Canon PowerShot SX150 IS Troubleshooting

The camera powers up only to show the low battery indicator before immediately shutting down again.

The batteries may actually be depleted or the batteries don't have enough power to sustain continued use of the camera. You will need to replace the two double-A batteries. If you are using rechargeable AA batteries, ensure that you have recharged your batteries fully before placing them into the camera again.

The battery terminals, where you place the batteries, may be dirty keeping the energy from flowing to the camera. Try cleaning the terminals with isopropyl alcohol and see if the issue remains.

In some cases, the camera might just need a reset. Try removing both the batteries and the memory card. Hold the power button down for one minute before replacing the batteries and memory card then turn the camera back on.

If your camera will stay on long enough to do this, you can also go into the settings to reset the camera. Press the menu button and go to the "tools" tab which should appear as a wrench and hammer. Scroll down to the bottom to find the "Reset All" button and highlight it. Press the "Func. Set" button to select the option, then select "OK" when asked to confirm the reset.

Canon's 2 AA cameras are sometimes known to break where the plastic snaps on the body hold due to the pressure these batteries put on these cameras. While 4 AA models are fine, 2 AA models can and often do break this way. If this occurs, the only effective repair for this defect is to replace the plastic shell on both sides, which usually requires a parts donor camera with a major failure like E18 (lens error), and check if it has the same issue. To confirm this, check for physical chassis damage near the cover in the form of lost parts and chipping on the cover to quickly check for this failure. This is a very common problem on the SX 2 AA cameras, so the odds are low that you will find one with a good case to swap on yours. IT MAY EVEN TAKE BUYING 2 OR MORE PARTS CAMERAS TO FIX.

In the event parts which are good are not available (and the donors you are looking at have the same problem), it is often cheaper to replace the camera.

In an emergency, tape can be used as a quick fix in the field but this will still fail and in some cases, may suddenly shut off the camera if it is not enough to hold it. The tape method does not provide enough long-term strength to work as a permanent fix.

The camera takes only a few pictures before the battery runs out.

If your camera runs out of battery and turns off after taking only a few pictures, this could be because of corrosion built up on battery connections. Open up the battery terminal and check your batteries for corrosion. If you find any, remove and dispose of the batteries immediately and clean the battery terminal of any corrosion. Replace the batteries once it's all clean.

If corrosion is not the problem then it could be the batteries themselves. Many AA Canon cameras are known to kill Alkaline batteries quickly and use of them is not recommended because of this. In many cases, replacing alkaline batteries with NiMh rechargeable high-capacity batteries (2,400mAh+ NiMh) or Lithium Primary batteries will resolve runtime problems.
NOTE: While 2,200mAh NiMh batteries can also be used, you will pay in runtime loss.

Canon cameras that use non-proprietary batteries are sometimes known to have issues with the battery terminals bending too flat, or dirt causing contact issues. The contacts are made like metal springs with a plastic plate. This can sometimes be fixed by cleaning the battery contacts with isopropyl alcohol. If alcohol does not work, consider replacing the battery cover, making sure the problem is not present.

The flash won't pop up or stay open when I try to take a picture with the flash.

There may be something lodged in, or otherwise blocking the flash from opening. Check for debris in and around the flash on the surface first, by looking at the indents on the top of the camera, where the flash is housed. Then, you may want to try holding the flash about halfway up. If the flash pops the rest of the way up or remains in the half-open position, something is preventing it from opening the rest of the way, and continue to check (and clean) any debris found. If the flash falls back down, you may have a broken spring, listed below.

The spring that allows the flash to stay open may be broken as well. Try holding the flash halfway open, and let it go. If the flash falls back down on its own, the spring is broken and needs to be replaced.

The flash won't fire, even when it is extended.

First, check to be sure the flash is turned on. First, make sure the flash is raised and on the camera screen, choose the arrow icon that is pointing downwards. Make sure it says "On" when you choose it, and the arrow should appear on your screen. Try taking a picture again.

If the camera is in auto mode, make sure it is dark enough for the flash to fire. If you're not sure if your current shooting location is dark enough, you may want to try testing it in a dark room. Covering the AF assist beam and lens can be done in a pinch as well to trick the light meter.

If the flash is on and it is dark enough for the flash to fire, you should take your camera to a professional to check the flash connections. This is usually caused by a bad flash capacitor, or a bad processing board as the flash hardware is on the same board. Unless you know what you are doing, it is best to not try and fix this; flash capacitors bite.

Images are blurry on the screen.

First, check the focus. Make sure that when you are taking the picture, you hold the shutter button down halfway for a moment by pressing the button lightly. You should see the image begin to focus, then you can push the button all the way down and take the picture.

Next, make sure the AF-assist Beam option is on. To get to this option, press the menu button on the display screen and scroll down to the AF-assist Beam option ensuring that it is turned to the “On” setting.

If the camera seems to be focusing and the AF- assist Beam is on, but the view is still blurry, make sure the lens has no smudges or dirt obstructions. Clean the lens with a microfiber cloth to avoid scratching the lens.

If your images are still blurry, this could be due to a smudged or damaged image sensor. You can clean this with a sensor cleaning swab, but avoid using agents like alcohol as the wiring is exposed. If you cannot clean the sensor, it will have to be replaced: See the guide.

The lens won't extend.

The lens may simply be blocked from extending. Check the lens to see if anything is wedged into the lens preventing it from extending. Remove any debris you may find.

The lens cover will not open or close.

Check to see if your lens cover has any debris lodged into it, and clean it out with a toothpick or small point, or a microfiber cloth.

The problem could be caused by broken springs. Try manually opening your lens, and if the cover doesn't snap back into place, that means the springs are either broken or unhooked. To fix this, you will have to replace or hook the springs back up. See the repair guide or breakdown for the guide (not available yet).

The screen stays black even when I'm taking pictures.

This problem could be due to a loose flex ribbon. You will have to put the flex ribbon back into place. Please refer to the breakdown or repair guide to fix this issue located here.

The problem could also be caused by the flex ribbon being torn or damaged in any small way. Carefully inspect your flex ribbon for damage, as any damage will result in needing to replace the wire.

If your screen is cracked, it may be too damaged to continue to work. If the screen isn't working and is badly cracked, the best course of action would be to replace it. Please refer to the Screen Replacement Guide for detailed instructions on how to replace your camera screen.

The screen appears dark, and I can only see the pictures very faintly.

This problem could be due to a loose flex ribbon. You will have to put the flex ribbon back into place. Please refer to the breakdown or repair guide to fix this issue (not available yet).

The problem could also be caused by the flex ribbon being torn or damaged in any small way. Carefully inspect your flex ribbon for damage, as any damage will result in needing to replace the wire. Please refer to the breakdown or repair guide to fix this issue (not available yet).

Your screen may also just be damaged. If none of these steps work, then it may be best to replace the screen completely.

The screen has cracks in it.

The only real solution to this problem is to replace the screen itself. The screen may still function with a crack, so it is not necessary unless you are bothered by it.

Red or green dots, or bars appear across my screen.

A few dead pixels is completely normal. If you see only a few red dots, this may also be completely normal and disappear. Eventually more pixels may die, and even create entire lines of dead pixels across your screen. The only way to solve this problem is to replace your screen when it becomes an issue for you. The dead pixels will not appear in your pictures.

The wheel will not move when I attempt to turn it.

Your wheel may have debris lodged in the cracks. Check the function wheel carefully for any debris, and clean it out with a toothpick or small point, and see if your wheel will now turn.

The settings do not change even when I turn the function wheel.

If your function wheel is turning, but not changing function, this could be a problem with the connection with the "click wheel" within the camera. This click wheel is what connects the external wheel with the actual functions inside the camera. The external wheel may be disconnected from the internal click wheel. To fix this, you will have to reconnect it to the click wheel. For this issue, you can refer to Button Replacement Guide for detailed instructions.