The Flash will not work

try these coupla leads
http://www.devicemanuals.com/guide/Digital%20Cameras/Polaroid/Polaroid-a500-User-Guide-TlRVd016VT.html
http://www.manualnguide.com/manual-get/17789/
http://www.devicemanuals.com/guide/Digital%20Cameras/Polaroid/Polaroid-a500-QuickStart-Guide-TlRVd016WT.html
http://www.nodevice.com/user_manual/polaroid/digital_cameras_and_frames/a500.html
Some of these sites have buttons and promises about the millionth visitor and etc.
Don't click ANY of those.
If any of these sites ask for money or personal details, try another.
Regards Robyn

If you are using the Automatic setting you should be getting fairly good pictures. Cameras are programed to make things easy in this setting and to make us happy.
If you are using the Priority settings (Shutter Priority/Aperture Priority) or Manual setting and getting bad pictures the best thing to do is either get a book on how the camera works or do a course. You have to be the Master of your Camera - even if it is a little 'happy snappy'. If you understand how a camera works you can apply it to all cameras. There is a relationship between Aperture and Shutter (that I call Zen) that gives you the correct exposure. i think a little study may help you....

Hi onestoppa972, I could try and explain it to you, but I think it would be better for you if you were to read it and have the pictures for reference. If you don't have the manual, you can download it here: http://safemanuals.com/user-guide-instructions-owner-manual/POLAROID/A500-_E Just follow the instructions and download it for free and it shows the various flash settings. If I can help you further, please let me know. Thanks.

Jeff

Using the Flash
The flash is designed to function automatically when lighting conditions permit the use of flash.
The camera has 3 flash modes: Off, Auto , and Always On. You can take an image using
a desired flash mode to suit your circumstances. The flash's effective range is
35.4” ~ 59.1”(0.9m~1.5m) (in Normal mode).
The flash is disabled if the camera is set to Macro mode.
1. Press the Power button to turn the camera on.
2. Toggle until your desired flash mode appears on the LCD display.
3. Compose your scene and press the SHUTTER button
to capture your image.

Flash button is the one like an arrow pointing downwards. (not a straight arrow) Usually located beside Disp, OK, Menu.

Try going into your main menu and res all poarameters to the factory default settings.

set auto white balance, or use a small paper in front of camera, seems like your camera is defective.

Exit the menu that comes up about time & date when you turn it on. Then press the menu button, use the left navigation button, then scroll down to date & time, and set it there. For some reason when it comes up the navigation buttons won't let you set the time, but when accessed from the menu, it will.

In photo editing programs there are Hue settings where you can easily fix that problem. There are off course night lens filters but not for amateur cameras.

I just got this camera for Christmas the only way that I know of how to fix it is to change the exposure manually. If the picture is to bright you need a negative exposure, if it is to dark you need a positive exposure. I have noticed that the auto exposure does not get the correct setting that you need for the lighting.

my camera is the EXACT same way please help.