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Troubleshooting Camera Issues
Some common camera problems offer easy solutions
By Kyle Schurman Kyle Schurman Freelance Contributor University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kyle Schurman is a writer who specializes in digital cameras. His writing has appeared in Steve's Darkroom, Gadget Review, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 24, 2020 Tweet Share Email BraunS / iStock Tweet Share Email Travel Tech Digital Cameras & Photography Tips for Mobile Photography Some camera problems are complex and may require shipping your camera to a repair center. Other problems, however, are easy to fix, if you know what to do. alfalfa126 / Getty Images Camera Won' t Power On
The most common cause of this problem is the battery. The battery could be drained, inserted improperly, plagued by dirty metal contacts, or malfunctioning. Verify the battery is fully charged and the battery compartment is free of grime and particles that could interfere with the metal contacts. Some cameras will not power on if the battery compartment latch is loose, so check the latch. Camera Won' t Record Photos
Select a photography mode with your camera, rather than a playback mode or a video mode. If your camera's battery power is low, the camera might not be able to record photos even if the device appears to function. Additionally, if your camera's internal memory area or your memory card is full, the camera won't record any more photos. With some cameras, the internal software only allows a certain number of photos to be recorded on a single memory card because of how the software numbers each photo. Once the camera hits its limit, it won't save any more photos. (This problem is more likely to occur when an older camera is paired with a new, large memory card.) LCD Is Blank
Some cameras contain a monitor button, which turns the LCD on and off—make sure you haven't inadvertently pressed this button. If your camera's power-saving mode is enabled, the LCD will blank after a certain period of inactivity. You can lengthen the amount of time before the camera enters power-saving mode—or you can turn off power-saving mode—through the camera's menus. It's also possible the camera has locked up, leaving the LCD blank. To reset the camera, remove the battery and memory card for 10 minutes before trying to power up the camera again. LCD Is Tough to See
Some cameras allow you to set the brightness of the LCD, meaning it's possible the LCD's brightness has been turned to its lowest setting, leaving the LCD dim. Reset the LCD's brightness through the camera's menus. Photo Quality Is Poor
If you're experiencing poor photo quality, it isn't a given that the problem lies with the camera. You can improve photo quality by using better lighting, proper framing, good subjects, and sharp focus. If your camera has a small built-in flash unit, you may end up with poor results in low-light situations. Consider shooting in the fully automatic mode to allow the camera to create all of the settings, ensuring you have the best chance of creating a well-exposed photo. Shooting at a higher resolution doesn't guarantee better photos, but it can help. Make sure the lens is clean, as spots or dust on the lens can cause image-quality problems. If you're shooting in low light conditions, use a tripod or use the camera's image stabilization feature to reduce camera shake. Otherwise, try leaning against a wall or door frame to steady yourself and avoid camera shake. Finally, some cameras just don't work well, especially if they're older models that have been dropped a time or two. Consider upgrading your camera equipment, if you've had it for a few years and if the image quality suddenly is reduced after a drop. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Nikon Troubleshooting: How to Fix Your Nikon Camera Is the Canon PowerShot SX420 Right for You? Tips for Troubleshooting GE Cameras Problems How to Fix Olympus Mirrorless Camera Problems Troubleshooting Canon Camera Problems Troubleshooting Vivitar Cameras How to Have Success With Crowd Photography Canon EOS Rebel T7 Kit Review: The Newest Rebel Camera is a Noteworthy Improvement Use These Tips for Troubleshooting Panasonic Cameras Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ53 Review: A Great Point and Shoot Camera for the Budget Conscious Pentax DSLR Camera Error Messages Nikon COOLPIX P1000 Review: The World's Most Extreme Superzoom DSLR Autofocus vs. Manual Focus Small Photo Camera Image Quality Settings Tips Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Review: Compact but Powerful Mastering Shutter Priority Mode on Your DSLR Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies