Lens will not open when I turn the camera on

Try these procedures.

Try one of these two fixes, if they dont work for you follow the link below for further troubleshooting.

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

Fix #1: Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fresh set of batteries back in (preferably rechargeable NiMH 2500mah or better) and turn the camera on. If that didn't work, try pressing and holding the Function or OK button while turning the camera on.
Fix #2: If the camera's batteries ran down completely while the its lens was still open, the camera may show a lens error or not start properly when new batteries are installed. Remove the memory card and keep it removed, then install the new batteries. When you turn the camera on with the card removed it may come back to life, as this triggers a reset in some cameras. Error E30 (for older Canon's) means that you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the SD card and turn it on one last time

Read the second comment in my tips n tricks for this problem.
"THE ONLY WAY I KNOW HOW". I also have photo's to help

My wife's Canon SD200 got stuck with an open lens and the E18 error. I opened the case and wiggled things and still nothing. Then, I turned the camera on and started tapping the edge of the lens casing with the magnifying glass I'd been using (need the battery and memory chip in place and make sure you've transferred pictures to your computer before trying this). Voila! The lens closed. But, of course, it wouldn't open and still gave the E18 error. Well, one good tap deserved another and Voila! again. It opened. After a few more iterations - and cleaning the lens casing each time, it was back to normal. The trick is the timing of the tapping. Just after turning on the power to the camera start tapping on the lens casing - not hard - just a light tapping. And don't tap on the glass lens itself -- you don't want to really break it.

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

I have two Canon Power shots---the A610, and the A630. The lens cover is starting to hang on my 630 when the lens retracts.

If the lens is extended, take your fingertip and try to move the cover a bit to see if it springs open. If not, then the mechanism within the lens needs to be replaced.

Canon makes a great camera, and I would tell you to try to have it fixed if it costs less than 75 dollars. At 75-100 dollars it's a toss-up. More than a 100 dollars---it's your call.

easy! charge the battery.With power off,whack the base of the camera against the palm of your hand four or five times.wait five minutes,turn camera on and whack the side of the camera nearest the lens against the palm of your hand.then whack the base again and the lens should pop out.Worked for me!!!

probly has salt spray sticking the lens cover shut

The "E18" error code indicates an error that involves the lens unit or lens cover. The grinding noise you hear-to my regret- means that len's mechanism is malfunction. This type of problem could be fixed by professional only.