Lens stuck error 306

mike kirschbaum

• 1198 Answers
• Posted on Apr 29, 2009

SOURCE: I dropped the camera in the sand. I turn it on and it says Lens error OX 04110000

You might try a can of compressed air, but I would see if the camera is still in warranty. I had good luck with my Canon, they sent me a new camera!

SOURCE: i dropped my camera the other day while it was on

That kind of damage isn't covered by any warranty, so unless you have accidental damage insurance then you have just two options: try to repair it yourself, or get an estimate for a professional repair.

Neither option is straightforward.

The DIY option is to use firm gentle pressure and probably a little bit of twisting to reseat the lens. This will only work if nothing has broken but has simply been dislodged. The downside is that if nothing has actually broken you have a major risk of doing so and at that point the camera becomes a write-off as a new lens assembly must be fitted by a professional and will cost more than just buying a new replacement camera. You'll likely be waiting around six weeks or so given the average turnaround time at camera repairers worldwide and the need to order spare parts.

Getting a professional repair is risky too. The repairer will take the safe option and assume that the lens assembly needs replacing until proven otherwise. The only way for the repairer to establish whether parts have just become dislodged or broken is by dismantling the camera, so you then incur the same labour costs as for a full lens replacement and these costs alone are likely to be more than the camera is worth. The repairer might offer to try the same "skilled brute force" method described for a DIY repair, but will not guarantee the outcome and likely not guarantee the repair. But it will be a far cheaper repair if it works and as it's a quick job the repairer may offer to do it immediately.

Given that this camera is a very cheap model and you can replace the camera with a new from Amazon for just $129 US or around £70 from UK suppliers, I'd recommend trying the DIY repair first and then if it fails to just harvest the battery and memory card and buy another camera. If you have accidental damage insurance it's probably not worth claiming on as most US policies will apply a $100 deductible and in the UK it will be around £50 depending upon the exact policy.

Sorry I can't be more positive, but the sad fact is that most budget to mid-price cameras simply aren't designed to be repaired. I hope that you've still found my reply to be of assistance and in return ask only that you return the favour by rating my answer.

SOURCE: lens error, lens wont come out at all just started wasnt dropped hit or anything

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

SOURCE: My son dropped my Sanyo camera, and now the lens

Fixing a Lens Error on a Digital Camera

This has to be THE most common failure mode for a digital camera. Some common error messages that might show up on the LCD's of cameras with this problem include “E18 lens error”, or “lens error, restart camera”. Some cameras might show nothing at all, but merely make a beeping noise as the lens goes out, then in, then the camera shuts off. Sometimes the lens won't even move.
The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. 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. Believe it or not, one BIG contributor to lens errors is using a camera case. Sand, gunk, case fibers, etc... accumulate at the bottom of the case. These materials love to cling to the camera by electrostatic build-up from the camera rubbing against the side of the case (especially those cases with soft fibrous intreriors). Once these materials work their way into the lens mechanism, that's all she wrote. I have many Canon's, and NEVER use a case for this very reason.
A camera owner that suffers this problem may have no recourse for having the camera repaired. Many camera makers will not honor repairing this problem under warranty as they claim it is due to impact damage to the camera, or sand or debris getting into the lens gearing mechanism (neither of which is covered under warranty). The quoted repair cost is usually close to or more than what the camera is actually worth.
Fortunately, about half the cameras that suffer this failure can easily be fixed by one of the following methods. None of these methods involve opening the camera, although some have potential to cause other damage to the camera if excessively done. If the camera is still under warranty, before trying any of these, please please first contact your camera's maker to see if they'll cover the repair, or to determine how much they'll charge for the repair. Who knows, you might get lucky. But if they quote you a number that's higher than the value of your camera, you may want to consider the following methods.
The methods are listed in the order of risk of damaging your camera. Thus make sure you try them in the listed order. And remember, these fixes (especially #6 and 7) should only be considered for a camera that's out of warranty, who's cost of repair would be excessive, and would otherwise be considered for disposal if unrepaired:
Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.
Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install new batteries, and turn on the camera. If you get an Error E30, it means you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.
Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.
Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.
Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one).
Now we're entering into the realm of potentially damaging your camera in conducting the fix. There is definitely some risk here, so take care when conducting the following two fixes.
Fix #6: Repeatedly tap the padded/rubber usb cover on a hard surface with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. A lot of people have reported success with this method. HOWEVER, there is also some potential for damaging or dislodging internal components with this method, such as unseating ribbon cables, or cracking LCD screens.
Fix #7: Try forcing the lens. More people have reported success with this method than with any of the other methods. HOWEVER, there's obviously some potential for damaging your camera by using this method. Variations include gently pulling, rotating, and/or twisting the lens barrel while hitting the power button. Attempt to gently straighten or align the barrel if it's crooked or twisted. Another variation includes looking for uneven gaps around the lens barrel, and then pushing on the side of the lens barrel that has the largest gap (note pushing the lens barrel all the way in is NOT recommended as it may become stuck there). While doing any of the above, listen for a click that indicates that the lens barrel guide pins may have reseated in their guide slots. If you hear this click, immediately stop and try the camera.

Tom Carson

• 3083 Answers
• Posted on Jun 10, 2010

SOURCE: When turned on, my VPC S1070 shows

This blog explains the problem you're having, and things you can try to fix it.
http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
They say about half the cameras can be fixed, trying their suggestions. Good luck, hope you're in the "fixed" half!