P M (pavimeno) 22 pts

January 21, 2007 6:07 AM

22

9

Subscribe for Email Updates for this Question

how do you restart a Canon PowerShot A540?

I have the "lens error, restart camera" message, and my camera won't turn on. I need to restart it, but I don't know how.

Report Abuse Did you find this question

helpful or

not helpful?

Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts

January 21, 2007 10:29 AM

7

28

Hi PM,
The fact that you're getting this error might be a problem- even restarting the camera may not help. But let's see if it does help before we worry about that. Usually, what that means is just to turn the camera off and then back on, but I'm assuming you've done that and it hasn't helped. So try restoring the factory settings and resetting the camera and seeing if that makes the error to go away. To do that on the A540, hold down the Menu button for five seconds. This should reset everything and (hopefully) make the error stop. If it doesn't, then you've got a separate problem-- come back and let us know if the error is still there. Also, if you have photos stored on the camera's internal memory, resetting the camera will delete those so make sure to download them first. Good luck!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

LuckyLoony 4 pts

February 6, 2007 4:38 PM

4

8

Well I have the same problem with my SD600... The lens is stuck open and when i turn it on it says lens error. reset camera. Once it says that it turns off. Should I just take it back where I bought it and see if they can send it back to canon for me?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts

February 8, 2007 8:26 PM

3

1

Hey,
The lens error, reset camera error can be tricky- it can be something more serious, or it could just need a reset. Did you try doing the Factory reset described above (hold menu button down for five seconds? I think this is how it works on the SD600, if not there should be an option in the Setup menu to reset the camera). If you've tried this and are still getting the error, it may need to be returned. Are you still under warranty?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Donna D. 2 pts

February 14, 2007 6:23 PM

2

my daughter dropped my canon and the lens will not retract. I think my camera is history. I've tried restoring the factory settings and that did not work. I continue to get the lens error message.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

McAsh 6 pts

February 21, 2007 5:28 PM

4

I have the same error occuring on my Powershot A540.. I brought along on the slopes when I was skiing, not that it got wet or anything, but somehow the lens just won't retract and I keep getting the "Lens Error - Restart Camera" error message. But in my case I don't think it is possible to do the factory resetting as the camera won't turn on.. The Canon welcome screen appears and then the error message appears and then the power is turned off again, which is why I don't think it is possible to reset it..
But my Question is - is there any other way to reset it, or can I do anything - is my camera history..

I just bought it 3 weeks ago, so it pretty much sucks if it's history.. Please help!

/McAsh

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

MAMA 82 pts

February 24, 2007 8:42 PM

81

8

yea i jus fixed my mommy camera(she didnt know)....all u gotta do it turn on the camera n quickly try knock the lens back in the camera while it is on....dunt break the lens ....so dont knock it to hard.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Beks 4 pts

February 28, 2007 4:12 PM

4

2

My camera said that it had a lense error-restart camera thing. I pretty much think im screwed because i tried the 5-second-hold-the-menu-button thing and nothing's working. Do you think i can go to the store and they'll get me a new one? (probably not) HELP!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts

March 2, 2007 1:30 AM

2

4

Beks, what camera do you have and is it under warranty still?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

SansoHappy 5 pts

March 14, 2007 6:25 PM

5

2

MAMA!!! UR A LIFE SAVER!!!!! IT WORKED O MY GOD, IM FLOWIN TEARS OF JOY RIGHT NOW, I THOUGHT MY MOM WOULD KILL ME WHEN SHE REACHES HOME N FIND HER CAMERA BROKEN.....BUT NOW ITS FIXED I JUST KNOCKED IT BACK IN!!!!!! THANK U!! THANK U!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

stephen (piglin3) 1 pts

April 2, 2007 5:01 PM

1

0

i have the A520 and my lens got messed up to. nothing really happened to it but i don't have a receipt because my parents got it at an auction. so the warranty won't cover anything. it might have been bumped but nothing id imagine to break it. the lens wouldn't go in. so i tried pushing it and now it stuck half way and i hear it clicking from the inside (lens motor) and it sounds like theres a lose part. WHAT DO I DO? please someone help. i need it for my art and i just got a big break!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Alex 2 pts

April 14, 2007 11:27 AM

2

1

I am getting the same issue on a canon SD600. When i turn it on it says lens error and before i can get to any menu or hold any buttons it will just shut itself off. Im going to eat it in my cereal if it doesnt get fixed.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts

April 14, 2007 5:05 PM

3

2

If you can't get to the menu button in time to do a restart, you could try Mama's solution above- basically what that means is, turn the camera on, and as the lens starts to come out as the camera powers on, use your hand (or a table top) to gently force it back in. Be gentle (if your camera is under warranty this isn't something you may want to do, rather just take it in for repairs) but force it back into the camera body; sometimes this unsticks whatever is stuck and it'll work.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

kim 1 pts

April 14, 2007 9:56 PM

1

2

i'm having the same problem. i accidentlaly dropped it and now it is stuck halfway. i been literally tryin to hit in back in but it wont work. im gettin really mad because prom is in less than a weeek and i relaly need it. and i dont think it is under warranty anymore. help!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

jamie 2 pts

April 15, 2007 10:26 AM

2

1

hey guys i had the same exact problem with mine..(SD600) iwas bugging out because i thought my dad would KILL me if i broke another camera.. all you have to do is like shove the lens back into the camera i kinda did it hard but whatever... just push it with ur hand or w/e..n then it should work.. thanks "mama" for the idea haha..

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

kyle 1 pts

April 15, 2007 11:41 PM

1

I have the same problem with the sd600 but i've never dropped it and the lens is not stuck outside of the camera. It doesn't come out.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Brenda P (BrendaP) 28728 pts

April 18, 2007 9:57 PM

1

Hi Kyle and all,
I just responded to a similar question with a few suggestions for what you can try over on another thread, so I'll link to it for you:
http://www.digitalcamera-hq.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-sd600_question.html?qid=11572
(check the last post, the big long one)

Some of those suggestions may help... if not, you may be looking at repairs. Let me know if any of it is useful.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

VS 2 pts

April 28, 2007 7:39 PM

2

0

Hi All,

my SD600 is giving me the same lens error I see other people complaining about. Except that my lens isn't stuck half open, nor does it even try coming out when I turn the camera on. Factory reset doesn't work. HELP!!! Is there anything I can do except using it as a paperweight??

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Kyky 3 pts

May 3, 2007 2:32 PM

3

1

MAMA YOU AREEEEEE A LIFESAVER!!!! I just knocked it right back! THANKKKKK YOU... I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT MY CAMERA!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

E 1 pts

May 3, 2007 6:24 PM

1

0

when i turn my camera on it goes right to the "lens error, restart camera" and i've tried the reset thing where you hold the menu for 5 seconds or watever and that doesnt help at all. the lens thing doesnt even open when i turn it on. I've only dropped my camera once and it didnt even drop that hard, so whats the problem?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

McAsh 6 pts

May 3, 2007 9:46 PM

0

im good now as well.. the knocking worked

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

ska123 0 pts

May 12, 2007 2:41 AM

0

THANK YOU SO MUCH MAMA!!!!!!!
knocking for shure worked!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I FOR FREAKINGLY LOVE YOU.
:]ur my hero!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jess Fresh 1 pts

May 14, 2007 6:31 AM

1

0

Mamma I LOVE YOU you dnt even know!!!!!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Kshitij 1 pts

May 18, 2007 3:19 AM

1

0

Hey mama thx a million.....................
Knocking the lens back, helped in getting rid of the lens error.
some gentle knocks & lens was in ... I tried to restart the camera & it did work
Oh god !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thx a lot mamma.
thx for the help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Nelson 1 pts

May 20, 2007 5:44 PM

1

0

Mama , you are great .... Greetings from Brazil

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

steff 0 pts

May 27, 2007 1:58 PM

0

1

so i tried knockin it back in....!!
it did it pretty hard and it wouldnt go.. im scared to do it any harder cuz i might screw it up.
sad thing is, i dont have warranty for it. i dont know what to do? jdejded
:[

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jugga Bubz 0 pts

May 31, 2007 6:50 PM

0

1

I have this error on my SD600. The lens was stuck out. I tried forcing it back in. I pushed on it hard and finally heard a pop and it pushed in. However, now the lens will not go out, and it seems really loose. I have a feeling it is really broken now. I would not recommend this solution unless it is a last resort.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

THANKFUL! 0 pts

June 7, 2007 1:53 PM

0

1

Thanks, MAMA

I knocked the lens back in, but had to knock it pretty hard. Thought I broke it because then it "stuck" inside. Then I took the battery out for a few minutes, and turned the camera on while it was in movie mode - lens works fine now. Hooray!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Bunny 0 pts

June 13, 2007 1:39 AM

0

1

Worked for me too! you're a life saver!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

asonjluq 0 pts

June 17, 2007 6:05 PM

0

1

The knocking worked for my too!!!!! No display message, just blank and a couple of beeps I assumed meant something was wrong. A knock w/ my hands and it started working fine!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

aksdhfueah 1 pts

June 26, 2007 1:00 PM

1

does this lens problem happen a lot with this camera?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

NicoLe 1 pts

June 29, 2007 11:07 AM

0

I guess it does happen a lot!
Look at all these people on this forum. Not to mention the other ones I looked at before coming to this one.

I dropped my camera for the second time. The first time, my corners just got bent, but this morning I dropped it on the lens and it was stuck open. The lens that stuck out looked twisted, so i pushed it back in to make it flat, but it still didn't get rid of the problem. When I turned on the camera, I got the message Lens Error- Restart Camera.
Anyway,

******KNOCK IT BACK IN.*******
Literally, like you would knock on a door.

Now, when my lens comes out it has a weird click and the lens cover opens up a little rough, but it REALLY beats paying $200 for repairs.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

mama is a baller 1 pts

July 3, 2007 8:21 PM

1

MAMA U R DA BEST!!!!!!

JUST GIVE IT A LITTLE TAPPY TAP TAP AND THAT LENS GOES RIGHT BACK TO ITS HOME!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Yuri 1 pts

July 5, 2007 9:42 PM

1

0

I've a cannon PowerShot SD600 and haven't had problems with the lens opening or closing but with getting a lens error message after using the macro setting and then it not focusing unless I use the zoom at maximum.
Does anyone know if this is a mechanical or a OS error? And, either way, if it can be fixed at home as opposed to brining it into a shop for warranty or repair?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

brown (kristen203) 26 pts

July 7, 2007 8:14 PM

1

0

Mama,

I just did this to my camera too. My husband was sooo bad that I let the baby hold it and he dropped it! (sd600). I had to push really hard, but I thought ifi ts broken anyway I might as well try, and it worked. Thank God, he is going to be sooo happy!! Thank you!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

timothy 0 pts

July 8, 2007 1:38 AM

0

I'm getting the same error (Lense error, restart camera) on my Canon A540. However, the camera was not dropped, and the lens is not extended. That's right, the lens is sitting in the contracted, off position, and is square with the camera body.

I've tried reseting the camera several times, that didn't work. I removed the outer casing to look for obstructions or anything out of the ordinary, everything looks fine. I've also tried Mama's trick with no luck.

I'm wondering if this is a software issue, and if I can somehow reinstall the camera's software. I'm also wondering if there are any magic button combinations, such as one that forces the lens to extract.

Thanks in advance.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

camille 0 pts

July 11, 2007 6:03 PM

0

i tried pushing the lens in and i broke the LCD screen and it's stuck halfway. that sucks.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Vab 1 pts

July 13, 2007 11:13 AM

1

Thank you Mama! I had the same lens error and was about to buy a new camera until I read your post. It took 7 tries, and the latter four tries were a lot harder than a tap, but it worked finally. The 5th and 6th try made a weird crunch sound inside the camera, but now everything seems to be working fine and the pictures I took with came out fine too.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

cesi 0 pts

July 16, 2007 1:57 PM

0

1

hey..please help!!! this is driving me crazy i need to fix this camera cause its my life...my canon sd600 show the error message: lens error,restart camera..i dont know what to do because i did the 5 seconds holdin menu thingie and it didnt work..please help me im desprete..

pleaseeeeeeeee

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

BEAN 1 pts

July 27, 2007 3:38 PM

0

1

SAME HERE i have a SD600 powershot canon and i try turning on the camera and it says "LENS ERROR, RESTART CAMERA", i tried doing what MAMA said by knocking the lens back in place (IT DIDNT WORK :(), then i tried holding down the MENU button...and it still didnt work!!! HELP MEE!!!!! PLEASEEEE ahhhhhh

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

BEAN 1 pts

July 27, 2007 3:43 PM

1

2

WOOO JK IT WORKED YESSS!!!!!!! THANKS MAMA!!!!!!!!! ...it comes out sorta weird now...but it works!! WOOOO!! I LOVE U!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

cesi 0 pts

August 6, 2007 5:47 PM

0

plisssssssssssssssss my camera is still not working..it still shows the message:lens error,restar camera..the thing is when i turn it on or when its of the lens is always out..please what can i do..i really need to fix it please help me i already tried all those things..teh thing is that i baught in ny..and i dont live therte so i cant go back and return it..please help me..pleaseeeeeeeee

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

sad girl 0 pts

August 17, 2007 4:47 PM

0

2

KNOCKING MADE IT WORSE!!!!!!! HELPPPP

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

excelents 1 pts

August 17, 2007 8:48 PM

1

0

Lens Error, Restart Camera

I have a Canon Powershot A750IS I've had it 3 weeks and got it from Ebay and received the error message.

1. The error message appeared on screen during its initial powerup sequence but the lens did not deploy out, the message appeared for apx 7/8 seconds before the camera powered down

I followed the instructions above regarding holding the menu button this did not work, then i read the messages regarding banging, tapping and knocking which I thought would be of no use as the lens was flush and didnt deploy so nothing to bang, tap or knock.

However, with nothing to lose I pressed the power button and received the message and very quickly gently pushed at the lens area, the lens quickly deployed partially then retracted and the camera powered down.

I restarted the camera and everything is now working fine !

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

canadian sans canon 1 pts

September 20, 2007 9:34 PM

1

awwww man this sucks!!

i have a canon powershot a570is - just bought it, haven't used it yet - was turning it on to set it up with my laptop and this 'lens error restart camera' msg came up, i think b/c i accidently hit the 'lens ring release button' on the front of the camera under the lens....

i'm not really brave enough to try the bang/tapping technique yet for fear of a devestating CRUNCH sound....perhaps i'll go to the store......i've been waiting for it to arrive for weeks, and now this right away - what a tease!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Matt 0 pts

October 2, 2007 2:44 PM

0

I have an SD600 and when I turn it on the lens does not come out. It says "lens error. restart camera." The camera on't reset if you hold down the menu button. It just shuts itself off. Any ideas? Mama?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Stephen Heyes 0 pts

November 10, 2007 9:04 PM

0

THIS IS AMAZING!! We have 4 very stunned people!!! GIVE IT A BASHING!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

rob 0 pts

November 12, 2007 11:59 AM

0

MAMA marry me?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

tobo 2 pts

November 13, 2007 1:31 PM

1

0

From the responses above, I would say that it is safe to conclude that there is a product related problem with at least the SD600. Mine does the same thing - lens error message - when you turn it on. The lens is tucked in - no out. We all should email Cannon. I will also chk their website to see if this is a known problem that they have a solution for besides sending it in for repairs.

If they give me a hard time, I will file a complaint with my State Attorney General's office. There is definitely a product problem with this unit from the responses on this reviews alone.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

tobo 2 pts

November 13, 2007 2:23 PM

0

Mine does the same thing - lens error message - when you turn it on after less than a year. The camera will not work and turns off. I just spoke with Canon about this and they said it has to be sent it. If its beyond the 1 yr wty, you are S.O.L. Plus you must have your receipt for them to honor wty.

Contact Canon at http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&tabact=SupportDetailTabAct&fcategoryid=224&modelid=12913

I don't think this is right. I will be filing complaints with my State's regulatory agencies to help me resolve this matter.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

brenda 0 pts

November 25, 2007 5:03 PM

0

basically mine is like that and im pretty sure my warrant is already done
i tried the menu button and it didn't work. and i cant do the tip MAMA tried because the lenses simply wont
come out, i tried to work it a few nights back and the lens opened and i saw the screen with the pictures
i could delete, rotate, etc. but when i turned the switch for the camera, it would shut off

im going to leave it for a while and then hopefully it will turn on and try to slide the lens back in the camera as gentle and fast as can.

fingers crossed

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

tobo 2 pts

November 25, 2007 6:06 PM

1

0

If you google "reviews" on this model, you will find that this lens error is a common problem on this model. There is no question that this has to be related to a product problem that I believe Canon needs to address. For a reputable camera company, Canon needs to make this right. We had an SD110 for the longest time and never a problem. The SD600 went kaput in less than a year.

I am now considering Olympus, Nikon, Fuji, Sony..... we have an Olympus D510 that's 7+ years old and never a problem.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

staso 0 pts

December 2, 2007 3:13 AM

0

1

ok. you were all no help whatsoever.
ok i turn it on and it goes to the canon screen then after like 4 seconds it goes black and beeps and says..."lens error, restart camera"
what in the world do i do?
i've tried turning it off, holding down the menu button, and tapping it slightly. :)
what else??!?!?!!?!?!?
it isn't under warranty... i don't think. so whatever advise you have give it to me.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

tobo 2 pts

December 2, 2007 6:59 AM

0

much of what you can do is already stated in the various responses above. canon will also fix it for if you feel its worth sending it in. if you are in the US, you can seek the help of your State agency to file a complaint to canon on your behalf or you can write canon yourself and ask them to fix it at no cost since this problem is widespread.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Grace920 0 pts

December 9, 2007 6:22 PM

0

1

I tried the "knocking it into place" (as in push it in while turning it on). WOW! It worked! Yeah!! Thanks!! I accidently dropped it while looking at pictures, had the "error" message and thought I was sunk...and now it works! THANK YOU TO WHOEVER FIGURED IT OUT!!:)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

luo 0 pts

December 30, 2007 12:47 PM

0

1

thx MAMA, i drop my camera SD630 while skiing, the len get stuck, restarting give Len Error. Turn on the camera and push in hard fixed the problem. I almost give up when initial attempt to push it in failed so I push Hard on the Len and it works.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Booty Hunta 0 pts

December 30, 2007 4:31 PM

0

I had the same thing with my SD600 and I pressed the power button at the same time as the shutter button and the lens went back in and everything is working fine.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

letsgetsugarhigh 0 pts

January 18, 2008 12:19 AM

0

Okay well I'm pretty sure you all know what my problem is. I have the SD600 but my problem is the lens wont go in. It's out and when I turn it on it says lens error, restart camera. I tried MAMA's solution and it didn't work. I tried the menu button and it didn't work. I tried turning it off and on and it didn't work. I didn't drop it or anything today, all I did was I took some pictures. Then right away I took out the memory chip and put it in the computer... maybe I didn't turn it off or something but it shouldn't have froze like that and it's been like that all day. The lens wont retract... What do I do? Theres no warranty, am I just screwed on a camera now :(

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

rachel 0 pts

January 20, 2008 10:57 PM

0

i have a canon SD 600 and ive read almost all of these and my camera isnt stuck in or out...when i turn it on it goes in and out and then it beeps a couple times, gives me the lens error restart camera messgae and turns off so its not stuck in or our....sometimes it shows the screen, but rarely and it only lasts about 3 seconds. i really love my camera and i need it. please help me. i tried hitting it and i tried restarting it but it wont give me enough time...

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

yup 0 pts

January 22, 2008 9:38 AM

0

i tried same solution. Hold and press the lens on table, lense facing the tabletop. started the camera. and pressed gently. and lens started working now it's going in properly. Thanks mama. i had this problem for Canon poweshot A700

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Little L 0 pts

January 26, 2008 4:32 PM

0

God bless MAMA!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Marky T 0 pts

January 26, 2008 5:30 PM

0

Just like dozens of you, we had the same problem. Saw the posting about taking the camera apart, thought that would take too long, so we decided to try MAMA's solution.

IT WORKED!

Just to be clear: in our case the lens was stuck open, so I put it face down on the table and turned it on and started to press. Did that a few times and nothing happened, so then I moved to tapping the lens gently on the table while I turned it on ... it worked the 3rd time.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

ebeth 0 pts

February 7, 2008 11:29 PM

0

I had the same problem with my SD600 so instead of sending back the camera (which is not under warranty anymore) to Canon for $100 just to look at it, and instead of paying $95 to a local camera shop to fix the problem....I decided to try and fix the problem myself. I figured - worst case scenerio I could take it into the camera shop in pieces and have them piece it back together...still gonna cost the same....So, tonight I took it apart and messed around with the lens a little bit - and it worked! The lens finally retracted back in! Yippee! It has been sitting here for almost a month broken and I fixed it myself!

When I called Canon directly (last week) they were quick to offer me a refurbished SD750 model for $175 - $200, but they were reluctant to give me directions as to how to simply take it apart and fix the camera I have! It was dissapointing, to say the least...but I have come to expect this kind of thing in a big company.

So, I encourage you to frig around with it on your own. Just get a set of sunglass screwdrivers (tiny) and get under a good light and go for it! Keep track of where all the screws go - since they are so tiny it is difficult to tell that they are very different sizes.

Good luck!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

donks and shrek 0 pts

February 16, 2008 9:04 PM

0

thanks so much mumma
your a fucking life saver
we just fixed our camera
your a champion old mate.
(Y)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

donks and shrek 0 pts

February 16, 2008 9:04 PM

0

thanks so much mumma
your a fucking life saver
we just fixed our camera
your a champion old mate.
(Y)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

KKK 0 pts

March 1, 2008 3:06 PM

0

1

NOTA BENE: IF LENS IS CROOKED...

Guys, this advice is life saver. I just moved to Paris and they were quoting me over 200 euros to fix it, and then they did not want to service it as they did not sell it. I almost used a screwdriver to take it apart BUT A bit of advice- if knocking it doesnt work (as mine didnt because the the front portion of the lens was crooked (one side fully distended and the other side not) and was so annoyed to see so many people's working after a knock) at the same time you press the on/off button, pull up the non distended side (the shorter side), that worked for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Mark 0 pts

March 18, 2008 8:42 PM

0

I beleive I found the problem with the extended lens that wont retract,
Look at the camera from the top down at the lens and you will see the lens is crooked. straightened it out so that it snaps back into place and now should look straight. It worked for me. the lens gets crocked and binds and cant retract. snap it back into place. I did it and it worked..

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

AshaleeeXD 0 pts

March 22, 2008 5:26 PM

0

Ahhhhh Mannn knocking the lens into place WORKEDDD!!
i am now to be the happiest person on earth. i thought i broke my moms friends camera and almost started digging my own grave. but thnaks to Mama i can wait for my grave to dig its self. Mammamamama your a HERO!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

rocksisaps experience 0 pts

May 18, 2008 12:02 PM

0

i have same problem too but in less than 10 minutes i figured it out heres what you do .. observe the lens if they are align in shape..if not try pushing it ..once it clicks on to something pretty sure it would be alright now..

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Tiff 0 pts

May 19, 2008 3:07 AM

0

1

so i just dropped my camera and got the error. all i did was turn it on and smacked the lens with my hand and it went right back in. i didnt even hit it too hard. but just pushing on it didnt work for me.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Art 0 pts

June 10, 2008 2:54 PM

0

Okay, I have to admit this was scary after reading Mama's advice and all of the responses. It worked. I started with my SD600 and the lens halfway distented and slightly crooked. Kept getting the message "lens error, restart camera". Called Ritz and they said it would cost around $200. I tried pushing down on the lens (camera face down against the top of the desk), but I would see the lcd starting to bulge so I stopped. Then I knocked (like on a door) on the lens several times until it actually went down. Started up the camera and it worked!!! The lens goes all the way out and all the way in. It makes a slight clunking noise when the lens is on the way out but I can live with that especially since the camera is out of warranty and I didn't want to buy a new camera or spend $200.

Mama... you're the greatest!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Crash 0 pts

June 12, 2008 5:49 PM

0

I got in a car accident and the camera flew from the backseat into the front dash and got covered in dirt.
It was working for a while, but now the lens is stuck open. I think it's dirt stuck in there so I'm afraid of knocking it because it might be the sand. But I don't know.
Should I do it anyway?
I really don't want to take it in :/

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jmarie49 0 pts

June 27, 2008 11:35 AM

0

my camera is a powershot a540, and i have dropped it before with the lens out and fixed it by turning it on and off and jiggling the lens back and forth each time until it was fully extended.

however, this weekend i had the camera on with the lens extended and the camera was hanging from my wrist. i brought up the camera to take a picture and i went to snap the picture and i got the "lens error restart camera". i didnt hit it on anything and have tried knocking it, pressing it, pulling it up and out, holding the menu button, putting new batteries in, holding the start button and the shutter button at the same time. someone said i might need a new internal battery [i didnt even know about this battery--about watch sized located right next to the AA batteries] the lens makes no noise when i turn the camera on.....any new suggestions?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Crusty 0 pts

July 5, 2008 5:19 PM

0

I had this problem. We tried most of the above solutions over a period of two weeks. Nothing worked. In desparation I ordered (by mail) a new Canon A590.

When the new camera arrived, I took the rechargeable batteries and memory card out of the A540 and put them into the A590. My wife then picked up the A540 and asked what we should do with it. She then found that the lens appeared to have eased. We put the batteries back into the A540 and it now works.

This method is not guaranteed but does anyone know why it works?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

tammy. 0 pts

July 7, 2008 3:14 PM

0

oh my.. a lot of ppl had this issue! all my pics are really blurry, in movie mode as well.. i had the stuck lens issue as well but i fixed that.. but everythign is still blurry!! Im totally going to cry, the warranty was just up too! typical!
anyone know how to fix the blurry!?!?!!?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

happylady 0 pts

July 8, 2008 3:22 PM

0

Thanks MAMA! :) Another happy SD600 owner. Whew!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Me! 0 pts

July 9, 2008 1:05 PM

0

MAMA It worked! Just FYI, I recommend doing it on a table top with some kind of material to protect the actual lens from scratching.

Good Luck guys!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

CeCe 0 pts

July 31, 2008 8:53 PM

0

The knocking didn't help for me. I had to use an X-acto knife inserted next to the lens to gently nudge the lens back down. I'm so scared it will happen again, though. Guess I should try bringing it in...

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Gusso007 0 pts

July 31, 2008 10:31 PM

0

I CANT BELIEVE IT! MAMA on 24 February 2007 was spot on and the same problem with a PowerShot A570IS is fixed. Turned on the camera and pushed the lens against its will back to the "closed" position. I got my camera back.
THANKS MAMA!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Chris Adams 0 pts

August 12, 2008 12:20 PM

0

here's a link to a site with a instructions and pics to guide you. http://www.williamclayton.com/entries/fixing-canon-powershot-sd600-lens-error/

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Sam 0 pts

August 13, 2008 8:51 AM

0

I don't even know how to knock it in !!!
This sucks I have a PowerShot A540 and I have the "lens error, restart camera" issue !!!

I tried the batteries and memory card changing, and the knocking in trick !!!
But nothing worked, what should I do ?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

HELP!! 0 pts

August 13, 2008 10:22 PM

0

same problem, SD600, my lens is extended and when i try to knock it back in, it will go in, then the lens cover will partially close, and then it extends out again and displays the error message. i'm going on vacation tomorrow so please help!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

happy 0 pts

August 16, 2008 12:21 PM

0

the banging worked for me too =)
thanks MAMA
except there's this crinkling noise every time it closes...

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

m Candee 0 pts

August 22, 2008 10:27 AM

0

This worked for my daughters camera as well. ... And we thought it was a lost cause- mamma you da mama!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

SOPHISTICATED MISFIT 0 pts

September 1, 2008 8:01 PM

0

MAMA you are awesome!!!! I just knocked it back in place after 4 tries!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

photoman4 26 pts

September 5, 2008 9:02 AM

1

0

Had this error. My last two canons gave out, one under warranty, one not. Both times I sent them to Canon and they repaired them for free. One was a teens and not always handled the correct way and I only had a date of purchase (was a gift) as I explained to them, but they still fixed it and got it back to me within two weeks. The other was out of warranty and just stopped working while in Mexico (humidity I guess). I had the receipt but it was out of warranty.

I'll buy Canon again. My experience was great, and they said if they found it due to neglect it would cost me $88 (worth it to me).

FYI

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Devideep 0 pts

September 12, 2008 9:22 AM

0

Mama thank you, you are a life saver!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Another Thing You Can Try 0 pts

September 16, 2008 10:12 PM

0

So I'm one of the ones that NOTHING was working for.

I had a retracted lens so I can't really knock anything back in though I know that trick from doing it to my gf's camera. We had just arrived at Sequoia and the camera slid off the hood as we were taking a scenic pic and it bounced with a crack. Needless to say our mood quickly went from madly in love to utterly depressed but we funked with it just enough to fix it. Good times. Just be careful! Don't force anything in. That's what she said.

What I eventually did this time, after trying everything else, was to take out the battery and memory card. I checked to see if I have a watch-type battery in there somewhere, nope. So I put it all back in, turned it on while pressing the shutter button, and it instantly came to life. Whew! This old hunka junk's still got a few years of life. Other than this really irritating error, these cameras are pretty damn rugged. I had an Elph one time that I dropped in a deep puddle and it worked fine after drying out. And this one gets dropped constantly. Rave on!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

goosethecat 0 pts

September 19, 2008 8:38 AM

0

I still can't believe that I just banged my camera against my desk. Figured it was worth a shot since I have lots of pictures still on it and didn't want to reset. IT WORKED! Thanks!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Hande 0 pts

September 20, 2008 2:55 PM

0

Thank you MAMA!
it worked! sooooo happy!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

PhillyBoy 0 pts

September 21, 2008 3:27 PM

0

Thank you MAMA. I pushed on the lens, thought it was gonna' break as I pushed really hard, then -POP!- things broke free and the lens retracted into the body. All better now! Bless you....

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Farfromhome 0 pts

October 17, 2008 7:15 AM

0

Well I've been pushing and pulling and knocking for about an hour with no success. There seem to be three different ways of sticking the lens, and I can move the lens between those three stages, but can never manage to get it back to functioning. In the stage where it is more than 1/2 or fully extended, the lens makes a mechanical noise. If its halfway or pushed further back in it makes a clicking noise, and somewhere in that it occasionally makes a normal noise to open and retract, but is unsuccesful so it gives me the error again. The lens has gotten pretty loose but I figure I just need to get it into that magical position and viola! Unfortunately I need to know if there is any other way to do that? Keep knockin at it? Its an SD 600.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

NotSoMadAfterall 0 pts

October 31, 2008 4:38 PM

0

MAMA... ruler of the universe and champion of the ages. Thank you. I wouldn't have dared try that without reports of success.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

latin girl 0 pts

November 1, 2008 11:58 AM

0

im really scared to knock it back in but i need to fix it :( do i do it hard?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

DoctorNo 0 pts

November 17, 2008 3:20 PM

0

Hi everyone, if you are receiving a canon lens error, please post your experiences on this website:

http://e18.bitnet.cx/comments.php

There are currently over 6000 reports of this error over there!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Joe 0 pts

November 21, 2008 7:27 AM

0

Thanks MAMA, based on your solution I was able to fix the lens of my Canon SX 100 IS. Appreciate your posting..

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

latin girl 0 pts

November 23, 2008 8:37 PM

0

PLEASE HELP!!!!
ok i knocked the lense back in and now the picture comes out really blurry unless i zoom the picture in :'(
is the camera gone for good
or is there a way that i can make the picture sharper :(
please help ... this is not my camera :'(
i would really apreciate any answers

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

desperate girl 0 pts

November 24, 2008 1:34 AM

0

omg, guys... i have a freaking SD600 on my hands and i've tried all the possible solutions... i opened my camara and manually rotated the rotor towards the back of the camera until the lens was totally out. so yeah.. actually the lens went out when i pushed the power botton. but the message was still there and the camara turned off. i turned it on once again and the lens this time didnt go in... so i tried Mama solution and it went in again, but the cam went off automatically.
the problem is that i turned it on after that, it was the same thing... the message still there and the lens moved and stayed stuck in the middle, and the cam went off.. wtf!!!! i've been trying for 5 hours, no kidding... and it is an emergency cause it belongs to my boyfriend's mom and i have to give it back eventually..

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

G Frank 0 pts

November 28, 2008 2:25 PM

0

Mama, you ROCK! I never would have beat my Canon SX100-IS camera on the table if I had not seen the number of success stories you inspired! Mine was like just a few others too, it was stuck IN, not stuck OUT but knocking the BOTTOM of the camera on the table (about as hard as you would knock a stuck jar lid on a counter) while starting the camera did the trick after 3 tries! Thanks!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

dominique (dominiqueisahmazing) 0 pts

November 30, 2008 11:07 PM

0

to MAMA, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i cant thank you enough, seriously. my camera cost $500 dollars, and your quick fix worked. i love my camera so much, i was crying because it wouldnt work. so thank you times 10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000. =D

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

karen 0 pts

December 1, 2008 11:13 PM

0

Hi guys

my sd600 often goes into movie mode automatically when I switch it to camera mode. so it starts taking a movie even though the setting is on camera! does anyone know how this can be fixed??

thanks!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

ryan 0 pts

December 11, 2008 10:43 PM

0

i read several of these responses, as i had a similar problem. my lense was stuck out, and when i turn the thing on (canon powershot a470) i would get that message "lens error, restart camera". so, what i did was actually attempt to pull the lense further out...i tried this just 2 or 3 times and then it finally worked. hope that helps.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Amy 0 pts

December 19, 2008 6:49 PM

0

My lens was stuck about halfway out and tapping it back in worked like a charm! Sounded scary to me, but I was already resigned to having to buy a new camera when this happened. I tapped it against a paperback book, and it did the trick! Good luck to those of you who have the same problem I did.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

paulcece 0 pts

December 25, 2008 11:12 PM

0

Canon SD600: "Lens Error, Restart Camera"

Taking it apart seems to have worked for a few people:

http://www.andrewkoch.com/archives/2008/08/canon_powershot.html

http://www.avh.dds.nl/Fix-Canon-SD600-Lens-Error/

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

PatM 0 pts

December 31, 2008 3:04 PM

0

Count me among the MAMA worshippers. I was getting ready to buy a new camera there, but pushing the lens back in as the camera powered up WORKED!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

SRoberts 0 pts

January 10, 2009 6:48 PM

0

I am a MAMA follower too. I dropped my boyfriend's camera a week ago and I tried the "knocking" method after reading the posts today and it worked!! YAHOO!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

thoddodil 0 pts

January 14, 2009 5:24 PM

0

Hi to all of u
have the same problem with a Canon 540 and found this website with 7 suggestions to fix the lens error bug.
Since I´m German I hope my english is good enough to be understood ;-).
Greets

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

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

hello 0 pts

January 18, 2009 2:40 AM

0

DUDE KNOCKING IT WORKS LOL KNOCK IT WITH YOUR KNUCKLES LIKE SLIGHTLY FIRST =]] it works!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Diana 0 pts

January 19, 2009 8:14 AM

0

Thanks so much. I held down the menu button as I turned on the camera and it gave the errormessage as before, then I turned it on again and now it is fine. Thanks so much.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

L 0 pts

January 28, 2009 1:58 PM

0

I have a PowerShot SD750. I received the "lens error, restart camera" message. The lens wouldn't come out and open. How I finally fixed it is by holding down the power on/off button and gently pushing down on the lense. It now works fiiiine =)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

@lex69 0 pts

February 15, 2009 3:13 PM

0

hey, i need help, i have a canon powertshot sx 110 and i have the same problem, lens error, restart camera but i try to reset and no now, help me please

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

prism 0 pts

February 17, 2009 8:41 PM

0

So i have an sd600.. It turns on and the lens retracts but the screen is always black in picture and movie modes. I can scroll through old pictures but now the screen is all black. Any suggestions?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Nicole Elizabeth 0 pts

February 19, 2009 6:15 PM

0

hi, i have a canon a470 and i have that same message lens error, restart camera. I tried the knocking on it and the menu button, and i tried about everything does anyone have any other ideas? i am getting so frustrated!!! Help me please i need my camera.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

EMZ&&&SAZ 0 pts

February 20, 2009 7:01 PM

0

knocking it works thats amazing! Thanks so much guys! xxxxx

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

MRidge 0 pts

March 11, 2009 5:05 PM

0

MAMA I LOVE YOU!!! YOU JUST MADE MY DAY 182378394571834750 TIMES BETTER!!! THANK YOU!@#$

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

A 0 pts

March 17, 2009 2:21 PM

0

I have a SD1100 IS that was apparently dropped and now the lens is stuck inside. Whenever i turn it on it beeps and says "lens error, restart camera" except it won't turn on. I've tried holding menu for 5 seconds and the knocking but none of them work. Can somebody please help me fix this?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

alicia 0 pts

March 18, 2009 6:07 PM

0

I have an SD600 and it gave me the lens error, restart camera message last August. I don't know what I did to fix it, perhaps sort of what MAMA suggested, and it ended up turning on again.
Just as a warning, it only lasted me another 6 months before giving the lens error, restart camera message and now there is no saving it. Hasn't worked for 2 weeks now and I've tried everything!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

taybaby 0 pts

March 21, 2009 2:48 PM

0

my friend shaynas camera is fine the lense is just stuck and i tried all these methods to fix itand nothin has worked yet

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

jd 0 pts

March 21, 2009 5:03 PM

0

man it made it worse :(
i tried mama's trick and pushed it back in
and now it doesnt come out at all !!!
wow i'm totally screwd now, i heard a popping noise now its gone
GRR i'm so mad.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Andrea 0 pts

March 27, 2009 3:01 PM

0

Hey, I dont know what kind of camera i have but its a canon Powershot SD1000.
and droped it when i was downloading pictures. but i didnt bother disconnting the camera completely. so then i turned it on a few hours later and it said "lens error restart camera" please help me.
My dad is coming in a few hours.!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

wfeld 0 pts

March 29, 2009 9:47 AM

0

I had the same problem with an earlier SD 600. I had to junk it. Now I had the same problem with the SD 1000. Camera briefly turns on, lens does not go out, error message "lens error restart camera," then camera turns off. Although the lens looked as if it was all the way in, I followed a tip earlier in this thread from excelents. When I turned the camera on, I pushed the lens in with both thumbs. I heard a little click. The next time, the camera worked fine!! This seems to be the solution.

Why is Canon selling cameras that are so poorly designed? This seems to happen all the time. No more Canons for me.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

mama rocks 0 pts

April 4, 2009 3:13 PM

0

mama thanxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxs

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

MUNK 1 pts

April 5, 2009 9:31 PM

1

What's with all the MAMA love??
Doing that will only create more problems. I did it with my sister's camera and the photos are now all of focus. If you're having trouble with your camera get a professional to check it out. If it's a simple fix they can do it responsibly for you in store on the spot.

Don't take advice from someone named MAMA who can't even spell!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jairod 0 pts

April 14, 2009 5:26 PM

0

My canon powershot A590 IS shut off one day. I tried to turn it back on but it did nothing. Then it kept blinking with a green light when ever you would try to turn it on again. But after a while, if you pressed the power button, it would not do anything at all. Someone PLEASE HELP ME!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

SimplyKizzy 0 pts

April 21, 2009 10:40 PM

0

Knocking it in was great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MAMA is the friggin best. I would have died, you hear me? DIED without my camera.

We Love MAMA HOOOOOOOOOORAAAH!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

DEAD 0 pts

May 20, 2009 10:08 PM

0

Ohhh god. I dropped my SD600 on the aluminum of my MacBook and I tried to knock my half-way retracted lens back in using Mama's method and knocked the rim off the lens. I am in so much trouble, nothing is working. KILL ME.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

=( 0 pts

May 25, 2009 7:40 PM

0

I have a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS Elph, went to the zoo and dropped it on the ground. its saying the same lens error and restart camera message and the lens is not retracting. I tried the knocking method even tho its a different model but my cameras a rock. won't budge. any suggestions?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

John 0 pts

May 26, 2009 10:35 AM

0

Same thing for me guys - knock on it like you're knocking on door. Something still doesn't seem right with mine... I think I may have gotten sand in it or something.... However, I was at least able to get my pictures off and it seems to be working for now!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Stunned 0 pts

June 4, 2009 1:20 PM

0

Holy Moly!!! MAMA it worked for me too!! After it being broken for about 3 weeks I tried the last desperate attempt of smacking it... and it worked!
Smacked straight on with my palm!!

Thanks MAMA.

I never thought that would work!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jaclyn 0 pts

June 13, 2009 3:50 PM

0

Holy Crap I was just in tears because I just finally saved up money to buy a new camera! I had it for 3 weeks my aughter got a hold of it and be hold it is broken. Called Cannon and ofcourse they said to send it in for maintenance. Looked on here and who would have thought banging on the lens would fix the problem! Thank you MAMA you are the best

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Jen 0 pts

June 17, 2009 8:41 PM

0

Man im in tears.... nothing is working! =( i love this camera, and nothing.. is working im having the same errors as everyone else with the error page.. and banging,tapping,pushing didnt work and i cant get to the menu to retart. =( im sooooo sad... i have a Canon Powershot A580 ='(

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Moe Jackson 0 pts

June 21, 2009 12:57 PM

0

I had the identical lens error on the Powershot SD1100 IS Elph. My problem was that the lens was already retracted. I couldn't reset or restore factory settings because the lens was in, and it would turn off before I could make any buttons work. So I pried open the lens with my fingernail as I turned it on, and that seemed to work! The camera seemed to reset itself after that. Good luck.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

hales 0 pts

June 27, 2009 1:29 PM

0

I THOUGHT I JUST BROKE MY MOMS CAMERA LAST NIGHT
BUT MAMAS SOLUTION WORKED!!!!!!!!
THANK YOUUUU!!!!!!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

meghann 0 pts

July 7, 2009 9:58 PM

0

I have a Canon Powershot A590 IS and I dropped my camera whilst taking a video.
It beeped several times and displayed the ever so popular "Lens error, restart camera"
After trying Mama's tactic, and the Menu button tactic, none worked.
I then decided to give me camera a good look. The smallest aprt of the telescoping lens was tileted. It look a little work to get it up, but all you have to do is push up the side that is down, and ONLY that part.
If you do it right, the camera's lens should go in.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

ethan 0 pts

July 12, 2009 9:38 AM

0

Hi,

THanks to Mama... I fixed my s40 as well with her solutions... thanks

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Shib!!! 0 pts

July 26, 2009 12:04 AM

0

Thanks a lot MAMA !!! it did worked for me , i was really worried of this error !!!.. Thanks a lot :)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

nini1007 0 pts

August 4, 2009 9:54 AM

0

MAMA you are the best!!!!!!! My camera has been broke since MAY!!!! Thank you sooooo much. I got it to work after about 6 tries now my only prob is getting new batteries ; P - If you need a fix because of a lens error I recommend you look at MAMA's advice it works after a couple of tries.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

littlefish 0 pts

August 5, 2009 8:59 AM

0

Mama you have saved my little 4 years old daughter from her father's angry. She was playing with my Canon and of course the result is lens got stuck. I also firstly thought of lens' physical error and thanks for Google I found your tips.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

BD 0 pts

August 13, 2009 10:35 AM

0

My camera was dropped months ago. I figured it was broken cuz that error thing kept coming up and the lens would not go back in the camera. But when I read that everyone has been pushing theirs back in and its been working, I did it too and it totally worked!!!!!!!!! IM SO HAPPY!!! I was not excited at all to buy a new camera and I LOVE my camera!! Thanks so much for the idea!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Amanda 0 pts

August 16, 2009 9:58 PM

0

OMG! Thanks to Mama's suggestion it worked!!!! Pushing the lens in was the last thing I wanted to try b/c I wanted to be careful with it but I tried as a last ditch effort and it fixed my problem for now! Thanks!!!

~maymaybean

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

LC 0 pts

September 19, 2009 6:17 PM

0

Thanks so much for the solution! I had set the camera on the edge of my trampoline to take a picture with the timer and it fell off. The lens was halfway out and crooked. It took me a while, but finally knocked on the lens (just like a door) make it go in. So happy that I didn't have to get a new camera!!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

james is cut 0 pts

September 21, 2009 4:29 AM

0

r u sure mama's method works cause ive tried heaps of times and it didnt work, thanks for nothing!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

WalDave 0 pts

October 8, 2009 2:50 AM

0

Thanks MAMA I had a coworker give me her camera it was doing the same error restart camera the lens was stuck out and I knocked it on my wooden computer desk a couple of times and I thought I broke it but when I pulled the lens back out and turned it on It worked. the lens retracted and then popped back out I turned it off and then back on to be sure and it works fine. She will love me for this for sure.

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

amanda 0 pts

October 13, 2009 12:45 AM

0

OMMMMMGG MAMA YOU ARE THE BEST
I THOUGHT MY CAMERA WAS DUNZO BUT I SLAMMED IT DURING THE 5 SECONDS IT WOULD STAY ON FOR AND IT WORKED!!! THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH! I AM BEYOND HAPPY RIGHT NOW AHHH! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

Fahim 0 pts

October 13, 2009 3:26 PM

0

i tried to push the lens in, it went in completely and not coming out. how should i slam the camera, should i hit the camera on the top of the table? on which part of the camera should i hit? and how hard i need to hit to get a result? should i hit the camera while it's off? pls let me know?

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

edelweiss33 0 pts

October 15, 2009 7:08 PM

0

my lense was out & halfway out before & the pressing/hitting worked it for years.
now the lens is in. ugh!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

AlexF 0 pts

November 8, 2009 11:38 AM

0

FIXED IT!!! but had to take it apart.
I had the problem similar to those that said they could not restore factory settings because it just said "Lens error, restart camera" and there was no time to hold "menu" down for 5 seconds because it just powered off.
Basically, I'd power on, get the "CANON" splash screen, then it would say "Lens error, restart camera". Didnt matter which mode it was in (video, playback or camera) and there was NO sound of the lens even trying to come out.
I've had this problem on other canons, lens stuck out and the gentle bonking, persuading seemed to work but this one was finicky... and just wouldnt come out.
So I took the thing apart... 6 screws. This site shows you whats what and might help fix other problems too:
http://www.avh.dds.nl/Fix-Canon-SD600-Lens-Error/

basically all I had to do was to use a small screwdriver to spin the fly wheel behind the flash (its apparently the motor for the lens)... I spun it about 10 times and it was tight for a couple of them... then I powered it up and it opened the lens... I think the thing was just a little bit seized up or might have had something very small lodged in it...
Thats it. Oh, when you put it back together, make sure to keep the switch aligned between camera/video/playback... forgot to do that and had to take it all apart agian and put it back together...
Alex

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

leeila 0 pts

November 9, 2009 11:55 PM

0

hahaha soo i read these people's problems because i have thee same exact problem with my canon and i couldn't find mama's solution that everyone was talking about so i just hit the crap out of it alot of times becausei want it to work cause i lovveeeee my camera and i didnt know what else to do i was desperate after holding down the restart button for five seconds so sure enough i banged it on the wooden desk a good 10 times and the lense kept coming out further and further soo now its working :D !!! yay!! no my dad doesnt have to spend money to try and repair it!
im just concerned about one thing though:
what if it knocked off the focus :( ?? if you have anything to say it'd be appreciated if you could comment me back thankss!!

Report Abuse Did you find this answer

helpful or

not helpful?

how do you restart a Canon PowerShot A540?

This Question is Answered. If you have further information you may add it here.