Camera wont focus and flashing this code E 61 00, I cleaned the lens and installed new batteries any one have any ideas on how to fix the problem?

check to make sure the lens is clean first. Also check that the lens door is opening all the way. If both of those are good then I would have to say new camera time.

Hi,The problem is actually quite common throughout all camera brands. 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. Here are different solutions to this problem;

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

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra power to help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins back into their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one). Some people also have actually used a "Shop Vac" with this fix to help extend a retracted lens.
Thanks and take care

With a charged or fresh battery in the camera, make sure your lens is clean and default all your settings to factory default. Take a couple of test pictures. If that doesn't fix a point and shoot with a charged or fresh battery, the camera is probably defective.

If you have recently dropped the camera you may have damaged the lens tube (housing). This damage will prevent the lens from moving properly and will cause the camera to shut itself off after a few seconds. If the lens is damaged the camera will require professional repair. If the lens is not damaged, the problem may be battery related. Make sure that you have the correct battery type installed, and that the batteries are fresh/fully charged. If the problem persists, you may have corrosion on the battery contacts inside that camera that is preventing full battery power from flowing to the camera. Remove the batteries and wipe the inside camera contacts firmly with a dry cloth (heavy corrosion may require cleaning with a wire brush, steel wool, or sand paper). Remove any residue that may have fallen into the battery compartment during cleaning, then wipe both ends of the batteries and reinstall them in the camera. This cleaning solves the problem about 90% of the time, and I hope it works for you.

This is a common problem with with cameras with retractable zoom lens .

Heres a few thing you should try :

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.
Fix #2: Remove the batteries, then remove the memory card. Then install the new batteries, when you turn it on it should come back to life. If you get another type of error message this may mean you don't have a memory card installed, so turn it off, slip in the memory card and turn it on one last time.

Fix #3: Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during startup. This extra power can be useful in overcoming grit or sand particals that may be jamming the lens. If the AV cable doesn't fix the lens error by itself, consider keeping this cable installed while trying fixes 4, 5, and 7 as a means to provide extra help to these fixes. But note that I DON'T recommend keeping the cable installed during Fix 6 as you may damage the AV port while tapping the camera. Reinsert the cable only AFTER tapping the camera.

Fix #4: Place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

Fix #5: Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum (careful with this one). TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM AGAIN : Keep away from dust, dirt, grit, sand and any camera bag that has loose fibres (clean it before use).
If this helps you, please vote...thankyou and good luck!

Have you tried to take picture by switching off the autofocus to manual focus in a prperly lit environment?
If it takes a picture, then it has something to do with your auto focus system of your camera. In such a case: try taking out the battery, the memory card etc and switch off the camera and keep it for like that for about 5 minutes. And then insert only the fully charged battery and try again.
If it still gives you a problem and keep trying to focus You will need to take it to the nearest Canon Service centre.

Please eject camera battery and clean with a pin your battery tip in your camera with care fully.

Hope its helpful to you

there should be a tiny little switch on the lens that shows 'AF' and 'MF'.  Make sure it is on 'AF' for auto-focus.  Also, is the lens rotating and locking fully?

It seems the camera has a lens problem. Probably one of the lens gear is broken or defective. When you try to shoot the lens moves to focus and jams in the middle of the focus so shutter will not release becasue it is not focused yet. There are couple of gears in the gear chain of the lens and it is plastic. the volume of pictures you took might have caused one of the gear to wear down. The solution is to rebuild or replace lens assy. and the cost may be around $100 in US.