diff --git a/app/(main)/clue/[clueId]/page.js b/app/(main)/clue/[clueId]/page.js
index 7ab21e8..fe37aef 100644
--- a/app/(main)/clue/[clueId]/page.js
+++ b/app/(main)/clue/[clueId]/page.js
@@ -359,6 +359,12 @@ export default function CluePage({ params }) {
           "✅ Clue verified! You can now proceed to the next clue."
         );
 
+        // Make next clue available immediately
+        setNextClueAvailable(true);
+
+        // Force a refresh of the clue data to update availability
+        setLastRefresh(0);
+
         // Show success notification
         setShowSuccessNotification(true);
 
@@ -395,8 +401,8 @@ export default function CluePage({ params }) {
   // Navigate to the next clue
   const handleNextClue = () => {
     if (nextClueId) {
-      // Check if next clue is available before navigating
-      if (nextClueAvailable || isAdmin) {
+      // Always allow navigation if current clue is found
+      if (clueFound || nextClueAvailable || isAdmin) {
         router.push(`/clue/${nextClueId}`);
       } else {
         // Show notification that the next clue is locked
@@ -561,7 +567,12 @@ export default function CluePage({ params }) {
         {/* QR Scanner Section */}
         <div className="scanner-section">
           <h2>Scan QR Code</h2>
-          <EnhancedQRScanner onScan={handleScan} width={280} height={280} />
+          <EnhancedQRScanner 
+            onScan={handleScan} 
+            width={280} 
+            height={280}
+            disableTorch={true} // Disable torch functionality
+          />
           {scanMessage && (
             <div className={`scan-message ${clueFound ? "success" : ""}`}>
               {scanMessage}
diff --git a/clue_hunt.db b/clue_hunt.db
index 35d0760..84414f5 100644
Binary files a/clue_hunt.db and b/clue_hunt.db differ
diff --git a/components/EnhancedQRScanner.js b/components/EnhancedQRScanner.js
index b462959..e4a6ec5 100644
--- a/components/EnhancedQRScanner.js
+++ b/components/EnhancedQRScanner.js
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
   onScan,
   width = 300,
   height = 300,
+  disableTorch = false, // Add option to disable torch
 }) {
   const [error, setError] = useState(null);
   const [isSecureContext, setIsSecureContext] = useState(true);
@@ -15,9 +16,13 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
   const [hasCameras, setHasCameras] = useState(true);
   const [scanSuccess, setScanSuccess] = useState(false);
   const [manualInputValue, setManualInputValue] = useState("");
+  const [cameraPermissionDenied, setCameraPermissionDenied] = useState(false);
+  const cameraStreamRef = useRef(null);
+  const [retryCount, setRetryCount] = useState(0);
+  
+  // We're keeping torchEnabled state but only using it if torch is enabled
   const [torchEnabled, setTorchEnabled] = useState(false);
   const inputRef = useRef(null);
-  const [cameraPermissionDenied, setCameraPermissionDenied] = useState(false);
 
   // Define video constraints explicitly
   const videoConstraints = {
@@ -40,6 +45,28 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
     paused: !cameraActive,
   });
 
+  // Function to release any existing camera streams
+  const releaseCameraResources = () => {
+    try {
+      // Release any stream that might be stored in our ref
+      if (cameraStreamRef.current) {
+        cameraStreamRef.current.getTracks().forEach(track => {
+          track.stop();
+        });
+        cameraStreamRef.current = null;
+        console.log("Released existing camera resources");
+      }
+      
+      // Also try to find and release any active video tracks that might be running
+      navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({ audio: false, video: false })
+        .catch(() => {
+          // This intentionally fails but helps release resources in some browsers
+        });
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error("Error releasing camera:", err);
+    }
+  };
+
   // Check if we're in a secure context and if camera is accessible
   useEffect(() => {
     // Ensure scanner compatibility
@@ -57,15 +84,20 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
           throw new Error("MediaDevices API is not supported in this browser");
         }
 
+        // Release any existing camera streams first
+        releaseCameraResources();
+
         // Explicitly request video permission - important to avoid the error
         const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
           video: true,
           audio: false,
         });
 
-        // If we got a stream, we have permission - release it immediately
+        // If we got a stream, we have permission - store it for later release if needed
         if (stream) {
-          stream.getTracks().forEach((track) => track.stop());
+          cameraStreamRef.current = stream;
+          // We'll keep this stream active to prevent other apps from taking the camera
+          // It will be released when component unmounts or when we retry camera access
         }
 
         // Now enumerate devices to confirm we have video devices
@@ -110,11 +142,16 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
     } else {
       setInitialized(true); // Still mark as initialized even if not secure
     }
+
+    // Cleanup function to release camera when component unmounts
+    return () => {
+      releaseCameraResources();
+    };
   }, []);
 
-  // Toggle torch/flashlight
+  // Toggle torch/flashlight - only used if torch isn't disabled
   const toggleTorch = () => {
-    if (torch) {
+    if (!disableTorch && torch) {
       setTorchEnabled(!torchEnabled);
       torch.toggled = !torchEnabled;
     }
@@ -138,12 +175,19 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
     }
   };
 
-  // Manually request camera access
+  // Manually request camera access with robust error handling
   const requestCameraAccess = async () => {
     try {
       setError(null);
-
-      // Explicitly request video permission
+      setCameraActive(false);
+      
+      // First release any existing camera resources
+      releaseCameraResources();
+      
+      // Add a small delay to ensure resources are properly released
+      await new Promise(resolve => setTimeout(resolve, 500));
+      
+      // Now try to get fresh camera access
       const stream = await navigator.mediaDevices.getUserMedia({
         video: true,
         audio: false,
@@ -151,15 +195,39 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
 
       // If we got a stream, we have permission
       if (stream) {
-        // Release the stream since useZxing will request it again
+        // Store the stream reference for potential future release
+        cameraStreamRef.current = stream;
+        
+        // Release this stream since useZxing will request its own
         stream.getTracks().forEach((track) => track.stop());
+        
         setCameraActive(true);
         setCameraPermissionDenied(false);
+        setRetryCount(0); // Reset retry count on success
       }
     } catch (err) {
       console.error("Failed to get camera permission:", err);
-      setError(`Camera error: ${err.message}`);
-      setCameraPermissionDenied(true);
+      
+      // Increment retry count
+      setRetryCount(prev => prev + 1);
+      
+      if (
+        err.name === "NotAllowedError" ||
+        err.name === "PermissionDeniedError"
+      ) {
+        setCameraPermissionDenied(true);
+        setError(
+          "Camera permission denied. Please allow camera access in your browser settings."
+        );
+      } else if (
+        err.name === "NotReadableError" ||
+        err.name === "TrackStartError" ||
+        retryCount < 2 // Try a few times before showing hardware error
+      ) {
+        setError(`Camera temporarily unavailable. Please try again in a few moments.`);
+      } else {
+        setError(`Camera error: ${err.message}. You may need to restart your browser or device.`);
+      }
     }
   };
 
@@ -174,7 +242,12 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
   // Handle camera errors
   const handleError = (error) => {
     console.error("QR Scanner error:", error);
-    setCameraActive(false);
+    
+    // Don't immediately deactivate camera on all errors
+    // Some errors can be temporary
+    if (error.name === "NotAllowedError" || error.name === "PermissionDeniedError") {
+      setCameraActive(false);
+    }
 
     // More descriptive error messages
     let errorMessage = "Camera access error. ";
@@ -256,10 +329,7 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
           ) : (
             <button
               className="retry-button"
-              onClick={() => {
-                setError(null);
-                requestCameraAccess();
-              }}
+              onClick={requestCameraAccess}
             >
               Retry Camera Access
             </button>
@@ -286,8 +356,8 @@ export default function EnhancedQRScanner({
           {/* Scanning frame to help user focus */}
           <div className="scanning-frame"></div>
 
-          {/* Add flashlight toggle button if available */}
-          {torch && (
+          {/* Only show torch button if torch is available and not disabled */}
+          {torch && !disableTorch && (
             <button
               className={`torch-button ${torchEnabled ? "active" : ""}`}
               onClick={toggleTorch}