1

Score

Avatar
John Blish
23

Asked

Camera indicates low battery and shuts down.

History

Even with fresh batteries my camera shuts down - lens closes after opening - and the low battery light flashes. Is this a common problem, and is there a fix or workaround? Thanks!

Edited by

Thanks markus. I saw your answer and fixed the camera. it works just like it should with the toothpick tips under the battery contacts. I lost the web page and was not able to find it to thank you until now. I appreciate your help. Thanks

John Blish,

thanks for the feedback, glad that it worked

markus weiher,

Post Answer

5

Score

Avatar
markus weiher
21.4k

Answered

Accepted Answer

PermalinkHistory

yes - it is common

there is a workaround - like this

you can also use your preferred search engine and search for: powershot toothpick trick

++ LMAOOO Markus, you are something else. Where do you get these pics from??? LOL It seems like you have a pic in your library for every possible electronics situation.

Majesty,

should i really tell you that? - i'm a bot - lol. my library is the internet, i use search engines like every one and i use them in more than one language - nothing special at all ;-)

markus weiher,

I had a similar problem with a canon camera. The solution was to use litium batteries. The canon camera need needs the extra power.

larry,

use energizer ultimate lithium batteries...

whiz,

I read on a web site where a person solved this problem by repairing the contact in the bottom of the compartment where the battery goes in + end down. They used a slender dental pick with a crooked tip, reached under the contact, and gently bent it upward. That raised the battery up about a millimeter or so, making the tops of the two batteries even, and it then made proper contact. Apparently the springiness of the metal at the bottom of that chamber diminishes over time, and the battery descends into the compartment until it no longer makes good contact on the negative end. Sounds like the most elegant and permanent fix, if you can get a hold of a tool of that shape and delicacy. I haven't had this problem yet, but will bookmark this site (for when the inevitable happens), then I'll be prepared to deal with the issue.

Leighe Seier,

Show 3 more comments

0

Score

Avatar
katmacan
1

Answered

PermalinkHistory

I had the same problem.

1) You have to clean the battery contacts in the camera.

2) Check the contacts of the charger (if you are using rechargable batteries).

3) See if you need to get new rechargables.

4) make sure you use rechargables with more that more that 2200mAh power ratings value .

you're right - the frist steps should be like this - but he tried that and it didn't work. many powershots have the contact problem and can be "fixed" with the toothpick trick

markus weiher,

0

Score

Avatar
Michael Kucher
1

Answered

PermalinkHistory

There is often a second, concealed "button" battery that can produce these symptoms. Test or replace it. The manual has instructions for locating and removing it.

0

Score

Avatar
Dave Whitehead
1

Answered

PermalinkHistory

A common problem with these camera's is that in the contact within the camera springiness resulting in one of the batteries sitting 2mm lower than it should and not getting a good sitting.

Ideally this should be fixed properly (idea for a ifix walkthrough) but I've not been prepared to do this as yet and settled for a workaround fix which I posted about and is already linked on this site (also below)

Camera Contact Fix

0

Score

Avatar
Yvette
1

Answered

PermalinkHistory

I just used a pair of tweezers to gently lift the battery contact. It worked a treat. Thank you very much!!!!

Add Your Answer