How do I fix my camera or can it be fixed at all?

Hi Connie:
Lens stuck, is common defective that need new lens unit replacement or just repairable.

Causes of a Lens Error: There are a number of ways with which a lens error can be caused. Particulates might have managed to get into the mechanical bits that allow the lens to retract, a purely physical interference with the lens mechanism. If the camera was dropped, especially while the lens was extended, there's a pretty good chance something might have been knocked loose, such as the guide pins upon which the lens withdraws and retracts.

How to Repair a Lens Error: As scary as a lens error might seem, there are some easy fixes. Before trying any of them out, however, first take a good long look at your camera warranty and maybe have a chat with the company. If the lens error will be covered under the terms of the warranty, go for it. Even some of the simple fixes mentioned below might void the camera warranty. Sincerely, however, it's unlikely that a lens error will qualify for the warranty.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I'll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using Fixya, and have a nice day.

A stuck shutter is another common failure mode for digital cameras. The symptoms of a stuck or "sticky" shutter are very similar to CCD image sensor failure. The camera may take black pictures (for shutter stuck closed), or the pictures may be very bright and overexposed, especially when taken outdoors (for shutter stuck open).

To confirm a stuck shutter, put the camera in any mode other than "Auto", and turn the flash OFF (you don't want to blind yourself for the next step). Next look down the lens and take a picture. You should see a tiny flicker in the center of the lens as the shutter opens and closes. If no movement is seen, then you likely have a stuck shutter. If so, please see this link for further info and a simple fix that may help.

Now the A460 is not capable of taking 15 second exposures as recommended for the fix. Instead try setting the camera to manual mode, turn off the flash, got to a darkened room, and take a picture. Open the battery door while the red and yellow light are flashing. If after many tries this does not work, then consider trying Fix #5a on the site. But do so with the camera turned off and the lens retracted to lessen the chance of damaging the lens mechanism.

Hi,

Since the camera is locked after lens error, you will restart camera removing batteries.

If this does not help, then you are in one of the following conditions:

Lens error and lens does not retract.
Try helping lens gently back in while you turn off the camera holding the button at same time.

Lens error and lens do not extend.
Restart the camera , and try gently tapping the camera back with the palm of your hand whilst restarting camera at same time.

If that does not help, then one part on the camera lens assembly is broken or out of place, or dirt inside lens mechanism caused the fault.

The lens must be disassembled by a technician to fix the problem.

If the problem is not fixed swapping batteries and resetting, then the camera must be taken apart and tested by a technician.

Here you can get a quote on repair: Repair

Lens error is usually caused by mechanical faults concerning lens assembly. The lens cannot extend or retract fully, the error is detected and lens error is returned.
Sometimes this can be fixed playing with the lens during extraction or retraction to help the lens asset getting back to normal.
More often the camera lens must be disassembled and re-assembled by a technician to fix the problem.

This is probably THE single most common failure among digital cameras. There's a halfway chance of fixing it yourself, described here: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

I've had similar problems with various versions of this camera. Here's the fix, if all else fails. These are step-by-step instructions to take apart and fix the camera's lens error. http://johnsmouth.wordpress.com/2010/12/01/lens-error/

i had the the same lens error restart camera problem for almost a month.  If you haven't already, try restarting the camera with the sd1000 in the view pictures setting.  This may allow the lens to retract into position. Next, with the lens extracted, try looking down on the camera from the top to see if the lens is angled downward in any way.  If it is, this means it is jammed into place on one side.  Simply use your fingers to slightly push the lens into proper position.  If you hear a pop, you should be in business! hope this helps!

it seems that the moter or track is either damaged or out of line this will need to be fixed by an engineer sorry

Try helping the camera to retract using your fingers while you turn camera off, try also helping lens to full extent if they don't.if you do not succeed in this simple way the camera lens must be taken apart and reassembled at a repair shop.

While turning in off softely press the lense in and out a couple of times. The lense would retract. If not fully, but most of the way, push the lense a little harder in until completely retract. If you turn it on, I should work fine. The reason the lense does not retract is most likely some dust in there somewhere. If it did not help, you would have to open the lense and clean it and close the lense.

I hope it helps,