Canon Powershot SD870 IS. I powered the device and got the error message "Lens Error, Restart Camera". I've taken the battery out (its fine), reinserted the battery and powered the camera back on...and I continue to get the same error message. The lens remains in the extended position. Any suggestions?
Hey,
I had the same problem as everyone else regarding the error that would pop up stating that there was a lens error. I had the camera in my pocket when I went to a hockey game, pulled it out to take a picture, and it didn't work. Needless to say I was pissed because I expected far more from Canon. I was just about to go and buy a new camera, and figured that I would try to troubleshoot the problem and stumbled upon this site. Someone suggested turning the camera on and off while twisting the lens, so I figured it couldn't hurt to try it.
Before trying this, my lens would not retract all the way, the cover would not shut, the image was blurry, and I could not zoom in at all or the camera would show the error.
So, I tried the "twisting" solution, and it wasn't working, but I think I was being too delicate with it. I put a little more pressure on it and gave it a good twist. There was a clicking noise as others have said, but in the end, it worked after about 2 or 3 minutes of messing with it. No my lens goes down, the cover shuts and its clear as a bell. Not sure if this is a recurring problem as it appears to be a common problem, I fully suggest trying this before you send it off to get it fixed for a ridiculous amount of money.
Best of luck
I got the same problem..where the outer lens extension would not retract fully back into the camera. In my case, the camera was not dropped. It is some how jammed by my kids playing around with it. I did not see how they broke it.
The symptoms:
*The lens would turn when powering on and off but the small ring would not retract back into the camera as it is powering off.
*The cover also will not close.
*I still can use the zoom but as I zoom in all the way(the rings extend as you zoom and retract as you zoom out.) I will eventually get a message on the lcd saying "lens error, camera need to restart." then the camera would power off.
*I realized that the lens is not aligned horizontally as it should once the len became stuck.
The fix(might not work for camera that is dropped.):
I figured that the camera is trying to turn the lens(I force it by doing the zoom in and out) but couldn't do so physically when the operation reach certain point.
So I tried as the previous post suggusted but also give it some twist on the stucked portion while turning the camera on and off. Be careful not to apply too much pressure since you can break it more. Although I heard some clicking noise as I was turning the smaller ring that is housing the lens. I was trying to realign the lens and turn it back to its original alignment which horizontal. Some how doing that I managed to get the lens covers to close first.
At this point I am still not able make it retract back all the way in as it is powered down. I then try to give it some pressure as the bigger ring retract all the way in and at the same time turn and push the smaller ring until it hit or realign the trigger inside the ring. After a few more tries the lens retracted back it. I do noticed the lens is in perfect horizontal position as it retracts back and flush with the body of the camera.
It might be that there is some track mis alignment as the others suggusted. Some how the lens will not retract(no matter how hard you push it) if it did not grip on some internal mechanism(sensor, or trigger..I can not confirm this since my knowledge is limited and failed to disassemble the entire camera. Please let me know if you are able to successfully disassembled the camera without breaking it and post the steps if possible.)
Good luck and don't smash it!
I had the same problem with a Canon IXY 910 IS (same as IXUS 860 IS). I think it occurred because the camera opened in my jean's pocket while sitting down and the lens was prevented from fully opening. I followed the instructions of 'superman gt' and 'jc2080' and managed to fix it. As it is closing you need to twist the inner lens in the direction to make the aperture horizontal. Try it a few times getting firmer each time and eventually it will go with a 'click'.
Thanks for all the suggestions. The same thing happened to me. My son took a hold of my camera (Canon SD870), and when he used it, he turned on the camera while pressing against the lens. This caused the lens to have lens error. It would not focus, and when I turned it off, it would not go all the way back in. Finally, after going through 10 websites, I found this one and the suggestions worked. The key is to make sure that the rectangle glass lens at the front of the camera is in the horizontal position when it is all the way open, or all the way closed. I found that I was having the error because the rectangle lens was in a diagonal direction in relation to the camera face. I VERY, VERY forcefully used my hand to twist the lens several times, until I finally successfully had the rectangle lens in the correct rectangle direction. At the beginning, I used delicate force, and it didn't work. I had to use a lot of force. After this, my lens was able to close and open and work correctly without being blurry.
Canon Powershot SD870 IS. I powered the device and got the error message "Lens Error, Restart Camera". I've taken the battery out (its fine), reinserted the battery and powered the camera back on...and I continue to get the same error message. The lens remains in the extended... how should i get this problem repair...
I have no solution. I don't know where to send the camera back to fix. Please help
I purchased 2x SD870 over 6 months. Both showed this problem. I returned both the the Canon tech service in Illinois and both were returned promptly, and fixed under warranty. No problems with either after they're fixed.
Man, just after I spent 5 months with this camera and singing its praises, I got the same problem. I tried restarting it, taking the battery out, pushing it in myself, nothing worked. Fortunately I purchased the 3 year warranty at Best Buy..... Best let them deal with it. So I suggest to send that back to get fixed.....
It is really amazing (though unfortunate) - we all have the same problem! This happened to me yesterday (Sep 13). I wonder what Canon means with "restart camera"!
Same problem, lens won't retract all the way. I've only had the camera for two months and I've kept it in a nice case to keep it safe. I don't think there is anything I could have done to cause this.
I've taken the battery out.... restarted it several times. It seems to turn on fine and the lens will extend but it fails to focus. When I turn it off the lens goes back in about half way and stops. After reading the suggestion I tried to gently push the lens back in while pushing the off button but that did not work. I'm hoping there is a solution to this. I am very disappointed in this camera.
That actually worked, despite what i thought, it sounded a little weird when it retracted but it works fine now, i applied some pressure to the lens when i turned it on and it was fixed, hope this workd
I had the same problem and i just turned it on and off and put a lil pressure to get the lens back in.... but i would suggest sending it into Canon to be fixed
Hi
What you are seeing is a generic stuck lens error message:
Your
lens needs to be cleaned, repaired or replaced. There are online places that will do it for a
decent price and there are others that overcharge by way too much.
I know, because I own one that charges a reasonable price to do the
repair! (Google 'darntoothysam')
Just let us know if we can help!
Good luck from
Darntoothysam com
Thomas
SOURCE: Lens Error - Restart Camera : Lens remains in extended position.
I had the same problem with the same camera. Ended up twisting the lens by hand back and forth while powering the camera on and off till the lens pins finally realined and let it close properly. Took alot of patience and care but has worked since. Usual cause of this problem is powering camera while the lens is blocked from extending, ie in a case, laying on its face etc.
2,210 views
Usually answered in minutes!
I have the same problem, after only 4 months with the camera. Took the battery out several times, but that doesn't solve it. Think Canon has a design problem - cameras should last a few years, not a few months.
same thing happened with my month old camera.... never dropped it or anyhting either...
i dont know how to restart the camera.
Lens will not retract fully when I shut off camera and will not focus or zoom out. I have tried taking out the battery and memory card and powering down and up several times.
one month old sd870!!! exactly same problem - "Lens error..." Please help!
i have a new camera and the error is howing is restart camera lens eroor
Same issue. Lens won't go all the way out and then fails to retract. Sending it back for warranty since it is only a month old. Bummer because it is a great camera otherwise!
Same issue. Lens won't go all the way out and then fails to retract.
Sending it back for warranty since it is only a month old. Bummer
because it is a great camera otherwise!
Same issue. Lens won't go all the way out and then fails to retract.
Sending it back for warranty since it is only a month old. Bummer
because it is a great camera otherwise!
Having the same problem. Lens will not retract all the way in. I tried removing the battery and putting it back in. Tried resetting camera to default. Turned it on and off several times and nothing. Also, the focus is off and can't be adjusted. Not even a month old. I'm sure the sales person has heard about this but failed to mention it. Taking it back to the store and demanding a refund. Not a very happy customer.
Having the same problem. Lens will not retract all the way in. I tried removing the battery and putting it back in. Tried resetting camera to default. Turned it on and off several times and nothing. Also, the focus is off and can't be adjusted. Not even a month old. I'm sure the sales person has heard about this but failed to mention it. Taking it back to the store and demanding a refund. Not a very happy customer.
i have de same problem lens error - restart camera .. but i off on, uot battery.. and the problem is idem... helpme please...
Same thing happened to my camera -- it was about 3 months old. Sent it out for warranty work over a month ago and still no word. Hopefully it all works out.
Canon Powershot SD870 IS. I powered the device and got the error message "Lens Error, Restart Camera". I've taken the battery out (its fine), reinserted the battery and powered the camera back on...and I continue to get the same error message. The lens remains in the extended position. Any suggestions?
Same problem here. The lens won't retract fully and the focus is off.  Has anyone tried sending the camera back to canon for this same problem? Also, for those who successfully pushed the lens back in, did that fix the focus problem as well? Thanks
Same problem here. The lens won't retract fully and the focus is off.  Has anyone tried sending the camera back to canon for this same problem?  Also, for those who successfully pushed the lens back in, did that fix the focus problem as well? Thanks
Same problem as others. From one day to another camera Lens got stuck after only 6 weeks. Lens doesn't fully retract and focusing not possible except when slightly zoomed. Once set to full zoom the Lens error message will appear. Really disappointed with such quality.
I have the Canon PowerShor sd870 Digital Camera and the same thing happened to me today. I've had the camera for 6 months and it's operated beautifully until today.
I have the exact same problem, Canon PowerShot SD870 IS, I've had the camera for less than a year. We've moved and I have no idea where any warranty info is. I pressed on the lens a little and seemed to get a little less blurry but still is blurry. Big bummer considering how much we spent on it. I don't know whether to repair it or just get a new camera.
same thing here
Had the SD870IS for 7 months and suddenly the lens stopped retracting.
I had the camera for 7 months and suddenly the camera stopped retracting.
Lens error. These problems are usually caused by debris getting between the motors/lenses
exact same problem. It was in my pants pocket, turned on by accident, and then a lens error. this has happened dozens of times before and I'd just restart the camera. but this last time the lens ended up all twisted and wouldn't go back in. I tried the pushing thing, and it fixed it to turn it off, but when I turned it back on, it went right back to the twisted way it was. I took it appart to see if I could try and fix it, no luck there, cause my problem is within the lens itself. I think I might have broken something when I twisted the lense cause it's looseish now and something's rattling. I've done research and everyone has the same problem. we've owned many canons in the past, and I was thrilled with this one for the year that I've had it, but very dissapointed that it broke, right after the warrenty expired. Canon needs to have a call back on this model, cause this ain't right
I had this same issue when my camera fell on the ground and the lens got twisted.. but thanks to all these responses i totally fixed it! phew*, last time I had to send it to canon for repairs, and let me tell you it is not that cheap. Basically, all you have to do is keep turning it on and off while twisted the lens. Thank God for the internet!
Canon SD870. Lens tried to open while in pants pocket. Followed this thread and tried the various solutions without success. Contacted a camera repair service and waited for email response. A day or two later I was explaining the problem and solutions to my wife. I was turning the camera on and off just like many times before. Each time I cycled the power, I noticed that the square part of the lens (which had been incorrectly oriented in a diagonal position with respect to the camera body) incrementally moving to the proper position until finally with a 'click' it was in the proper position! All is now OK. Conclusion: Keep out of pants pocket where other objects might trigger the on/off button.
My daughter got a hold of my SD870 and I got the same lens error and the lens would not close. I panicked because her 3rd birthday is on Saturday and I had a broken camera. We have other cameras in the house, but none compare to this one. I read the info on this post and was able to fix it!! It did take MANY tries, but I was persistent and it finally worked. Thanks so much for the info!
Same problem. Was getting off the plane decided to stick this in my pocket. Went to take a pic after i got off the plane, lens stuck. I was really upset, i loved this camera (for point and shoot). Since i didnt have a lot of time to research the problem while i was in singapore (online) i decided to hop on the train and go to the canon building. They wanted about $175 and 5 days to fix it (said it was unfixable and the lens system was broken). I left a bit steamed and had to use my iphone for all my pictures while i was there. Just read people's little twist while opening and sure enough...heard a click and it works great again (so far). I hope it stays working, thanks a lot of the suggestion!
×