How dust gets inside your Nokia Lumia 920's front facing camera

Yep dust

I have dust on my front camera and my headset sound horrible. During phone calls I have to used a head phone with mic, to avoid hearing all the crackles

Same problem here, dust in the ffc and many issues with the proximity sensor. I can live with the dust in the ffc but the proximity sensor is killing me. I can usually fix the sensor problem by repeatedly blowing in the gap so I'm almost certain its not software related.
 
I've been through ATTs warranty exchange process 3 times with no resolution so now I'm in contact with Nokia support which couldn't comprehend the fact that i was unable to send my phone in for repairs because I use it for work on a daily basis. Based off what I'm reading from everyone else, sounds like sending it in for repairs rarely fixes the problem anyway. After finally convincing them I couldn't be without the phone, support said they would have a support specialist call me to resolve the issue, that was three days ago...
 
Wish I wasn't such a loyal fan of windows phone 8/Nokia or this would be any easy fix. What happened to this world class Nokia support I've heard stories about???
 

dust dust dust... compressed air every other day and sensor issues keep coming back. i don't really mind the camera dust because i don't use it often, although it's very disappointing.
 

I had this issue after removing old carpet from my basement. I could see the dust on the inside of the glass. It took me a few days to realize I could get it clean with compressed air (like some other commenters). This was very fine dust, and I haven't had the same issues with larger particles (like wood dust).
 
After using the compressed air, and being more careful around dust, I've not had the issue again.  

Dear Mr Elop ... your phone design is defective. I hope you can do something about it.
I will defer my 920 purchase until this issue of dust and prox sensor is fixed.

I've got dust under my FF which I mostly 'pushed away' with compressed air. My prox sensor seems fine though.

Bought mine in December no dust lucky me I bitch about everything

I got dust under my glass in front of the ffc, and found it was entering through the speaker hole.

Had the same problem, emailed Mr. Elop. Was contacted 2 days later by the head of Nokia customer care Germany, got a new phone 3 days later, all works fine now without problems.

My FF camera is loaded with dust, and my prox sensor operates far from ideally.
Where do you blow the compressed air?

My 920 is a black 920 refurb, to replace my 920 that failed (battery failure)

not sure if this link will work, but here's the dust in mine
http://[IMG]http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u366/yosagojimbo/1c4ee036-0f44-41f6-92e3-a045a69526c4.jpg[/IMG]
 

here is a photo showing dust in my Lumia 920
http://<a href="http://s1064.beta.photobucket.com/user/yosagojimbo/media/1c4ee036-0f44-41f6-92e3-a045a69526c4.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1064.photobucket.com/albums/u366/yosagojimbo/1c4ee036-0f44-41f6-92e3-a045a69526c4.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1c4ee036-0f44-41f6-92e3-a045a69526c4.jpg"/></a>

I'm another victim of dust in the front facing camera.

I am also having same kind of problem. Hope so Nokia will come out with some substantial solution.

Same here. Dust, dust, dust

I bought my red 920 in early February and haven't encountered this problem to this day. Malaysian unit, by the way.

Add me to the list. Dust here.

I had dust in my front camera and now the phone is in for repair with a prox sensor problem :-)

I have the same issue but thought it due to the earpiece leaking dust and the camera being so close to the ear piece hole.

would love to have it fixed.

As far as the proximity sensor issue goes, I found that it might well be some electrical problem. Probably some loose connection. When I make a call the screen surely goes black, but when you squeeze the top left part of the phone the screen comes back on. It goes back to back when you release your fingers. To me this is clear evidence of a poor electrical connection.

It's True?Ι will cancel my order, Because tomorrow will come from UK. :(

Carry your phone in your jeans pocket? Does it sit in there with the earpiece at the bottom of your pocket? ...the place where all that fine pocket lint collects itself. Bingo! Now you know WHY it happens. At least that's my theory.

I had the 920 for a week before the ffc filled up with dust.

So far no issue here.. Touch wood

Same dustprob for me. I'm waiting for a respons. i sent it in for repair last week. i hope to hear something soon!

I have the same problem but proximity sensor is working fine as of now

Dust and proximity sensor problems here too. I sent the phone to  nokia... two times and nothing, the problem still here. Nokia needs to find a solution.

having a dusty front facing camera too :(

Well I had my Nokia Lumia 920 replaced 2 times already, I sent an email to Mr. Elop and he forwarded my complain to customer care, that was almost 3 months ago. I have to recognize that in my case they have taken care of me reason why I stick to Nokia. The only thing is that in any of the cases when dust got into the FFC the proximity sensor was failing, so I can't say is related.

AT&T actually replaced my 920 due to the proximity sensor issue. Impossible to call many places and "press 1 to continue.." when you can't see the screen.

I have the same problem...

Agreed.. Phone design is defective.. I love my phone but it sucks to not be able to mute my phone sometimes because of proximity sensor nonsense. Little canned air does the trick but still.

Dust in the camera lense and prox sensor bugs out sometimes.

I was aware that this was the culprit from the start. Between the glass and the plastic bezel there's a clear gap right above the lens. It probably wouldn't have been as much of a problem if the bezel fit more tightly. But even on my other Lumia, where the glass is tighter to the bezel at the top, dust has found its way in there.
Short of disassembling the phone, I don't see any way to clean it out. Although, once you're in there I'm guessing you could slip in a piece of rubber or foam to close off the opening. I definitely wouldn't spray compressed air inside. Many of the components inside this phone are sandwiched in place, not actually held with screws. So the pressure can cause stuff to shift and contacts to break.
Better to just deal with it until a fix comes along. Although, I think it's highly unlikely that will happen. So better still is to get a case.

yea i have samo problem. which is fix by dust off spray

Have blown out dust on the FFC twice and experienced the proximity sensor problem once which corrected after blowing out the dust with compressed air.

Same problem here: dust under the ffc and proximity sensor is faulty. I just recognized that if the screen is black during call holding the phone under a lamp brings back the screen for me. So is the proximity sensor somehow combined with the ffc as an light sensor? Anyone else can reproduce this?

Having the proximity sensor problem. I blow air on it almost every week... getting annoying but at least I have a temporary solution 
 

Dear Mr Elop ... your 920 defect is pushing me to look at Galaxy 4. I was ready to buy a 920. The dust report stopped me cold.

Of course this is dust related. I bought my Lumia 920 in Desember. I've had the proxy sensor stop working on me twice.
Luckily for me, my workplace has air compressor. I put it over the mic-in, and blew gently. The front glass actually started to bulge and I saw dust shoot out of the phone. After that, no more problems with the proxy sensor. I've done this twice and it worked both times.
 
If this isnt something covered by warranty this will absolutely be my last Nokia phone. I've already sendt my L920 in twice now for random reboots when im only using 4G. So this will most likely be my last Nokia either way, but this seals the deal. 

Yep, dust on front camera lens. And if i go to service it will took 5 days to up to 3 weeks before i get phone back. think i will clean it by myself.

I also have in my dust, but what causes the problem of the sensor when the phone has no access anywhere, try cleaning the sensor, connect the screen again soon.

Same here, dust in front of the front-camera and software issues with the proximity sensor...
Hope it can be fixed with firmware update...

same problem: can see dust on front camera. and proximity sensor problems. Solution? my next phone will br Sumsung

Yes. Blank screen in calls.
No screen protector, wiped sensor area clean, blew compressed air.
Blank screen unless held in bright light.
Especially useless at night with little to no light. Kiss the keypad away and hope the other end hangs up.

Yep. Between the ones I had replaced, my friends and my roommate's....*all* of them had/have dust under the screen at the front facing camera. They need to get their shiz together as this was the first leap from HTC I have taken and between this and the device (although replaced a few times) still locking up during standby once in a blue moon (which prevents me from using it as my alarm).....if it's not sorted out, my next phone will be an HTC again because none of my HTC windows phones (the older Windows Media Phones not being considered) locked up. One surround had a reboot issue but it at least it never froze preventing it from waking me up for work. 
I messed since up then a couple of times but I stopped using it as an alarm the second the "working" one eventually locked up. I missed my wakeup by an hour causing me to lose out on a $450 shift and me to have to explain myself. Thankfully it didn't sour my reputation outside that week (at least to my knowledge). 

Finally found the problem, and in the discussion area... That are not useful, CEO, like adding a water charcoal.

Same problem.  I have to blow my phone out with compressed air every couple of weeks to get the proximity sensor working again.  Great phone.  Fatal flaw.

Yes I am seeing the same issue and it is driving mad. This is a defect by Nokia that should get fixed as the front camera is useless.

Looks like at&t is wise to this issue. I got a warranty replacement for dust under ffc 6weeks ago and within 2 hours had dust on replacement. Waited for it to get worse and called at&t. Reply was they can't replace unless Nokia admits this is an issue. Chat with warranty next day resulted in "your phone is no longer under warranty" wtf!!?!

Still no word from Nokia on such a serious issue with Proximity sensor?  Please provide an udpate. Thanks.

recycle this......"smartphone" nokia Please.

Installed the new Firmware-Update from Navifirm and the proximitysensor problem is solved for me. Good luck to all others having problems...

Same issue here. Switched from an iPhone 3GS when 920 came out as it seemed to be the best phone out there at the time. The alternative I considered was Samsung Galaxy Note II. I was debating but, when 920 was announced at $99 on contract versus $299 for the Note 2, the choice was easy.
However, now, because of this proximity sensor problem, I am inclined to think I made the wrong call. While 920 is still nice for all the smart features it has, as a phone -it sucks big time. I have to say I didn't expect this from Nokia as they've been around making phones for a lot longer than Apple or Samsung. As a phone, it simply fails. If this issue doesn't get sorted out/fixed, I am considering buying the Note 3 when it comes out (at full price if I need to) and probably never buy a Nokia again.
Nokia, are you listening?

my nokia lumia 920
i have the same proximity sensor problems too
i originally thought it was my fault as i am a tradie and i am around dust all the time
the front facing camera is full of dust
but the phoning and black screen is very annoying i waited a long time for this phone my son got the 820 and has no issues
blowing soft reset all a pain in the butt when you spend hard earned cash on a device as this you would expect better
with all the competition out there i just dont get the ostrich mentality stop sticking your head in a hole and do something about this problem

I have this issue too...there's so much dust that it makes the front facing camera useless.  I wonder if ATT will allow me replace it with an 820?

Has there been any follow-up from Elop?