When I take a picture with the flash the picture actually turns out so dark you can not view it. Is there a hard reset to set the camera back to factory default

This is most often a problem with the imaging sensor and no reset is going to repair the part. Also, if replacing it, it needs to be properly calibrated after installed. If you need help with this, this is the place we recommend for the Canons: www.CamerasAndParts.com They are the best for these models, they only work on Canons and they are excellent for repairs. They have a service package for about $90 which takes care of an image problem as you have or you can try emailing them first. As far as service and the quality of work, I wouldn't go anywhere else but them for a Powershot. They are the best for these cameras. Good luck

try reseting the camera back to default settings, there should be a function for that in the menus or a small reset hole somewhere in the camera.

The build in flash, will be useful within several meters (15 to 20 feet) if it is really dark.
Your camera should be capable of taking pictures in poor light conditions. Try to shoot in automatic mode. The mode dail to AUTO. (green camera symbol). Then view the picture with info. There you can see the ISO, Aperture and shutter time. From there you can experiment for darker or lighter pictures. For this you can choose M, A,S or P.
In each of these modes, you can use the following steps.
On top of the camera, close to the shutter release button you see a little knob with a +/- sign. If you press that button, you should see a 0.
If you see a - figure, this means the picture you shoot all be darker than normal. If you see a + sign with a figure it means the picture will be brighter. While pressing that button and turning the command dail, you can choose -3 to +3 EV. That is much darker and much brighter.
If you shoot many pictures in bad light conditions, you could buy an external flash. A Nikon flash will work very good and automatic, with your camera, because camera and flash will communicate and help each other to make better pictures. Cheaper external flashes can work too, but most of the time you must change settings manual on the flash. Never use old flashes, that were build for analog cameras. They sometimes switch with a voltage higher than your camera can handle. The camera can be damaged by such a flash.

Have you tried a hard reset? If not turn camera off and take out sd card. With everything out turn it to the on position for about 2-3 minutes. Then put battery's back while on the on position it should say no card once it says that turn off camera. Put Sandisk sdhc card not micro SD card then turn it on test camera in the dark and view them on a windows or a Moultire viewer 4.3.

Try cleaning the contacts on the lens and camera body where they meet with a cotton swab lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

you are having problem with the lens... you need to change the lens to get a bright picture...

Try resetting the camera. Go into the setup menu and find "reset".

Yes you definitely can,

Turn on the camera.

The mode dial can be turned to any setting.

2. Press the button for longer than 5
seconds.
The message “Reset settings to default?” appears on the
LCD monitor.

3. Select [OK] using the left and right
buttons, then press the button.
The normal screen resumes when resetting is complete.
To cancel resetting, select [Cancel] instead of [OK].

The LCD viewer is made up of the LCD screen, and the backlight. Your backlight is burnt out, or the circuit board isn't sending power to it. Backlights can be replaced separately.

I had this problem before, sent it off to have it repaired 1 year ago, and now have it again. Just to make sure it's the same problem, here's a description: The flash seems to be out of sync with the shutter. Using the flash in medium or low light (in auto mode) makes the picture darker than not using a flash at all. It ruins the picture. In a completely dark room, even though the flash fires, the pictures comes out pitch black. The problem is the flash unit -- it needs to be replaced. If your camera is under warranty, Canon will replace it for free. (You pay only to ship it to them.) (You might try what they told me to try before I shipped it off, and that was to reset the camera by pushing and holding the menu button until it resets. Didn't do anything for mine, but who knows.) If it's not under warranty, Canon will offer to replace it with a refurbished newer model for a discounted price. That's my situation now, because the problem has come back. I did come across a posting that described how to replace the flash unit yourself -- it involves taking the camera apart, but looks doable. (Sorry, I don't have the link handy and I'm not sure if I can find it back.) The problem is, I don't know where to get the part. Canon has been no help on this. Anyone know where I can get a Canon flash unit for the A85? Hope this helps, and good luck.