Canon PowerShot S400 Troubleshooting

No matter what you do, you can't get your camera to turn on.

The battery itself may be the problem. Remove the battery from the camera and insert it into the charger. If the light on the charger is red, the battery does not have a charge. Leave the battery in the charger until a green light is displayed, indicating the battery is fully charged. If the light does not transition from red to green, replace the old battery with a new one. If the charger indicates a charged battery and the camera still does not turn on, check the wiring or replace the battery.

If the charger indicates a charged battery but the camera still does not turn on, check the wiring and the contacts between the battery terminals and the camera.

The camera will not flash

If the camera will not flash replace the flash bulb.

If the camera still will not flash replace the capacitor.

Note: The capacitor carries a charge and can deliver an electric shock if handled improperly.

The memory card cannot be read or will not save pictures.

1. Hold down the menu button until the camera asks if you want to "Reset settings to default?"

2. Select OK.

3. Reformat memory card using the "Format?" function under the Menu "Setup" tab. This will reformat the card and you should be able to take pictures again.

If this does not solve the problem, replace the memory card. If the problem persists, your camera may be suffering from a CF card communication problem. Canon offers a free repair for this problem.

The memory card will not eject or is stuck.

Follow the steps in the memory card removal guide to manually remove the memory card.

Check to ensure that the memory card is not full. Delete a few pictures and attempt to save new pictures.

1. Hold down the menu button until the camera asks if you want to "Reset settings to default?"

2. Select OK. Reformat memory card using the "Format?" function under the Menu "Setup" tab.

This will reformat the card and you should be able to take pictures again. If this does not solve the problem replace the memory card.

If the camera turns on properly but there is no picture or a distorted picture, the CCD chip may be faulty. If the LCD screen is cracked or the image appears dim replace the LCD screen and back light.

Remove and replace the LCD screen.

Contact manufacturer to replace the CCD chip.

If the lens will not retract or extend there may be debris jamming the mechanism or the lens may be dislodged from the lens housing.

If the camera turns on, beeps multiple times, and the LCD screen displays "E18" in bottom left hand corner this indicates that the lens is jammed.