The Lens cover has stopped opening when I turn the camera on and the lens tube deploys

Contact local Nikon service centre as camera still in warranty

Try these procedures.

You have two options, replace the motor that opens and closes the lens cover or remove the lens cover shutters all together, and use a 30mm lens cap.

I have just had exactly the same thing on my daughter's NV3. In this case the lens cover would not open but if you power on the camera with you finger on the display button you can view stored images. If the lens cover is jammed you need to open the casing and maybe take the lens cover assembly apart. You need a very small cross head screwdriver (No.00 should be OK). There are 5 screws in total, 4 screws on the outside of the case (3 plus1 under the headphone socket cap) and 1 inside the battery compartment. You need to remove all 5 to remove the camera front casing. There are some retaining springs top and bottom on the front cover, gently prize off to reveal the lens cover assembly. Check to see if the lens cover will operate by switching on and off - if it works then the camera front casing is preventing it from opening and is probably bent out of shape. A little careful bending back into shape should resolve the problem. If it still does not work with the casing removed, read on. This is the tricky part. There are two extremely small, black retaining screws to the left hand side which hold the assembly onto the lens cover motor. Remove these screws and the front of the lens cover assembly to reveal the lens cover and the back plate of the assembly. Lift off the lens cover and switch on the camera. If the motor is still working, you will see a short black peg move from side to side as you turn the camera on and off. Thoroughly clean the lens cover and assembly, remove any obstruction and replace the lens cover making sure you locate the hole in the lens cover over the motor peg (described above).
The motor is magnetic and will attract the screws away from their holes if you replace the assembly front straight away, so when you replace the front of the lens cover assembly, place the screws in the correct holes before lowering it into place and then screw onto the motor/assembly back. Test that the lens cover opens and closes and replace the Camera front cover taking care not to bend it too much - if this becomes distorted it can stop the lens cover from operating resulting in the same problem.

easy fix. yo turn it on and then very lightly tap the lens cover or push it out. then you should clean the lens because the dirt or dust on the lens is stopping the lens cover.

Hi Judy, thanks for coming to FixYa.
Sorry no one has gotten to you sooner. Your manual mentions this and this is what it says to do:

Turn the camera on and move the lens cover switch to the open. Then your camera should operate normally. Let me know if that helps.

Rob

The problem you are describing is a problem with the sensor behind the lens cover door. It seems to have failed and needs to be replaced.

Olympus will charge a flat rate repair fee for this product. The cost is $83 plus your local sales tax. This covers parts and labor, factory cleaning and diagnostic check, 6 month warranty and the cost of shipping the product back to you is all included in that price.

Check the lens. Does the diaphragm move freely when you move the f/stops? Put the lens on f/8 or f/16 and push the pin in, it should move freely and close to the f/stop you set. If not the blades may have oil on them. Also if it is free then set the lens to the smallest aperture and if there is a button push it in to lock for auto aperture set.

This troubleshooting can be due to dirt in the lens cover, needs to be cleaned.

There is a workaround for this problem, when the lens cover is open press down on the area of the lens cover on the "s" of Olympus. This can operate the switch that opens the lens etc. The long term fix is to remove the lens cover by removing the 2 screws at the base of the lens cover, take the lens cover off and gently clean around the switch which is behind the "s" of Olympus when the cover is on. I found that the grease/oil Olympus had used on the switch attracted dust etc and by cleaning this off the camera began working. Be careful when taking the lens cover off, there is also a very small metal plate that separates from the lens cover - don't lose it.