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General discussion

Canon E18 quick fix

Mar 22, 2005 9:27PM PST

I'm sure that every1 looking at this right now would love to be able to do a quick fix for the dreaded E18 error. Well, I have fixed mine several time in less time that it takes to take a picture. So here it is: This error occurs when the lens is "stuck" or not extending "straight". The error can happen in 3 ways: either when the lens wont "come out", or "comes out" and then retracts, or does not retract at all. Mine did all of these at one stage or another.
1) If the lens doesn't extend at all or it extends, but then retracts again, do as follow:
Turn the camera off. Place the camera on it's back with the lens facing up and have a look at the "spacing" between the lens and the lens housing. You'll probably notice that the gap is NOT EVEN all the way around. To fix this, simply -VERY GENTLY- press down on the side where the gap is the biggest. You will hear a "click" as it pops back in place. Try powering it back on.
2) If the lens is extended all the time and won't retarct at all, do as follow:
Turn the camera off. Take the camera in one hand and with the other gently, in turn, take the various parts of the lens and gently move it round in a cuirclar motion. Do so with all sections of the lens. You will once again hear a little "click" as it pops back in place. Power the camera on.
This has worked for me many times and it seems to happen when the camera has been carried around and possibly had a little knock. I hope this is of help to someone else.

Discussion is locked

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Good Information
Mar 22, 2005 11:39PM PST

Thanks for sharing.

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My fix for the E18
Mar 27, 2005 9:48PM PST

After reading many complaints about the Canon E18 error, I found your post. It seems most people, including yourself, put it down to dirt in the lens mechanism, or some kind of jamming of the lens mechanism.

Anyway, mine was powering on in playback mode, so I could view pictures OK.

However in camera mode it was powering on, extending then retracting its lens, showing E18 and switching itself off.

Anyway I saw a guy saying that he banged his camera against the side of the desk (around the UV port?) and it fixed the problem. After thinking it was a joke and trying other sufggestoins, I eventually gave it a whack on the side. Bloody thing works straight away!!

Anyway, will keep you posted if it happens again. By the way, I am not responsible for anyone's camera if you smash it up trying to fix it!! It's your choice!

Cheers

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Worked for me also!!!!
Apr 3, 2005 6:36PM PDT

I had done the same thing and it worked right away! I believe that my E18 error message came from either powering on or off with batteries nearly dead. I think that the lens didn't have enough power to fully retract or extend and therefore was stuck in that position. I can't remember whether it was powering the camera on or off when the error message first came up. I fully charged the batteries and powered it on and gave it a couple of firm whacks on the side (with the A/V Out plug) and the lens retracted fully. The camera now works perfectly.

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dreaded E18
Sep 17, 2005 10:43AM PDT

Thank You! Thank You! THANK YOU! It works again!!!!