsert the batteries of your camera.
5. Close the battery compartment and take a test picture.

Info: In case your Instax Mini 9 is not resetting, hold the reset button for longer (20 seconds).

Quick Recap:

Here we’ve learned that when Instax Mini 9 pictures coming out white the first step is to replace the batteries and inspect the film cartridge for potential faults.

In case the issue is persistent, clean the camera’s lens and sensor and perform a factory restoration!

Follow us for more Instax camera tips and tricks!

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