No error on any camera is as dreaded as Error 99. If you shoot Canon and haven't seen it yet, you will. Canons certainly aren't any more prone to errors than any other camera brand, but they are a bit notorious for the infamous Error 99. Learn how to fix it now so when it happens, you aren't stuck shooting a wedding without a working camera!
In short, ERR99 on your Canon camera is simply a general error. What error, you ask? That is the difficulty with troubleshooting the famous ERR99. Since it is a general error, it gives you nothing to begin with. But have no fear, I've seen the error enough times that I should be able to point you in the right direction.
To fix the error, you can certainly call Canon… but I will tell you exactly what they tell you on the phone. First they will ask you to do a clean reboot, then try switching the lens, and then they will ask you to pay to ship the camera to them, wait four weeks without a camera and then cross your fingers that the repair isn't too expensive. Hopefully it won't get to that point! The following steps address the most common causes of ERR99 and offer solutions to see if it is something you can fix yourself. Read these first before you call Canon!
Step #1: Test the Lens
ERR99 is a general error, but often the cause of the error is lens communication. This could be for many different reasons. For example, if the aperture assembly on your lens is broken and needs to be replaced, the camera will tell your lens to change the aperture, the lens can't because the aperture assembly is not functioning, and so the camera will not have any confirmation that the lens obeyed it's command. The result? Error 99.
Try the lens on a different camera, or try using a different lens on your Canon camera. This way you will know if the lens is causing the problem. If the lens is the problem, first attempt to fix it with step #2 and if that doesn't work, you will need to send the lens to the lens manufacturer for repair.
A recent caller on the Improve Photography Podcast had the ERR99 problem and he solved the issue by performing this test.
Step #2: Clean Camera/Lens Contacts
On the back of the lens as well as the base of the lens mount, you will find a series of gold-colored metal contacts. This is how the lens and camera communicate. If either the lens or camera contact is dirty, communication will be inhibited.
The way that the actual Canon repair facilities fix this problem is to use the eraser on a pencil. Lightly rub all of the contacts being careful to not get eraser dust in the lens or camera. If the contacts are just dirty but nothing is broken, this is a simple fix. I have personally seen this fix the dreaded ERR99.
Step #3: Reboot the Camera
This is the magic tech support solution that seems to work so often, but sometimes it is so simple that we don't feel like washing in the river 7 times (catch the reference there?). Turn the camera off, take the battery out, wait 30 full seconds, put the battery in again, turn the camera on again, and take a photo.
I know this sounds insultingly simple, but please try it. Tech support always suggests this fix because it so often works.
Step #4: Perform a Complete Power Cycle
Your camera actually has two batteries in it. One battery powers the functions of the camera, and the other battery powers the behind-the-scenes operations of the camera that remember your camera settings even after removing the battery, remembers the date and time, etc.
One possibility is that the error concerns some function powered by this second battery. Step four is to remove two screws from the camera, slide out the tray holding this second battery, replace the battery (it looks like a simple watch battery), and then restart the camera again.
More specifically, follow these steps to perform a full power cycle: (1) Turn off the camera, (2) Remove the lens and put on a body cap, (3) Remove the memory card, (4) Remove the main battery as well as the small backup battery, (5) Wait 5 minutes. I know it seems silly to wait. Off is off, right? But I have personally seen electronics work after waiting with the battery out for 5 minutes when the standard 20 seconds didn't work. (6) Put both fresh and charged batteries back in the camera, and (7) Cross your fingers that the shutter click doesn't revive ERR99.
For a diagram on how to remove this secondary battery, check out this very very thorough blog post about fixing ERR99 issues.
Step #5: Troubleshoot the Memory Card
There are actually a lot of ways that you can mess up your memory card, which will assuredly cause problems with the camera. The best way to eliminate this as being a problem is to simply get a brand new card and put it in the camera to see if the problem continues after a reboot. If that isn't an option, at least try one other used card to make sure it isn't a corrupt card.
Next, if you haven't been using your cards correctly, we should make sure you aren't doing something upon import of your photos that is causing errors in your memory card's database. Put the memory card in the camera and do a full reformat. Do not just erase images, go into the menu and look for “Format Card”. If the camera cannot format the card, there is a good chance the card is the issue.
Step #6: Blame it on Dumb Luck and Call Canon
The phone number for Canon technical support is 1-800-652-2666 or check for more support options.
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thanks so much this was really helpful i was so worried my camera was going to cost like $300!
thanks man it really worked on my canon camera.Error 99 gone!
Hello. I have a Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel and I have a problem with its flash. Do everything ok at all the options is all okay until I turned on automatically when we requested additional light then open the flash of the camera and hear a snap and appeared on the screen error 99 Shoting is not possible. Trun the power sewitch it off ……. and when to turn off the display, sleep mode, push the button appears normal and functioning or when I pull the back cover of the card. Is it because the firmware version 1.0.4.
help
Thanks for the guide to error 99. I only had to get to the cleaning of the contacts on my lens to correct the error. I had already purchased a new battery having taken advice from another Cannon owner and that had not got rid of the error.
Really well scripted advice
Thanks
Thanks! A simple clean of the contacts on the lens and body did the trick.
I’ve got err 99 with Canon 20D.
Funny, I fixed it by turning the camera upside down or vertical shooting.
It still has err99 with normal position shooting, but not at upside down or vertical shooting.
I think the err99 means ‘general err’.
In my case it looks like having a problem with shutter actuation.
This was really great info and I tried all the advice but unfortunately still getting ERR99 code.
I have a EOS Rebel Xsi.
It is also making a very weird clicking noise when battery is placed in it like it is trying to reset itself on the inside of the camera. Does anyone know if this means that the camera is unfixable?
Thanks
I have the same problem as Tara Chesseman ^ and also the same camera. Also need help if you know anything it would be so helpful!
Turns out my Error 99 was due to the internal battery being dead. Quick $4 replacement and camera is up and running again. Saved me the time and money of sending camera back to Cannon- thanks!
My company experiences the ERR 99 message quite often. We are an environmental consulting firm that specializes in stream restoration. Most of our work involves assessment and monitoring of streams pre and post construction. We use the Canon Rebel because of its reputation for good picture quality and lens options. We experience the dreaded ERR 99 during months that are humid here in the Mid-Atlantic region (May thru Aug). The Canon Rebel is sensitive to humidity and will typically display the ERR 99 message when the humidity exceeds 70%. Unfortunately, this has caused us to purchase a digital camcorder with a picture function to use during these months.
I had abused that camera for quite a long time and finally gave up on me. I bought it like 10 years ago and it has been great. I took more than 15, 000 pictures and never had a problem. But it finally Rebelled (literally) against me and I don’t blame it. I didn’t give it the proper maintenance, but I tell you, this Canon Rebel XT is tough, tough, tough! Since I’m experiencing Err99, and followed all the steps to Step 5; and since this camera is so old, I think it’s time for me to retire that antique piece of equipment. Not following Step 6 for anything, LOL. I hope my 75-300mm lens will fit the newest generation of Canon cameras. As you can see, I’m not so good at terms and the technicality of all this, but still love taking pictures. Thank you for such awesome step by step self-help troubleshooting method. God bless you.
The error99 doesn’t show up on my camera until I have taken about 10 pictures, then shows up and can take no more pictures!
Mine is err 30.. I have raken out the battery and put back in and turned off and back on and it continues to say it after every picture
I´m so tired of error 99 now so I´m going over to Nikon D4. My 350D, 40D, 5D and 1d MKIV Have Error 99. Enought Is Enought! God bye Canon.
Hello. When the switch on my canon e350d is on ON position it wont turn on at all. When i eject the main battery(7.4V) and insert it back again then i get the error 99 on the little screen. What could be the reason for that? Sometimes the error 99 doesn’t come on the screen but if i press the right side buttons some icons come on. One of them was for empty battery. Is it possible that the main battery has not enough power to supply all components anymore? I measured the battery also with multimeter and voltage is fine (8V main battery and the little one 3V). Has anyone any suggestion? Thank you.
I had the same error on a Canon EOS Rebel XT 350D. Drove me mad. Did some lens swapping as suggested and isolated it to the lens. Big thank you.
However the next question is what can I do with the faulty lens. Its a Canon EFS 18-55mm 1:3.5-5.6 II 58mm. The Err99 appears when I go wide angle. I can put it in sports mode and fire off 50 photos and then slowly widen the shot and bingo, camera makes a higher pitched straining noise and Err99 appears. Shut down and take another photo and it fails each time. Narrow the shot again and it works every time without fail.
Any suggestions?
Thanks man!
You’ve saved my life/wallet/Canon! 🙂
Waiting for the 5 min!
😉
Ps: I’m an industrial electro-technician.
Clever advices!