Canon PowerShot A640 Digital Camera Logo
Posted on Mar 26, 2011
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

When powering on, camera beeps, message on screen "lens error, restart camera", camera shuts down

1 Answer

Anonymous

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Master 6,831 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 13, 2011
Anonymous
Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Sep 13, 2009
Answers
6831
Questions
0
Helped
1215766
Points
16135

Hello

Thank you for using FIXYA!!!

This is a suggestion. If you do not feel comfortable trying it, you will need to take the unit to your nearest service centre. Feel free to let me know if you need any assistance.

The problem might be that the lens has become stuck in the barrel. There are some DIY solutions you could try, but the probability is that you will have to get it fixed by a professional.

Use these at own risk as it may further damage the camera.

Firstly , try connecting your ac adapter or usb cable.

Try holding the shutter button while switching on the camera.

Look at the lens , and if some of the lens 'circles' is misaligned or not concentric then try wiggling it (while holding camera lens down).

Try gently pushing or pulling the lens when it extends but this is risky as it may cause the lens barrel to slip out of its guidance system.

Another way to do this is to place the camera lens down on a hard surface and then power it up. Be sure to use a soft cloth or something similar as to not scratch your lens or casing. Let the lens push the camera up and down a few times and sometimes the little resistance provided by the camera is enough to get things going again.

Try hitting your camera near the lens on the body with the soft tissue on the palm of your hand.

Other than that , I would take the camera to a repair centre for a evaluation to see if it would cost more to repair than to replace the camera.

If it is still under warranty I would suggest you take it in before trying any of these steps and remove any off-brand batteries or accessories as some stores are really fussy about warranty repairs on camera's with non-brand accessories.

You can also have a look at THIS link.

Hope the advise is useful. please do not hesitate to let me know if you need any further assistance. Also, please be so kind to let me know if you found this helpful.

Regards
Andrea

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

When i power up the camera it beeps three times and a message appears on the screen that says: " lens error, restart camera

Here are some troubleshooting steps that you can try that may (or may not) correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty (or repair cost approaches that of the camera), they're worth that try. Some of the later steps do involve some risk to the camera, so carefully weigh your options before deciding to conduct them:
1helpful
2answers

I have a Canon PowerShot A430 camera. When I turn it on, the lens doesn't open and it shuts off. The message on the screen says " Lens error, restart camera." Please advise. Thanks

Hi,

The Lens Error is displayed on the LCD screen when the Lens Mechanism is stuck or when affected by any malfunction. If turning the power on and off again does not resolve the error message, try doing a power reset and Initialize option.
Performing a manual power reset
Turn off the camera.
Remove the battery pack.
Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
Allow the camera to remain without power for 60 seconds.
Reinsert the battery pack.
Turn on the camera.
You can reset the Camera back to factory default by performing the following steps:
Press the power button.
Press and hold the MENU button for more than 5 seconds. Default Settings will get displayed.
Use the arrow buttons to select OK and press the FUNC./SET button. This will reset all the settings back to factory deafult.
This should resolve the issue. If the issue persists, service may be required.

Thanks for contacting FixYa
5helpful
1answer

Canon IXUS 100IS - 'Lens error, restart camera' message

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ... Unfortunately, many cameras that fall prey to this can only be corrected by professional repair. But, here are some things that you can do that may correct it. They only seem to work for less than 40% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:

2helpful
1answer

It has a lens error. Everytime the camera is turned on it beeps and clicks constantly. It eventually shuts off after displaying "Lens error, restart camera." on the screen.

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
11helpful
3answers

Canon SC100 Lens Error

I have a 3 year old Canon PowerShot SX100 IS. While testing an external battery power supply I built, the external power connector pulled out while the lens barrel was extending just after I turned on the camera. Power to the camera was lost before the lens barrel fully extended and wouldn't reset when I repowered the camera. The dreaded error message "Lens error, restart camera" appeared and the camera shut down. I restarted the camera over and over and over again but the lens wouldn't reset. I was extremely lucky to find the information here and read various fixes. I didn't want to take the camera apart so I tried various fixes others have successfully used. I first tried smacking the bottom of the camera hard with the palm of my hand just after pushing the on/off button but that didn't work. The one which worked was smacking the camera on the side immediately after I pushed the on/off button. I smacked it quite hard twice with the palm of my hand then, suddenly, the lens barrel began to move and the lens reset itself back to its starting position. Thanks to everyone who has posted here!
0helpful
1answer

E 18 message

Lens errors (E18 errors on Canons) are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...

Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
0helpful
1answer

When I turn on my camera (Canon power shot SD600) it won't come on... I get a series of three beeps then a message on the screen that says "lens error, restart camera." The problem is, I don't...

take it to a proffesional... ull need a new lens and more likely a whole new camera but dont start buying until u ask someone that know ALOT about cameras anyway id have to see it up close to know wat excatly is worng. !!!! try cleaning ur lens !!!!!
Nov 02, 2008 • Cameras
0helpful
1answer

I have a canon ixus 900Ti. I turned it on yesterday and the lens came out as normal. when i went to take a pic the camera shut off but the lense never retracted. when i turned the camera back on the splash...

Lens errors are fairly common. Usually it's sand or grit interfering with the lens extension mechanism. Or the camera's been dropped with the lens extended. Or the camera has been powered on, but the lens had been blocked preventing its extension. Or the battery ran down with the lens extended ...

Here's some things that you can do to try to correct it. They only seem to work for less than 50% of the lens errors, but if the camera is out of warranty, they're worth a try:

http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html
Apr 22, 2008 • Cameras
Not finding what you are looking for?

35 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Canon Cameras Experts

old marine
old marine

Level 3 Expert

2426 Answers

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Grand Canyon Tech
Grand Canyon Tech

Level 3 Expert

3867 Answers

Are you a Canon Camera Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...