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TRANSLATOR TRADUCTOR अनुवादक TRADUCTEUR TAGASALIN ÜBERSETZER

TRANSLATOR TRADUCTOR अनुवादक TRADUCTEUR TAGASALIN ÜBERSETZER

Friday, November 30, 2007

Repair tips for digital cameras that won't power on.

For that camera that died, here are some non-intrusive simple fixes that you should try before throwing in the towel. Copied this first post from somewhere. It was a fix for a Canon A520, but am not sure if it would work for other cameras with the same problem? For those of you with a camera that will not power up or turn on, especially if this occurred after a power interruption with your lens extended, please give it a try. If you do, please leave a comment on specifics like your camera make/model, and whether it worked for you or not.

"DEAD CAMERA, LENS OPEN-If the batteries run down completely while the camera is still open, it may not start up again when new batteries are installed. But if you remove the memory card, then install the new batteries, when you turn it on it should come back to life. Error E30 means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the SD card and turn it on one last time."

OK, so the above didn't work. Next thing to look at are the batteries themselves. Are you using alkaline batteries, or worse yet those "Super Heavy Duty" batteries? If so, betcha we've just discovered your problem. Alkaline and regular "super heavy duty" batteries just don't have the power for more than a few pics in a digital camera. Some may even have problems just powering startup of the camera. It doesn't matter if they're new, and right out of the package. Digital cameras for the most part should only be used with rechargeable NiMH batteries (if you still have your instruction manual, open it to the "batteries" section. Pretty sure you'll see a statement similar to what I've just said). Most retailers sell NiMH batteries for around $7 for a package of four (about $15-19 for the batteries with charger). Keep in mind they'll save you big bucks in the long run over alkalines, AND they'll last for at least 100 pictures per charge (and probably many many more). You'll be very pleased with their performance, and may slap yourself for not buying them sooner. When at the store, look on the package for a power rating of at least 2500 mah.

OK, so maybe those newfangled batteries didn't fix your camera, don't give up just yet. The next thing to check is that your batteries are actually making contact with the battery posts, and that these posts are clean. If not, bend the posts up/down a little, and maybe clean them with a little rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip.

The next thing to try is examine both the battery and flash card door. There's usually a little switch on both doors (note some SD card doors do not have this switch) that activates when the doors are closed. If they don't, the camera won't start to prevent damage to the flash card or camera startup sequence. For most cameras its usually a little piece of plastic on the door that pushes in on a pin switch when the door is closed. Closely examine both doors to try to identify these switches. A lot of times that little plastic nib wears down or breaks off, but can easily be jury rigged with a small glued-on replacement.

Examples of Nibs and Pin Switches

If you've tried all of the above and still no luck, the problem is then likely to be internal to the camera. Am planning on posting sometime in the future some likely things to check, hopefully with a pictoral guide. One example would be that if your camera uses Compact Flash, check to make sure all pins are present and aligned in the card slot (if bent, simply unbend/straighten them with a skinny "jewelers" screwdriver, then insert the flash card for final realignment).

As before, if one of these simple fixes worked in your particular case, please leave a comment on your camera's make, and which fix worked.

Good Luck!
Camera Repair

242 comments:

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Adirondack Annie said...

In regards to "Repair tips for digital cameras that won't power on." I am forever grateful! I had dropped my HP D3500 & it wouldn't power back on! After searching your site I found it to be something w/ the "battery/SD card door! Whew! Dodge the bullet or should I say the $$$ on this one! Thx sooooo much!

Camera Repair said...

Chris,
If you've checked all the door switches, battery contacts, and the battery itself, then you've done about all that you can do. The next item that is likely amiss is the camera's internal safety fuses on the circuit board. These fuses are only meant to prevent a fire, and unfortunately are not user replaceable. If you'd send it to Panasonic, they'd likely replace the entire circuit board to correct the problem.
CR

Anonymous said...

Hi,CR--My Panasonic DMC-ZS8 shows a, "System error (focus)" notice on the screen. The barrel remains extended (fully?)when shut off but retracts momentarily when turned on, then extends (fully)? again. Same warning returns on screen. I tried compressed air and a slip of paper to dislodge any dirt without results. Out of ideas. Can you help? Thanks! Jack

Camera Repair said...

Jack,
That problem is what's commonly called a "lens error". Please see this other article from this blog covering troubleshooting steps for this problem.
CR

Anonymous said...

Thank you for your instructions regarding a camera that even with new batteries wouldn't turn on. I followed your instructions & I am now back in business. I have a Panasonic DMC-LS5. thank you

Anonymous said...

I was very upset to find my Fuji camera not reacting to newer batteries I just installed: no response, no display or anything...
I tried the card and battery removal trick. Then I picked a thick needle and bent the battery connectors towards the batteries and to my joy the camera came alive! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Anonymous said...

thanks! popped out the SD card and put it back in, removed the battery and put it back in and now my Samsung camcorder will power on. Thanks again!

Anonymous said...

It worked for my Canon Powershot 630 not sure what worked to get it to power back on but it was either
A) Cleaning the battery contacts
B) Taking out a putting back in the batteries
C) Taking out and replacing the memory card.

Thank you for the help.

Rebecca said...

I got my Canon Powershot A1000 to turn on by moving the switch (on the swinging door) into proper position.

Thank you!

Shimon said...

Hi Camera Repair!
I have an antique and much loved Canon A95 which suddenly stopped working. My son *thinks* he may have put the batteries in with wrong polarity (would the door have even closed?), but he is not sure. Anyway, it won't power up, and none of your suggested tricks (fresh batteries, check micro-switches/nibs, q-tip+alcohol, remove CF) have helped.

Any further ideas I should try?

Thank you very much! Your site is a treasure!
Shimon

Camera Repair said...

Shimon, I once owned an A95 also. It is a great camera. But sadly, if you've tried all the tips, the next likely cause is a blown safety fuse on the circuit board. Unfortunately, these are intended to prevent an electrical fire only, and not meant to be replaced. If the fuse tripped, something else is also wrong with the camera, such as a short circuit somewhere. In other words, it's probably time to consider a new camera. Wish I had better words for you.
CR

C.FireRaven said...

I hope that after all these years your tip is still saving people money and frustration. My Pentax Optio E30 wouldn't open/power up. Put card in and out, cleaned terminals a bit...checked that closing tabs were all alright...scratched bare place on contacts at bottom of battery compartment. Viola! We have a camera back. Thanks! I was getting ready to do some messing around with it but thought it would be best to check for advice first. Smiles.

Coconut

HeyJay said...

thank you very much. such a big help :)

Tia said...

Thank you so much. I've been trying for hours and as a last resort I looked fir a tip.
It worked amazingly, the moment I saw your tip it started working all of a sudden. I just changed batteries, my camera is samsung and I am using rechargable batteries, but I forgot them and used Kodak, it worked for a while but today just stopped.
I just tried changing and was surprised. There's something very good about this blog.

Thank you again and cheers!

P.S. Always be persistent as me and you will find the way!

Tia said...

Thank you so much. I've been trying for hours and as a last resort I looked fir a tip.
It worked amazingly, the moment I saw your tip it started working all of a sudden. I just changed batteries, my camera is samsung and I am using rechargable batteries, but I forgot them and used Kodak, it worked for a while but today just stopped.
I just tried changing and was surprised. There's something very good about this blog.

Thank you again and cheers!

P.S. Always be persistent as me and you will find the way!

Anonymous said...

hi my samsung ST95 has stopped flashing even in the dark..pictures are dark!but it does flash once or twice!what could be the problem??any solution??
thank you

DIY Repair said...

Hi thanks to your great tips I got an old Canon Ixus 95IS that my dad found to power up but the lens was stuck, but your tips got that sorted. I also opened the case and found sand in the unit all cleaned out now. Thanks.

When the unit is powered on all the buttons work the lens comes out and there is a crisp, focused image on the screen, I can also here the IS mechanism working. It shuts down fine and I've done a factory reset.

The only problem is that it reports "No Memory Card" I've tried 2GB SDs and 16GB cards too none seem to work the camera just says "No Memory Card"

Any ideas welcome, thanks again for a great site!

Unknown said...

Help! My Slick Camera Model VC1100 just died tonight because when I pressed the power button, nothing happened to the screen. It was all black and there was batteries still inside the camera. I tried putting in new batteries but still nothing worked. I can't seem to handle this issue myself because I think my camera is dead and broken. Can anyone please help with this problem? Thanks!

Nice day said...

hello
I have canon IXUS 100 IS and its battery cover is broken. the camera does not turn on. WHat should i DO?
Thanks

Unknown said...

plz can u help

I have a sony cybershot DSC-W7

it starts with only when preview mod is turned and when I switch to any other mode it turns of and the screen is even totally white in preview mode

Anonymous said...

I have a 15-month old sx280 that wouldn't power on at all despite trying 3 different fully charged Ni batteries. tried the rubbing alcohol trick (and kind of wiggled the little metal contacts with the qtip while I was cleaning it), and it worked!!! thanks for this blog. (I had also emailed Canon for support, and all they said was sent it in, and of course it's out of warranty already. your advice was much more useful!)

happy in MA

Anonymous said...

Hello, I have a Panasonic Lumix digital camera. It worked fine a few days ago but when I turned it on today it came on fine but showed no image for me to take a picture of. I can move the lens setting button and it shows all the different modes but a blank, black screen. I have checked the picture card and batteries and everything seems to be fine except no image to see. Can you help? Thank you in advance.

GGF said...

I am so glad I stumbled upon your site. I have a Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and the screen was black, but the menu appeared just fine. I opened the door to the battery compartment and checked that tiny little switch and BOOM, my screen is now working again. I was ready to toss that camera in the trash! Thank you!

GGF said...

I am so glad I stumbled upon your site. I have a Canon PowerShot SD970 IS and the screen was black, but the menu appeared just fine. I opened the door to the battery compartment and checked that tiny little switch and BOOM, my screen is now working again. I was ready to toss that camera in the trash! Thank you!

Unknown said...

I have a kodak easyshare c142 i bought it 4 yrs back but after taking it out after a long time it didnt work so i bought two normal or non rechargable batteries and used them and wow it worked i took a couple of pics and then i switched it off and after 1-2 hrs i switched it on again and its not working !!!!!!!! i want to know why is it not working and i want it to work because i have a very imp event coming up

Anonymous said...

Thanks, this was great! I just used the Q tips and the rubbing alcohol and was able to fix my camera. The local shop wanted $25 just to look at it, not even to fix it.

ibulieve said...

Hi, My Fujifilm FinePix A900 stopped powering on so I went online and saw your suggestions and found that my camera's fault was in fact the tiny nib inside the battery compartment that closes the camera's supply contacts had broken off. Great stuff, I would not of thought of looking at this possibility. Many thanks.

Michael
UK

Anonymous said...

July 23, 2015 My older Sony Cyber shot would not come on. After reading your hints I tried taking out the SD card and replacing and looked like all the nibs were fine. I decided to buy the NiMH rechargeable batteries and that is what worked. so for about $8.00 at Walmart I do not have to buy a new camera!!

Thanks for the hints.

Gears said...

I got a Canon Powershot SD100. Dropped the camera on hardwood floors. Camera seemed OK, externally. I tried powering it on and it did turn on, but shut off immediately. I thought maybe the battery was dead so I charged it fully, placed it in and it didn't turn on. I put some pressure on the bottom of the battery compartment and noticed it would power on if I did that, but once I released the pressure on the battery compartment, the camera would stop working.

I did some research, landed on this site and got the idea it might have to do with that switch that requires the plastic nib to press on it. I removed the actual switch from the inside using a little flathead screwdriver and now the camera powers on without any issue. It will also power on and stay on with the lid open, so I got to be careful not to remove the SD card if the camera is on.

Thanks for the advice. I hope this can help at least one person. Good to have this camera for the beach since I can't bring my DSLR out.

Anonymous said...

Worked for me. Was about to give up on a used Fujifilm Finepix that kept powering off, but the first fix worked. Thanks.

a teenager figuring shit out said...

Hi, i have a Kodak EasyShare c633 and I tried everything you said but it still won't turn on! if you have any additional ideas it'd be great if you told me them. thanks bye!
Abby

Anonymous said...

I have an Kodak EasyShare camera I put new batteries in it and it will turn on for a min then tells me the batteries are dead and turns off and it does this before you can even take a picture or anything... one time I got it to load my pictures on the SD card and it let me look at about 10 or so before it told me the batteries where dead again and it shut off that's been the longest I've got it to stay on.... and that was for maybe 2min... do you have any idea what could be causing this I love this camera and would hate to just trash it

Badger 77 said...

Know this is an old post but hoping someone can advise me.
Have the Canon Power Shot A720 IS. Love the camera and it worked fine for a couple of years. Then suddenly it would only take 5-6 shots and the "change batteries" ( uses 2 AA) warning comes up. Have changed batteries multiple times, used many different brands, checked battery expiration dates to extent possible, but nothing helps.
Tried the remedies to clean and/or bend the contacts, etc., to no avail.
Obviously I can go buy a new camera, but if there is something else to try with this model that might work, would love to keep this one. It's compact and easy to travel with, and takes good pictures. Can anyone help??

Anonymous said...

Hi,
I have a canon ixus 125 hs that is about 3 1/2 yrs old. Its screen was broken at about 2 yrs but it was still working perfectly until just recently when it failed to turn on when i tried to take a picture. Its lens is still retracted. and I have tried charging the battery ( it is 100%) and taking the sd card and battery out. All to no success.
Can you please help?

Thanks

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this info on how to troubleshoot digital cameras Mr. Camera Man. It worked successfully in mine. The cam lens is stucked out whether the power is on or off. Apart from it, there's no features at all on the screen that you can see if you turn the power on.
So what i did is just about the battery and sd card to remove and put it back again as you said. Skeptical, but it worked just really fine! Mine is Samsung.



Denise said...

Great site.
My Powershot SX280H5 'died' after getting caught in the garden hose.

Followed you advice to clean the battery terminals and couldnt believe it when it started again. Great. A thousand thank you's.... this camera is one of the best I have had and great for close ups. I did buy a new one but went back to using this as it takes prizewinning pictures so am so pleased that I can still use it !!!

Glowplug said...

Your tips helped fix the good-ol PowerShot A80 that refused to turn on. Cleaning the contacts and changing to Ni-Mh worked. Alakaline didn't work. Previous attempt with a Sanyo 4.5v 700ma power adapter also didn't succeed. Sure it needs a minimum 1.0Amp capacity adapter. Thanks a lot.

Unknown said...

moment i press the capture button my camera completely switches off samsungST77 please help

Unknown said...

moment i press the capture button my camera completely switches off please help its a samsung ST77

Prairiewinkle said...

Kodak Z981. Batteries came out while lens extended. Tried several sets of batteries, cable to computer, removed sd card still no luck. Any ideas to unbreakable a Grandma's heart? I love my camera.

Unknown said...

Hi All

I have a fujifilm DSLR, suddenly after turning on, it will turn off immediately. I tried to remove the memory card, and it turned on, whenever I insert the memory card it will turn off. Please help.

philip

Mary said...

Thank you for this blog post! I've successfully resurrected an ancient camera and extracted my old photos from its external memory. Happy day.

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