Shutter release solution

As long as the orange light is on, the camera is not ready to make a picture. The focus area, should become green, to tell you the camera is in focus. Then you can press the shutter release button complete. Check the settings of the camera, and put it in automatic. When you put it in one of the manual modes pipe P M S or A, the camera will not take a picture when there is not enough lift or something else you did not take in account.
If the camera keeps this way, unless you switched to auto, it could be there is something going on. but let me know it auto des not work.

When you are depressing the shutter release button from top to bottem in one go, the camera does not get enough time to focus. When the picture is not in focus a red light will shown on the screen or in the view finder. Try to press the shutter release button half way down, till the red light goes out and only then press the button fully.

remove bottom cover and check for one or more loose or missing ground screws on the bottom board (under the tripod mount plate). If it is missing, you can usually find it sticking to one of the motors

I think you should upgrade you cameras software firts.

Try cleaning the contacts on the lens with a cotton swab lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

False low-battery warnings, focusing, and metering problems may be the result of poor contact between the body and certain lenses. Try removing your lens and thoroughly cleaning the contacts. I would recommend using a contact cleaner, but rubbing alcohol will also work. Remember that the whole ring needs to be cleaned. If that does not work, try scraping the battery contacts.

have you tries changing the battery in the camera. if you try to take a photo with a dead battery it will lock the mirror up. If changing the battery doesn't make the mirror release turn the shutter speed dial to "B" and that should release the mirror

I believe you're hearing the VR in the lens adjusting. Try turning the VR off and see if you hear the sound. If not, then you have a normal operating lens.

try these:-

• connect it to pc and on it
• vaccum the barrel of lens
• changing mem. card and batt. for 2min.
• shake it.
• on and off in different positions
• hit the part near lens softly with palm (trust me this made mine work)

Take the lens off and continue pressing the shutter untill it doesn't react anymore, you should then have a normal menu without the error message.Put your lens on and you're all sorted.Cheaper and less hassle than sending it to Nikon.
olly