Lens won't open, & it says lens error, restart camera.

Here are some troubleshooting steps for a lens error. And here's a video summary of those steps:

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" (older Canons), "ACCESS" error (Sony), "Zoom Error" (Fuji), "Lens Obstructed" (Kodak), "lens error, restart camera" or just "lens error" (nearly all camera makers lately use this variation). 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.

This is probably THE 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

Try these procedures.

First of all, make sure your batteries are fully charged.
If it's still stuck, you could try hold the lens with two fingers, and when you turn the camera on, you **** the lens around just a little bit. Do not use a lot of force, just slightly **** it around. That might unfreeze it.
If that won't help, I'm afraid you're going to have to bring it to a camera workshop.
/Chris

I have a solution posted in doc "nikon s5 s6 lens cover error repair.doc"  uploaded on site http://www.esnips.com/web/papputatiyasStuff    It will be helpfull for you. Its is a step by step solution with images.
Regards Mukesh

Try to unstick the lens by gently pushing it in or pulling it out a little bit. IF that fails, the gears are too misaligned to repair it without opening it.

If you're out of warranty, there are third party place that replace them such as camera lens repairs.

If you want to do it yourself, there are also free camera repair guide websites that show you how to replace the lens, the replacement part is usually available on ebay.

get a bucket full of water, with a little bit of dreft. gently wash your camera; if this does not work, call thomas the camera-repair guy: he has 5 years of online-camera-repair-experience.

I'm guessing that the lens is stuck. Either the cover refuses to open because something is wedged in or a mechanical malfunction. The camera won't work if the lens does not come out a bit. Take a look at the lens and examine why the cover doesn't open up. If it is a mechanical malfunction (meaning internal problem), might as well have it fixed. Be careful and keep your fingers off the lens. You may touch the cover but hands off the lens. Hope this helps.

Dear jmgrev,

Whenever you turn your camera on and your lens doesn't go in and out properly you are likely experiencing a lens error of some sort. Look for an error 18 or a "lens error restart camera" message. If either of these appears you definitely have a lens motor mechanism problem and will need to send the unit in for service.

If the lens still functions, but only intermittently - or if there seems to be a functional problem in focusing correctly or in taking an excessive time to focus, then you are in the early stages of what will soon become a fullblown lens issue.

These problems can be caused by a variety of things such as having obstructed the lens when turning the camera at one point, or getting grit in the lens mechanism or during/after a fall or some sort of impact. It can even happen spontaneously due to the tracking mechanism coming out of gear. Hopes this helps.

Sincerely,
HeavyDLB