Fixing a Slipping Main Dial on a Canon DSLR : Martin Pot

James wrote at 2013-03-28 10:19

Hi, Thanks for this, I just bought a s/h 30D and found that the wheel slipped unless I put some forward pressure on it. I was going to return the camera but found this tip and it's worked for me! Thanks again for working this out.

Josef wrote at 2013-08-14 01:06

Hi
This happened to my 40D and 50D after a few years of using. I was looking for a parts list and found this tip. I will definitely give it a try, thanks a lot for sharing.

Josef wrote at 2013-08-17 13:45

Successfully glued it with Gorilla Super Glue. You have to be really careful, not to use too much of it, like I did. But thankfully it was not that much and after a couple tries back and forth the wheel turned again. Both cameras work now great again.
Thanks again for the tip.

Corey M wrote at 2013-08-26 03:02

Thank You So Much! I have Had This Problem, And Put Up With It For So Long. I Use Gorilla Glue As Well, Worked Grrrr8!

Sara Mack wrote at 2013-11-24 00:19

THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! What a huge help! Worked great. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this info out there!

Reynaldo Williams wrote at 2013-12-04 21:37

“LIFE SAVER”…had been contemplating on how I was going to fix the issue with the dial. I for one did not want to invest $300.00 for repair when the camera on the use market is not worth that much. I started looking around for a fix solution and came upon your site. Thanks a bunch. I applied gorilla glue last night to several parts on the dial, used a dentist tooth pick to clean up. The dial works wonderfully.
Happy Holidays and keep shooting
Reynaldo Williams
www.creativephotoimagesllc.com

sameer verma wrote at 2013-12-10 21:24

it really worked like a charm on 40D canon and saved few thousands. thanks a ton

Warren S wrote at 2014-01-07 22:35

Thank you for this tip, your a life saver for my 50D

Francois wrote at 2014-02-11 07:04

I am French and had the problem today (10.02.2014). I discovered this page and tried as described.

I simply can confirm that this worked for me immediately.

Many thanks to martybugs.net :))

Ron wrote at 2014-04-12 17:17

Thanks very much for the advice. Had it repaired about a year ago @ Canon. It was free but they said they would charge if it happens again. Been worried about since it happened again about 3 weeks ago.

Mit wrote at 2014-04-22 08:15

wow, thanks for the tip, never thought of this way and was looking for replacement part straight, but this will stop my 30d from opening :)))))

Leo wrote at 2014-04-26 03:22

Thanks for the write-up on the fix for the slipping main dial!!!

The solution worked for me on my 50D. This is actually my back-up body and decided to use it at an event yesterday. I was surprised that it was 'broken' and wasn't sure if it was worth spending the money to get it fixed. Found your write-up and Thank You for saving me a lot of money and helping to keep my 50D as a back-up!!!

Lisl wrote at 2014-04-30 03:02

Thanks Martin! Thank you for saving my camera, it almost got recycled :-)

Lukas wrote at 2014-05-04 19:10

You made my day. I used Pattex Repair Gel and it worked for my 30D.

Pierrot wrote at 2014-05-16 21:58

Thanks! worked like a charm on my 40D!

Y.G wrote at 2014-05-19 04:43

Thanks!.
It works like a charm!
I was working around this for ~3 years, too lazy to fix.
Got frustrated and used your method.
Like magic!

Yves wrote at 2014-06-02 07:47

Thanks!

I think I found a safer method : Just cleaning under the rubber dial seems to work for me. I use camping fuel but white spirit should work too. I use a Q-tip and "roll" it under the rubber dial a few time on both side. The solvent I use evaporate quickly so I had to dip the Qtip a few time.

I was not able to make it slip after the cleaning. I even put the camera under a small lamp to heat it a bit since in order to try reproducing the problem and was not able (was happening more when warm outside). Now the rubber dial also seems to "grip" better when using it. I guess that grease from finger was the cause of the problem.

Vince wrote at 2014-07-01 20:25

Thanks!!! : )

It works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : D

Joseph Andrews wrote at 2014-07-21 23:02

Hello internet surfers with a 30D, 40D, or 50D top dial 'slippage' problem. All of a sudden, out of the blue, my trusty 40D became afflicted with this problem...and I'm not sure why. I read (and saw here) and other places about lifting the rubber dial a bit in order to place a bit of glue at one or more places on the plastic wheel underneath the soft rubber dial in order to attach the two parts together (thus preventing the slippage).

This method appears to work...also mentioned on this page is, I think, a strategy of trying to soften up the rubber dial with organic solvent (camping fuel). I like this one a bit more than the glueing approach.

My solvent of choice? Plain old rubbing alcohol.

So I pried off, (just a bit, like in the picture on this page) the rubber dial and then slid the smallest screwdriver I own underneath the rubber to expose a few mm of the plastic below.

Then I soaked a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol and jammed the wet Q-tip (as best I could) between the soft rubber and the hard plastic parts (which were separated by the tiny screwdriver). I then more-or-less moved the dial as best I could to enable reapplication of the rubbing alcohol (via Q-tip) until I felt like it has moved 360 degrees.

I removed the screwdriver and waited five minutes and...voila!...top dial working again.

As I am writing this it is 12 hours later...and the top dial on the 40D still works...fingers crossed!

Gahd I love the internet for this sort of thing. Thanks!

Iain Russell wrote at 2014-07-23 23:29

Wow! .....just gotta luv helpful blogs on the net..........thanks Marty for this post.

My 40D dial started slipping today and i thought 'that's it, paper weight' but thanks to this post it's up and running again.
Great tip everyone. Many Thanks

Damon wrote at 2014-08-09 08:29

Thanks for the tip - it worked great! Wish I would have found this fix a year ago.

Tony H wrote at 2014-08-19 04:36

THANK YOU!!!! I was wondering the same thing as the posters earlier... how insane the prices to 'fix' the dial are, when it's simply a matter of providing a better gripping surface for the rubber!

I recently added a 6D to my collection, and I'm wondering if it too will suffer the same problem over time. I think it would be good if they were to design the actual plastic dial with a 'gear' pattern, and make the rubber geared as well, so as to create a mesh that WON'T slip. (I guess I couldn't get paid for that idea...huh?)

adam wrote at 2014-09-16 10:42

well, thanks a lot for this tip. I just glued the slipping dial on my 5D mark ii and it seemed to work really well. thanks again!

Tanya wrote at 2014-10-19 09:27

well going to try this now .. my 50d started doing this today .. grrrrr

Brittany wrote at 2014-11-21 21:51

Being a bit apprehensive to use the super glue, I decided to try the rubbing alcohol first. It worked like a charm! The main dial on my 40D is back in business. Thank you!!!

steven L wrote at 2014-11-29 15:27

The slipping disc on my canon 50D has been bothering me for a couple of years. I used to push it against the edge and it would turn 75% of the time. but today I was shooting some photos and I'd just had it. I was actually looking for a repair shop but came across your link. it worked like a charm. no more slipping so I can keep on shooting. Thank you!

Alessandro wrote at 2014-12-24 06:56

Hi! I'm italian and I have the same problem. I would like just cleaning under the rubber dial, but I don't know what is rubben alcohol cause I can't find a correct translation in italian. The correct one is: Isopropyl alcohol - Surgical spirit - Ethyl alcohol - denatured alcohol?
Help me please :)

Dave wrote at 2015-01-27 01:59

The qtip and rubbing alcohol worked for me on my 5D!
Thanks for saving me $150!

Roger Bunce wrote at 2015-02-14 02:50

My Canon 40D is about 6 year old and I had the same problem, namely: rubber grip of main dial slipping on its inner plastic wheel. I feel uneasy about getting 'super glue' anywhere near my camera. I used clear methylated spirit. You don't need much, just dip a cocktail stick into the spirit in the lid of the bottle of methylated spirit, and the droplet adhering to the stick is enough. Then ease back the rubber and apply the methylated spirit between the rubber and the inner plastic wheel. The low surface tension will cause the methylated spirit to flow between the rubber and the plastic. Turn the main wheel backwards and forwards a few times - it will slip at first. The methylated spirit will degrease the rubber/plastic, and when it has evaporated (in say 30 seconds), then main dial will work perfectly. The methylated spirit will not degrade the rubber because the amount is so small and it evaporates quickly.

ordinarydk wrote at 2015-03-05 13:36

Thank you soooo much, i just bought a used 40d last month n got the same problem, been looking for diy tht can help me n urs the best!!

Marcos wrote at 2015-05-15 03:24

Thank you very much!!!! Your guide lead me to read the comments and, with that, I did the fix my own way. Since it looked to me that the problem was truly related to some kind of grease in the interface between the dial and the rubber ring, I pulled the ring using your suggestions and cleaned this interface with a cotton swab damped isopropyl alcohol. Worked flawlessly! Moreover, isopropyl alcohol is totally safe to be used with electronics, plastic and rubber parts.

David wrote at 2015-07-23 16:40

Metho worked a treat for me ... hardly needed any and applied it with a toothpick. Thanks everyone

RS wrote at 2015-08-10 17:45

Hey, thanks so much for posting this. Had the classic symptoms (slipping more in one direction than the other) on a six year old 50D. The rubbing alcohol solution worked immediately (I was a little nervous about glue). You guys saved me a ton a money. Don't ya just love the net?

Joachim wrote at 2015-08-21 21:31

Wouah!! Thank you!! I actually tried the "washing" technique with iso-propanol, and I have to say.... IT IS WORKING AGAIN!!! I was seeing myself sending my camera for repair and pay as much for repair than it is worth (40D), but man I am happy that I don't have to do that. A little isopropanol and you are good to go!! Thank you girls and guys!!!
Amazing that so many have this problem though.....

Theo wrote at 2015-08-28 00:06

Thanks man!! works very good!

dave w wrote at 2015-11-30 03:41

what a fantastic find this was, just asked for a repair quote for my 40d with this exact problem then found this fix, rushed down to my shed because I knew I had some Meths in there, did as described and it worked straight away, sorry Mr camera repair man, you lost out this time, thanks to Martin

Yugesh wrote at 2015-12-28 04:35

Thank you for the wonderful advise on main dial repair. It worked.

gpc wrote at 2016-01-11 10:21

i have two 40d that main dial slipping..i was going to try the glue but I try the less hostile which is the alcohol...it worked on me too...thank you so much..

Carlo Scetta wrote at 2016-03-12 07:08

thank you from Italy Working perfectly..

Pieter wrote at 2016-03-27 03:27

Your tip saved my 30D. Thanks a bunch!

Vicel wrote at 2016-03-29 00:57

I was in despair when my 40D had this problem. You just made me happy again!! Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!

gualtiero wrote at 2016-05-21 18:43

thanks, this is like the most useful post ever - and the comments too. I went with the rubbing alchol and cotton swab method, and it worked just perfect.

Daniel wrote at 2016-06-28 21:21

Great, rubbing alcohol solved the problem of slipping dial on my 40D

Daniel wrote at 2016-06-28 21:59

Great, rubbing alcohol solved the problem of slipping dial on my 40D

Dw wrote at 2016-08-01 14:25

It took 2 minutes to fix . I used 1 cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol ,peeled back the rubber and dabbed the bud in . Moved the wheel a few clicks and repeated til it had turned 360 degrees.
I now have a fully functional 50d again .
Thanks

Kevin wrote at 2016-08-18 23:01

Thanks! Worked on my trusty old 30D. Briliant!

Gareth wrote at 2016-09-30 12:46

Just superb. Was going to bin my 40d but now it's back as new. Great advice

TN wrote at 2016-10-04 05:14

I found this page after having noticed the problem on my 50D. I squeezed a drop of Hand Sanitizer gel (ethyl alcohol) on one end of a Q-tip, then followed the procedure as described. The "clicking" function is now restored. Thank you!

Eric wrote at 2016-10-08 19:11

Thanks mate, figured it was the problem you described and your little trick worked wonders. Used a paper clip and only used the tiniest dab of superglue gel was enough.

SMT wrote at 2016-10-12 13:48

Had this problem a month ago with my 6 years old 50D. I'm not comfortable with the glue method so I went with the rubbing alcohol and cotton swab route. I used a slanted tweeezer to hold the rubber dail up. Hoped it was the oil/grease from the fingers that caused the slippage. It worked like a charm and clicking now! Thank-you so much everyone!

TJH wrote at 2016-10-15 01:02

I've been worried about the cost of repairs to the main dial of my 40D, because the slipping has lately become much worse. However, after following the suggestions on this post and using the alcohol route, the dial is now working like a charm. Thanks a million everyone for your invaluable suggestions!

Jeffrey Muniz wrote at 2017-03-01 12:05

Great!!! Excelent!!! Works Perfect!!

Andy Michie wrote at 2017-04-06 14:16

Thanks for the advice, you have saved me a huge repair bill, my trusty 40d will be getting a lot of use again this year

Twan052 wrote at 2017-04-22 22:26

Thanks for sharing. It works perfectly for my 30 d camera with a small drop of super glue.

PE wrote at 2017-04-28 04:41

Thanks for the tip! You saved me a couple hundred bucks. I used the Loctite super glue on a tooth pick and it worked like a charm.

Kraff wrote at 2017-05-14 01:15

It worked!, note: be very careful when you are sceezing the glue out onto a piece of paper or the toothpick. My tube was clogged, pressed too hard and squirted glue on the camera body. Spent the rest of the day removing it..... :-(
30D

N. Eagle wrote at 2017-06-02 06:42

Canon EOS: 30D
Outcome: Works

Bought a 30D to use as a teaching tool to one who's interested in photography. The wheel of course was slipping. Not anymore. Small dabs of super glue cured this issue.

H.S. wrote at 2017-06-14 00:46

thanks for the advice, hadn't an idea what the rubber would lift but not damage or finally destroy.

also I was affraid to use some superglue. a drop on the case - body ruined. too much glue that flows everywhere ... wheel ruined ...

my method was not glue, but a no clean flux dispensing pen.
everybody who ever used rosin for soldering knows that it will glue a bit between fingers or on the workbench.

this little bit "glue" is enough to increase the friction from the rubber to the plastic and it would not lock everything else.

something like this.
https://www.amazon.com/MG-Chemicals-Rosin-Flux-Pen/dp/B0080X79HG

it took a few seconds and the rubber is as good as new

Hermes Amorim wrote at 2017-06-15 23:08

Thanks a lot !!!! Great tip !!!!

Zen Panda wrote at 2017-06-16 16:51

This happened on my canon 6d after a couple years of good and hard use. Totally love this camera. So I was quite surprised when this little rubber piece pretty much rendered this camera useless in real world shooting applications, weddings, etc. A small, simple, cheap rubber piece failing has this much impact? That's horrible engineering. My buddy's 5D Mark 3 has a plastic main dial scroll wheel not rubber.

In any event, I tried using isopropyl alcohol and it didn't work and I tried super glue to some small effect doesnt really work. I'm ordering a new assembly off ebay for $50 shipped and hoping that will fix it without too much ado. Hopefully the tear down isn't hard, the youtube video helps a bunch. I like taking things apart but shouldn't have to in order to fix something that reminds me of using a rubber timing belt in replace of a chain belt in a car.

Jeh wrote at 2017-07-09 10:50

Getting ready to go on vacation to Yosemite. The new 6d markii won't be out till we get back and I didn't want to put more money into my 50d. Was going to the store to get glue then read about the alcohol method and figured I would try it first. I did not need the glue thanks. If it doesn't continue to work will try the glue

Tim Trammell wrote at 2017-08-28 10:04

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!! this just saved me money!!!! AWESOME!

Robin wrote at 2017-10-16 11:24

I just have to say thank you for taking the time to post this solution. I did the gorilla glue and it worked like a charm. Super fast solution. Was so frustrated during a shoot when the wheel would sometimes stick and then it got to a point where it would not turn back. Really didn't want to spend money on this camera as I plan to upgrade soon and would rather put the money towards feeding the kids. Not only did you save me money but also the time that to send it in to be repaired. Thanks a huge bunch.

Ron wrote at 2017-10-21 09:18

Wow, thanks. And here I was thinking I might replace my 40D.

Glenn wrote at 2017-11-10 04:17

I wish I thought of this before mine BROKE and I had no option but to keep wheeling it until I noticed, NO MORE RUBBER PIECE!. I thought it had fallen into the housing but a co-worker thinks it just fell out where I was. Nevertheless, I now can't use the camera. (Hello 6d Mark ii!) This 6d still works otherwise but it's old and has like 500,000 photos on the shutter. So, there's a part on ebay I can buy and open her up to fix it Zen Panda?

Gary wrote at 2017-11-24 00:28

Thanks for this solution, I also used Gorilla glue. One more tip that might help others who are as ham-fisted as I am: I then folded a small piece of paper, slid it into the gap between the wheel and the body and rotated the wheel towards the opening in the folded paper. This caught and removed the excess glue that was squeezed out when I released the rubber.

Brendan wrote at 2017-11-30 08:29

Thanks for that, it worked a treat on my Canon 50D. It had me baffled for a month or so.

Joel wrote at 2017-12-09 11:14

OMG!!! Thank you! I started to search on the internet for some hint of the average repair cost for the 50D and stumbled upon this article. I used two of the tiniest drops of 2-part epoxy on the tip of a toothpick, waited 10 minutes and voila! My camera is back to normal.

MJ wrote at 2018-01-20 02:42

Great to find this info! Always thought this was a wheel dial, didnt realise it had the rubber outer piece.. Before applying the glue I lifted the rubber and seated back down and works fine! Maybe you dont always need the glue just reseat the rubber.. fingers crossed and if it begins to slip again I know what to do! Thx

Vdp wrote at 2018-03-19 05:43

Thank you so much for this info. Worked perfectly!

dot wrote at 2018-09-14 16:41

THANK YOU SO MUCH this worked perfectly! I used super glue and it worked! Very grateful, thank you for your genius advice!

JUAN GELB wrote at 2018-09-14 23:39

TKS for sharing this info. Also saved my 30D. Best regards

L J wrote at 2018-10-13 16:07

Thank you so very much everyone. Using the isopropyl cleaning method I saved my 50D. You're all awesome!

Rob wrote at 2018-12-02 19:00

I thought my old 5d11 was on its way to the scrap heap, didn't fancy paying out for more repairs as it's getting on a bit. but your tip has given it a new lease of life. I didn't really want to lug my 1dx around city tours for two weeks as it's a lot hevier and bulkier.

Keith wrote at 2018-12-22 18:41

OMG what a simple fix! I’ve been struggling with this problem for ages to the point I’d stopped using my 50D Didn’t fancy using glue. Didn’t have any of the suggested chemicals to hand, so used a SMALL amount of my daughters nail polish remover. Took all of 30 seconds, a couple of turns of the dial & BOOM. Problem solved. Thank you so much all.

Leo Belleville wrote at 2019-02-04 12:09

The isopropyl alcohol worked perfectly on my 7D! It now works like new! Thanks for the helpful advice! A small amount of alcohol and 3 q-trips beats a $150 repair any day!

Sharon wrote at 2019-05-20 02:08

Thanks so much! My 40D is not worth much but still takes great pics. This worked great! Used a dental tool with a hook to hold up the rubber cover and a tooth pic to slip in the glue. Then used the dental tool to scrape off any excess. Worked great!!! I did around 5 spots all the way around.

Jon wrote at 2019-06-08 19:52

Thanks for the tip! You just saved me A TON of money!

FR wrote at 2019-06-29 08:37

OMG! AMAZING! My 40D just wasn't turning in one direction causing a lot of frustration!I used a qTip like others suggested with some 70% isopropyl alcohol on it. I squeezed out the extra so the cotton applicator swab was only damp. Lifted the ring with a toothpick and applied just a touch under one spot. I removed the toothpick and swab and turned the dial a few times each direction. No slip AT ALL! Wonderful! I'd gotten out of photography for a few years and thought my camera was toast! Awesome to have fixed it without having to buy a new camera!

Savvas wrote at 2019-09-19 01:18

Thank you very much!
I received today a used 50d and i was very sad because i thought the dial was partially working. After searching for a solution i found your site. I tried the method with a toothpick and b7000 glue to be on the safe side. The glue is not very strong but bonds very well for plastic and rubber things.
Waited for 2 minutes and voilà! The camera us like new!
Thank you very much again!

Ivo.P.C Ruiter wrote at 2019-10-21 21:29

Thanks for the solution, thought my camera D50 was broken, i am going to try, but i think it will work for sure, thanks,thanks,thanks!!!!!!

Melissa Owens wrote at 2019-12-10 10:53

Does anyone know if it’s the same on 70D?

SeldomFocused wrote at 2020-07-30 02:38

Love this post - thanks a million for this. It is now 2020 and I picked up a mint 50D and was super sad to see the wheel was slipping like you all have had happen. I used 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and it worked like a charm!

So great to see reply still happening over 7 years after this helpful post.

Theresa Smerud wrote at 2020-08-24 23:22

I used an alcohol prep pad ( individual packets used to clean and injection site) on a paper clip, inserted between wheel and rubber ring...WOW! Fixed my beloved 50d and saved a large repair cost. This is super easy, no mess, safe way to take care of this issue. Having them on hand is also handy! Thank you for your suggestions.

Petro wrote at 2020-09-27 17:17

Thanks a lot

Ivickk wrote at 2021-01-03 20:39

I have this problem in 6d mark II, the process seems so promising but I am afraid of using it as I Am afraid of damaging the dial permanently.

gary wrote at 2021-02-10 19:43

I have this problem on a 50D and this method seems to have worked perfectly... Thanks!

Andy wrote at 2021-03-06 06:46

Great advice. I found a faulty Canon 30d this week for £39 from an online camera dealer. It was advertised as faulty due to an intermittent scroll wheel. I read your advice and follow up comments. Thought worth a gamble, camera arrived 2 days ago in pristine condition but as advertised scroll wheel very intermittent. I used a small pick to lift the rubber and applied some methylated spirits with a cotton bud. Bingo one fixed scroll wheel, have taken over 250 photos and very very pleased. Thanks.

Seth wrote at 2021-05-07 06:22

I had this problem with my old 50D and your article helped me solved the issue! Hat off to you sir!

Cindy Larson wrote at 2021-07-26 00:00

Thank you all for your ideas! I was able to save my loyal canon 30d today. I used an alcohol prep pad. Cleaned the wheel on my Main Dial under the rubber ring. That fixed it! No more sliding.

LM wrote at 2021-10-26 09:16

I tried rubbing alcohol on a qtip--and it worked! My old 5D was saved!

Pierre-Yves ANDRI wrote at 2021-11-13 04:51

I fixed mine in a different way. It is true that the problem is not with the mechanism itself, but with the rubber that slides on the wheel. And it's probably because of the finger grease that ends up between the rubber and the wheel. Instead of using glue, I used a spray of isopropanol (a product that is harmless to synthetic materials), and the problem was immediately solved.

GB wrote at 2022-04-19 06:36

I was prepping my 40D to give to my nephew but had the finger wheel start to ‘slip’. I came across this repair method and I must say that, so far, it’s worked very well. I used a small flathead screwdriver, like those used on eye glasses, to lift the rubber ‘ring’ and applied a very minute amount of gorilla glue. It was working but I’m letting the glue harden properly. Thanks for this amazing tip!!

NM wrote at 2022-05-17 08:55

Instead of going to all this trouble - I just changed the Custom Controls within the menu panel. Choose Settings / #3 option then choose Custom Control / Select the Quick Control Dial and then choose TV. It now allows you to change the shutter speed using the quick control dial, which is a hard plastic versus the rubber dial. It takes some getting used to but it saved me a huge repair bill!

SY wrote at 2023-01-06 12:04

Thanks for the tip! Fixed the slipping main dial on my old Canon 50D with a drop of super glue. Worked like a charm.

Rien wrote at 2023-07-02 10:21

Yes, worked for my 50D. Still a useful tip, even in 2023. Thanks!

Diana wrote at 2024-03-26 15:06

Oh boy, who knew a post from 2013 would be still saving cameras in 2024 lol now I can fix my camera and my dad won't know his was having problems! I was given his camera for my 18th birthday, it's the Canon 50D.

Richard Anderson wrote at 2024-10-24 03:07

i just got my 5d III today and that dial was slipping. The hack worked like a charm thanks. I used Gorilla super glue.

Beasties wrote at 2024-11-07 10:44

This tip brought my old 50D back to life after all these years! Gorilla glue and a toothpick !!! Whooda thought?!?!? Thanks......