Canon PowerShot SX120 IS Digital Camera Logo
Posted on Jul 04, 2011
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Dropped camera now it says lens error restart camera tried that didn't work took out batteries now all it does is day to put in new date stuff but it wont let me do that either.

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  • Master 3,006 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 04, 2011
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Your camera almost certainly has a lens error, this is such a common fault that I hope you don't mind me pasting my stock generic answer below. No point in reinventing the wheel!

Stuck lenses are probably the most common reason that compact digital cameras get thrown away, but there's a fair chance of recovering use of your camera again

The fault is commonly caused by dirt or grit blocking the mechanism, or due to it having suffered a recent fall. Another common cause is that the camera was in a pocket or bag and the power button accidentally activated and tried to open the lens against resistance. The mechanism may have simply become dislodged or there may be parts which have broken.

If your camera is still under warranty and has definitely not been subject to misuse then contact the Canon service department in your country to find out about a free repair. If the warranty has expired though a professional repair will far exceed the cost of replacing your camera. You will therefore have nothing to lose by trying to fix this yourself.

Please click here and you will be taken to an excellent article provided by the Camera Repair website. For the most part, you'll be guided on how to physically manipulate your camera to try and clear the fault. Although the article mentions Canon a few times, the advice applies equally to all cameras with lens errors and is not model-specific.

If the link doesn't work then cut and paste the following address into your browser:-

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html

Good luck, I hope you manage to use this information to fix your camera, or at least are able to use the information to help decide whether to buy another camera. If you do decide that you have to throw your camera away then don't forget to remove the memory card as it can be used in other devices. Please take a moment to rate the free answer I have provided for you and any testimonial which you might wish to add is always welcome.

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Turned camera on gives error message to turn off and back on again . No matter how many times we turn off and on it won't clear the message. Took battery out.put back in. Message still there. Also len

Camera was probably dropped. Motorized autofocus lens was probably damaged when dropped. It doesn't get more of a big deal than this. Depending on age of camera, it may be a ''wipe-out.''

Ps... I'm saying ''probably'' dropped because I didn't see it happen, but this is precisely what happens when they are dropped. It doesn't take much of a ''jolt'' to do the damage, and there is usually never any external damage.
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Lens error for coolpix l3. The lens won't retract and the camera won't work. took batteries out and put new ones in. nothing is working. is there a way to reset the camera?

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...
Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them.
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Lens is stuck and will not retract. Error message states to restart camera. Have taken out batteries, put new ones in and still will not retract.

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...
Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them:
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When the camera (Nikon Coolpix S3100) is turned on the screen soon goes black and there is an error message that reads "Lens error". This camera is almost brand new! Should I just return it?

Yes, try returning it first. If less than 30 days, AND you didn't drop this camera, your store should accept it for exchange or refund.
But in the case that your store gives you a hassle and directs you to the vendor under warranty, AND the vendor refuses to repair the camera saying it has dirt accumulation or was dropped, see the following:
Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to lens error problems can only be corrected by professional repair. But, here are some last resort troubleshooting steps that you can try that may correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try.
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When camera turned on it says lens error and then shut down

There is a capacitor dump that you can try.

Remove the batteries, wait 5-10 minutes.
With the batteries out, press and hold the power button for 10 seconds or so.
Put the batteries back in and your camera will start over (re-boot). You will know if it worked if you have to reset the date. But if that lens is really stuck you may be out of luck. The cost to repair it will exceed the cost of a new camera.

My camera was stuck with an open lens and saying ?lens error, restart camera.? I banged it against my hand a few times, the lens retracted and all seems to work as it should now. Thanks for the post!
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Lens error, restart camera

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...

Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
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''lens error restart camera.''

Was the camera dropped or has it been exposed to sand dirt etc?
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i got the exactly same problem!!
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so i bing it to the shop with my angry, they just said to me that you must dropped the camera.

--but i sware i didn't !!!
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