Lens Error, Restart Camera

CANON IXUS 561
Lens sometimes does not extend and error message 'lens error restart camera' appears when camera is turned on. This does not work without several tries and much button pressing. Problem is not caused by finger(s) in front of lens barrel.

Problem: dust in the gaps near lens which makes it jammed. Effect: the sceen shows blk color. Solution: just blow over it or vaccum it.

Hello!

That error is the generic error for a lens issue. Has your camera been dropped with the lens extended? Was it exposed to liquid or sand? Did the camera accidentally turn on while it was in your pocket? Is the lens bent, cracked or twisted? It could really be a number of issues, most common being the pocket one I mentioned.

However, you are definitely able to get this fixed! It is quite affordable and worth it to keep your current camera. Check the link I provided and see what they can do for you. I wish you luck!!

Your problem may be due to weak/worn out batteries or corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera which can prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the camera. Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove the batteries and wipe the camera contacts firmly with a dry cloth (heavy corrosion may require cleaning with a wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper). Remove any residue that may have fallen into the battery compartment during cleaning, then wipe both ends of the batteries and place them back in the camera. This cleaning clears the problem about 90% of the time. If it doesn't work for you, chances are that your batteries need to be replaced because they are just too worn to properly power the camera. And then, of course, there's the possibility that your camera may have a problem that requires professional repair.

Would not recommend opening the camera as the chances are much greater for you causing greater damage. BUT would instead recommend that you try the seven sequential repair step outlined for a lens error in the below listed Related Link "Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera". None of the steps outlined in this link involve opening the camera. and reportedly you should have close to a 50% chance of success with these techniques.

If you cannot repair the lens yourself with the first related link, then consider trying the two 'Digital camera repair" links below for two online digital camera repair businesses.

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

try newer batteries 1st see online if ther is firmware update for your cannon.com model camera try those 1st thx nick

Press the power button on and hold it down while extending and twisting the zoom lens......

It is most probably that your hand was in the way when the lens is trying to come out.
Try restarting and make sure no obstructions are in the way of the lens.

The following blog outlines some repair options for a lens error. They won't work for all cases, but they're worth a try if the camera's no longer under warranty:

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