Canon SX170 IS won't take a picture with Flash up

SOURCE: My Canon Powershot A630's flash

I was having the same problem...

1. I took off the two screws on side closest to flash
2. Removed side cover
3. Gently wiggled the round silver capacitor at the top that is wrapped with a black film
4. Voila... the flash worked and I put the cover and screws back.

I think over time that little capacitor detaches because of the vibrations. Hope it's of help.

Posted on May 16, 2008

Tim Babcock

• 2794 Answers

SOURCE: Canon powershot SD600 - flash doesn't work

It could be the sensor or a short in the flash wiring. You should take it into a camera shop and have them look at it. You could be covered under warranty if the camera is less than a year old.

Posted on Jun 22, 2008

SOURCE: I cannot force the flash on my canon sd1100is. All

you can only set the flash AUTO and OFF on Auto shooting mode, but you can force the flash on on Manual mode.
see page 222 on your manual.

Posted on Apr 04, 2009

SOURCE: Canon 450D, ERROR 99 only when flash pops up

Err 99 usually means your lens contacts are dirty either on the lens itself or on the camera.

To isolate the cause of the issue, do the following: -
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Insert only a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.

Does the “ERR 99" message appear? If so, the camera may be faulty and requires a service. If it does not, then: -
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Insert the CF card.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Format the CF card in the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.

Does the “ERR 99" message appear? If so, then the CF card is faulty. Try a different card. If the message does not appear: -
1. Turn off the camera.
2. Clean the gold contacts on the lens by GENTLY rubbing them with a pencil eraser or soft cloth. Keeping the camera face pointing down, also clean the gold contacts on the camera, being careful that you do not let any debris fall into the camera body.
3. Reattach your lens.
4. Turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.

If the “ERR 99" message only appears when one particular lens is attached, then that lens should be examined by a service technician.
If you see the “ERR 99" with a different Canon lens attached, then the camera is faulty and should be serviced.

Posted on Apr 09, 2009

SOURCE: Canon powershot A630 blinking flash graphic

You have to unscrew the left side of the camera (if you're looking at the back of the camera, the side that is right beside the flash). Then, at the very top, with a tiny screw driver, just gently tap the black flash compartment and it should work after that. I've had the flash problem twice in the past year and both times I got it to work again by taping on it. Hope it helps!

Posted on Jun 29, 2009