Camera Won’t Power On
The most common cause of this problem is the battery. The battery could be drained, inserted improperly, plagued by dirty metal contacts, or malfunctioning. Verify the battery is fully charged and the battery compartment is free of grime and particles that could interfere with the metal contacts. Some cameras will not power on if the battery compartment latch is loose, so check the latch.
Camera Won’t Record Photos
Select a photography mode with your camera, rather than a playback mode or a video mode. If your camera’s battery power is low, the camera might not be able to record photos even if the device appears to function. Additionally, if your camera’s internal memory area or your memory card is full, the camera won’t record any more photos. With some cameras, the internal software only allows a certain number of photos to be recorded on a single memory card because of how the software numbers each photo. Once the camera hits its limit, it won’t save any more photos. (This problem is more likely to occur when an older camera is paired with a new, large memory card.)
LCD Is Blank
Some cameras contain a monitor button, which turns the LCD on and off—make sure you haven’t inadvertently pressed this button. If your camera’s power-saving mode is enabled, the LCD will blank after a certain period of inactivity. You can lengthen the amount of time before the camera enters power-saving mode—or you can turn off power-saving mode—through the camera’s menus. It’s also possible the camera has locked up, leaving the LCD blank. To reset the camera, remove the battery and memory card for 10 minutes before trying to power up the camera again.
LCD Is Tough to See
Some cameras allow you to set the brightness of the LCD, meaning it’s possible the LCD’s brightness has been turned to its lowest setting, leaving the LCD dim. Reset the LCD’s brightness through the camera’s menus.
Photo Quality Is Poor
If you’re experiencing poor photo quality, it isn’t a given that the problem lies with the camera. You can improve photo quality by using better lighting, proper framing, good subjects, and sharp focus. If your camera has a small built-in flash unit, you may end up with poor results in low-light situations. Consider shooting in the fully automatic mode to allow the camera to create all of the settings, ensuring you have the best chance of creating a well-exposed photo. Shooting at a higher resolution doesn’t guarantee better photos, but it can help. Make sure the lens is clean, as spots or dust on the lens can cause image-quality problems. If you’re shooting in low light conditions, use a tripod or use the camera’s image stabilization feature to reduce camera shake. Otherwise, try leaning against a wall or door frame to steady yourself and avoid camera shake. Finally, some cameras just don’t work well, especially if they’re older models that have been dropped a time or two. Consider upgrading your camera equipment, if you’ve had it for a few years and if the image quality suddenly is reduced after a drop.
