I made this video over 11 years ago. Can't believe that it's still going strong today. I quit repairing cameras back then as people were switching to their phones for taking pictures (and I started a new drone channel in its place). But judging by the comments, guess this is still an issue with today's cameras.
Hey, Thank you! My Sony Cyber-Shot 6.0 would not open, but your trick of removing the memory card got it to open. I then used the compressed air and cleaned it all while open. So far so good!
You can't imagine how happy I am to be able to fix a camera I bought at a local fair. I thought that beating things into fixing things was a thing of the past, but old tools will always be needed. Thank you very much, I say it from the bottom of my heart.
This video is 12 years old but it just saved me a beautiful old Lumix that I got for $5 from a garage sale. I was desperate to get it working and this was my last resort, completely fixed it around solution 5, Thank you so much for the help!! I’m so excited to take this camera everywhere❤
I like to thank you so much for this. I was on vacation last week and both my camera's stopped working. When I got back to Canada, I brought them to a camera store to get fixed. The owner of the store laughed at me and said I should buy another camera.... that there was no fix. When I got back home, I fought I might try U Tube before I threw them out. Your video was amazing.... it worked. They both came back to life. Thank You so much!!!!
Thank you!! This is a wonderful video. We fixed our camera on step 7. My 9 year old son paid for this camera, so it was extremely valuable to him and his 3 year old sister broke it. We're so happy it's fixed!
My "OLYMPUS SZ-14" Camera has a a "exposed outer PROTECTIVE IRIS" with 'leafs' that fully CLOSE over the lens when the SZ-14 is off. That IRIS was stuck closed... no matter what! I used your 'paper strip' (mentioned in the video for cleaning the "extending lens barrels"), but I applied this same approach AT that "outer IRIS/guard" leafs. I used the 'paper strip' with compressed air with the LENS POINTING DOWN. Very quickly my outer IRIS (mentioned above) started to operate again ~ WhooooHoooo! Now that outer IRIS/guard is working 100% of my tries and I am delighted! I'm sure a camera repair shop would have charged 'BIG bucks' for a 'repair and cleaning' but YOUR method is simply AWESOME. I sincerely thank you for your outstanding TH-cam production! Anthony
None of your solutions worked for me, but the good news is that they put me on a path to a solution that DID work. You mentioned trying to pull out the lens by grabbing it and rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. My lens was stuck nearly flat, not extended. I couldn't pull it out...so I decided to try doing the opposite, pressing down on it to make it fully "retreat." Once it was fully "in," I pressed the power button and it worked perfectly, extending out to its full length and taking photos again. Thanks!
My daughter dropped her Canon Powershot A2300 (brand new) in the sand last year. I followed the steps on this video up until #5, and then called repair places. They said, just replace it. I put the camera away for a year and just now pulled it out. This time I went to step #6. In addition to the tapping and gentle pounding, I kept spraying compressed air around the barrels. And IT WORKED! This video rocked. Thanks very much.
OMG - I followed each step and this worked on my AA2200 Canon Powershot! My little camera is fabulous and sentimental and didn't want to send it off to get it repaired. I went on vacation and got sand in it. I looked around here in Dallas and not too many options so I followed these steps and it worked!!! Yay!!! Thank you so much!
I was working on this HP z3000 for a client, I am not a camera tech. I couldn't believe I tapped this against the table a couple of times then the Lens expanded and it worked! Thanks!
Thank you brother. Got to fix 6 and I'm back in business. The sentimental value to my camera is priceless. I love you and there's nothing you can do about it. Peace.
Thank you! Tapping the extended barrel while camera was pointing down was the trick that fixed mine! I really appreciate your tutorial... this is our only camera so my heart sank when my daughter brought it to me with the error message... thanks for saving our camera and our budget! :D
Fantastic. I lifted my camera underneath a kite, in a so-called KAP-rig. After a collission with another kite, my Powershot A560 dropped on the field, leaving the zoom-lens bent. After viewing your video and reading your blogspot I carefully managed to re-allign the zoom-lens. I'm a happy man. Thanks.
this was amazing! thank you so much. I was getting ready to just recycle the camera after giving up for months and after watching your video I got it to work! PHEW! saved me a lot of $ on a new camera. Thanks again!
my mom gave me her old camera and then it started to say lens error, and the lens would pop in and out in and out and then i tried the tapping method and IT WORKED!!! like it immediately worked thank you so much you deserve a sub! you are awesome
Oh my gosh thank you! I bought a brand new Nikon coolpix L830. I took it out of the box, snapped a few pictures, and got the lens error message. I thought I got a defective camera! Step 7 worked. Just a little force on the outer lens and it went right back in. I can't thank you enough!!
Hey just wanted to say thanks so much for this video! I had gotten a new canon camera for Christmas and I had only had it for about a two years or less when one day I turned it on and the lens just got stuck out of no where. I had left it unfixed for a couple months until today i decided to take action! I found your video and started going through all the steps you had. Number 4 was the problem solver for me! Thank you!!!! I can finally use my camera again!
Oh my gosh!! I have been trying to fix my old camera for years!! It has been so frustrating to have nothing work. Thank you so much your methods saved my camera from just sitting and collecting dust. Hallelujah!
I watched this video and loved the step by step verbal descriptions. I have this camera but I was viewing this video for a newer model that had the lens stuck out. Step 5 worked, just tapping the camera made the lens shut. This was much easier that taking it apart like another video suggested. This video was really a great help!
YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!! I bought a camera from a flea market with the lens stuck in the out position. I thought I got totally scammed but I found your video and it saved me
Excellent advice! I just fixed the stuck-in lens of my Olympus FE-230 camera. It was the 'tapping on the lens' while trying to open it that did it for me. I'm really pleased to have my trusty old camera going again. Thank you so much for your help - I am so grateful!
Thanks so much! After so many tries on and off over the years I was finally able to fix my favorite Panasonic Lumix with Leica lens by twisting outer lens barrel (your fix # 7). Thank you
Thank you bro i dropped my camera this morning and i started to look up how to fix it and your video came up i tried it and i started to lose hope but when fix six worked i was so happy you just saved me soooo much money. You are a legend!!! Thank you so much!!!
Great tips! This did'nt work for my second hand camera initialy. Then I stumbled onto this on the web: I own a PowerShot A495 and recently the lens was stuck in the fully extended mode. Each time I tried to power up the camera I got "Lens Error, automatically shutting down - Restart Camera" - and it would turn off. [...] After removing the batteries and SD card and letting the camera sit overnight, I replaced the batteries and card in the morning. I then powered on the Camera and while holding the Function/OK key and the Shutter Button, I gave the extended lens barrel a couple of face-down light taps directly on a hard desktop. I was truly ecstatic to hear the lens motor whirl and to see the lens barrel retract. Tried this on my Powershot A420 with a lens stuck inside the camera and this fixed it. Did some tapping and hoovering and cleaning with paper before this. Thanks camera-repair guy!
This comment!!🙌🏼🙌🏼 I have a Canon SD940 IS and did all this and it started to work. My lens was out did some cleaning, with hairdryer on low, tap on both sides while turning on also lense facing down light hits and boom it worked. It does get stuck when I try to turn off so I have to lightly tap it and the retracts back in.
Thanks for your great video! I just repaired my seven year old daughters first camera, our old Canon A650 IS. I went through all steps upto 6a, then lens moved normally again! I already removed nine screws when I decided to search for a video on TH-cam first and found yours.Good job! Kisses from my daughter! :)
It worked!!! Was about to purchase a camera, then thought why not give it a go. The camera (Olympus camedia D-560) had been dropped and the lens was fully stuck, but paper and few taps fixed it! This was an old camera that had been what was thought to be broken for ~8 years, so thank you so much :)))
My Cannon Ixus 105 lens just jammed up and wouldnt come out at all. I found a few forums that said chances are the camera had had it, but then found your video and after running color paper stock around the lens, I could feel the grit and after about 20 mins it finally freed up and the camera lens is working again. Thanks, roger.
I just want to say this video helped me so much.I can't tell you how helpful this video was.I actually followed the steps just like you said and I did it over and over.Till my camera worked and I was so happy because I love my camera and I cannot do without it.Thanks a million :)
Thank you, I used your video to repair a kodak easy share camera (7.2 mp). Zoom lens came out and immediately retracted again. I immobilized it, used your paper trick and forced air! My son is happy, he bought it for $7,5 ;)
There is a resurgence of interest in little digital and film cameras. The lens cover curtain was stuck on my A510 today, I flicked it open with a fingernail and turned power off and on and flicking curtain open repeatedly and the curtain started opening and closing normally. I have enjoyed using the little A510 for many years, it's a trooper. I also have an old Sony DSC-T9, has a lot more features/settings than the A-510 but uses tiny flat rechargeable batteries. Like using 2 AA cells in the A510. Found out today that A510 can only use up to 2GB SD cards not specified in the manual.
lololololol, I opened mine, hit it hard on my palm, and... success!!! :D Only problem now is that it doesn't fully retract when I close it but, who cares :D thx soo much this was more helpful 2 me then anything on the video Lolo l xD
I want to truly thank you I have a Nikon Coolpix camera and the Lens has been stuck for over a year I had gave it to my son to play with then I came upon this video. I tried a few steps but what did it was sticking the paper around the Lens and taping a few times! thank you so so much!!! great advice!!!
Thank you a second time for this clear, step-by-step lens fix. It worked for a while for and older Sony that eventually gave up the ghost. Why I bought a second Sony is beyond me, but it's a DSC-W730 Cyber Shot, less than one-year old, that replaced a similar Nikon that stopped working two days after we bought it for the same reason. What up with these lenses? So, the Sony is working, again, but for how long. I may be back here shortly. Thank goodness I can still find you.
YEA! Thank you so much! I was following your steps and had almost given up. My camera would not even turn on. But then you said to tap in on a counter, I tapped on the palm of my hand and it came to life! Thank you!
I fixed it!!! I used a combination of the paper, vacum and hair drayer in the beginning, but I think the banging on the table and pulling the lens a little is what really did it. Thank you so much for posting this (and your blog), there is nothing else that google could find to fix my problem! :)
Zia, before you trash the camera, maybe consider trying Fix #6 shown at 9:44. Some people get lucky with this one to dislodge the gunk in the gear mechanism (what I suspect is your problem). But there is risk in damaging the camera, so that's why I only recommend it when there's nothing to lose.
I'm doing drone videos these days. But yes, this old video is still relevant. The design of camera telescopic lens barrels hasn't changed much in 11 years.
Many thanks for your help and for taking the time to show these suggestions. Following your advice about clearing sand out with paper and tapping the lens I have repaired my camera! Well done!
I am so grateful for this video! I tried all of the other fixes shown except completely taking the camera apart. Fix #3 inserting the AV cable worked and now I have a “like new” camera ! I would never ever have thought of this fix! Thank you!!
THAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS A MILLIONNN ^_^ My camera was filled with sand as I go to the beach everyday and I dropped it in the sand many times unintentionally.:S Whenever I try to "zoom in" , a small message appears on the screen saying "Please turn the power off and on again" I turned it off and on many times but the problem wasn't fixed :S I was about to open the camera to clean it up, but I decided to search for an online help first and finally I found your video. I followed your steps, I used a small paper and a vacuum cleaner :D then I tapped the lens gently. Finally the problem is now fixed and my camera is working properly again ^_^ MANY THANKS again from Egypt ^_^
Thanks so much! I went through the sequence, and ultimately fix #6a did the trick. This is a very thorough and useful set of instructions. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
Mine fell down from the couch which was annoying as it served me well in really harsh environments throughout a year of travel. Thanks to your video it's working again - number 4 did the trick. Thank you so much for your video. This is fantastic.
My camera showed the error message again this morning, removing the memory card didn't work this time but turning the mode dial on top of the camera a few times did!
I recorded in autoscooter with my camera. I got lens error after a BUMP to another car, after restarting camera, it worked again. I recorded further and no errors anymore, but i wont record again with my camera in a autoscooter. Can u say me sure if anything still works? I can record, zoom , sharp, .... so i think nothing is broken happily.
Unfortunately, my lens jammed because it bumped against my camera phone, when I was trying to take photos of an eagle. None of these fixes worked. I tried all of them. :(
I dropped my camera on my trip and literally internally died, I hurried and search up how to fix this issue kn TH-cam and saw your video ; you saved my life thank you so so so much !!
Wooooooow. Thanks a bunch. The last fix procedure worked like magic for my Nikon Coolpix 5400 showing lens error when zooming. Now the zoom in and out is perfect. 100% star for you bro... You just saved me some repair bucks.
Trying the remedies in your video made me realize my lense barrel is crooked since it fell. I used an electric nail file to sand the part that was blocking the lense and it worked. Thank you!
Sorry folks, can't seem to reply directly to you. Google+ :( But Dave M is right. For the momentary "oomph" needed to open a problem camera, a fresh set of alkalines would be best due to the higher voltage momentary power that they can provide. But for every day use, once the camera's repaired, I recommend rechargeables as they last up to 5 times longer than alkalines. And they're rechargeable!. .
I have a coolpix s3600 and the laying the camera on its back, powering it on while holding the shutter button worked. Looks like it forced the camera to focus and unjammed it.
+Tom Scott ha ha ha ha ha Yep me too, couldn't believe how hard e whacked it and not on a hard surface, sounded pretty dam hard to me, poor camera like Brian the snail i aint coming out of my shell.
+Tom Scott I think what's more hilarious is that there's tons of people making similar videos, *instructing people* to *_bang_* their cameras on something, as if that's some sort of technical repair secret not privy to the average joe? What I want is to OPEN the camera/lens, and clean it out so I can stop beating the crap out of it.
I’VE ALREADY WATCHED YOUR VIDEO FEW MONTHS BACK BUT IT DIDN’T WORK THEN. I TRIED FIXING IT AGAIN AND NUMBER 6 WORKED. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE A LIFESAVER!!!!!!!
Thanks to the 7th step in this video, I fixed my Canan L23 brand camera, which fell to the ground on a rainy day 13 years ago and whose lens did not fit inside. There was a lens error warning on my camera. The lens couldn't be fixed, it turned out it was stuck. When I pressed a little hard, a ticking sound was heard. I turned the camera off and on again and the lens went inside. Thank you, my camera is working.🥳🥳🥳🥳
Hi, this is on september 23th of 2024!, Your video helped me to fix my Sony Cibershot DSC-W35.I'm the last one of my little family so I wasn't able to use it ever(the last photo that was shooted with this camera was in 2015), now that I'm an adult, I can, but It gave me an error, thanks to your tapping solution I can use it now!! I hope the best for you and your family, you're the goat, blessings
It fixed it!!!!! It's been broken for months and I tried so many times to fix it, and had given up, was about to purchase another one before I had one last try and it worked! thank you so much!
You are wonderful! I fixed Coolpix L22 how I got it working. Thanks to you and other site. I tried the can of air, the piece of paper and laying it flat depressing shutter and on at same time, didn't work. Last resort....I wasn't paying $87 to have it repaired, I realized I may break it at this time. So I took my little wood hammer and gave it a firm tap all around the camera, then I gave it a harder tap around the shutter area, ok now 1/2 of picture, a few more firm taps AND ITS WORKING!
Had an issue, could not fix it with all these solutions and ended up getting a replacement of the same camera until I found a wiki page looking for something else. Turns out that it needed a slight spank with the palm of the hand. Def going to like it for future reference!! Fantastic tutorial video!!
Thanks so much. This got me fixed. I was about ready to throw the camera in the trash, and it took until Fix 6, but tapping it worked. Nothing else even made it budge. Thanks again!
Thanks so much, I followed all your steps and my camera is now working. I took the camera to the beach on a windy day and sand was the culprit. Appreciate your help.
I dropped my camera in the desert and the lens stopped opening. This was four days ago. Turning it on and off again for those four days did nothing to make the lens bugde. I could hear the motor whirring but the lens wouldn't extend. I tried taking it apart but couldn't comfortably get into the lens chamber to clear out the sand myself. So I put the camera back together. Turned to TH-cam today and happened upon this tutorial. Worked my way through the steps with no improvement until I got to step 6. Banged the camera against my leg and the lens popped open like there was never any issue at all. I'm so conflicted between anger and relief I don't even know what to do with myself. Thank you for this tutorial.
Digital cameras are becoming hot again. We’re collectively moving away from cellphones. This video just helped me fix my old canon. Thank you so much!!
Thanks so much. I tried every suggested solution on my Canon Powershot and nothing worked - EXCEPT - your final extreme solution which DID work and solved the problem. I know this is the most extreme and risky solution but it worked perfectly for me. (I tried calling Canon Technical Support but they didn't want to help me, even though the camera is only 18 months old and has been treated very carefully). Thanks again for making this film.
thank you, i applied this information to my olympus and so far so good. I actually took it to a repair shop and they told me with the olympus you have to send it back to them as they don't train anyone to fix their cameras
So this is a common problem - not only mine! When switched on, it made a funny little noise. Then trying to shut down, alas the lens got stuck out! I'll come back to this video and visit the blog later when I have more time. Thank you for lightening my mind!
Thanks! Your tips got my lens unstuck and my panasonic lumix DMC-ZS19 working again! The paper cleanse is very useful, but I went through all of the steps and I think a combination is what loosened the lens.
Thank you so so so much!!! All stores told me I have to buy a new camera since the reparation of a lens jam is more expensive than a new one but I’m so glad I watched your video!!!
I have a Nikon Coolpix that got powered on while in a back pocket causing the lens to not fully extend. One of the tips in this video helped - the one where pressing & holding the shutter button while powering the camera on did the trick! Thank you!!!
Hey!! Thank you for the tips!! I had a Japanese market Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9-H from my mother in law that would quickly go to time date set mode then turn off then turn on message. I followed all the steps up to not tapping the lens barrel, but lightly tapping the camera on my hand with the lens pointed down, and it worked!! I suspect the old camera case may have shed crumbs or whatever. Thanks for your continuing help with this video!!!
Thanks very much! Cleaning the lens cylinders with paper, tapping softly the whole camera and tapping with a pencil on the lens did solve the problem of the lens error. Nikon Coolpix S2500. Very fine dust in the camera lens must have been the problem. Your video is TOP!
You just made my day! My Canon IXUS 75 lense didnt move anymore when I switched it on. It was permanently outside, It said Objectiv error while making some mechanical sound. Maybe sand. Checked manual: "If problem occurs always, contact customer service ->Expensive But now, I saw your video. Held down menu button while pressing On button. Lense moved back in, problem solved in 1 sec. CANON HAND BOOK DOES NOT MENTION THIS OPPORTUNITY... But you mentioned it. Thanks so much! From Germany!
I dropped my Sony Cybershot DSC-W530 on sandstone. The lens is slightly crooked. It had trouble moving in or out, and finally stopped working at all partly open. Following all but the last step here got it working again! Thank you!!! Now I'll see if can be permanently, fully fixed because it is still slightly crooked - but at least I seem to have removed the sand.
Thank you so much for posting this video...I was able to fix my camera whose lens kept going in and out. We wanted to fix it before our baby was born. Thanks so much!!
Thank you thank you...was all set to buy a new one. Did all of your steps...and left it overnight (lens down) and this morning I pressed the OPEN button and the other one simultaneously and POP in it went and came out when I needed it!!!
Your nr 2 tip - taking out the memory card, helped my old Canon Digital Ixus 90 IS camera to close the lens again. For now it works excellent again. THANK you brother for your instructional video! Antonio Thailand
Thank you, you're brilliant! Your extreme Fix #7 fixed my Coolpix S9050 Lens Error ... my lens wasn't stuck open, but started extending and retracting a few times before closing and showing "Lens Error" every time I turned it on. But just holding the lens extended with my fingers for a few seconds absolutely fixed it, and now it's working again! It's so nice of you to give us clueless ones a helping hand!
I made this video over 11 years ago. Can't believe that it's still going strong today. I quit repairing cameras back then as people were switching to their phones for taking pictures (and I started a new drone channel in its place). But judging by the comments, guess this is still an issue with today's cameras.
I hope this will work for me
Digital cameras now are modern-day film cameras. It is now in demand and expensive here in my country
Thanks a lot!I solved my problem with a piece of paper!After 16 years it's still working!You save my 📷!🤝
Hey, Thank you! My Sony Cyber-Shot 6.0 would not open, but your trick of removing the memory card got it to open. I then used the compressed air and cleaned it all while open. So far so good!
I have a Nikon S31 Coolpix in yellow and had a lens error problem whenever I turned it on. Please help.
You can't imagine how happy I am to be able to fix a camera I bought at a local fair. I thought that beating things into fixing things was a thing of the past, but old tools will always be needed. Thank you very much, I say it from the bottom of my heart.
This video is 12 years old but it just saved me a beautiful old Lumix that I got for $5 from a garage sale. I was desperate to get it working and this was my last resort, completely fixed it around solution 5, Thank you so much for the help!! I’m so excited to take this camera everywhere❤
I like to thank you so much for this. I was on vacation last week and both my camera's stopped working. When I got back to Canada, I brought them to a camera store to get fixed. The owner of the store laughed at me and said I should buy another camera.... that there was no fix. When I got back home, I fought I might try U Tube before I threw them out. Your video was amazing.... it worked. They both came back to life. Thank You so much!!!!
Thank you!! This is a wonderful video. We fixed our camera on step 7. My 9 year old son paid for this camera, so it was extremely valuable to him and his 3 year old sister broke it. We're so happy it's fixed!
My "OLYMPUS SZ-14" Camera has a a "exposed outer PROTECTIVE IRIS" with 'leafs' that fully CLOSE over the lens when the SZ-14 is off. That IRIS was stuck closed... no matter what!
I used your 'paper strip' (mentioned in the video for cleaning the "extending lens barrels"), but I applied this same approach AT that "outer IRIS/guard" leafs. I used the 'paper strip' with compressed air with the LENS POINTING DOWN. Very quickly my outer IRIS (mentioned above) started to operate again ~ WhooooHoooo!
Now that outer IRIS/guard is working 100% of my tries and I am delighted! I'm sure a camera repair shop would have charged 'BIG bucks' for a 'repair and cleaning' but YOUR method is simply AWESOME.
I sincerely thank you for your outstanding TH-cam production!
Anthony
None of your solutions worked for me, but the good news is that they put me on a path to a solution that DID work. You mentioned trying to pull out the lens by grabbing it and rotating in a counter-clockwise direction. My lens was stuck nearly flat, not extended. I couldn't pull it out...so I decided to try doing the opposite, pressing down on it to make it fully "retreat." Once it was fully "in," I pressed the power button and it worked perfectly, extending out to its full length and taking photos again. Thanks!
My daughter dropped her Canon Powershot A2300 (brand new) in the sand last year. I followed the steps on this video up until #5, and then called repair places. They said, just replace it.
I put the camera away for a year and just now pulled it out. This time I went to step #6. In addition to the tapping and gentle pounding, I kept spraying compressed air around the barrels. And IT WORKED!
This video rocked. Thanks very much.
OMG - I followed each step and this worked on my AA2200 Canon Powershot! My little camera is fabulous and sentimental and didn't want to send it off to get it repaired. I went on vacation and got sand in it. I looked around here in Dallas and not too many options so I followed these steps and it worked!!!
Yay!!! Thank you so much!
Wow ... Great Dude.. I hope it will help for me
Which one of those steps worked? 6 or 7?
I was working on this HP z3000 for a client, I am not a camera tech. I couldn't believe I tapped this against the table a couple of times then the Lens expanded and it worked! Thanks!
Thank you brother. Got to fix 6 and I'm back in business. The sentimental value to my camera is priceless. I love you and there's nothing you can do about it. Peace.
Hallelujah!!! the lens was stuck for 6 years I didn't do anything and it is fixed today... I am sooo happy :-) Thank you sooo much.. you are a star x
Thank you! Tapping the extended barrel while camera was pointing down was the trick that fixed mine! I really appreciate your tutorial... this is our only camera so my heart sank when my daughter brought it to me with the error message... thanks for saving our camera and our budget! :D
Fantastic. I lifted my camera underneath a kite, in a so-called KAP-rig. After a collission with another kite, my Powershot A560 dropped on the field, leaving the zoom-lens bent. After viewing your video and reading your blogspot I carefully managed to re-allign the zoom-lens. I'm a happy man. Thanks.
this was amazing! thank you so much. I was getting ready to just recycle the camera after giving up for months and after watching your video I got it to work! PHEW! saved me a lot of $ on a new camera. Thanks again!
my mom gave me her old camera and then it started to say lens error, and the lens would pop in and out in and out and then i tried the tapping method and IT WORKED!!! like it immediately worked thank you so much you deserve a sub! you are awesome
Oh my gosh thank you! I bought a brand new Nikon coolpix L830. I took it out of the box, snapped a few pictures, and got the lens error message. I thought I got a defective camera! Step 7 worked. Just a little force on the outer lens and it went right back in. I can't thank you enough!!
Hey just wanted to say thanks so much for this video! I had gotten a new canon camera for Christmas and I had only had it for about a two years or less when one day I turned it on and the lens just got stuck out of no where. I had left it unfixed for a couple months until today i decided to take action! I found your video and started going through all the steps you had. Number 4 was the problem solver for me! Thank you!!!! I can finally use my camera again!
Thank you, guy. Twisting it counter clockwise fixed my lens which wouldn't retract on its own. Kudos!
Oh my gosh!! I have been trying to fix my old camera for years!! It has been so frustrating to have nothing work. Thank you so much your methods saved my camera from just sitting and collecting dust. Hallelujah!
I watched this video and loved the step by step verbal descriptions. I have this camera but I was viewing this video for a newer model that had the lens stuck out. Step 5 worked, just tapping the camera made the lens shut. This was much easier that taking it apart like another video suggested. This video was really a great help!
YOU ARE A LIFE SAVER!!! I bought a camera from a flea market with the lens stuck in the out position. I thought I got totally scammed but I found your video and it saved me
Excellent advice! I just fixed the stuck-in lens of my Olympus FE-230 camera. It was the 'tapping on the lens' while trying to open it that did it for me. I'm really pleased to have my trusty old camera going again. Thank you so much for your help - I am so grateful!
My mom's camera has been broken since a while and I fixed it!!! She's going to be super happy, thank youuu!!!
Thanks so much! After so many tries on and off over the years I was finally able to fix my favorite Panasonic Lumix with Leica lens by twisting outer lens barrel (your fix # 7). Thank you
Thank you bro i dropped my camera this morning and i started to look up how to fix it and your video came up i tried it and i started to lose hope but when fix six worked i was so happy you just saved me soooo much money. You are a legend!!! Thank you so much!!!
Great tips! This did'nt work for my second hand camera initialy. Then I stumbled onto this on the web:
I own a PowerShot A495 and recently the lens was stuck in the fully extended mode. Each time I tried to power up the camera I got "Lens Error, automatically shutting down - Restart Camera" - and it would turn off. [...] After removing the batteries and SD card and letting the camera sit overnight, I replaced the batteries and card in the morning. I then powered on the Camera and while holding the Function/OK key and the Shutter Button, I gave the extended lens barrel a couple of face-down light taps directly on a hard desktop. I was truly ecstatic to hear the lens motor whirl and to see the lens barrel retract.
Tried this on my Powershot A420 with a lens stuck inside the camera and this fixed it. Did some tapping and hoovering and cleaning with paper before this. Thanks camera-repair guy!
Im gonna just buy a new lens for my A495
THIS COMMENT SAVED MY CANON, THANK YOU!
This comment!!🙌🏼🙌🏼 I have a Canon SD940 IS and did all this and it started to work. My lens was out did some cleaning, with hairdryer on low, tap on both sides while turning on also lense facing down light hits and boom it worked. It does get stuck when I try to turn off so I have to lightly tap it and the retracts back in.
Thanks for your great video! I just repaired my seven year old daughters first camera, our old Canon A650 IS. I went through all steps upto 6a, then lens moved normally again! I already removed nine screws when I decided to search for a video on TH-cam first and found yours.Good job! Kisses from my daughter! :)
Definetly recommend watching this video.
For Those who have minor problems like this.
Thank You So much Bro!!
It worked!!! Was about to purchase a camera, then thought why not give it a go. The camera (Olympus camedia D-560) had been dropped and the lens was fully stuck, but paper and few taps fixed it! This was an old camera that had been what was thought to be broken for ~8 years, so thank you so much :)))
Thank you. Step 7 tapping the lens fixed mine. Hooray!! I am very grateful.
My Cannon Ixus 105 lens just jammed up and wouldnt come out at all. I found a few forums that said chances are the camera had had it, but then found your video and after running color paper stock around the lens, I could feel the grit and after about 20 mins it finally freed up and the camera lens is working again. Thanks, roger.
I just want to say this video helped me so much.I can't tell you how helpful this video was.I actually followed the steps just like you said and I did it over and over.Till my camera worked and I was so happy because I love my camera and I cannot do without it.Thanks a million :)
Thank you, I used your video to repair a kodak easy share camera (7.2 mp). Zoom lens came out and immediately retracted again. I immobilized it, used your paper trick and forced air! My son is happy, he bought it for $7,5 ;)
Thanks very much, I managed to fix my Canon camera lens while watching and following your tips. Well done!!
There is a resurgence of interest in little digital and film cameras. The lens cover curtain was stuck on my A510 today, I flicked it open with a fingernail and turned power off and on and flicking curtain open repeatedly and the curtain started opening and closing normally. I have enjoyed using the little A510 for many years, it's a trooper. I also have an old Sony DSC-T9, has a lot more features/settings than the A-510 but uses tiny flat rechargeable batteries. Like using 2 AA cells in the A510. Found out today that A510 can only use up to 2GB SD cards not specified in the manual.
Ha! Got it!
- Battery: no
- SD Card: no
....
- Bang it on the table... success! Thanks mate.
(Canon SX270)
Rhys Gannell wtfXD it worked for meXD OMG thanks
+Rhys Gannell HAHA! Just made my Nikon coolpix s4000 work by banging it against my other hand.
lololololol, I opened mine, hit it hard on my palm, and... success!!! :D
Only problem now is that it doesn't fully retract when I close it but, who cares :D
thx soo much this was more helpful 2 me then anything on the video Lolo l xD
+Rhys Gannell me as well! Good ol Fix #6
Rhys Gannell
This video is timeless and priceless..good work..and thanks PS congrats on 5,913,204 views as of today for your channel
Tapping the camera against my palm (step No. 6) solved the problem ! 🙂 Thank you 👍🏻
I want to truly thank you I have a Nikon Coolpix camera and the Lens has been stuck for over a year I had gave it to my son to play with then I came upon this video. I tried a few steps but what did it was sticking the paper around the Lens and taping a few times! thank you so so much!!! great advice!!!
Thank you a second time for this clear, step-by-step lens fix. It worked for a while for and older Sony that eventually gave up the ghost. Why I bought a second Sony is beyond me, but it's a DSC-W730 Cyber Shot, less than one-year old, that replaced a similar Nikon that stopped working two days after we bought it for the same reason. What up with these lenses? So, the Sony is working, again, but for how long. I may be back here shortly. Thank goodness I can still find you.
YEA! Thank you so much! I was following your steps and had almost given up. My camera would not even turn on. But then you said to tap in on a counter, I tapped on the palm of my hand and it came to life! Thank you!
You legend! I fixed my camera, yay! :) Thank you so much! The tapping thing did it for mine
I fixed it!!! I used a combination of the paper, vacum and hair drayer in the beginning, but I think the banging on the table and pulling the lens a little is what really did it. Thank you so much for posting this (and your blog), there is nothing else that google could find to fix my problem! :)
Zia, before you trash the camera, maybe consider trying Fix #6 shown at 9:44. Some people get lucky with this one to dislodge the gunk in the gear mechanism (what I suspect is your problem). But there is risk in damaging the camera, so that's why I only recommend it when there's nothing to lose.
2023 and this video is still helping people out - got a Kodak easy share working cause of you. Thanks!!
I'm doing drone videos these days. But yes, this old video is still relevant. The design of camera telescopic lens barrels hasn't changed much in 11 years.
Many thanks for your help and for taking the time to show these suggestions. Following your advice about clearing sand out with paper and tapping the lens I have repaired my camera! Well done!
Me too! I first lose hope, then I said to myself that i have nothing to lose to try!
I am so grateful for this video! I tried all of the other fixes shown except completely taking the camera apart. Fix #3 inserting the AV cable worked and now I have a “like new” camera ! I would never ever have thought of this fix! Thank you!!
Thanks, this video helped me so much! I cleared the dust with paper and then tapped my camera and it worked great after this! - Olly
THAAAAAAAAAAAAANKS A MILLIONNN ^_^
My camera was filled with sand as I go to the beach everyday and I dropped it in the sand many times unintentionally.:S
Whenever I try to "zoom in" , a small message appears on the screen saying "Please turn the power off and on again"
I turned it off and on many times but the problem wasn't fixed :S
I was about to open the camera to clean it up, but I decided to search for an online help first and finally I found your video.
I followed your steps, I used a small paper and a vacuum cleaner :D then I tapped the lens gently.
Finally the problem is now fixed and my camera is working properly again ^_^
MANY THANKS again from Egypt ^_^
Recommend following the fixes sequentially as shown in the video.
Thanks so much! I went through the sequence, and ultimately fix #6a did the trick. This is a very thorough and useful set of instructions. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
Mine fell down from the couch which was annoying as it served me well in really harsh environments throughout a year of travel. Thanks to your video it's working again - number 4 did the trick. Thank you so much for your video. This is fantastic.
My camera showed the error message again this morning, removing the memory card didn't work this time but turning the mode dial on top of the camera a few times did!
I persevered through ALL of your steps... and watched two other videos, also read several blogs and UREKA!!! STEP No. 7 worked!!!! Thank you!
Which legend is seeing this after 10 years 😂
Step 7 worked for me after getting more and more aggressive with it. Thanks - you just saved me 300 bucks.
I recorded in autoscooter with my camera. I got lens error after a BUMP to another car, after restarting camera, it worked again. I recorded further and no errors anymore, but i wont record again with my camera in a autoscooter. Can u say me sure if anything still works? I can record, zoom , sharp, .... so i think nothing is broken happily.
Thank you!!! I can see that this has been up on TH-cam for a while, but I am so grateful to have my problem fixed following these steps :)
Unfortunately, my lens jammed because it bumped against my camera phone, when I was trying to take photos of an eagle. None of these fixes worked. I tried all of them. :(
I dropped my camera on my trip and literally internally died, I hurried and search up how to fix this issue kn TH-cam and saw your video ; you saved my life thank you so so so much
!!
Mine was dropped while the barrel was out and now it won't even turn on. The barrel is crooked too. Help please!!
mines to :'(
shayna sugar same
exactly same thing happened to me
Mine too. Please help me how to fix it
shayna sugar me to
Wooooooow. Thanks a bunch. The last fix procedure worked like magic for my Nikon Coolpix 5400 showing lens error when zooming. Now the zoom in and out is perfect. 100% star for you bro... You just saved me some repair bucks.
Thank you!
Your video and the last option is what helped fix my camera. Thanks
Trying the remedies in your video made me realize my lense barrel is crooked since it fell. I used an electric nail file to sand the part that was blocking the lense and it worked. Thank you!
Sorry folks, can't seem to reply directly to you. Google+ :( But Dave M is right. For the momentary "oomph" needed to open a problem camera, a fresh set of alkalines would be best due to the higher voltage momentary power that they can provide. But for every day use, once the camera's repaired, I recommend rechargeables as they last up to 5 times longer than alkalines. And they're rechargeable!. .
I would like to give you a massive thanks.. i used the hairdryer method and now my camera is completely and fully working... thanks again soo much!!!!
Thanx so much
Nikon s3600 lens error help?
I have a coolpix s3600 and the laying the camera on its back, powering it on while holding the shutter button worked. Looks like it forced the camera to focus and unjammed it.
espanish plis
It worked for me amazingly. My lens was stuck but now it is fully functional. Thanks a lot!
I kept waiting for the old Hammer to come out and just smash the living S out of the Camera . for fix number 7. lol:)
+Tom Scott ha ha ha ha ha Yep me too, couldn't believe how hard e whacked it and not on a hard surface, sounded pretty dam hard to me, poor camera like Brian the snail i aint coming out of my shell.
+Tom Scott Me too! It would be a more popular video. There would be t-shirts that say, "fix number 7" !!!
+Tom Scott I think what's more hilarious is that there's tons of people making similar videos, *instructing people* to *_bang_* their cameras on something, as if that's some sort of technical repair secret not privy to the average joe? What I want is to OPEN the camera/lens, and clean it out so I can stop beating the crap out of it.
LOL
I’VE ALREADY WATCHED YOUR VIDEO FEW MONTHS BACK BUT IT DIDN’T WORK THEN. I TRIED FIXING IT AGAIN AND NUMBER 6 WORKED. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!! YOU’RE A LIFESAVER!!!!!!!
OMFG THANK U U SAVED MY LIFE #BESTIE
#bestie LMAO
Thanks to the 7th step in this video, I fixed my Canan L23 brand camera, which fell to the ground on a rainy day 13 years ago and whose lens did not fit inside. There was a lens error warning on my camera. The lens couldn't be fixed, it turned out it was stuck. When I pressed a little hard, a ticking sound was heard. I turned the camera off and on again and the lens went inside. Thank you, my camera is working.🥳🥳🥳🥳
how about my camer was stuck closed? how to fix this?
Mine too
Please help
Anyone please
Hi, this is on september 23th of 2024!, Your video helped me to fix my Sony Cibershot DSC-W35.I'm the last one of my little family so I wasn't able to use it ever(the last photo that was shooted with this camera was in 2015), now that I'm an adult, I can, but It gave me an error, thanks to your tapping solution I can use it now!! I hope the best for you and your family, you're the goat, blessings
my camera will zoom in and out a little bit but if you zoom it to the max it will get suck and make a wierd clicking noise
Starving kid broken gear ??
Thank you very much! Two years without knowing what to do, and now my camera is just PERFECT! :)
he said do do at 0:27
Yeah😁
2bisthename he said “do due”
It fixed it!!!!! It's been broken for months and I tried so many times to fix it, and had given up, was about to purchase another one before I had one last try and it worked! thank you so much!
You are wonderful! I fixed Coolpix L22 how I got it working. Thanks to you and other site. I tried the can of air, the piece of paper and laying it flat depressing shutter and on at same time, didn't work. Last resort....I wasn't paying $87 to have it repaired, I realized I may break it at this time. So I took my little wood hammer and gave it a firm tap all around the camera, then I gave it a harder tap around the shutter area, ok now 1/2 of picture, a few more firm taps AND ITS WORKING!
Had an issue, could not fix it with all these solutions and ended up getting a replacement of the same camera until I found a wiki page looking for something else. Turns out that it needed a slight spank with the palm of the hand.
Def going to like it for future reference!! Fantastic tutorial video!!
Thanks so much. This got me fixed. I was about ready to throw the camera in the trash, and it took until Fix 6, but tapping it worked. Nothing else even made it budge. Thanks again!
Thanks so much, I followed all your steps and my camera is now working. I took the camera to the beach on a windy day and sand was the culprit. Appreciate your help.
I dropped my camera in the desert and the lens stopped opening. This was four days ago. Turning it on and off again for those four days did nothing to make the lens bugde. I could hear the motor whirring but the lens wouldn't extend. I tried taking it apart but couldn't comfortably get into the lens chamber to clear out the sand myself. So I put the camera back together. Turned to TH-cam today and happened upon this tutorial. Worked my way through the steps with no improvement until I got to step 6. Banged the camera against my leg and the lens popped open like there was never any issue at all. I'm so conflicted between anger and relief I don't even know what to do with myself. Thank you for this tutorial.
Digital cameras are becoming hot again. We’re collectively moving away from cellphones. This video just helped me fix my old canon. Thank you so much!!
Thanks so much. I tried every suggested solution on my Canon Powershot and nothing worked - EXCEPT - your final extreme solution which DID work and solved the problem. I know this is the most extreme and risky solution but it worked perfectly for me. (I tried calling Canon Technical Support but they didn't want to help me, even though the camera is only 18 months old and has been treated very carefully). Thanks again for making this film.
The power/shot combo fixed my 250$ camera. Thank u man, God bless u.
thank you, i applied this information to my olympus and so far so good. I actually took it to a repair shop and they told me with the olympus you have to send it back to them as they don't train anyone to fix their cameras
So this is a common problem - not only mine!
When switched on, it made a funny little noise. Then trying to shut down, alas the lens got stuck out!
I'll come back to this video and visit the blog later when I have more time.
Thank you for lightening my mind!
Thanks! Your tips got my lens unstuck and my panasonic lumix DMC-ZS19 working again! The paper cleanse is very useful, but I went through all of the steps and I think a combination is what loosened the lens.
Thank you so so so much!!! All stores told me I have to buy a new camera since the reparation of a lens jam is more expensive than a new one but I’m so glad I watched your video!!!
Thanks dude, saved me like hours and a hundred to get my cam repair/new one. I really must thank you soooooo soooo sooo much. God bless your soul!
I have a Nikon Coolpix that got powered on while in a back pocket causing the lens to not fully extend. One of the tips in this video helped - the one where pressing & holding the shutter button while powering the camera on did the trick! Thank you!!!
you saved my camera, i dropped it yesterday and i was looking for new ones. thank you so much
Hey!! Thank you for the tips!! I had a Japanese market Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9-H from my mother in law that would quickly go to time date set mode then turn off then turn on message. I followed all the steps up to not tapping the lens barrel, but lightly tapping the camera on my hand with the lens pointed down, and it worked!! I suspect the old camera case may have shed crumbs or whatever. Thanks for your continuing help with this video!!!
Thanks very much!
Cleaning the lens cylinders with paper, tapping softly the whole camera and tapping with a pencil on the lens did solve the problem of the lens error. Nikon Coolpix S2500.
Very fine dust in the camera lens must have been the problem.
Your video is TOP!
You just made my day!
My Canon IXUS 75 lense didnt move anymore when I switched it on. It was permanently outside, It said Objectiv error while making some mechanical sound. Maybe sand.
Checked manual: "If problem occurs always, contact customer service ->Expensive
But now, I saw your video. Held down menu button while pressing On button. Lense moved back in, problem solved in 1 sec.
CANON HAND BOOK DOES NOT MENTION THIS OPPORTUNITY...
But you mentioned it. Thanks so much! From Germany!
I dropped my Sony Cybershot DSC-W530 on sandstone. The lens is slightly crooked. It had trouble moving in or out, and finally stopped working at all partly open. Following all but the last step here got it working again! Thank you!!! Now I'll see if can be permanently, fully fixed because it is still slightly crooked - but at least I seem to have removed the sand.
Thank you so much for posting this video...I was able to fix my camera whose lens kept going in and out. We wanted to fix it before our baby was born. Thanks so much!!
Thank you thank you...was all set to buy a new one. Did all of your steps...and
left it overnight (lens down) and this morning I pressed the OPEN button and
the other one simultaneously and POP in it went and came out when I needed it!!!
Your nr 2 tip - taking out the memory card, helped my old Canon Digital Ixus 90 IS camera to close the lens again. For now it works excellent again. THANK you brother for your instructional video! Antonio Thailand
Thank you, you're brilliant! Your extreme Fix #7 fixed my Coolpix S9050 Lens Error ... my lens wasn't stuck open, but started extending and retracting a few times before closing and showing "Lens Error" every time I turned it on. But just holding the lens extended with my fingers for a few seconds absolutely fixed it, and now it's working again! It's so nice of you to give us clueless ones a helping hand!