Canon E18 Error Repair Tips

How to fix Canon E18 Error.

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E18 error is a very comon error with the Canon digital camera. It means your lens is getting stuck while trying to extend. The camera will then beep a few times and will display E18 on the lower-left of the LCD screen. The lens gets stuck in ht extended position and will not move to focus or retract. In some case it may not even power at all. You can try the following to fix it your self.

1). Remove the batteries from the camera, wait a few minutes. Put a fully charged battery back in and turn the camera on. if it doesn’t work then, Remove the batteries again, as also remove the memory card. Then install the newly charged batteries, when you turn it, hopefully, it should come back to life.

2). Insert the cameras Audio/Video (AV) cable, and turn the camera on. Inserting this cable ensures that the camera's LCD screen remains off during the start process. Thus extra battery power is available to the camera's lens motor during start up. This extra power can be useful to overcome any grit or sand particles that may be jamming the lens.

3). If it is still stuck, please do ensure that you use fully charged batteries, now place the camera flat on its back on a table, pointed at the ceiling. Press and hold the shutter button down, and at the same time press the power-on button. The idea is that the camera will try to autofocus while the lens is extending, hopefully seating the lens barrel guide pins in their slots.

4). Blow compressed air in the gaps around the lens barrels with the idea of blowing out any sand or grit that may be in there jamming the lens. Other variations include blowing with a hair dryer in “no heat” setting, or sucking the gaps with a vacuum

5). Try repeatedly tap the padded/rubber USB cover with the intent of dislodging any particles that may be jamming the lens. Other variations include hitting a side of the camera against the palm of your hand. Don’t hit very hard please. You could damage something else

Related

I have a Canon SD850 in my pocket and it turned on by accident. I tried to turn it off but the lens will not retract. I then power it back on and am getting the infamous E18 error. I figured it was a goner so I set it aside for a couple days, then googled the error and found that a lot of people with canon are getting the E18 error. First I tried blow compressed air to attempt to fix the camera thinking that there might be sand got between the lens and the body, but that didn’t work. Then I tried a few gentle fast smacks on the camera while it’s powering on and that solved the problem. You should try this is you have a stuck lens and if that doesn’t work you can try the following. Open up your camera and move the sensor wheel to free the lens. This requires some steady hands and patience.

Al of Oakton VA (03/05/09)
I bought an A2000is camera which has a lens locking problem, after which on the screen you see a lens error, restart camera. It's been reported on several websites as a problem. The camera cost me $209.00. Canon won't fix it.

Jessica of Escanaba MI (03/04/09)
I've had this camera for about 14 months and now I get the lens error, restart camera. I have never had any problems prior. Terribly disappointed in canon products and support...will NOT be buying a new one Not having a camera to use when you most count on it is horrible, especially during your 6 yrs old kids birthday party

Michelle of Sussex WI (03/02/09)
A 2 month old PowerShot digital camera quit working- lens out. Acts as if there is no power to the camera. It has been in for repair 3 times and still does not work! I have not had use of my camera for the last 2 months due to sending it in mutiple times. I have had the expense of shipping and insuring it to be sent in once, then Cannon provided shipping labels, but I still had to drive 5 miles to UPS to drop it off.

Lori of Valley Center CA (02/22/09)
We bought a Canon Rebel Camera in 2004 to replace our Canon camera we lost in the 2003 wildfires. Since that time, we've had the camera in for repairs 5 times. The repair shop is 50 miles from our home and is an authorized Canon repair/sales shop with excellent references. We have been told that we purchased a lemon. They said that this model was the first one of this kind produces by Canon and it is known for problems in it's mechanism. We've left messages, spoken to customer service in the Canon company and sent numerous e-mails. It was suggested we purchase a different camera if we're not happy. We can't afford another camera equal to the price we paid for this camera...which was $700 at that time. We have driven 5 times to work on repairs. Canon had no solution for us other than to purchase something we can't afford. We want Canon to either replace the camera or permanently repair it.

Susan of Waban MA (02/14/09)
I received a Canon Digital Powershot Elph SD600 for a gift in December 2006. I have always taken excellent care of the camera and keep it in a padded case. On February 6th I took the camera out to take a photo and the lens locked into an outward position and the screen read Lens Error, Restart Camera There is no means of repairing this. I missed the opportunity to take photographs of my son and his friends on 2/6/09 and then on 2/7/09 at his hockey game and on 2/7/09 at his school's international fair, and so on....

Nelson of Kelseyville CA (01/23/09)
I have a Canon S2 and exactly the same thing happened as with many other compaints that I have seen on the net: After about a year and a half, the seldom used camera would not open the viewfinder. Canon wants $150 to repair my camera. This camera apparently has a congenital defect, as many others have had the same exact problem.

Sharon of Greensboro NC (01/21/09)
I bought a Canon powershot SX 100 camera and had it less than 1 year when it stopped working. It has not been abused or dropped. Every time I try to turn it on I get a lens error, restart camera message. From what I have read online, having it repaired by Canon is useless as it just breaks again. I have no camera to use and cannot afford to buy another one at this time. The camera cost about 250.00. I can look up old charge card records if you needs to know the exact cost. I have 5 growing children so it is frustrating and sad to not have a camera to record their lives.

Christina of Minneapolis MN (01/12/09)
after 4 months of owning the G9 powershot camera, I started getting lens error messages that would not allow me to focus and take pictures. i am very disappointed in this product because it was expensive!

Other Useful Links:

2009 Buying Guide

Fixing Canon E18 Error

Digital SLR Camera

Canon Advisory Notice