Troubleshoot Non-Retracting Lens Due to Camera Drop
<span>Remove the batteries from your digital camera and leave them out for a few minutes. If you are using rechargeable batteries, make sure the batteries have a full charge before placing them back into the digital camera. It is recommended that you charge the batteries for at least 6 hours. If you are using regular AA or AAA batteries, make sure you are using brand new batteries of the same brand. Turn the camera back on to see if the lens will retract. If that doesn't work, turn the camera back off and try turning it back on while you are pressing the function or OK button.<br />If the batteries were low when the camera was dropped, the lens may not retract properly until the camera is reset. Remove the memory card from your digital camera and install new batteries. Do not put the memory card back into the digital camera and turn the digital camera back on. You will get an error message regarding the memory card, but that is okay. With some digital cameras, leaving the memory card out will trigger a reset within the digital camera.<br /></span><span>If you have an audio/video cable (AV), insert that cable into the digital camera and turn it on. By using an AV cable, the LCD screen will not power on, which means there will be more battery power available to the digital camera. If any dirt got into the digital camera when you dropped it, the extra power may help the camera retract the lens.</span>
<span>Place your digital camera on its back on a hard surface. The lens should be pointed towards the ceiling. While pressing the shutter button, turn the digital camera on. The idea behind this concept is that the camera will try to autofocus, which may help seat the lens barrel pins back into their slot.<br /><b><br /></b><br />It is possible that when you dropped your digital camera, dirt, sand particles, etc. may have lodged themselves into the lens barrel. Gently blow around the lens barrel to knock lose any particles. Using a microfiber cloth, wipe off the lens and try to wipe as deep into the lens barrel as you can. You can also try using compressed air and blowing it in the gaps around the lens barrel. Be careful not to blow any of the compressed air onto the lens itself, as the pressure of the air may damage your lens. The idea here is that if there are any particles lodged in the lens barrel by the lens mechanism, you will be able to knock them lose.<br /></span>
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