Flash on my camera stopped working?

I got a nikon camera from my mother the christmas before last and around the beginning to middle of october my flash randomly decided to stop working properly. It usually didn't flash even if I set to where flash was on rather than auto. Occasionally it would flash, but then around christmas it changed to where even if it did flash, the flash would be too bright and the picture would come out almost white. I haven't used my camera in months so if anybody can help I would appreciate it.

APPROACH A GOOD CAMERA MECHANIC!

Replace its battery if still flash come some time.