Troubleshooting Guide

If a problem occurs with the camera, first refer to this Troubleshooting Guide. If this Troubleshooting Guide does not resolve the problem, take the camera to the nearest Canon Service Center.

Power-related problems

Batteries cannot be charged with the battery charger.

  • Do not use any battery packs other than a genuine Canon Battery Pack LP-E17.
  • In case of charging or charger issues, see Charging the Battery.

The battery charger lamp is blinking.

  • Orange blinking of the lamp indicates that a protection circuit has prevented charging because (1) there is a problem with the battery charger or battery, or (2) communication with a non-Canon battery has failed. In the case of (1), unplug the charger, reinsert the battery, and wait a few minutes before plugging the charger in again. If the problem persists, take the camera to the nearest Canon Service Center.

Batteries cannot be charged with the USB power adapter (sold separately).

  • Batteries are not charged while the camera power switch is set to Power on. However, batteries are charged during auto power off.
  • Operating the camera will stop charging in progress.

The access lamp blinks during charging with the USB power adapter.

  • In case of charging problems, the access lamp blinks in green and a protective circuit stops charging. In this case, unplug the power cord, reattach the battery, and wait a few minutes before plugging it in again. If the problem persists, take the camera to the nearest Canon Service Center.
  • If batteries are hot or cold, the access lamp blinks in green and a protective circuit stops charging. In this case, let the battery adjust to the ambient temperature before attempting to charge it again.

The access lamp is not lit during charging with the USB power adapter.

  • Try unplugging the USB power adapter and plugging it in again.

The camera cannot be powered with the USB power adapter.

  • Check the battery compartment. The camera cannot be powered without a battery pack.
  • Check the remaining battery level. When batteries are depleted, the adapter charges them. In this case, power is not supplied to the camera.

The camera is not activated even when the power switch is set to Power on.

  • Make sure the battery is inserted properly in the camera ().
  • Make sure the card/battery compartment cover is closed ().
  • Charge the battery ().

The access lamp still lights or blinks even when the power switch is set to Power off.

  • If the power is turned off while an image is being recorded to the card, the access lamp will remain on or continue to blink for a few seconds. When the image recording is complete, the power will turn off automatically.

[Battery communication error. Does this battery/do these batteries display the Canon logo?] is displayed.

  • Do not use any battery packs other than a genuine Canon Battery Pack LP-E17.
  • Remove and install the battery again ().
  • If the electrical contacts are dirty, use a soft cloth to clean them.

The battery becomes exhausted quickly.

  • Use a fully charged battery ().
  • The battery performance may have degraded. See [Set-up: Battery info.] to check the battery recharge performance level (). If the battery performance is poor, replace the battery with a new one.
  • The number of available shots will decrease with any of the following operations:

    • Pressing the shutter button halfway for a prolonged period
    • Activating the AF frequently without taking a picture
    • Using the lens's Image Stabilizer
    • Using the wireless communication functions

The camera turns off by itself.

  • Auto power off is in effect. To deactivate auto power off, set [Auto power off] in [Set-up: Power saving] to [Disable] ().
  • Even if [Auto power off] is set to [Disable], the screen and viewfinder will still turn off after the camera is left idle for the time set in [Screen off] or [Viewfinder off] (although the camera itself remains on).

Shooting-related problems

The lens cannot be attached.

  • To attach EF or EF-S lenses, you will need a mount adapter. The camera cannot be used with EF-M lenses ().

No images can be shot or recorded.

  • Make sure the card is properly inserted ().
  • Slide the card's write-protect switch to the Write/Erase setting ().
  • If the card is full, replace the card or delete unnecessary images to make space (, ).
  • Shooting is not possible if the AF point turns orange when you attempt to focus. Press the shutter button halfway again to refocus automatically, or focus manually (, ).

The card cannot be used.

An error message is displayed when the card is inserted in another camera.

  • Since SDXC cards are formatted in exFAT, if you format a card with this camera and then insert it into another camera, an error may be displayed and it may not be possible to use the card.

The image is out of focus or blurred.

  • Set the focus mode to AF ().
  • Press the shutter button gently to prevent camera shake ().
  • With a lens equipped with an Image Stabilizer, set the Image Stabilizer switch to Power on.
  • In low light, the shutter speed may become slow. Use a faster shutter speed (), set a higher ISO speed (), use flash (), or use a tripod.
  • See Minimizing blurred photos.

I cannot lock the focus and recompose the shot.

  • Set the AF operation to One-Shot AF (). Shooting with the focus locked is not possible with Servo AF ().

The continuous shooting speed is slow.

  • High-speed continuous shooting may be slower depending on the battery level, ambient temperature, flicker reduction, shutter speed, aperture value, subject conditions, brightness, AF operation, type of lens, use of flash, shooting settings, and other conditions. For details, see Selecting the Drive Mode or Maximum burst for continuous shooting [Approx.].

The maximum burst during continuous shooting is lower.

Even after I change the card, the maximum burst displayed for continuous shooting does not change.

  • Estimated maximum burst indicated in the viewfinder does not change when you switch cards, even if you switch to a high-speed card. Maximum burst listed in Maximum burst for continuous shooting [Approx.] is based on the standard Canon test card, and the actual maximum burst is higher for cards with faster writing speeds. For this reason, estimated maximum burst may differ from actual maximum burst.

High-speed display is not available during high-speed continuous shooting.

The aspect ratio cannot be set.

  • Aspect ratios cannot be set when [Custom Functions: Add cropping information] is set to an option other than [Disable].

ISO 100 cannot be set for still photo shooting.

  • The minimum speed in the ISO speed range is ISO 200 when [Shooting: Highlight tone priority] is set to [Enable] or [Enhanced].

Expanded ISO speeds cannot be selected for still photo shooting.

  • Check the [ISO speed range] setting under [Shooting: StillsISO speed settings].
  • Expanded ISO speeds are not available when [Shooting: Highlight tone priority] is set to [Enable] or [Enhanced].
  • Expanded ISO speeds are not available when [Shooting: HDR shooting HDR PQ] is set to [Enable].

Even if I set a decreased exposure compensation, the image comes out bright.

  • Set [Shooting: Auto Lighting Optimizer] to [Disable] (). When [Low], [Standard], or [High] is set, even if you set a decreased exposure compensation or flash exposure compensation, the image may come out bright.

I cannot set the exposure compensation when both manual exposure and ISO Auto are set.

Not all the lens aberration correction options are displayed.

  • With [Digital Lens Optimizer] set to [Standard] or [High], [Chromatic aberr corr] and [Diffraction correction] are not displayed, but they are both set to [Enable] for shooting.
  • During movie recording, [Digital Lens Optimizer] or [Diffraction correction] are not displayed.

Using flash in Aperture-priority AE or Program AE mode lowers the shutter speed.

  • Set [Slow synchro] in [Shooting: Flash control] to [1/250-1/60 sec. auto] (or [1/200-1/60sec. auto]) or [1/250 sec. (fixed)] (or [1/200 sec. (fixed)]) ().

The built-in flash does not fire.

  • Shooting with the flash may be temporarily disabled to protect the flash head if the built-in flash is used repeatedly over a short period.

The external Speedlite does not fire.

  • Make sure any external flash units are securely attached to the camera.

The Speedlite always fires at full output.

  • Flash units other than EL/EX series Speedlites used in autoflash mode always fire at full output ().
  • The flash always fires at full output when [Flash metering mode] in external flash Custom Function settings is set to [1:TTL] (autoflash) ().

External flash exposure compensation cannot be set.

  • If flash exposure compensation is set with the external Speedlite, compensation amount cannot be set with the camera. When the Speedlite's flash exposure compensation is canceled (set to 0), flash exposure compensation can be set with the camera.

High-speed sync is not available in Aperture-priority AE or Flexible-priority AE mode.

  • Set [Slow synchro] in [Shooting: Flash control] to an option other than [1/250 sec. (fixed)] (or [1/200 sec. (fixed)] ) ().

Remote control shooting is not possible.

A white [Overheating restriction] or red [Overheating restriction (red)] icon is displayed during movie recording.

  • Indicates that the camera's internal temperature is high. For details, see the information on warning indicator display in movie recording ().

Movie recording stops by itself.

  • If the card's writing speed is slow, movie recording may stop automatically. For details on cards that can record movies, see Card performance requirements. To find out the card's writing speed, refer to the card manufacturer's website, etc.
  • Perform low-level formatting to initialize the card if the card's writing or reading speed seems slow ().
  • Recording stops automatically once your movie reaches 2 hr. (or 30 min. for a High Frame Rate movie).

The ISO speed cannot be set for movie recording.

  • ISO speed is set automatically in [Movies] recording mode. In [Movie manual exposure] mode, you can manually set the ISO speed ().
  • The minimum speed in the ISO speed range is ISO 200 when [Shooting: Highlight tone priority] is set to [Enable] or [Enhanced].

Expanded ISO speeds cannot be selected for movie recording.

  • Check the [ISO speed range] setting under [Shooting: MovieISO speed settings].
  • Expanded ISO speeds are not available when [Shooting: Highlight tone priority] is set to [Enable] or [Enhanced].

The exposure changes during movie recording.

  • If you change the shutter speed or aperture value during movie recording, the changes in the exposure may be recorded.
  • Recording a few test movies is recommended if you intend to perform zooming during movie recording. Zooming as you record movies may cause exposure changes or lens sounds to be recorded, or loss of focus.

The image flickers or horizontal stripes appear during movie recording.

  • Flickering, horizontal stripes (noise), or irregular exposures can be caused by fluorescent lighting, LED lighting, or other light sources during movie recording. Also, changes in the exposure (brightness) or color tone may be recorded. In [Movie manual exposure] mode, using a slower shutter speed may reduce the problem. The problem may be more noticeable in time-lapse movie recording.

The subject looks distorted during movie recording.

  • If you move the camera to the left or right (panning) or shoot a moving subject, the image may look distorted. The problem may be more noticeable in time-lapse movie recording.

Sound is not recorded in movies.

  • Sound is not recorded in High Frame Rate movies.

A time code is not added.

  • Time codes are not added when you record High Frame Rate movies with [Count up] in [Shooting: Time code] set to [Free run] (). Additionally, no time code is added to HDMI video output ().

Time codes advance faster than the actual time.

  • Time codes in High Frame Rate movie recording advance 4 sec. per second ().

I cannot take still photos during movie recording.

  • Still photos cannot be taken during movie recording. To shoot still photos, stop recording the movie, then select a shooting mode for still photos.

I cannot record movies during still photo shooting.

  • It may not be possible to record movies during still photo shooting if operations such as extended Live View display increase the camera's internal temperature. Turn off the camera or take other measures, and wait until the camera cools down.
  • Reducing the movie recording size may enable recording.

Problems with wireless features

Cannot pair with a smartphone.

  • Use a smartphone compliant with Bluetooth Specification Version 4.1 or later.
  • Turn on Bluetooth from the smartphone settings screen.
  • Pairing with the camera is not possible from the smartphone's Bluetooth settings screen. Install the dedicated app Camera Connect (free of charge) on the smartphone ().
  • Pairing with a previously paired smartphone is not possible if pairing information registered for another camera remains on the smartphone. In this case, remove the camera's registration retained in the Bluetooth settings on the smartphone and try pairing again ().

Wi-Fi functions cannot be set.

  • If the camera is connected to a computer or another device with an interface cable, Wi-Fi functions cannot be set. Disconnect the interface cable before setting any functions ().

A device connected with an interface cable cannot be used.

  • Other devices, such as computers, cannot be used with the camera by connecting them with an interface cable while the camera is connected to devices via Wi-Fi. Terminate the Wi-Fi connection before connecting the interface cable.

Operations such as shooting and playback are not possible.

  • With a Wi-Fi connection established, operations such as shooting and playback may not be possible. Terminate the Wi-Fi connection, then perform the operation.

Cannot reconnect to a smartphone.

  • Even with a combination of the same camera and smartphone, if you have changed the settings or selected a different setting, reconnection may not be established even after selecting the same SSID. In this case, delete the camera connection settings from the Wi-Fi settings on the smartphone and set up a connection again.
  • A connection may not be established if Camera Connect is running when you reconfigure connection settings. In this case, quit Camera Connect for a moment and then restart it.

Cannot connect to a Wi-Fi printer via Wi-Fi.

  • Update the printer firmware.
  • Connect using the printer as an access point.
  • On the camera, set [Security] to [WPA2] ().

Operation problems

Settings change when I switch from still photo shooting to movie recording or vice versa.

  • Separate settings are retained for use when shooting still photos and recording movies.

Settings cannot be changed with Main dial, Quick control dial, Multi-controller, Tap/touch, or Control ring.

  • Press the Multi-function lock button to release the Multi-function lock ().
  • Check the [Set-up: Multi function lock] setting ().

Touch operation is not possible.

  • Make sure [Set-up: Touch control] is set to [Standard] or [Sensitive] ().

A camera button or dial does not work as expected.

  • In movie recording, check the [Shooting: Shutter btn function for movies] setting ().
  • Check the [Custom Functions: Customize buttons], [Custom Functions: Customize dials], and [Switch Main Dial/Quick Control Dial 1 when shooting] settings (, , ).

Display problems

The menu screen shows fewer tabs and items.

  • Tabs and items on the menu screen vary for still photos and movies.

The display starts with [My Menu] My Menu, or the [My Menu] tab alone is displayed.

  • [Menu display] on the [My Menu] tab is set to [Display from My Menu tab] or [Display only My Menu tab]. Set [Normal display] ().

The file name's first character is an underscore (“_”).

  • Set [Shooting: Color space] to [sRGB]. If [Adobe RGB] is set, the first character will be an underscore ().

The file numbering does not start from 0001.

  • If the card already contains recorded images, the image number may not start from 0001 ().

The shooting date and time displayed are incorrect.

  • Make sure the correct date and time are set ().
  • Check the time zone and daylight saving time ().

The date and time are not in the image.

  • The shooting date and time do not appear in the image. The date and time are recorded in the image data as shooting information. When you print photos, this information can be used to include the date and time ().

[###] is displayed.

  • If the number of images recorded on the card exceeds the number the camera can display, [###] will be displayed.

The screen does not display a clear image.

  • If the screen is dirty, use a soft cloth to clean it.
  • The screen display may seem slightly slow in low temperatures or may look black in high temperatures, but it will return to normal at room temperature.

Playback problems

Part of the image blinks in black.

  • [Playback: Highlight alert] is set to [Enable] ().

A red box is displayed on the image.

  • [Playback: AF point disp.] is set to [Enable] ().

During image playback, the AF points are not displayed.

  • AF points are not displayed when the following types of images are played back:

    • Images taken with Multi Shot Noise Reduction applied.
    • Cropped images.
    • Images from HDR shooting with [Auto Image Align] set to [Enable].

The image cannot be erased.

  • If the image is protected, it cannot be erased ().

Still photos and movies cannot be played back.

  • The camera may not be able to play back images taken with another camera.
  • Movies edited with a computer cannot be played back with the camera.

Only few images can be played back.

  • The images have been filtered for playback with [Playback: Set image search conditions] (). Clear the image search conditions.

Mechanical sounds or sounds of camera operations can be heard during movie playback.

  • The camera's built-in microphone may also record mechanical sounds of the lens or sounds of camera/lens operations if AF operations are performed or the camera or lens is operated during movie recording. If so, it may help reduce these sounds if you use an external microphone equipped with an output plug and position it away from the camera and lens.

Movie playback stops by itself.

  • Extended movie playback or movie playback under high ambient temperature may cause the camera's internal temperature to rise, and movie playback may stop automatically.

    If this happens, playback is disabled until the camera's internal temperature decreases, so turn off the power and let the camera cool down a while.

The movie appears to freeze momentarily.

  • Significant change in the exposure level during autoexposure movie recording may cause recording to stop momentarily until the brightness stabilizes. In this case, record in [Movie manual exposure] mode ().

The movie is played in slow motion.

  • High Frame Rate movies are recorded at 29.97 fps or 25.00 fps, so they are played in slow motion at 1/4 speed.

No picture appears on the television.

  • Make sure [Set-up: Video system] is set to [For NTSC] or [For PAL] correctly for the video system of your television.
  • Make sure the HDMI cable's plug is inserted all the way in ().

There are multiple movie files for a single movie recording.

  • If the movie file size reaches 4 GB, another movie file will be created automatically (). However, if you use an SDXC card formatted with the camera, you can record a movie in a single file even if it exceeds 4 GB.

My card reader does not recognize the card.

  • Depending on the card reader used and the computer's operating system, SDXC cards may not be correctly recognized. In this case, connect the camera to the computer with the interface cable, then import the images to the computer using EOS Utility (EOS software, ).

Images cannot be resized or cropped.

  • This camera cannot resize JPEG Small 2 images, RAW images, or frame-grab images from 4K movies saved as still photos ().
  • This camera cannot crop RAW images or frame-grab images from 4K movies saved as still photos ().

Dots of light appear on the image.

  • White, red, or blue dots of light may appear in captured images if the sensor is affected by cosmic rays or similar factors. Their appearance may be reduced by performing [Clean now] under [Set-up: Sensor cleaning] ().

Sensor cleaning problems

The shutter makes a sound during sensor cleaning.

  • Although there is a mechanical sound from the shutter during cleaning after [Clean now] is selected, no image is recorded to the card ().

Automatic sensor cleaning does not work.

  • Repeatedly turning the power switch Power on and Power off within a short period may prevent the [Clean now] icon from being displayed ().

Computer connection problems

I cannot import images to a computer.

  • Install EOS Utility (EOS software) on the computer ().
  • Make sure the main EOS Utility window is displayed.
  • If the camera is already connected via Wi-Fi, it cannot communicate with any computer connected with an interface cable.
  • Check the version of the application.

Communication between the connected camera and computer does not work.

  • When using EOS Utility (EOS software), set [Shooting: Time-lapse movie] to [Disable] ().

Problems with the multi-function shoe

A message was displayed on the screen when I attached an accessory.

  • If [Communication error Reattach accessory] is displayed, reattach the accessory. In case this message is displayed again after reattachment, make sure the terminals of the multi-function shoe and accessory are clean and dry. If you cannot remove the dirt or moisture, contact a Canon Service Center.
  • If [Accessory unavailable status] is displayed, check the terminals of the multi-function shoe and accessory and make sure the accessory is not damaged.