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Unbelievable! The "forcing the camera lens" advice worked just as described. Thanks!
Got my S500 over 4 1/2 years ago and NEVER had any problems. The E18 message popped up last weekend after we had been using it all day. Found this website just now, gave the camera a few love taps on the computer desk and shes working again! This site just saved me a lot of hassle and $$$.
Just happened to us first time Wednesday at daughter's assembly; then today at son's assembly.
No obvious reason whatever
My Canon S21S gave the E18 error message this morning, after 3 1/2 yrs of perfect service. I am able to get it working again by manipulating the lens and turning it on and off, but as soon as I use the zoom, it freezes up again with E18. I'm afraid the lens mechanism is worn. So now it's either repair or replace. Which?
Getting E18 on my PowerShot S2-IS since 2 weeks ago. Lens is extended but it wont retract when I shut the camera off or turn it back on. I can hear (and feel) something inside the lens go click-tick-click-tick as if trying to move the lens but in less than a minute, I get E18 displayed on the screen.
I have the old but very dependable A70. I never had problems with it until one day I was taking photos near the Marina and it just STOPPED working. I switched it on and off soo many times, load and unload the batteries, but still I keep getting the E18 error.
I was already on the verge of getting another camera (how can a mother live without a camera?) when I decided to check on the net about error E18. I couldn't believe what I was reading till I gave my cam a gentle tap and started it again... and it's now working!!!! YEPPPEEEE thank you sooooooooooooo much for putting up this website.
SD 450 was 4 years old. Well taken care of. One day, turned on and E18 appeared. Lens would not come out.Took to camera shop, tried new SD card and battery. No Luck. Tried my battery and SD in newer camera, all worked fine. They tried to sell me a new camera. Went home. Found this website. Vacuumed. No Luck. Banged it really hard on the hard wood floor against the battery side and USB side. Turned it on and VIOLA! All works fine. Love the internet. Do you homework before believing the camera shops.
lens error SX100. The first two times I was lucky and the techies got it working. The third time and Canon SA could not fix it. Such an expensive camera and now just an ornament. Guess I will try to dismantle it...
Just fixed my SD790 IS that was reporting "Lens error. Restart camera" using info from your site. Twisting the lens barrel back and forth slightly fixed the problem. Thanks!
I am getting an E18 error. A small section of the lens is not level with the camera surface. I applied compressed air with no results. Cannot move lens in an fashion. Camera is not under warranty. Do I throw my workhorse to the wilds?
Thank you for the tips. Twisting the lense (rotating it back and forth somewhat forcebly) worked for my SD1100is after it was jammed in that possition giving me the 'Lens error, restart camera' message. From the sound it appears that I got some sand in there, so blowing it out with an air compressor could be a more permanent fix than the $150 lens repair they suggested at the camera shop today.
E18 error fixed. Tried the compressed air - no luck. Tapped it on the USB cover and voila. Think it was a combination of both but missed great shots of 4 bucks this a.m. as a result.
i am overseas and was hoping to have a relaible camera that works so i can take photos at my best friends wedding, however the other night i turned my camera on and the error message E18 appeared. i am ver dissapointed and greatly annpoyed now that my camera doesnt work. is it worth fixing?
Turned my A590IS on but the lens didn't have enough room to fully extend. Turned the camera off then back on and it has worked every since. Checking the camera status still shows E18 Zoom Lens Error but it works fine otherwise.
Literally sucked the lens stuck on my SD850 back into action with my vacuum :)
My kids broke the camera lens after only three days and I had to pay Canon Canada $125+tax to get it replaced. The lens gave me an error after only a few months and Canon this time replaced it free of charge as it was under warranty.
Fast forward another one year and the lens got stuck inside with the cover half open. Googled this forum and tried knocking, pushing lens, etc without success. Rather sceptically, finally used vacuum and out popped the lens. So fast that I had to remove the vacuum quickly, afraid that it might be sucked in. Switched on the camera and everything works fine.
Thanks guys!
I've got an old, SUPER abused Powershot A60. When it started giving the E18 error, I whacked it against the side with the usb cover. Now the lens extends fine again! The display shows odd graphical errors (the screen's ribbon cable is loose on-board) but it takes pictures fine! :) Thanks e18error.com.
Have an oldie Canon SD30. POS to begin with. Anyway, got the error, googled, and THANK GOD FOR THIS WEBSITE.
I thought I was screwed after reading other websites and forums, but with these simple instructions and tips it saved me anger...I would have thrown this crap to the ground in pieces.
Thanks for having this website available for us.
Bought a Canon SD 850 IS around a year go. Took the camera to SeaWorld. During middle of trip, camera did not work, pretty sure it was due to children playing in sand. Warranty expired around 2 weeks ago.
Camera lens were not extended, but the lens cover was slightly open.
Went home. Read websites. Did the following:
1) Turned camera on and off around 20 times - NO success
2) Recharge with Max battery - NO success
3) Tried to plug into computer hoping to use AV for more power - NO success
4) Banged camera in all different angles around 20 times - NO success
5) Took a vacuum cleaner and applied it to every single opening possible (lens area, AV area, battery area)
Then turned on camera while banging at the same time.
Fixed.
Vacuum + Hard whack = Saved $90 for repair.
After only a few weeks of using my Canon power shot the lens made an awful sound and would not retract. The "lens error" message appeared. I was able to get the lens retracted by turning the camera on & off, but now it cannot zoom. I will not buy any Canon camera now!
after gettig the e18 message my camera sat vacant for lyk a month and a half i literally wanted to take sum pics a minute ago so i google the cannon e18 message looking for a way to fix it not finding one.
i picked up my camera turned it on got the message it turned off by itself so without turning my camera on or opening the lens i blew on the closed lens
then without turning the camera on i manually seperated the lens cover and
blew on it
then i turned my camera on and it was working
My powershot 590is experience 'Lens error restart camera', when I restart the camera, the lens still remain inside and the camera switch off automatically. I wonder if anybody have the same experience or does anyone have any suggestion on how to fix it.
I have an S2 IS that has served me well for 3-1/2 years. I resuscitated it once after I left it in the rain for two days! I really hope I can fix this e18 thing. I don't know what happened -- my camera was in its padded case, but when I took it out the disk drive door was broken. Then I turned it on and got the E18. I must have banged or dropped it without realizing it, although the case is very padded so I can't believe it got THAT banged up. Boo hoo.
Thanks For This Site.
I got the Lens Error freezeup after taking pictures on a windy beach with my 14 month old Canon A720IS and that was the end of my vacation pictures.
[after viewing this site at home today] A firm bang on the USB rubber, after some unsucessful soft hits and hopefully not-damaging prying all over, allowed the lens to start working properly again.
Earlier in the day I checked out the newer cameras just in case, and avoided looking at ANY Canons.
I have a brand new SD780 IS and I just got the error message this morning. However, it doesn't say E18, it just says "Lens error restart camera". I'm unable to restart the camera, it's just frozen. I'm going to see if I can still return it and I'll go with a different brand. This is my second canon with problems. It's too bad because I loved how fast this camera was.
Thank you SO much for your advice. This is the second Canon A570 I purchased because of the lens error. Thanks to your website, I tapped it on the rubber USB part and it worked! I'm in the middle of a multi week road trip so it was so disappointing when this happened yesterday. I'm going to try it with the other camera once I get home. You saved me a lot of headache.
I had this error on my SD1100 after a little over a year of use. No sand or dirt should have entered as we keep good care of our camera at all times. I did try the banging and taking the battery out, but neither worked. I finally tried the canned air method around the lens area and this did the trick. I am hoping this will not happen again.
Many thanks for the helps, my 5 years old Canon Powershot A80 had since 2 days the E18 and I was tried with your No. 3. idea - I opened the USB cover and had simply shaked the camera to the table - and now the E18 was gone, I could make photos again! Fantastic! I hope it will be stable. Fine, that I found your homepage and could fix it. Thanks again!
One of my children recently drop my Ixus 40. After that the lens made some noise. Shortly after that the error E18 appeard, while the lens was fully opened. I wouldn't close anymore.
At first I tried opening the camera, but I didn't have the right screwdriver, so I tried hitting the camera with the site on my desk. And i worked. The lens still makes some noise, but I can use the camera again.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! We've had our Canon PowerShot SD450 for 4 years and NEVER had a problem with it until getting the E18 message. My lens was stuck open and I couldn't get it to close. When I turned it on it would beep a few times, show the E18 error message and then automatically turn off. Considering that I am pregnant and spending a lot of money on baby supplies, I didn't want to have to buy a new camera so I did a google search and happily stumbled across this site. I tried several combinations of banging the camera near the USB port, jiggling/twisting the extended lens, and pushing the lens back in. Thanks to Derek Graham, I was brave enough to try pushing it in and...(drum roll please)...it worked!!! I turned the camera on and quickly (before it powered off again) pushed the lens in firmly. It clicked and went all the way in before it extended again. Now it is working normally. Thanks again for this site!
When your camera e18's and won't work anymore let your annoying friends kid play with it and then when they won't want to repair it they will feel guilty for a long long time. That's a fine way to go for a great little camera!
I purchased a refurbished PS S400. It shows the E18 error. At first the lens extended now it doesn't. Another time when it would not function it only showed "Memory Card Error" on screen plus it erased my pictures.. What is going on????
If you cannot fix your Canon lens with either the E:18 lens error or "Lens Error Restart Camera" message we can replace the lens for you for usually $85 or less!
Check out our website and see if we can help!
Thomas
e18 error , first experience in 9 years, maybe 10,000 fotos, simply gently pulled on extended lens, rotated gently , clockwise and cclockwise,,, good as new, i protect my a70 from dirst, dust etc, its a precision instrument and one must take care of it.my only complaint is i started getting pink fotos, old batteries and old foto card. all good, i would buy another canon
hahahahahaha!!!!! Thank Google for bringing me here, and THANKS for whoever did this site! I forgot how I used to fix it by wiggling the lens, and I'll be darned, pressing around the lens just fixed the IS!!!!! I can't afford another camera this summer and I've been looking and haven't found one for my christmas list anyway! I should get a lot more shots from this one now. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
My S2IS just started the E18 thing. I've had 2 other less expensive powershots also develop the problem. LOVE the camera's. The less expensive ones just gave me reason to buy up a level....this time going to try and fix the problem, and if I can't, switch brands.
This Sx 110 IS powershot is my second canon in a row to receive this error.
I dropped my IXUS55 and saw this error. The lens wouldn't retract, when I turned on it would make a whirring noise as it attempted to retract the lens, but then failed and came up with the E18 message. After reading this web site I tried pushing and twisting the lens in as I powered on. After a couple of goes it made a click and went back in. Camera now seems to be working properly
Just received E18 message after changing the batteries on my PowerShot A620. Mysteriously went away after I let it sit a awhile stuck in the "on" mode and tried it again. This is the first time this has happened to me in the two years I've had the camera. Thanks for the website.
Almost one month without an E18 since my high tech solution of wedging the motor with cardboard.
But now...
Slow zoom still works silently no error.
Power on however is taking at least 2 trys to work with mild grinding noise.
Fast zoom appears so far to work ok but is getting noisy.
Just my humble opinion but:
Dear Canon, Nikon, <insert here> all other camera mfgs.
Why is it the law to force everyone to use this obviously monkeylike technology of using a motor to extend the lens and to control the zoom. If people are too lazy to strain themselves to flex their wrist and do it manually, they don't deserve to own a camera. Just make a camera that is manual on lens extension and power up and manual on zoom.
There. 99.9999999% of lens error problems solved instantly for any and all digital cameras, not just Canon. Since no motor would be involved, the price could be dropped by, um, lets say $100 and you would make more profit and regain your reputation.
My idea of the perfect camera for century 21 is to simply redesign an ancient pentax me super with a ccd, memory card, and the 2 displays to biew the image both in the viewfinder and a flat display on the back of the camera.
Is that like... entirely too complex an idea to implement?
All I know is my wrist never, ever, in a million years is going to suddenly go oops! E18.
The whole thing could prolly be fixed with some glue, a popsicle stick, and a drill. (alright, maybe a 555 timer to bypass the lens position reader) but removing that in the firmware would work just as well.
Now, I have to take it apart (again) for the (forth time). Canon, you really should be paying me for the labor and design engineering im forced into by your cameras.
WOW! I paid to repair it once before...I can't believe it was that simple to repair! All I did was grab the lens barrels firmly, and give a little twist...not too hard, of course, just enough to get them past whatever was blocking...anyway...thanks!!!
One note - I feel that this issue was caused by my camera inadvertantly turning on while in the case - causing the lens to try to extend when it can't...to avoid this, I always make sure to put the camera in display mode, rather than picture mode (I have an A95), so even if it comes on in the case, the lens won't extend...
Thanks for the help...and I hope my suggestion helps someone avoid it in the first place!
David
My Power Shot G7 developed a black dot in the upper left hand corner. I thought something was on the lens but it was inside so I had to send it in.Of course it was just out of warranty and I didn't have the "extended warranty"(why do you need an extended warranty on an item like this?)Anyway: $145 and when it came back-3or4 on/offs and E18!! I never had that problem before it was sent in to be"fixed". Sent back, returned with same problem, sent back returned with the same problem, got back 2 days ago, same problem. With the cost of the repair and the initial costs I am in for over $700 which is too much to lose by smashing the p.o.s.! Never buy Canon or never use their repair service (which they claim there are only two sites in the entire country that are capable of "fixing" it) My Spring photo shoot is ruined and all I have is ill temper. By the way none of the quick fixes work for this camera.
Excellent!!
I banged the SOB against the table near the USB cover and it works!!
Now I feel like I'm walking on eggshells because I can't trust the SOB.
Thanks Guys!!!
I have had three canon cameras, one powershot 400 and two sx100. They all got the problem of the lens being stuck.
I got the note that, while still under warranty, canon wouldn't repair my first sx100 unless I paid $100. I refused and I bought a new sx100 (in retrospect not so smart) I got the new one coincidentally, the same week as my broken one was returned. After 10 days, I get the similar probem with the lens being stuck, on my new one. Luckily I could return it and got most of the money back (<14 days).
In my frustration, I banged the broken camera a few times as posted on http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2007/12/fixing-lens-error-on-digital-camera.html, and that actually solved it..
t
I bought a A410 some two years ago.The other day after replacing batteries the camera wouldnt start. I took out the little button cell that keeps the camera settings and put it back in again,then tapped onto the USB cover as proposed as repair method and the camera worked again.Never was exposed to dust and dirt.
PowerShot SD550. This is my first E18 experience. I tapped the USB cover against the edge of a desk and -- voila! -- problem fixed.
I have had #18 a couple of times on my PowerShot S45. All you need to do is use some subtle persuation to slightly move the lens back and forth in order to get it back on track. This will indeed fix itself and you'll be a happy camper once again.
I have a Canon SX100IS and got the "lens error, restart camera" message. Tapping the side of the camera (where the USB socket is located) against my hand solved the problem. Thanks a lot for the tip, great stuff.
a70
the lens extended and then retracted
method #3 helped
Powershot S50. #3 worked for me. I just tapped it on the rubber USB cover on its side a couple of times. THANK YOU!
I have a Powershot A590 IS and had the lens error. Thanks to solution #4, a little tug on the outer ring of the lens did the trick.
People seem to be frustrated because they think they take good care of their camera by keeping it in a case but I've read that cases accumulate debris and actually increase your chance of getting a lens error.
We have Canon PowerShot S60 for about 5 years and had never problems with it. few weeks ago we got this EE18 error. I try to find out something more about it.
I dropped my Canon PowerShot S410 when a tour guide suddenly picked up her pace in a cathedral in Cordoba. I bought my camera in the U.S. at Best Buy. I tried the instructions for pressing on the lens (using one finger and a thick lens cloth). It worked. Thanks!!! I thought I would have to buy a new camera.
I have just had the E18 error message from my Canon Powershot A510 which I purchased new from Best Buy 3 1/2 years ago. So far it has only happened once but, from what I've read, I should probably start saving my money to buy a new camera. It will be a cold day in hell before I buy another Canon product of any kind! That said, I was able to get my error cleared and my camera seems to be working fine for now. After reading that it was a lens problem I turned the camera on and immediately pressed gently against one side of the lens housing and then the other. To my suprise that worked. The lens extended fully and the problem seems to be fixed for now. Then I found the online repair instructions which I printed out for later use. Although my camera seemed to be working OK for now, I followed the instructions that describe how to check to see if there is more of a gap on one side of the lens housing than the other. There was a slightly larger space on one side so I followed the instructions and pressed down gently on that side until I heard a click. The gap is now even all around the lens housing.
The two things that bother me most about this whole issue is that, (a) the only place my camera has ever been dropped is onto my bed from about 10 inches above and it has always been kept clean and in it's case and (b) that Canon is charging its customers around $150.00 each for a repair service when they could have easily given instructions to those customers on how to fix themselves at home with no special tools or knowledge! They should be ashamed of themselves. Unfortunately I am sure they are not. Please don't buy anything else that was made by Canon. It is glaringly obvious that the only way to get their attention is by hitting them where it hurts; in their wallets. No that their reputation has been damaged I wouldn't be surprised if they either change their name or start selling their cameras under a different brand name so I plan to be very thorough in researching what I am buying from now on. I hope you will also. :>)
After being quoted £170 today I contacted the above site and Yahoo!!!!!!! The blower fix worked for me. All I used was my lens blower down the sides of the lens and body casing for about 2-3 mins and pushed the lens with the palm of my hand, this bit was a bit scary cos I pushed quite firmly and then click!!!!! and then it went all the way, a couple more on offs with the on off switch and everything was back to normal and £170 richer, well sort of,, cheers for the great advice......
Derek
After being quoted £170 today I contacted the above site and Yahoo!!!!!!! The blower fix worked for me. All I used was my lens blower down the sides of the lens and body casing for about 2-3 mins and pushed the lens with the palm of my hand, this bit was a bit scary cos I pushed quite firmly and then click!!!!! and then it went all the way, a couple more on offs with the on off switch and everything was back to normal and £170 richer, well sort of,, cheers for the great advice......
Derek
I have an A75 powershot and have been having this problem recurring over (and over) for the past few months. I take good care of my camera and keep it in a case unless I am using it. It is a bit frustrating that sometimes I get the error and other times it works. At an event yesterday I was able to take pictures for the first 1/2 hour, then the error for a while and was then able to take pictures again (but they were fuzzy). Go figure. I'll try some of the suggestions noted here. Thank you.
Same thing my lens is stuck and I have tried all the tricks mentioned....I have only had this camera for 10 months
I have the Canon Powershot A530, and followed the recommendation to hit the padded USB side against the desk. I was shocked that it worked! I think I will still have to replace the camera, but am hoping to use this for one last vacation.
I have the ixus i zoom. I turned the camera on and the lens stuck out and made a noise beeped and said e18 (this has happened before and I got it fixed under warrenty) as its not under warrenty I decided to push and twist the lens back in. It opens now and takes a photo but dosnt focus. I have ordered an new camera (not a canon) as I have had enough of the problems including a crap battery!!
This is a Samsung S730. Lens Stuck out , 3 beeps at start up then powers off. Blew around the lens (my own hot air) powered up and it worked. Back to normal.
Was given a replacement SD PowerShot
( 950 for SD100). The SD950 worked fine, and then " Lens Failure - Restart ). Background:
When the SD-100 failed ( image problem ) I wrote to the
most senior member of Canon Japan citing the problem of the repair service. The repair service had given me a bum replacement ( SD-750 ) and wanted me to pay for the repair. Try to follow. The senior member immediately ( yes ) contacted USA personnel and resulted a refurbished SD-950 being provided to me, and which recently went kaput.
I believe the top guy at Canon would like to know about how widespread the Lens
Failure problem is. Despite the unresolved state, Canon is interested in maintaining
its high quality reputation and if the reports listed herein were sent to him, stating
that such fault hurts the image of Canon, it just might get the attention needed.
In the Canon instance, it needs collective organization and a diplomatic approach
rather than the hammer of a lawsuit.
P.S. to my comment one minute ago - camera model is Canon A80 . . .
Same issue as others. E18 code. Like others, I couldn't believe that there are websites and forums devoted to this problem. Took the advice of others and have been smacking the bottom flat on a magazine on my desk. Seems to clear out whatever it is for a few more photo shots. If I can squeak a little more out of this camera - that's good. I bought it in Feb 2004, so I've had over 5 years of good service. Won't waste any $$ on repairs - just keep smacking till it stops forever. Thanks all for the tips.
I too have a S2 IS. I LOVE(d) it, until it just stopped working and gave me the (seemingly now famous), E18 message. I'm concerned about sending it in to be fixed (if that's even a possibility). I don't have any extended warranty and I don't want to pay more than it would cost to get a new compact digital. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING!
Brand new Canon SX200, got an E18 this weekend. I'm guessing maybe a sand granule, not sure. It was pretty windy at the coats, but I didn't directly get sand on it or drop it or anything. PITA
Canon S45, six years old, has seen a lot of dust and even has a few dents, and only now got the first E18. Solved by smacking the camera against the palm of my hand. I'm surprised it hasn't had any problems before!
Hello, I got the dreaded E18 error on my IXUS 750 after the lens got a knock. Same issue, grinding sound, E18 error then shuts off. Couldn't believe there are websites for this error alone - thank god for the internet eh?
So I tried the solutions eg knocking on the side, pressing the lens back, rotating (all but the dismantling one which seemed extreme unless you're prepared to right off the cam!). The I noticed a small bit of grey foam round the barrel and housing that was slightly popping out. Got a Stanley knife as it's the thinnest thing I could find to push theis gently back in. Then tried to do the same all round the barrel - but very gently. Tried it and with a bit of twisting too seem to do the trick. Lens didn't retract all the way so pushed it gently down, then put it on again - hey presto! Don't know how long it will work for but I thought the pictures would be blurred if the lens was out of alignment - but no seems ok...fingers crossed. Good Luck!
Thanks so much for your AMAZING tips! I tried each in order and it was the final one on the lens that worked! I was really worried that I would have to shell out a ton to Canon to get this fixed - very grateful!
I bought the Canon S3IS since nov/2006. Last weekend the camera made a weir sound when it is retracting the lens barrel. After that it won't retract at all and the message appear at the lower end of the view finder. I did all the step suggested by others like twisting the barrel, bang the side of the camera without any success. Finally I stripped the whole camera. What I found is no dirt at all in the lens barrel, very clean. So I put all the pieces together and the camera still dead. I think that the problem is in the motor or program malfunction.
I bought a used canon s2 that would give off E18 once in awhile. I disassembled it, cleaned the lens mechanism, then used a synthetic wheel bearing grease to relubricate the claw and slots that operate the zoom within the lens. That appeared to work for about 3 months then it started 'grinding' worse than ever and finally would not turn on at all without the lens oscillating back and forth grinding away and finally giving E18 again.
Took it totally apart again, removed all grease in the lens and did some light filing on the claw.
Put it back together enough to check its operation and it would still make the horrible grinding noise.
I applied light finger pressure to the zoom motor itself and silent operation without error. Tried that from different directions and it doesn't seem to be sensitive to pressure from one direction or another. I then jammed two pieces of cardboard between the motor and the plastic surrounding it. Success!
The camera now operates perfectly without any grinding noise and no E18.
Nearly silent operation. Since the gears were all in good shape and cleaned, it makes me think the problems with the common E18 error lies with the Micro USM motor. I believe it to be setting up an oscillation due to resonance with the surrounding parts of the camera at the motor mount area. Something hitting it or pushing on the lens isn't going to help at all.
I imagine that once the cardboard looses its stiffness the S2 will once again start grinding and giving E18 errors. When it happens again I will remove the cardboard and try some silicone instead to absorb the harmonics caused by the motor. That may make it a permanent fix. For now though, thats a lot of work and risky so i'll just use it as-is until I have to repair it again. Funny how that sound and vibration is like the grinding of plastic and shearing of gears isn't it?
Thanks for the great instructions. The reason I had the E18 error was a ribbon cable became slightly loose.
Using your instructions, I stumbled across the loose cable when I checked to see if they were all tight and one snapped back into place with a satisfying snap! Problem solved.
Thank heaven for the internet. I followed the fix suggestions for my E18 error on my Ixus 500 - the one that says turn the lens and presto it is now working.
This is now my SECOND Canon camera this has happened to. One is an SD600 & the other an SD1000. SOOOOOOOOOOOO frustrating!!!!
Have power shot s2is
love this cam but no good on reliability.Lens stuck open on 3 year old cam.Tried all posted fixes out of warrantee.Be advised manipulating lens barrel take care mine literally showed a split down side!Upon opening could see barrel is plastic and very thin plastic!Do not try to push barrel tap body etc. Unless you have written cam off like I did.Would not spend another cent on this cam or another canon product.
I have the Ixus 70.
Got the Lens error, restart camera.
Sollution 3 worked - 3) Another method is to tap the padded USB cover part on a hard surface, for example, a desk. It sounds so simple, but very often in works.
Had to hit the camera pretty hard.
Canon does not seem the be as good a brand as I was told...
I have Canon Powershot A80 that was getting the E18 message. I thought I was going to have to buy a new camera but tapping the padded side on a desk did the trick. Thanks for the info!
We also have the E18, it seems to be a big problem at the canon camera.
I thought I'd have to buy a new camara but your guidance notes worked a treat! I gave the camara a few small taps upside down and some small bits of grit fell out and now it works fine. Thanks so much!!
Formula 4 helped!!!! just switched on the camera and pressed the lens little inside and all is well!!!! thanks a lot to this site.. i was thinking this was the end of the cameraa.. but it had a new life from today!
I have a sd750 tha tthe lens is sticking, partial out and parcialy goes back in...any help? Don't see anything on the screen, after many atemps it fixes itself, but goes back to the problem later....battery is charged.
My Canon Ixus 70 is a brilliant camera and the lens is stuck in an extended position. It won't move at all. I don't get the E18 message. The camera starts and you hear a 'ticking' sound as the lens gear is slipping. Camera reports: "lens error, restart camera", but that of course is not possible... the lens is locked in an extended position and will not work! What now? Does anybody know what options to fix this so the camera works - without first taking it in for repair to a camera repair service?
I've got a 2-3 year old S2IS (that has never been dropped or abused in any way) that frequently gets the e18 error. It's still taking gorgeous shots though.
I find that there are two major contributing factors in triggering the error- using the digital zoom and cool temperatures.
My first error was less than 3 weeks out of the box. I went online, checked the forums and found that as long as I could get the lens back into place it was a manageable situation.
I find that unless I'm taking shots of the moon, I don't particularly use the digital zoom all that often so I keep it turned off until I'm using it. This reduced the frequency of the errors by about %30.
The other times it happens is if I'm outside in 40 degrees F. or lower, which is frequently where I live.
Keeping it 'round my neck and inside my coat where its warm until I'm ready to shoot helps delay the problem. And once it happens, it, of course, shuts down, lens out. I hold it inside my coat for a minute or two (letting it warm back up) and I can then turn it on and continue to shoot, or shut it off properly and the lens retracts just fine.
Like I said, this has been an error pretty much since it came out of the box. I've learned to live with it. Its never been dropped, bumped, or hit on anything. I don't even set it on a table without doing it gently. I think this is just a design flaw, and thankfully, at least for my S2IS, one that I can adjust to, usually avoid, and always, with a little patience work around.
-And it hasn't turned me off of Canon Cameras. I just bought an SX10IS and am really looking forward to using it.
I have A510 Canon and was not working due to E18 error. The tap method works for me and my camera is working fine now
Regarding suing Canon; class action suits are difficult to establish and when they are resolved, only the lawyers get rich and the offended consumers get token compensation, usually a voucher/coupon for a small discount towards purchasing another of the offending company's products, usually the same type. An easier and usually successful remedy is to sue in small claims court where you don't need a lawyer and the judges are usually favourable to the individual versus a company. Before you sue in small claims court, you must exhaust all of your other remedies with the company up to the point of potentially sustaining a further financial loss/expense. Document everything, preferrably with written correspondence but you can also use audio recordings of telephone conversations with the company's representatives. Companies hate small claims court because it costs them more money to defend than the cost of the repair/replacement/refund and, if the judgment is against them, it may become reported publicly and others will use it to assist them in suing the company for the same issue/problem.
Incredible! I took the batteries out for half an hour then reinstalled them and turned on the camera and the camera still came up with the lens stuck, restart camera error then shut itself off. I turned the camera on again while smacking it really hard on the left side (opposite side of where the controls are)and the lens reset and retracted completely and the camera is working normally again. I wonder if smacking it while turning it on is Canon's perverse S&M method of resetting the lens.
Canon P.O.S. Lens stuck in extended position. Lens error, restart camera. E18 error. I had this problem before and solved it by smacking the camera on its left side while turning it on but it's happened again and smacking it doesn't work now. This and other Powershot cameras have the same problem. I will never buy Canon again!
As a Realtor & Appraiser having a reliable camera is a MUST. Recently after driving 75 miles on rush job "E18" struck me ... What a hassle. No repair tricks have worked ... Did someone say class action ???????????
My wife accidentally dropped our Canon Powershot A530 today while it was powered on and in photo mode. Afterward, the lens wouldn't retract or extend when powered on, and would just give the "lens error, restart camera" message. We both tinkered with it for a while, and I got out the screwdriver and started dismantling it (it's over 2 years old). That only lasted for the first 20 screws or so, and I started getting lost, and I couldn't see any way to look at the gearing that moved the lens...so I started putting it back together again, resigning to the fact that I've have to buy a new camera or get this one repaired. I decided to search really quick, and found this site... For us, the trick of gently pushing on the side of the lens where the gap was largest worked--it clicked, then powered on and moved itself around like new. Thanks E18!!! You saved me $150.
My failed Canon is a Powershot A550. I tried all the tricks mentioned to no avail. Finally just bought another camera (not Canon). Thanks to those that suggest leaving the camera in playback mode when not in use. At least once, my now-broken A550 tried to extend the lens when accidently switched on.
I bought my Ixus 70 in Feb 2008 and this easter weekend the lens got stuck. It won't move at all. I don't get the E18 message. The camera starts then you can hear a light ticking sound when the lens is slipping. Camera reports: lens error, restart camera. But that of course is not possible...
I've had my Cannon Ixus for years. This the first time it's given me hassle with E18 and thanks for your tips....I'll try them in the morning!!!
Method #3 - tapping USB pad worked for me. It was a trip saver. Thanx.
Got a SD1100 in blue for christmas because I was going to Australia. Thing works nicely on the 12 hr drive to sydney from brisbane. Then Once I get to the Opera house the fucking thing has a Lens error. Hasn't worked since. No pictures of Sydney. Still in australia, now what? Buy a new camera?
Faysal
I have owned a Canon powershot s40 since the camera was released, and never had a problem with it. I would very, very infrequently get the E18 error when the batteries were low but it always reset when I changed batteries. But recently I got the error with fully-charged batteries. I switched batteries and continued to get the error message, and it took approximately an hour of fiddling with the camera and trying to turn it on and off to get the lens to retract into the camera housing. Needless to say, I won't be buying a Canon camera again anytime soon, after finding out that "plausible deniability" is their approach to customer service
I have a 3 year old Canon PowerShot SX100 IS. While testing an external battery power supply I built, the external power connector pulled out while the lens barrel was extending just after I turned on the camera. Power to the camera was lost before the lens barrel fully extended and wouldn't reset when I repowered the camera. The dreaded error message "Lens error, restart camera" appeared and the camera shut down. I restarted the camera over and over and over again but the lens wouldn't reset. I was extremely lucky to find the information here and read various fixes. I didn't want to take the camera apart so I tried various fixes others have successfully used. I first tried smacking the bottom of the camera hard with the palm of my hand just after pushing the on/off button but that didn't work. The one which worked was smacking the camera on the side immediately after I pushed the on/off button. I smacked it quite hard twice with the palm of my hand then, suddenly, the lens barrel began to move and the lens reset itself back to its starting position. Thanks to everyone who has posted here!
I had the exact same error as everyone the dreaded E18...boo. I tried the banging it lightly as recommended on a desk... where the usb plus is... and it worked....lol who knew...However i think the camera is still on it's way out because the lense is still a bit slow. I have the PowerShot A75.
I have owned a Canon S2IS since the camera was released, and never had a problem with it. I would very, very infrequently get the E18 error when the batteries were low but it always reset when I changed batteries. But recently I got the error with fully-charged batteries. I switched batteries and continued to get the error message, and it took approximately an hour of fiddling with the camera and trying to turn it on and off to get the lens to retract into the camera housing. Needless to say, I won't be buying a Canon camera again anytime soon, after finding out that "plausible deniability" is their approach to customer service, and a $250 bill.
I bought a PowerShot SD1100 IS Digital ELPH in Rhythm & Blue (so cute!) at Walmart. Only 6 days later I was taking pictures outdoors and turned the camera off. When I went to turn the camera on and it displayed "Lens Error Turn Camera Off." It would not do anything but that in any mode including the playback mode which is weird because the lens doesn't open in this mode. I have an air rocket cleaner for my SLR, but it didn't do anything because my lens was stuck closed. I returned it to Walmart and got my money back. I'm now searching for a replacement point and shoot, but, other than the error, I LOVED my Canon. Any suggestions on a similar camera?
I have an canon powershot s80 that I is in pristine condition. Took it to my son's prom to take pics, and then the lens froze saying e18. How frustrating!
I had a Canon that gave me an e18 message. But it was an old camera so I didn't care too much. I give it enough abuse since I go to college. I didn't know I could repair it. So now I might have to give it a shot. I'm just upset however. I got a new Canon camera and just yesterday it happened again.
Those bastards at Canon must've caught on because it now say "Lens error, restart camera"
Please, someone sue canon, or I will.
We have had the Canon Powershot SX10IS (PC1304)for only 4 months now and has been giving us the lens error pretty much since day dot, but always started after turning on and off. Today, it wouldn't budge and just prior to a big holiday trip. Extremely pissed off, I went online and found this site. Thank god, as you have managed to fix our camera enough for the trip. I got to step three, before the AV inserted and flat back, holding shutter on and then turning on. This took about three times, and it started working. Turned it on and off a few times to check all was ok, and then it got stuck again. Repeated repair, got it working after about 10 goes this time and started it about 6 times now and is still working. I believe it has a problem still and will put it in under warranty, but hopefully will hold out until after trip is over. Thankyou very much.
I have a Ixus 40. E18 occured after 4 years of ownership.
I neither threw it down nor did any other obvious mechanical harm to it. Now the lens moves in and tries to move out when powering on. Moving in works, but when moved out completely it tries to move back again and here it hangs giving a krzkrzkrz sound. -> display shows E18.
I will try to fix it on my own, before throwing it away.
Steve
I puurchased a Cannon Powershot SD 1100. I received the "Lens Error" and returned it to the store. The store allowed me to exchange for the same model. The new model also developed the "Lens Error". Canon fixed the camera & sent it back all within a week. The lens error still occur occasionally but then it works after playing with the power button.
APRIL 4, 2009. 2003 A60, 256 MB Lexar CF. hasnt been our primary camera since 2006 (went w/sanyo xacti c4) but, have always taken the best care of it.
- screen would occassionally get snow/static across it about a year ago; tapping the case gently would remove this.
- today recvd E18 error after removing CF and importing pics & AVIs onto my Toshiba Satellite Laptop running Vista
- lens would open and close but, couldnt view either the card or through the lense
- removed batteries, no luck. tapped gently on rubber cover for ports as suggested and it started working again
- obviously its just a matter of time before it gives out; tapping doesnt equal fixing
Having this problem with my powershot 470, at first it gave me the message, after leaving it a while the lens came out then gave the same message and wont go back in. Tried to get onto the support website to email them but it keeps sending me round in circles and won't allow me to sign in, and when it does the page mysteriously times out. Bastards.
My SD100 had an E18 error. Few years out of warrenty. Brought it to Cannon (2008)and they fixed it. Sent it back again because focus was blurry (at their expense). This time it worked like new. Been using it since. Thanks for the advice at this web site.
gerald.
Hi! I am currently on a vacation and today I've experienced the problem that you all have been dealing with: the " E18 " or "Lens error - restart camera" issue.
I was taking a picture on the beach with my "Canon ixus 70" and suddenly my camera went out of focus. When I tried to turn it back of and on again it stopped working completely and shot down. Sh*t! The camera is just under a year old and I did dropped it once, but after that it operated fine for 2 months..until now. When I browsed the internet (some very good urls besides this one are: http://www.e18error.com/ and http://www.disruptiveconversations.com/2007/10/my-canon-sd1000.html) I found that many people has this problem.
I also found my solution: I banged the camera quite hard, face down, lens down, half way on my desk with a notepad underneath it so that the lens would not be hit by the desk and the impact on the casing (scratches etc.) would be kept to a minimum. Voila, it worked!!! I am super happy right now 'cause I dont have the time to go to a service centre (if they even have one where I am right now) and I really didnt want to buy a replacement for a camera that, besides this, worked 100% to my satisfaction.
Before this successful attempt I tried to wiggle and push the lens; didn't worked, neither while the camera was off and then turning it back on, nor while I was turning it on.
I guess the problem was that some dust or sand got between the moving parts of my lens. Beaches and Canon are not a good combination! I also read that blowing some compressed air between the moving parts could fix the problem, something that sounds reasonable to me.
So for now, everything is fine. Hope it does not reoccur!
Having the lens error with the powershot a480, about to try and resolve it with information on the link provided!
I was really confused when this message appeared, since the camera had been working fine up until the day before for two years and had not been subjected to any drops or shock recently.
Method #4 - gently twisting the largest ring of the lens while turning the camera on worked for me. I also used some compressed air around the lens turret and fully discharged the camera by removing the battery pack. Maybe some sand had been blown into the camera outside, causing this mechanical problem.
I have always taken good care of my SD550 (it was an expensive investment for me) - strapping the camera on my hand when taking pictures and keeping it in a hard protective case when not in use. However, over two years it has been many places in many situations between many hands, and so has been subjected to wear and tear. I'm just glad I was able to fix this problem and continue to use this otherwise great camera.
We had an E18 error and used method 3 (tapping the USB cover on the table corner) and miraculously, it fixed it. Thanks for a great website resource!
I got an E18 once before, but now I've got another one after dropping my Powershot A75.
Powershot SD600 with lens stuck in 'out' position, and "lens error, restart camera" message. Doesn't respond to any fixes.
Little update. When i try to connect camera to my pc, to use with software like PSremote. Camera does connect but when I try to take picture with it, camera extendes lense nearly full distance, clicks and goes off and software says that there is connection error.
Forgot to mention - model is Canon g7. And I corrected my email.
Problem is rather strange, it does not look like classical e18, when lense just stucks, it goes like this:
when i just power on camera in shooting mode, lense extends for little bit (1 centimeter), screen does not show anything and power light immediately goes off. When I press power button again, lens either moves little bit further, or little bit back, but never fully extendes or goes back in camera and closes.
So far it looks like e18. But the strange thing is, if I power on camera in viewing mode AFTER lense is halfway extended by trying to power on in shooting mode, lense miraculosly goes all the way out and back, closes ideally, and I am able to see pictures, so objective obviously is not stuck.
I think there is something wrong with software maybe.
Ah, and all this started just without apparent reason. I took some pictures, wanted to took some more, then this thing started to happen. It was not dropped or anything.
Maybe someone can help? Thanks!
canon power shout 95.
E18 error, clouse lens.
I used Estonian guide (photos) to go a little inside. mowed and clean ,,motor-lens way".
naw work. :)
dont be affrait to tray this work, bat be cerful with the camera condensator - electric power is unplesent. ;)
hi i have 2 a620 canon and both have e18 erro i love the cameras but htis is bs i have tried to fix with out sucess. just dont dont know what to do. i winder if they would fit up canons a** i think they would
My dtr has a Canon SD230. The lens stuck open and we got the E18 message. We are so happy that simply wiggling the largest lens ring while turning the camera on fixed the problem!
Have two Canon Powershot - both got "E18" after 1-2 years of carefull use. No support from Canon.
Canon Ixus 40, 4 years old, E18
i have been having the same problem with my canon sd 450. my camera has gotten to the point where the optical lens is stuck. so even if i pull out the outer lens, it is still out of focus. love this camera. so relunctant to buy a new one
I have S2 IS E18 doesn't happen everytime I turn on or try to zoom lens but does happen most of the time when lens is zooming. if I don't get E18 right away when turning on it seems to be ok
I've had my Canon A80 for almost 5 years, when suddenly it refused to work properly by giving me the E18 error. Went to a photo dealer who explained tjat fixing the cam would cost at least € 120,- and sugeest buying a new one would be better. :-(
Canon Ixus55, same mistake, gonna try the procedure here attached. Thanks a lot
I've found a solution to this problem.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I opened up the camera, by unscrewing all the casings, then applied a charge to the lens camera motor using a 9volt battery. This caused the broken sprocket to clear it's self of its bug. It worked for me so it's worth a shot.
This link will show you what the motor is.
http://www.avh.dds.nl/Fix-Canon-SD600-Lens-Error/
My Powershot A550 gives me the same error- tells me to restart. We have taken care of it well.
I have taken very good care of my S2 such as keeping it in a case, not dropping or beating it up & cleaned. Recently just took a photo set canon down when I returned the lens was out &had E18. Tried turning it on and it clicked, beeped & shut off. Picture viewer works fine. $500 paper wieght
School camera, SD500 has lens stuck in the out position and can't use. That's no good!
After reading this site, I managed to repair my daughter's SD200 by taking the front and back off, and bending back into place the edges of the covers...my daughter has dropped it more than twice!
Thanks for the great info!
hi. I have IS2 for 2 years and now also got E18 ( while being on ski trip, up to -5C outside).
My A80 opened and immediately closed. I learned it is a lens alignment problem. What fixed mine was that I removed the lens "ring" by pushing the "ring release button." Also, when the ring was off I tried to straighten the alingment a bit. I think I was lucky.
Dear Sir,
I have purchased a canon 470 3 months back. But now it is showing lens error and restart. But after restarting also it is showing. What to do?
Swatilekha
Tap tap as suggested, E18 gone home with E.T., but now a black screen when on photo mode. ???
I have been welcomed to the E 18 world. Our office camera (A60), about 3 years old has joined the party.
This has now happend to me twice!
The first time was inside the warenty (just!) and cannon fixed it for free, very quickly.
howver last month it went again for no apparent reason, and now obviosly well outside the warenty period.
Dont think I'll be buying Cannon again!
Canon A95 has the E18 issue.
It is lens related. I got to step 4 on the fix it list. Once I'd removed all the casing screws, which "loosened" the covers and let them "float" somewhat. I tried it one more time, just for kicks and it worked!! So I have stopped going further and will see how long it remains E18 free
I purchased a SD100 and it took some of the best pictures. Then I had the E18 error. I found a used S500 for $50 that seemed to work fine. After a few months it also experienced the E18 error. 0 out of 2. I will try the methods on the Internet to try and fix them. Otherwise I learned my lession about the short life span of Cannon cameras.
For those of you who want to try to replace your lens in your Canon camera, or are looking for a repair service, Darntoothysam.com offers a low cost, quick service repair for your needs.
We don't believe in the philosophy of charging an arm and a leg for camera repairs, and have built our business around offering the lowest cost and highest quality parts and repair.
We use OEM Canon lenses, no 3rd party imitations.
Find us at Darntoothysam.com!
Unbelievable!!!! I juggled the lens a bit and it didn't work, but DID smack the USB cover on my desk and Voila`! The lens withdraws, comes back out and NO E18!!!!!!!! Still makes a little grinding noise, but it works! Thank you!
Always had Canon camera, at friends wedding E18 error appears very annoying then becomes more common error whilst in italy on holiday the following week. Out of warrenty sent camera for estimate to be repaired will cost £80 including postage and VAT has anyone had repairs done and then had E18 fault again. Repair will cost less than new camera but worried E18 error may repair.
Thanks for the advice. My A75 jammed. Tried the new batteries. Then tried the compressed air. Then tried tapping it on the usb.....third time was the charm! I have my camera back.
SX110 IS - less than 1 month old from Amazon. Tried to turn it on and got the lens error message. Less than 50 total pictures and I know that the camera was not dropped, abused, etc. Sent back to Amazon for a refund - no more Canon for me.
I have a Canon PowerShots3is it worked great for 2 years. Christmas Eve I started getting a E18 lena error message. hasn\'t worked since. I take a lot of pictures and thought I had a good camera. I have bought 5 Canon cameras.
Thats it no more canon
Have a G9 and get the error message occasionally-seems random Any tips??Need help fast as I\'m leaving the country soon!
I have taken great care of the camera. And all of a sudden at a party it stops working.
I am unable to fix it and there is no longer a warranty on it.
I love Canon cameras, but this is just annoying!
E18 appeared on my camera when I was about to take THAT important shot...checked the batteries, switched off...you name it I did it. Not in the camera manual either. I replaced the batteries...twice. still E18... But, hey, I figured something was amiss when I discovered I could play back shots without a problem.
Taking a closer look i noticed (at last) the lens was wide open...so I started searching. No good looking at the Canon site. NIL came up for E18...so googled and found your site! The Lord be praised! MY prayers were answered - as I am rather attached to this little camera...It now works like a charm. Lots of good KARMA for you my friend/s.
Flavia.
I tried 1,3 & 4. Well not so much 1 as I didn\'t wait minutes as I did seconds. I\'m not sure which one it was but 3 or 4 worked immediately. However, when I went to turn it off again, E18 appeared again. Maybe it\'s because it\'s dropped a heap. I hope it functions properly again soon. It\'s my fav camera.
I have the SX100IS. the lens stuck, and I pulled it out slightly, that seemed to clear the jam and powering the camera on and off corrected the problem.
The suggestion #3 worked for me. Thanks so much!!! 3) Another method is to tap the padded USB cover part on a hard surface, for example, a desk. It sounds so simple, but very often in works.
The E18 error has occurred a few times. Tip 2 has worked in the past and today tip 3 worked; go figure. I\'m happy that I now also own a Nikon.
Tip 3 worked! FANTASTIC!!
Focus came back after a while.
My powershot A95 is about 4-5 years old. My 5 yr old grandson decided to take a pix and it hasn\'t worked since (I know it was my grandson because the last pix is an arms length, self portrait).
When I power up, the lens pushes out, but will not allow me to take pix; if I try to open the viewing screen, I hear gears grinding, the lens starts closing in and out and then the whole shebang shuts down.
Am I just to assume that I\'ve gotten my monies worth and move on?
I got the E18 problem with my S2 camera. I suspected it had something to do with the temperature because it happened outside after a walk in a temperature around -5 tot -10 °C. The camera blocked en luckely i just in time saw the E18 on my screen before it totally powered down. I got it back in operation after the camera was warmed up inside. I took out the batteries, gave it about half an hour to warm up en then replaced the batteries en restarted.
My Canon S2 IS is 2 1/2 years old. The E18 appeared on Christmas Eve of all times and I haven\'t been able to make any of the quick solutions work.
I have an E18 error. I took a picture of the moon, when I tried to power off the Power Shot S410, it would not. Finally the E18 showed on the screen. I am going to try to find a way to fix it. I have taken good care of my camera.
My canon ixus 55 showed the E18 error the other day and is still showing it. I\'ve taken the battery out and charged it but the lens is still halfway out and doesn\'t seem to want to fix itself. The camera is 3 years old.
Have the Powershot S2 IS
and received the E18 message. The zoom lens is stuck out. I have not attempted to repair. I just came across this website trying to find information regarding the issue. Was not aware is a common problem.
Arg it the right words for this. A friend of mine has given me his Canon S2 IS as a resul of getting the e18 error, knowing I have repaired a few digital cameras, he told me I could have it regardless if I get it working or not. While researching this problem I came across this forum/site, mine you a lot of other too, but this one had more info readily available.
However I got the camera working with the knock knock on the USB side and also with the gently pushing of the lens in, the next challenge I received was no image on the LCD screen or when taking a photo. I had the photo setting info but no image. So I searched a little more for this and found a neat little querk that works, (mind you this is not my only camera). The can be found here on Flicker (http://www.flickr.com/groups/s2is/discuss/72157600084622332/, see navatweb\'s post). A simple removal of the batteries while taking a 15 second exposure will do the trick. It actuall took me about 4 trys before it worked. Now keep in mind I still receive the errors here and there, but for the most part its working.
Cheers, Just thought I would share.
I received a Digital Ixus 55 for my birthday during 2006. In August 2008 I was taking my nephews in pictures in our car, then had a pause and put my camera in its carry case - I\'m not stupid you Canon, I pushed the button OFF before doing this. Then I wanted a few more pics and bip bip: E 18! Now it\'s been 6 months and the simplest ways to fix it don\'t work. I\'ll see if I can get it repaired. But what a waste of money during financial crisis..!
hello everybody!!
just wanted to say thx to this web site! got a free canon powershot a80
today(e18 error message.)
it has sat in a box for 2yrs
and on its way to the landfill! so needless to say thx to repair page here(lens mech. was stuck !, tapped + air pressure trick.)
ive got a decent camera!
thank-you dan-ho
6 months ago my out-of-warranty Powershot A520 took a 6-inch tumble onto asphalt while open, and the lens was unable to retract. I figured the camera was a write-off since it would surely cost more to repair than to replace. Coming across the camera yesterday I decided to tear it apart for fun, and stumbled across this site. Massaging the lower ring did the trick! The lens popped back into place and now it works perfectly...
We are new at digitals.Our A630 took great pix for the first year or more. Then we got this error and some beeping severl times. Then it would work again, finally our view finder went blank but we can still take pix but can not see them to delete. I just ordered a new camera same model on line. Now I found this site and I am really worried on my second investment. Have tried blowing the lens and the light tapping. Nothing has changed.
Camera stopped working in the middle of a photo shoot for no apparent reason. Camera has always been well taken care of: Padded camera bag, carry strap, ...
It hasn\'t fallen, so it might have been some dust. But I believe a camera should be able to be used in the open! Has anybody got experiences (good or bad) with the Fuji FinePix S2000HD? Thank you for letting me know about them.
thank you so much for posting these steps. i dropped the camera yesterday while trying to capture my 3 year old\'s first whack at ice skating. we really worried that we\'d have to get it repaired professionally, or worse, have to buy a new camera! step 4 is what worked for us. thanks again!
Well it took almost 5 years before i got my E18, but this morning it happend! I fixed it with the most simple fix on this site: tapping the padded USB cover part on a desk.
Let\'s hope the E18 doesn\'t return soon....
Hi. My E18 error happened on Christmas morning. I handed my wife our PS50 and it fell lens first on to the floor. The lens was askew and we got E18. All is lost I thought and ordered a new camera from Amazon. Today I found this site and tried the twisting and banging advice to no avail. Nothing to lose I then banged the side of the lens that was pushed in on the edge of my desk. Low and behold the lens popped out and the camera works. Oh and I do mean banged as gentle tapping did nothing and as I thought the camera was a goner I took the risk. I do not recommend this to others except as a very last resort with a camera out of warenty.
My Canon PowerShot A630 had the \"Lens Error, Restart Camera\" error. Method 3 (Tapping padded USB cover part) worked like a champ. I tapped it hard-ish on the palm of my hand a number of times.
hAVE CANON IXUS i AND IT HAS AN E18 ERROR, CANNOT FIX. WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CANON PRODUCT.
I have had a Canon PowerShot sd700 IS digital elph for almost 2 years now and it always worked great...until it didn\'t. Tha camera clicks and beeps and then says \"Lens read error. Restart camera.\" There IS no resarting the camera. No matter how many times you try, this is the only thing that happens.
I had this error in a powershot A85. Repair tip #3 worked, thanks!
I had this error in a powershot A70 and got repaired (and paid for it) two years ago, now is happening again intermittently
Stupid Question, really more of a statement... Canon denies this error exists. How the heck did a error code name itself. Someone had to give it the E18 code. So they definately know this is an issue? Right!!! None of the fixes worked unfortunately.
Thanks,
To All,
Again, i got an E18 message in the lower left hand corner of my cam screen. The lens seems like it is trying to extend and won\'t. This is the 3rd time this has happened to me. The other two times It corrected itself somehow. Not this time... Great camera when working. But this E18 has become a huge issue... Someone HELP!
Thanks
My Cannon S2 IS showed \"E18\" on Christmas Eve....very inconvenient for our family and I am quite upset at missing our on holiday photos. THank you for this website devoted to correcting the problem so other Cannon owners may be spared!
Thank you so much! this e18 error happened to me and i started freaking out, so i googled it and found this site. I tried your repair advice and it worked! Thankyou!
MY LENSE STOCK ANG BLURD MY CAMERA HOW TO SOLVE IT??ANG ERROR E18
I have had my Canon S3is for 3 years and paid nearly $400 for it. I have never dropped it and always taken excellent care of it. Just before Christmas I got the E18 error. Having never heard of it I looked in the manual first and then online. Now I know its a common Canon problem but mine is no longer under warranty. I don\'t know whether to have it repaired or not. I already bought a new camera (Kodak) b/c I am a camera junkie, but am more pleased with the quality of the Canon pics. Has anyone had repair experience with Canon?
I have a Powershot S410 camera that was dropped, and the E18 error comes up and the lens does not extend all the way. After reading the posts, I simply turned the camera on and pulled the lens out the rest of the way manually by hand. Now, it works again just fine again. It was worth a try!
Ho acceso in montagna (-7 gradi C) la canon ixus 750, è uscito lo zoom e poi la macchina si è bloccata con il messaggio E18 in basso a sx.
Poi si è spenta e non si è più accesa.
Wow! Canon A80 I\'ve had for 4-5 trouble free years pulled an E18 yesterday.
Looked up this site and low and behold, two taps to the usb port and the camera came back to life!
I had the E18 error show up on my PowerShot SD450 Christmas morning.. very frustrating. The lens turret was stuck halfway out and would not retract or extend any further. When I powered it on, it would retract about a quarter inch, stay, and then re-extend to its original position and display the E18 error. I tried the USB port tapping, forcing the lens, neither worked. Then I tried pulling the battery out as soon as it retracted a quarter inch after power on, then with the camera off I pushed down on the lens housing and it popped down further into the camera body. After another poweron, it retracted successfully all the way into the camera body and all is well! Thanks for all the repair tips on this website!
I just got the E18 on my S1 IS. It\'s about 6 years old and have had no problems until a month or two ago when the CCD went (known Canon problem, fixed under Canon recall). Now I\'m getting this error conveniently when I\'m looking to buy a new camera. Not sure it\'ll be a canon for a few reasons.
i have had my canon powershot a430for just over 2 years and its not been a problem until christmas day 2008 :( my sons first christmas and the damn thing packs up still i read your guide banged it a few times and hey presto its good to go! thanks for the help :)
I have a S400 elf Canon, it has problem with being able to shot nor record anything five years after I purchased it, I sent it back to Canon and they admitted that it is a design problem and fixed it. Good customer support then, I will try your e18 fix before I contact Canon again, hope they are as good in customer service as the last time.
Loretta
I have had my Canon PS S2 IS since December 2005. 2 days before Christmas, I am now experiencing the E18 lense error! Up to today, this had been a great camera. Now it looks like a $450 loss!
I have a 6 yr old S10 and it was fine until today when I got the dreaded E18 error. This may be the end of the S10 for us, and no more Canon products, too.
Well, add another. Mine is the Canon Powershot SD 1000 7.1 MP camera. It was a great little camera, but now, instead of being a Powershot, it\'s just \"shot.\" The lens is stuck and the camera has ceased to function.
I wouldn\'t recommend Canon anymore.
This morning my 4 yr old hitherto reliable Canon A80 displayed E18 error. After changing batteries, and trying to switch on and off several times to no avail I found your site and read your tips. Two \"taps of the USB port cover on my desk\" later the problem is cured. Thanks very much.
Well I don\'t get an E18 message, but the lens won\'t retract and I get the \'lens error, restart camera\' message. I have an SD900 Digital Elph which I\'ve owned since May 2007. I was just using a few minutes before this happened. Didn\'t drop it or nuthin\'!
I\'ve had my SD700 for two years. I love it and have been taking great photos, and selling them. People ask me what kind of camera I shoot with and I pull out my little point and shoot. Needless to say I was devastated when I went to take some shots on my walk home from work in a snow storm and I got the \"Lens error, restart camera\" (never E18). !!! (light) banging and swearing ensued. I banged it on the usb port, which made the lens extend more, but not retract... still getting the error... time for a new camera?
Just wanted to add my name to the e18 list as well. It was a good camera until this happened today.
We too got the famous E18 err. Just wanted to add our name to this growing list. How is Canon not recognizing this is a flaw?
Camere Ixus 400 bought in 2003 around Aug. \"E18\" apeared today - after having problems with the camera since months showing message \"Speicherkartenfehler\" - probably after having used 1 GB chips. Obviously camera software was too old to accept these large capacity chips...Yesterday I downloaded all the pictures and today at first attempt to take a new picture it showed \"E18\". So, I guess, opposite to my old Nikon (20 yrs old) digital cameras are not meant to last that long. With 5 yrs camera life my Ixus 400 was rather\"old\" compared to the ones in these posts....but still - I won\'t spend another 500 € again - as I did for Ixus 400 back in 2003 !!!
But I will buy Canon again. Other cameras aren´t better and I was happy te quality of lenses and resulting pictures!
My A520 was stuck midway open. I tried banging, forcing but nothing worked initially. Then I pulled on the lens while turning it on. This would make the lense come out partially. I had to do this several times, until the lens was fully extended. Then I banged on the USB side about 6-7 times. Then i blew into the sides of the lense like tip # 2 (instead of using compressed air). Then i pressed down on the fully extended lense while turning it on. I heard a pop and voila, it fully closed. It started working from thereon. I dont know which thing exactly worked but i think it took most/all of the actions to get the debris loose.
Just fixed my E18 by using #4 on the fix guide. I gently pressed around the lens and it clicked back into place. Yeah! My daughter is in the Nutcracker tonight and I really need my camera.
I have a 3+ year old Powershot A85. Noticed e18 error we I went to turn camera off after downloaded photos into computer. Went to fix it yourself help page, performed instruction 3 which was tap USB port area on hard surface. Camera lens retracted and now works fine.
i have a canon sd600 and about a year ago i dropped it and the lens was stuck open. i have been three places trying to get it fixed, and was told each time it would be $150-$200...after stumbling on this site, i fixed it myself. thanks so much for the quick fix, saved me money and im really excited to have my camera working again.
My Canon Powershot A620 stopped working for no reason today while my kids were sitting on Santa\'s lap at the mall...showing the E-18 error message. Lens is currently closed...when power button is pressed camera beeps a few times, makes noise like lens is trying to open, then shuts down. How completely disappointing during the holidays!
My Canon A560 has the same problem and is not reported in the last on the main page. Though it sais \"lens error, restart camera\" instead of \"E18\"
I do\'ve the same E18 error. With the lens stuck in extended position..
When turned on.. camera makes noise like its trying to move the lens but can\'t move.. and after 5 or so seconds it turns off.
Yes, I have a Casio camera and i dropped itt..with the lens sticking out! When i pressed the power button to turn it off the lens wouldn\'t go back in, and i got the \"lens error\" message. I freaked out and went to this site,I tryed lots of thingss but then i gently pressed the circle part around the actual lens and it clicked back down into place, and it WORKS!!
GREAT! Tip number 4 worked for me. I had the E18 lens problem with the Canon Powershot s40 camera.
Patrick
I have a Canon S50 that I\'ve had since June of \'03. It\'s been dropped and mishandled and mangled by my kids and just the other day I got the infamous E18 error for the first time ever. I assumed it was a low battery error and when I inserted a new battery and it still happened, I got suspicious. AFter reading the tips here I tried number 3 (since my compressed air (#2) is at my house and I am staying with my in-laws bcuz I have no power at my house due to Hurricane Ike) which is tapping on a hard surface. I \"tapped\" once on my in-laws\' fine marble kitchen counter, gently, of course, and fired that baby up and voila! Working lens again! Thanks guys for putting that one in there. I am forever indebted.
a year and a half or so ago, i got a powershot a550. a couple of weeks ago, i started getting the lens error restard. I managed to still use the camera sporadically. today...i got the error and it\'s completely unusable. i took very very good care of my camera. canon used to make good cameras (in the film day) i don\'t know what happened to them.
6 month old ixus i zoom returned under warranty told that sand had got in and this invalidates the warranty. There is no way sand has got in to the camera.
I have the SD 850 IS. Is is a couple of weeks out of warranty and the camera has totally shut down, giving the lens error. I had the lens error many times in the past but was always able to restart the camera. This time it\'s dead. A week or two ago and the warranty would have covered it!
I bought a Powershot S1 IS
6 months ago and barely used it. I always stowed it back in its original case and took the greatest care of it, hoping for the vacation that would make the investment worthwhile. Yesterday I opened it while I was out on a field trip and wanted to take a few photos - it gave me the LENS FAILURE error message. Since, I cannot use it anymore... I am sure angry to see the poor customer support that CANON provides
ok, i was using my mom canon powershot for about 2 weeks taking pictures of me and my best friend, one day we went to the beach and my ex poured sand into my bag w/ the camera in it! i cleaned it the best i could while we were at the beach and gave it back to my mom, she used it for a couple days and then we took it to racine(friends house) i took a picture of my niece and then tried to turn it off, it made a beeping noise and it showed the E18 and shut off, but the lens was still out. i was so afraid to tell my mom that she thinks that it is \"missing\" and that my (sticky fingers) sister stole it, my question is what is the best way to fix it? and fast!!!
Hooray! I got the E18 on my old Powershot A95, googled it, came to your site and then re-examined the camera. There was clearly a little spot of goo of some kind on the lens housing. I took a q-tip dipped in solvent (lacquer thinner was handy)and cleaned off the goo all around... worked perfectly! Error gone. Problem solved.
Thanks!
I\'ve had an IXUS750 for a couple of years, an earlier IXUS before that, and a Powershot G5 even further back. I\'d never looked into Canon\'s customer service before as their kit has never let me down in the past. Now, just a couple of months before heading out for a long snowboarding trip my 750 has locked up with an E18 error, it is in pristine condition - NEVER been dropped or crushed in any way, but now it\'s totally screwed. I had been considering replacing it with one of the more expensive EOS range... but having Googled for Canon issues and seen the terrible support so many people have received it\'s safe to say they\'ve lost any future business from me... the last thing I need from a camera company is to get the finger of blame pointed at me for using it in cold conditions!!
every so often (while zooming in) my canon S2-IS gives me the E18 code... i just turn the camera off then on again - then take a normal photo (no zoom) and it goes back to normal. weird quirk, but otherwise i love the camera! i\'ll try some of the tricks here, too.
We\'ve had a Powershot A410 for a number of years now and had some really good pictures with it, my wife took it to the beach like we\'ve done no end of times and it started to E18 on her.. Using the site i\'ve got the damn thing going again but it sounds like the main cogs on the lens drive are gone.. could this be the main reason behind the E18 error perhaps??
It kind of works, just a little slow in focusing and zooming now, but we\'re definatly going to have to get a new camera, probably not canon this time though.
Had the E18 error. Fixed tapping on the USB cover (as directed).
I had this horrible experience on my Canon S2 IS and I\'ve recently shown my camera to the Canon Care(less) Center in Pune, India. I was told by the staff that for solving this error the entire Optical Lens has to be replaced for about 200 USD (8000 INR). I\'m shocked to know this and not sure if there is a genuine problem like this. All the reviews that I\'d read on E18 error had suggested that it is a very minor error and can be fixed easily. But Canon has really stunned me. Does anyone have similar experience? Please help me with information
I had this error with my A95, but following the guide seemed to do the trick.. for now *fingers crossed*
I had this error with my A95, but following the guide seemed to do the trick.. for now *fingers crossed*
I just fixed my E18 problem following you\'re guide, thanks a million. My Canon Powershot A510\'s been sitting on my dresser for a year till I ran into this site, just fixed it following you\'re guide, thanks again!
I\'ve had my sd450 for over 2 years now and have loved it, till today. I tried to take pictures at my kids football game and I got the E18 error code and the lens stayed stuck out. I did a search and came across all the other loyal canon customers who have had the same concern. I never knew about this, and canon\'s response to this issue is shocking. If it was not a very common problem, I would just chalk it up to bad luck, but this is by far a design flaw and Canon is not standing by their product. I\'ve owned at least 4 other Canon camera\'s in the past 5 years and after this, I will never own one again.
Camera: PowerShot A95.
My E18 error appeared when I arrived home after a long night taking photos with long shutter speeds. I tried the instructions on this repair site numerous times and it wouldn\'t work. However this morning I tried tapping the camera\'s padded USB cover on a desk, and to my amazement the E18 error disappeared!
The $150 or so I have saved on repairing it can now go towards my new D-SLR, but I must say that It won\'t be a Canon.
The first time I had the E18 problem was during holdiay period this year where the camera is was 4,5 years old. Charging batteries seemd to resove the problem but now again the problem occurs and the camera can not be used. I will try the repair option as indicated on this site and let people now what happened. It seems that I\'m not the only one with this problem.
This is the second time my canon has gotten stuck like this. The camera seems to know when I want to use it most and bonks out on me at that time. The first time was the first day of a three week vacation, only six months after I purchased it. I mailed it back to Canon (at my expense) and they fixed it.
The next time was just at the start of a costume party, so that was a hassle. Now I am not under warranty and will try to fix myself. None of the easy steps has worked so I now I will take it apart.
It\'s really obnoxious that this is like a \"normal\" occurance for this brand.
Anyway,
We have been using a Power Shot S60 for almost 4 Years now and have never had problems before. This E18 error makes us very sad now, because we have always had excellent pictures. Even most of the new cameras in the same prize class and many more expensive ones make no better pictures.
I have a Canon s230 which has been in the shop twice previously (for bad pixels, and horiz. lines on photos) and now I have the E18 error. My next camera will be a Casio.
I have had the SD850IS for 9 months and just got the lens error, nothing from the fix page seems to help it...
I bought this Canon in a holiday in the Canary Islands (lower taxes, etc.), in May 2008. Worked quite well for about 2 months, then while trying to take a picture the lens got blocked in the open position and the Lens Error message appeared. No shaking/banging/etc/ solution worked until now. It\'s dead but not burried.
Luckily, I didn\'t get rid of my old Nikon Coolpix and this saved my holidays ...
In a way, it\'s good to know that I\'m not the only one who is frustrated with an otherwise great camera. I\'ve had my SD200 for about 3 years. It had been working just fine, until one day, all of the sudden, I got the infamous e18 on my screen. I can still look at my pictures, but the lens will not retract. I\'ll let it rest for a bit, and if it doesn\'t work in a few days, I suppose I\'ll try something else...
The lens doesn\'t open, we used the camera on the beach, so it is probably sand in the lens. Also used the formating option for the card and now I can\'t read it anymore on two different computers but I see the pictures inside the camera viewer.
My Powershot S2IS started having an E18 error while on vacation~alas no pics of our GREAT camping trip with our kids:(. I just found this site & hope to find tips & tricks to salvage our camera.
I have owned a Powershot A70 for 3 years.. E18 error occurred all of a sudden as described with the lens partially out. Can\'t believe there\'s a website about it!
I have an A85 which worked for about 3 years, and worked really well. (it was dropped about 1-1/2 yrs ago) it developed an E18 with a stuck out lens on the morning I was flying out on holiday with my new G/F for the first time. Fortunately my phone is more reliable at taking pictures than the camera, and to be honest the qulaity is about the same!
Thank you a million times for this website! My SD550 fell ill with the nasty E18. I found this site, attacked it with a can of air and it works like a champ again. Thank you Thank you!
The lens on my camera is completly jammed, i didnt drop it and i wasnt at the beach so it has no sand or dirt in it.. the camera said change the batteries and when the new batteries were in the camera wouldnt even turn on, when i attempt to turn it on it flashes white then returns to a black screen, i feel horrible because it isnt even my own camera.
My Canon PowerShot A80 is about 5 years old and recently started giving me the E18 error message and the lens getting stuck. It appears to only happen when I change the rechargeable batteries. It\'s weird. It\'s done this 2x. I will follow the repair instructions and hope it works!
I had a Canon Powershot s50 which someone stole! Anyways, Because I had been so happy with the s50, I ended up buying a brand new s60 from eBay & I had this E18 error on a black screen. Never happened with my s50, so was confused & annoyed. Jumped on the net & found the solution to tap it a couple times on the A/V Out Digital pad & what do you know it worked!
I hope it helps others out there.
my cannon ixus 40 got sand in it and then i got the e18 message
...
I was given a PowerShot A250 a little over a year ago. I am on vacation and went to take some pictures and received the E18 error message. I have never dropped the camera and keep it in a padded case. Almost from the beginning this camera has had issues with the lens cover opening but the lens has always extended and retracted until now. It is now stuck in the closed position. I have tried all of the suggestions new batteries, tapping, removing the card, gently pushing on the lens, and blowing air into the cracks and nothing has worked. As a result I am unable to take pictures of my new first grandbaby. I am not likely to spend the money to buy another Canon camera as a result of this sad and frustrating experience.
Its funny, I just read some one\'s post a little ways down and had the same exact problem. I was on a vacation, went out to dinner and left my Powershot SD600 on my bed working fine. When I got back and tried to turn it on, I got the lens error and now it wont let me even view my pictures or upload them to the computer. I am pissed. Canon, kick rocks.
I\'ve had my A80 powershot for about 3 years. I\'ve been really happy with it, takes some great photos.
However, I recently started having some problems with the zoom. If I just tried to zoom in a little, it would zoom in all the way. Then it started working again. And now the dreaded E18. When I turn the camera on the lens comes out, but then just retracts and gives the E18 message. I\'ve tried the advice on this site, and have got it working again. But then after a few shots the E18 returns!
I have had it a while, dropped it a few times, generally been clumsy - so I don\'t mind buying another camera (a different brand naturally). The nightmare is that I\'m going to the Taj Mahal in 4 days, and it might have to be a disposable! Yuck!
I have a Power Shot A95. I have had it for about 3 years and have seen a fair amount of use. It just started with the cool E18 error. The lens opens and then closes. I tapped it and used the air. I found that once it opened up and I tried to rotate the lens it started working again. Well for now.
I got an SD600 from my mom about a year ago, since she didn\'t see anything else to spend her Air Miles on. It was a neat little camera, if not hard to stabilize due to its size.
Anyways, when I went to the beach with some friends last week, I pulled out of my bag for the first time that day, and the lens came out, gave me a lens error and refused to retract. I had no idea why, becuase it was working just fine at home a few hours earlier.
I\'m not out money or anything since I got it free, but it was my first digicam and it was nice to be able to takes pictures of stuff. Oh well, easy come, easy go.
I found this website a few days ago, and have been doing the \"tapping the usb port\" to get my lense to retract.(I have a powershot A75) Well it works for a short time, but the problem keeps coming back when I use the zoom lens function. And also when I tried downloading images to my computer, I get an error message which says that the usb device may be malfunctioning. So now I think that the tapping may have caused an internal proble??... guess it\'s time for a new camera (and probably will try a different brand). Bummed though because I\'ve had this camera for several years and had been a great camera.
To Jayson -- the problem isn\'t that cameras aren\'t as tough as they used to be, it\'s that more clueless people are using them. If you bought a $1,000 Nikon 35mm in the 80s or 90s, you were a photographer and knew how to take care of the camera. Additionally, the $1,000 went directly to the housing and mechanism of the camera. You buy a $1,000 Nikon digital camera now, $600-$700 goes into the electronics, the balance into the mechanics. To get an everyday-tough D-SLR you\'ll have to shell out $2K+ -- and photographers know that they higher purchase price pays for the media you won\'t be needing. But then, every yokel with an eye buys a D-SLR these days and feels like a photographer when whipping out the big lenses. In the end, the cameras get barely used or get replaced with the $200-consumer or $400 pro-sumer compacts, and then they bitch and moan if it breaks when they drop it.
Thanks e18erro.com! I use the «tap on desk solution» with my Canon A85 Powershot and that works well.
I found this website because I dropped my A640 about 4ft on tile floor, and it reports lens-error. I was looking for a possible fix, as I\'m quite handy -- hoping to find pictures of the inside before I take it apart myself. What I found here are some hair-raisingly ridiculous stories. That Tom McDonald fellow from 2005 is the biggest A** I\'ve ever heard of. You have a $400 piece of equipment, you better treat it like one. Sure they can build cameras tougher, but they\'d cost more -- it\'s one or the other. I think it\'s commendable that Canon fixes the lens-errors within warranty period, even though the majority of the cases are user-caused issues. If you get sand in the lens, that\'s YOUR fault. Sand and mechanics don\'t mix. If you drop the camera on an extended zoom lens, it\'s your fault -- better used the INCLUDED lanyard next time. When I dropped the camera on the hard tile, my heart stopped. It had survived a few drops before, but this one was harsh. And sure enough, loose piece inside, lens-error, no go. But that\'s not Canon\'s fault. RTFM people, and learn a little about responsibility. And to the likes of Tom McDonald -- SUCK IT UP. Canon should initiate legal action against you for harassment. You entered a legal contract -- you purchased a $400 digital device, you received it, along with a warranty period of one year against defects in materials and workmanship. You dropped it. Canon offered to fix it. You decided instead to renegotiate the purchase contract or the warranty terms you had agreed to. You don\'t have the right to do that.
This is my fourth Canon camera. I treat all my cameras for what they are: EXPENSIVE, DELICATE electro-mechanical devices. Kudos to Canon for fixing many owners\' mistakes within the warranty period.
I got two years out of my SD450 before it was lightly dropped last week and now it\'s all \"E18\". Let me know when the class action suit cooks up.
I bought the S2 IS after a lot of online research and customer/dealer feedback in Feb-06. The camera is a great model and has immense capability to make an amteur interested in photography. However, in Aug-08, i ended up seeing the E18 error. Not sure if it is due to bad handling coz i treat it with a lot of respect.
Jerry Wheat - 08.17.2008 SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70
SD1000 / Digital IXUS 70
Has been a great product for 6 months now. Last week while on vacation, for no apparent reason and only after having it off for only 30 min, I went to turn it on and all I got was a black screen stating LENS ERROR, RESTART CAMERA. All attempts to remedy have failed.
we have had an Powershot SD 850 IS for three weeks, and yesterday we attempted to turn it on we received the dreaded \"lens error, restart camera\" and nothing would work.
Yep, I just got the E18 also. I have the Powershot S2 IS.
I have had an SD 450 for a number of years now. Great camera. However, I just developed the e18 error. Seems like Canon should be addressing such a well known error. It disappoints me that such a good camera should be blemished by one construction error.
Purchased the Canon SX100 IS this summer ( July 2008) and after just under 2 weeks of very careful use, the lens stuck and would not retract. Tried restarting the camera as well as taking out the batteries but to no avail. Luckily, I was able to return it to the store purchased at. I had no idea Canon lenses were so sensitive until I went online and found this website. Very disappointed, as the camera took excellent pictures. Am now shopping for a another brand of digital camera.
I was inches away from buying an A590, but after reading these posts, I think I\'ll stick with my 7 year old Olympus C-3040 3.3 Megapixel. Olympus must build a bullet proof lens mechanism, because I\'ve turned the camera on COUNTLESS times with the after market attached lens cover in place. The motor will grind for a couple seconds, then the camera beeps, and I have to re-initiate the power up sequence. Despite my blunders, the camera has never given me an ounce of problems (knock wood!).
I was using my dad\'s Canon Digital Camera to make funny videos. I decided to watch some of my videos and then the camera slipped and I grabbed it with my theighs,at the same time I heard a crack! I picked up the camera in between my theighs and checked to see if I did something wrong. When I looked at it the lens got pushed in a little. I tried to pull it out but it didn\'t work. Then I tried to push it in but that didn\'t work either. I was panicking by then. If my dad knew then he would kill me! I tried to every thing to make it go in. Then I just clicked the off button and the lens went in. Boy was I glad! When I turned it on and tried to continue my video,it was blurry! I thought I made it worst! Then I turned it off again. When I turned it on,The lens didn\'t retract(only a little)! The screen was black and then the lens when back in and I heard this annoying beep! I thought it wasn\'t gonna stop. When it did,the bottom left screen said E18.
Then it turned off. I decided to search online for solutions for the dreaded E18. I tried several ideas for fixing the camera. Every time I turn it on it does the same thing! The lens retract a little,then go back in,does this annoying beeping sound a couple of times,shows E18 on the bottom left screen,and then turns off! I have tried the solution where you look at the lens and try to see if there is a hole of some sort and then carefully push that part down and then I\'ll hear a crack but I didn\'t get what it means since I\'m a kid. So I just decided to push down every single spot on the lens and no crack! I don\'t know what to do! HELP!!!! I am currently charging the batteries. Please HELP me!!!
I use my Canon PowerShot SD300 Digital ELPH to take photographs for my web shop. Recently, it has been terribly stubborn when focusing. Now I am getting the E18 error. It\'s maddening, because I think we are just off of warranty, and I really need to photograph my work so i can sell my stuff! It\'s how I make my living! :(
When the E18 error is present and that the lens system is out to the “off”, but retracts and go out with “on”, it acts can be of a blocked problem focussing.
The following links is interesting for the Canon Ixus 750 or similar:
http://tumbleweed.org.za/
As it is known as: to check that the focussing system functions perfectly.
The screw below A being difficult to turn to make move the lens of focus, it is enough to dismount the metal plate hiding the gears on the outlet side of the actuator of focus (metallic cylinder to the top of the red circle) and to make turn the gears on the outlet side of the actuator with a small screwdriver and go up the lens to half the height.
Then, to make leave the objective (if it is in retracted position) while turning the large gears the zoom, released of the actuator for more facility,
To connect the ribbon connectors of the ordering of the objective on the mother chart, to start, the apparatus posts E18 once again, to again restart, the lens of the focussing system finds its place, E18 disappears.
As it is known as, it is not necessary to assemble for testing, the connection of the ribbon connectors of the lens system on the mother chart is enough.
Thus I solved E18 on my Canon Ixus, after 3 dismantle / reassembly
Sorry, I am French and I do not speak very well English.
During my holidays in Australia the E18 error occured with my Canon Powershot S3I camera (bought April 2007). For 4 days this error came back and got worse. I thought that this was the end of this camera. Then the error disappeared without me doing anything!? Now I have to decide to send the camera to Canon because something might be wrong or to do nothing (warranty claim will pass)? Can it be that this e18 error will not appear again? Who can give me some advice in this? Thanks.
Thank you so much for your help! I emptied all crevices and it worked. Sadly, the E-18 means I have no pics of our summer vacation.
Thank you for the good advise on your page. Had an E18 and had already almost given up on the camera, when i found your page, read the instructions, blew at the lens (advise2) and, who knows, there it was, all fixed again. Thanks a lot.
Tried the tip about tapping the USB cover on a hard surface... and IT WORKED!! Couldn\'t believ it! Thanks a bunch!
I´ve got the E18 (Canon Ixus 40, 35 month old) after cleaning the lens. From Canon they told me that i\'ll get free diagnostics for reparation. But no. It cost 39€. Yeah, only diagnostic is 39€ and reparation is 80€ per hour!! I bought Canon Ixus 80IS ;( Next i\'ll try to fix the objective by myself
I had the lens jam on my PS S80- for no apparent reason- wasn\'t dropped or mistreated. The lens gap was wider 1 side than the other so I tried your suggestion of pressing down on the wider side. It didn\'t release for the first few goes but eventually did- you guys saved me a trip to Canon and $$\'s as well- thanks heaps!
I bought an S2 IS in 2007. It soon developed problems with the viewfinder. I sent it back to Canon under warranty and they \"repaired\" it. It failed again. I sent it back again and said I wanted a replacement, not a refurb. They sent a refurb. The refurb has now failed again with the E18 error. Customer \"service\" says they will not repair it free. I am through with buying Canon cameras.
In March of 2008 my Canon A95 (purchased 3-16-05)gave the E18 notice on the LCD screen. I didn\'t know what it was til now and am sending the camera back to Canon today, along with a replacement Canon A650IS (purchased 5-2-08)whose lens cover decided not to open or shut properly and whose zoom became sluggish and hard to adjust. It\'s difficult to remain loyal to Canon with this track record.
Great website. Tried several remedies for an e18 glitch with my PowerShot s70. Gently pushing down the lens at various spots until I heard the click did the trick. You are angels.
Our PowerShot S30 stucks during the holidays.
Was taking photos on vacation when I got two very overexposed frames then lens stayed out and got the e18 message. I was not able to take photos of my 4-month old son for the rest of vacation!
My lovely S400 left a message E18 for no apparent reason. It appears to be flaw in the Cannon. Is there any reputable repair shop or silent recall?
wiggling the lens lightly and leaving batteries out gets things working again for now. Great website. over 20,000 with this problem, per what (month, on average) Shame on you. Now do the right thing!!!
The model is an A70 by the way. The all caps was on so i posted my model as a A&) by mistake. Lightly tapping makes sensor come on for now. I don\'t want to do without my camera right now, and wiggling
has been fixing the the image sensor even out of guarantee, now own up to the E18. Learn from General Motors, listen to your customers, or lose your Number 1 standing and reputation.
But I figured, it\'s, I\'m sure that it will be reliable. Now I am getting the E18 error. And the famous defective image sensor that blacks out. Sony makes that chip, and it it is recalled. Canon at least has
Yes I have an A&) that i paid almost $500.00 for new in 2003. I bought the CANON because I highly respected the name. The moving parts for the lens concerned me, as a lot of other digital cameras at the time did not have a lens that extended out when you turned it on.
I\'ve had my Canon S80 for 2 1/2 years. After a night in the mountains I came home and my camera had the E18 error. I found this sight and used the tips to fix my camera. I\'m guessing the proplem may have been from dust because I did not drop the camera.
On the way back from my summer vacation, My Canon PowerShot 550 was dropped accidently. The lens would stick but the camera worked for a while on the flight home. After a day or so, I got the E18 message.
OH.. Forgot to mention that my little sister got a Powershot SD630 for Christmas this past year, and had the fatal \"Lens Error. Restart Camera\" message about 4 months after she got it. She has no idea what happened (she never dropped it and rarely used it). This is outrageous.
I have had my Canon Powershot SD450 for almost 2 years, really loved that camera. Last week it randomly showed the E18 error 3 days after a beach trip, and now the lens won\'t retract. Took it to 2 camera shops to see if they could fix it, but they can\'t, and Canon charges $140. If they lowered the price they\'d get a lot more business and satisfied customers; I really loved this product and it seems like everyone else did, too. Never take your camera to the beach!!
I do received the lens error message of death. Then I read someone\'s advice: tap camera on your palm. Problem solved! For the moment at least...
I have a Canon Powershot S2 that just recently began struggling with an E18 error. I had no idea, googled it, and found you. After looking over the different solutions, I tried wiggling the lens even though it looked centered. With the camera on and the lens out, I wiggled the lens and all is well again. Thank you!!
My camera broke on my birthday! I had no idea why, but it gave me the E18 error and it wasn\'t in the user guide. Thanks to google I found this site and the tapping method worked well for me! Thanks so much!
I forgot to say that I\'ve got a German SD550 (or Ixus 750 as it\'s called in Europe.)
Don\'t really have a problem. Camera works fine. But:
I put a empty ver.req file on my SD card. Then I can press SET + DISP to get my firmware version displayed. This showed my firmware version and said: E18 where is says \"no error\" on other cameras.
Anyone else experiencing that? How can I ask my camera for a more specific complaint?
Brand new IXUS75/Powershot sd750.Out of the box the lens extends but doesn\'t retract. Total usage: zero shots :(
Dropped my Powersot A95--in padded case--while on vacation and got the dreaded \"E18.\" Couldn\'t take pictures for the last part of my vacation, but the sugestions I found here to rap the camera sharply on the edge of a desk did the trick. Yeah, internet! Thanks!
I had (have) an ixus 700, took about 7700 images without problems, yesterday it came up with E18 error. still no idea what to do
Forget to toll how.
Item 4, third alinea, the lens was not comming out. I moved the frondlensring very gently, did not hear a click, but obviously it was sufficient and it helped. The cam. now works as new.
Had a E18 failure. Ewith the tips of this side, I was able to fix it.
Txs very much.
Was using Canon software for remote shooting one day and next day got e18 error on my Powershot A85. Tried simple remedies without success.
Last night I was at a concert, and I stood up. My camera was off, and on my lap. When I stood up, the camera fell and when I tried to turn it on, it said \"Lens error, restart camera\" which is the same thing as E18. We\'ve tried all of the things that people have posted, except for opening up the camera, but it\'s stuck. The shutter is open, and it\'s basically very very dead. Any help?
I wo year withouthave an IXUS 40. and after two years without camera because e18 error, this afternoon I tried one of the solution proposed in this web page page. I it works again. The solution was: to tap the padded USB cover part on a hard surface, for example, a desk. It sounds so simple, but very often in works.
I can assure you that it works now i am very happy
I have a canon 80 & I bought a 5year warranty through B&H photo the warranty is fullfilled by mack camera. No one cares! It is under warranty, they will not fix it for free claiming that it was dropped! I have bought at least 8 canon cameras (3 SLR\'s) in the past & no longer will I buy another canon! What horrible customer service! What lame explanations! I forsee that they will lose wuite a bit of business over this. If they had a ny brains they would fix everyones camera for a minimal charge !!!!!!
I\'ve had a Powershot A60 for nearly 5 years now. Worked perfectly until a few months ago when the lcd screen started to display a blurry, purple image. I found on the net that the trick is to \"twist\" the camera (not the lens though) and then the image goes back to normal. However, since yesterday, I have the E18 error, the lens retracts by itself. I\'ve managed to fix this by twisting again, but it\'s not as effective.
I bought a canon camera, and after a half years beginning on to write E18 in the left corner
i also had an E18 issue. It is very irritating. anyones help would be greatly appreciated.
My camera stopped working after a trip to the beach. The lens was stuck in the retracted position and I got an E18 error. Suggestions to tap the camera didn\'t work. I went to http://www.fixya.com/support/t102982-e_18_problem and found Solution #2, posted by user \"gtoews.\" I took off the front and back cases, then manually rotated the position sensor. The camera works now, though I think the lens makes a little bit more noise now when it extends. We\'ll see if it keeps working in the days to come. Thanks, online help threads!
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