Recovering a dead Canon 350D : Martin Pot

Dejan Zivanic wrote at 2010-02-23 17:06

My 350d suddenly stopped working... I tried above steps but nothing helped.

:(

Any other suggestions ??

Dejan Zivanic wrote at 2010-02-24 17:33

@Martin: thanks for reply.

I solved problem with my 350D. Problem was with battery grip. One of battery contact was unsecured and did not fit well. I opened the grip and rechecked every wire again and now everything works perfectly!

Best regards,
Dejan

rubble wrote at 2010-03-26 12:53

ive tried everythin to get my 350 d workin .but stil nothin.

allan petrie wrote at 2010-04-08 12:57

my 350d locked up today with exactly those symptoms.. not a good day for it either as was out to take pictures of a steam train and ospreys in scotland! My only body too, oh well...
I tried your steps above and this cured my camera! Would like to say cheers as this means i can at least get some shots during the rest of the vacation! Would love to get a spare body but finances prohibit that just now (or the wife does to be more accurate!)

manuel wrote at 2010-08-09 03:20

I've had the same problem, I've tried the steps listed above and nothing changed. My camera doesn't turn on. After trying some things, when I put the main switch in the position ON, and then i press the buton of selection of rafale mode, I get the respective icon on the display. Nothing else for the moment. Another suggestions? Thanks

OscylO wrote at 2010-11-19 10:30

Thanks, you saved me. Cause of problem was one file on CF card. After removing that file and reseting camera like You said it works again.

Stephen wrote at 2011-03-15 07:47

Martin, well done again. Another camera rebel xt up and running.

dian dimov wrote at 2011-04-27 04:17

thank you, 7 step master 8-) it's alive

Clive Pett wrote at 2011-05-27 04:02

Worked a treat for me! The power of the web never ceases to amaze me. Brillant!

Donna wrote at 2011-09-18 18:18

I dont normally bother commenting on these things, but it was a horrible day when my 350 started doing the same, then eventually wouldnt turn on. Google lead me here, and now it lives again! My bank balance thanks you

Dr.Jatin Talwar wrote at 2011-10-02 04:03

Great ....saved my life today . Worked !!! Did have the idea of static charges ..was just missing the removing the date and time battery too .
Brilliant work Martin ..God bless you .

wendy wrote at 2011-11-07 09:43

my cannon camera is always saying (change the batteries)even that i already replaced the battery a new one...and the internal battery is lost together the socket...can i buy again the socket?where?

Bohouš wrote at 2011-11-30 16:09

Thank you very much! You saved my 300D which turned dead a few months ago from being sold for parts. Now it works again. It is a miracle!

Katie wrote at 2012-07-05 05:28

Thanks for this advice, camera would turn on but not focus or take a shot despite changing lenses. Followed your advice and now its working perfectly. Brilliant!

Joy Fender wrote at 2012-07-08 13:45

Thanks so much for posting this! I was trying not to panic when I started experiencing issues with my camera last week. Today, it just wouldn't turn on. Thanks to some good Googling skills and your blog post, my camera is up and running. I do think I'll pick up a spare CR2016 to have on hand for a big trip we have coming up next month!

Julie M-P wrote at 2012-08-14 02:13

Thank you, my 350d had stopped working a couple of weeks again, I had already replaced the backup battery without any joy. However this reset has worked a treat. Thank you this saved me having to buy a new body or paying for it to be looked at professionally

sohaib wrote at 2012-10-07 04:09

I've had my canon (eos 350d / rebel xt). At first the information screen started losing some of it's display but the camera functioned properly. Now the set button no longer functions. Any tips for repairs or is it time to move on to a newer camera?

Erica wrote at 2012-10-14 16:35

My Canon 350D suddenly locked up today. I changed out the batteries, turned it on & off about 20 times, checked all the settings, and then began looking for some secret button that I thought I might have pushed (lol). Then I put in a search for "my canon 350D won't shoot, and I came upon your blog. I followed the steps above, doubtful it would help, but Wa-lah!! Following the steps worked and the camera is up & working. Thank you so much. This camera is beyond my needs (& knowledge for that matter, given to me by my son who is a professional photographer) so I was totally baffled (and still am!). I am amazed still (giving away my age now) by the internet, and that I got help in a matter of seconds with something that would have otherwise caused me much grief (and money if I had to bring it in to a camera shop). thanks again.

Eddie wrote at 2012-12-27 01:45

Well what can I say it worked for me really amazed that it did was not expecting it to.
Mine locked up on christmas day I put it down to a flat battery at first.Came home charged fully charged it still no joy,thought just what I need an expensive repair.
So started searching and came across this site problem cured within three minutes .
Thank you so much was over the moon.

caroline wrote at 2013-01-27 21:47

hi i tried your steps but my error cf is still showing

hj wrote at 2013-02-01 02:49

worked
Thanks a Lot
cheers

jim wrote at 2013-04-01 04:12

Charged battery yesterday and after shooting went to view shots but camera dead. Used your method and now ok. Thanks

Teresa wrote at 2013-05-10 21:35

THANK YOU!!!! Can't believe it was that simple.
Mine locked up after shooting outside on a cold snowy day. I'm thinking extreme temperatures must trigger this problem.

Anneri wrote at 2013-09-20 01:52

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Saved my on the eve of departing for Italy. I have been so rushed and only took my old camera out tonight, going to use it as backup. And then found out it was DEAD. But, your steps fixed my problem. I didn't even know the camera had a second battery ;-)

ACH wrote at 2013-09-23 22:42

Martin, What does it mean if I have followed all the steps above and the camera still fails to respond? I have replaced both batteries with new fully charged batteries. I went through the reboot sequence described above that worked for so many people. I even said a prayer! Still its not turning on. What should my next steps be? This is an older EOS 350. Is it likely done?

Grey wrote at 2013-10-09 11:02

I followed the above method without success. I almost gave up. Then I stumbled on a little different method which worked for me:
1. take out both batteries/memory card
2. turn the camera to on. leave for 20 seconds
3. press shutter button 6 times
4. let sit for 30 minutes) Then to use it after those 30 minutes.

nige wrote at 2013-11-14 02:47

i have a 30D with a similar problem.
similar to another poster, the camera malfunctioned when a different memory card (which turned out to be faulty) was used in it.
the camera when turned on, took 3 pictures by itself, lit up the 'direct print' button and then died.
nothing since.
very weird..
i have tried all the steps listed but no luck.
any other ideas?
and how on earth can a faulty memory card kill an otherwise very robust camera???

Tina wrote at 2013-12-07 11:09

I have a canon rebel xs. During the last couple photo shoots, I have been having a problem with my camera shutting down about taking 30 pictures. If I turn off the camera I can take another picture or two, but I have to keep doing this to get anymore shots. Do you have any ideas.

ChrisH wrote at 2013-12-17 23:06

Same symptoms but the fix has not helped. Camera should power up without a CF card installed anyway. There is a small fuse located about where the SET button is, off to find a disassembly walkthrough to access it.

Lu wrote at 2013-12-29 00:51

Thank you. Even though I could not remove the date time battery in the canon eos t1i these steps fixed the camera. The camera was fine until I removed the battery, which was flashing low, in order to recharge it. When I charged the battery and put it back in, the camera was dead. Nothing came up on the display at all no matter what button I pushed. Even the computer did not recognize anything when I plugged it into the USB. I followed the steps above, but let the camera sit for 45 minutes in the on position with the battery and card removed and with the battery compartment closed. Turned it off, put the battery back in and it worked. The only thing I wonder about is the display went dark a few times when I tilted the camera. So far so good right now. At least it's on and it took pictures. Thank you for posting this cure.

Gregg Armstrong wrote at 2013-12-30 23:37

Thx so much. I followed this process, and Camera is working very well again. Turns out the little battery is wasted, and needs replacement.

Thank you.

shaun kelly wrote at 2013-12-31 06:32

Hi, I to have the same problem and after the above recomendations it still has no power, i bought a new battery but have not changed the time/date one as yet - any other ideas out there ? thanks

Marina wrote at 2014-03-08 10:58

Canon 350D just revived after a year on the shelf saving up for repairs. Followed battery procedure - back to life! THANK YOU!!!

Bob Demuynck wrote at 2014-05-12 15:55

Yuphia-hee! 350d died last weekend with err99 after shooting along a rainy day. Tried all suggestions here to no avail. Contactsprayed batterycontacts at last et voila!

Charles wrote at 2014-07-24 14:29

My 350D also stopped with same symptoms. I tried all the spare batteries by no difference. The following day I Googled and found your excellent blog but when I picked up the camera to try your solutions it gave up the prretend dead and started working again! I am wondering though whether your suggestion of heat could be the cause as we were in full sun on an extremely hot day. I have kept a copy of your blog though in case it happens again.

Andy wrote at 2014-08-19 04:20

Brilliant! I just tried this about 2 minutes ago on the wife's 350d..."It's alive," and no wierd science involved anywhere. Thanks for the article, and for not taking it down after all those billions of internet years ;)

Ron Bocken wrote at 2014-10-17 18:19

Great fix!! I was almost ordering a new one... never thought of the back battery!! Thanks a bunch!

pec wrote at 2015-01-15 23:25

Thanks a lot !
I though that my 350d was dead after a x ray check at the airport 4 years ago.

Sb wrote at 2015-02-19 08:28

Yay! Thanks for that. My 60D stopped working after extreme cold so I'm sure there is some kind of temperature sensor that shuts it down. After your fix it's back! I was worried there, thank you.

Vanessa wrote at 2015-03-12 22:42

So thankful to come across this information! My camera is back up and running again. I did have to let mine set overnight before it "woke up". I did get some response after about 45 min. but the LCD screen wasn't working at that point. After leaving it overnight it is back up and working well.

Thank you SO much for saving me a bundle!

Mhairi Miller wrote at 2015-05-30 01:36

Thanks you so much for this article. I've spent two days panicking over my camera as I'm shooting a burlesque night tomorrow and have no back up (I'm still new to the game), but thanks to this guide I've managed to save my camera from doom and the shoot is still on. Huzzah!

Pam Carter wrote at 2015-06-24 23:50

I tried this and it did not work. I tried to follow the other steps listed above but it didn't say when to put in battery or when to hit the shutter. No matter what i have tried I cannot get it to take pictures - was taking them and it just stopped. it shows all this stuff on the screen (2000 5.6[999] and a bunch of symbols

Laura Healy wrote at 2015-08-19 05:37

Thank you so much for this advice - I am currently on holiday in the French Alps and was gutted that my beloved camera has stopped working in such a scenic location! Thank goodness for the Internet!
Laura

DaisyMay wrote at 2015-11-29 09:19

i have a 30D with a similar problem, i originally acquired an external flash from Sakar that i was told would work fine, but as i was configuring it my camera shut off, made these weird clicking noises inside and wouldn't turn back on, its a hand me down so im sure its older than 4 years at least, but i purchased new batteries, both internal and date/time battery. did everything above, even cleared the compact flash i have but nothing at all. anytime i stick the battery in hoping for a sign of life it clicks internally somewhere but nothing. help please :(

Steve wrote at 2016-02-04 08:10

Thanks to this blog! My 350D works completely fine, changes aperture in AV, but in Manual Mode the button is not functioning, the button below (shooting mode and timer) is not working and the button below (the one that brings some orange light for night to the screen) is not working, everything else works, I need to use manual mode, please help!

Seppo wrote at 2016-05-08 19:15

Thank you for that 7 steps advice. It fixed my dead 350D :)

Michael wrote at 2016-05-26 15:38

Thank you. My 350d stopped takin photos in the middle of the shoot, I couldn't figure out why, I thought it was a faulty card but in the end I followed your reboot steps above and I'm back in action thanks!

Jean-Francois Fortin wrote at 2016-09-02 22:27

Thanks for this "recipe". It worked on my 350D.

LH wrote at 2016-12-04 09:11

On my 30d, when I pop in my battery, nothing happens. If I hit the button thats illuminates the top lcd, a few lines appear, but go away after a few seconds. Then, If i take out the battery and put it back in, the shutter goes off twice, and then it stops. It goes off every time I put it back in, until the battery is dead. Any help?
Thanks.

Peter wrote at 2017-05-24 05:23

Thank you! Camera was dead after several months of non-use, tried everything I could think of, including cleaning battery contacts, removing and reinstalling them, but did not try your cure. Anyway, it lives! (although now I HAVE NO EXCUSE TO BUY A NEW CAMERA. Damn!

Jake wrote at 2017-07-10 21:44

Few days ago got myself spare camera. Good ol' 350D but it is not working properly. Turns on, displays the settings (and you can change aperture etc.), but when picture is taken or menu button pressed it freezes and CF light turns on. As known only reboot helps, but the same thing again. Inspected it, CF slot has one pin bended down althou i got all the ex owner pictures imported in pc without a problem. Trying out those battery removal things, but still, nothing. When shaking camera, something sounds broken off inside. Not good thing of course. Any opinions ? Thanks.
P.s. Without CF card now it freezes immediatly when turned on. Tried AF lens before and it focuses, althou after some time legendary error99 appeared.
One messed up camera ;D

Wilfried wrote at 2017-08-17 03:55

Canon 350d.... Same problem. Having taken the last shot on vacation in Sweden some days ago all of a sudden the camera was really "dead". Bought a new 3 volt battery over there - nothing. After having come back to Germany tonight I found your link on the net. It worked perfectly fine..... Unbelievable!!!

Au wrote at 2018-04-07 23:01

Thank you! My 350D suddenly stopped taking photos. But I could still turn it on, just that nothing was happening when I pressed the shutter. This worked perfectly!

David Ferguson wrote at 2019-01-06 11:53

350D buttons don't activate the LCD screen.
When i turn it on, the date screen comes on. you can hit the key that adjusts it down, the wb key. as far as raising the date number, you cant. neither can you move it over to the day or the year. also it wont set, all i can do is hit the shutter button to get it off that screen. once i am in shooting mode the only button that works is the shutter button. unless i change the shooting settings to anything in the "A-DEP through P setting". once i set it to that i can hit the AF button and the screen menu will come up but i cant do anything with it but scroll down on it with the wb key. cant set anything, all i can do is once again hit the shutter button to go back into shooting mode. i emailed canon, they didn't tell me what was wrong but they did say it is internal and parts will have to be replaced.
It was fine a few months ago and has been in its bag since. I got it out to recharge the batteries and noticed the malfunction

Ramiro wrote at 2020-11-01 00:08

I just worked fine here. My camera was dead after some "err 99". Also months with no working autofocus. Now it survived using this fix and is working fine, even the autofocus!

LP wrote at 2020-11-08 03:34

THANKYOU! Lifesaver :o) worked!

TW not digitally inclined wrote at 2021-10-21 08:07

I want to thank the person who posted this and left up all this time. I just had my 350D do this exact same thing and after following these simple steps, the camera refreshed and came to life in just a couple minutes. Thanks, Bless you Pea Pickin Heart.