I turn the camera on and the lens goes out and the screen is black and then says that the lens is obstructed (it isn't) and then it turns itself off again

Power is fine, your case sounds like a jam or an obstruction by a foreign object in the lens (lodged between the extension barrels of the lens. This is an extreme situation and you need professional help, unless you are good at fixing things yourself.

Turn off your camera, take out the battery, remove your lens, check for obstructions on glass and connections, replace lens. put in battery, then turn on camera. you should be set.

You have a problem with your lens, maybe a decentered lens. Make sure there are no obstructions in the way of the lens. It may need to be serviced.

This is an error due to programming of the camera. The lens is either sticking or not open fully as it should causing the camera to think the lens isn't open at all. I would try to download an update for your camera's software or have it sent in and upgraded.

Often times a lens error comes up when the lens extension/focus mechanism has been jammed. It may almost fully function, but then the gears run into a small spot where those tiny gears are jammed, broken, have debris on them, etc. When the motor hits unexpected resistance, the camera kicks back the lens error code and shuts down before it does further damage to itself. Make sure there isn't anything wedged between where the pieces of the lens slide past each other. Past that, the best solution I can offer is to look on ebay... most cameras either die because the lens mechanism breaks, or because the LCD screen breaks. If you can find a donor camera with a bad screen, you can combine the best of both at a pretty reasonable price. These cameras are quite complicated to transplant, but fortunately most lens mechanisms and sensors are a full unit of themselves, and so are the lcd screens. Before investing in the donor camera, take yours apart and see how difficult it appears to be to work on it. Then make your decision. Good luck!

Generally an error like what you are describing means that as the camera is trying to put out the lens, there was an obstruction (if the outside is in good shape then it is internal) and pulls it back in before damaging it further. If you have a local camera store, you can take it there to be looked at, or call the manufacturer to see if it is still under warranty for maintenance.

Thanks,
John Vickers

Did you check if the lens was stuck or broken? Or there might be a setting in the camera that locks it.

This is the same problem I'm having. What is the answer and how can I fix it and start taking pictures again???

There is dirt or an obstruction in the lens telescoping mechanism or the lens cover that is preventing it from working properly.
Try clearing it with compressed air.
Otherwise, you need a professional to repair the camera. You can find a service center on the manufacturer's website.

If this helps, please vote for my solution.

Do you hear any unusual friction noise while the lens assembly projects out.. if so then the traction assembly of your zoom barrel has developed mechanical obstruction, in which case it has to be serviced. Take it to the service centre and the problem will be solved. If the zoom assembly does not fully extent to its homing position, the camera retracts and lens and powers itself off. Enjoy