Troubleshooting Canon Camera Problems

You may experience problems with your Canon camera from time to time that don't result in any error messages or other easy-to-follow clues as to the problem. Troubleshooting such problems can be a little tricky. Use these tips to give yourself a better chance of success with your Canon camera troubleshooting techniques.

The Camera Will Not Turn On

A few issues can cause this problem in a Canon camera. First, make sure you charge the battery and insert it properly. Even if the battery was inserted in a charger, it's possible the battery wasn't inserted properly. Or, possibly, the charger was not plugged into an outlet properly, meaning the battery did not charge.

Make sure the metal terminals on the battery are clean. Use a dry cloth to remove any grime from the contact points. Also, if the battery compartment door is not securely closed, the camera will not turn on.

The Lens Will Not Retract Fully

With this problem, you may have inadvertently opened the battery compartment cover while operating the camera. In this case, close the battery compartment cover securely. Then turn the camera on and off, and the lens should retract.

It's also possible that the lens housing has some debris in it that could cause the lens housing to stick as it retracts. Clean the housing with a dry cloth when you extend the lens fully. Otherwise, the lens could be damaged, and your PowerShot camera may need to be repaired.

The LCD Will Not Display the Image

Some Canon PowerShot cameras have a DISP button, which may turn the LCD on and off. Press the DISP button to turn on the LCD. This is common when the Canon PowerShot camera has an electronic viewfinder option for framing photos, along with the LCD screen for framing photos. The live screen may be active with the electronic viewfinder, so pressing the DISP button can switch the live screen back to the LCD screen.

The LCD Screen is Flickering

If you hold the camera near a fluorescent light, the LCD screen image may flicker. Move the camera away from the fluorescent light. The LCD also may appear to flicker when viewing a scene while shooting in minimal light. But if the LCD screen seems to flicker in all types of shooting situations, you may need a repair.

White Dots Are Appearing in My Photos

White dots are most likely caused by the light from the flash reflecting off dust or other particles in the air. Turn off the flash or wait until the air clears to shoot the photo.

It's also possible that the lens has spots on it, causing problems with image quality. Make sure the lens is completely clean. Otherwise, you could have a problem with the image sensor causing white dots on the photos.

The Image I Saw on the LCD Looks Different Than the Actual Photo

Some Canon point and shoot cameras don't exactly match the LCD image and the actual photo image. LCDs might only display 95 percent of the image shot, for example. This difference is exaggerated when the subject is close to the lens. Look through the specification list for your Canon PowerShot camera to see if they list a percentage of scene coverage.

I Cannot Make the Camera's Images Display on My TV

Figuring out how to show photos on a TV screen can be tricky. Press the Menu button on the camera, select the Settings tab, and match the video system settings in the camera with the video system the TV uses. Some PowerShot cameras cannot display photos on a TV screen because the camera doesn't have an HDMI output capability or an HDMI output port.