Err 99 on a Canon Rebel xs

[Murray Warner]

Hi
I get an (ERR 99 shooting is not possible turn the power switch to off and on again or re install battery) when trying to take a picture with this Canon Rebel XS which I know nothing about and I don’t have a manual. Is the err 99 an easy fix? Thanks for viewing and /or replying

[inkista]

Err99 is sort of the Canon equivalent of the blue screen of death. Sometimes it's an easy fix, sometimes it requires a trip to Canon service. It's basically the "unknown error" code.

The usual tips are: try removing the lens, memory card, and battery (or batteries, if a backup one is used for the clock), and leaving the camera alone for a short while (clear residual charge) and then trying again: first with the battery. Then with the card. And finally with the lens.

Good luck!

BTW, you can usually download a PDF for any Canon camera manual from the Canon website.

[Murray Warner]

Thanks Inkista
This is a used camera I was going to buy for $50.00 but with this probelm and me just learning I would say I would be better off buying a couple of pizzas. Thanks for your reply and as always these forums can get a person out of a pinch.
Murray

[Izzy]

Originally Posted by Murray Warner

Thanks Inkista
This is a used camera I was going to buy for $50.00 but with this probelm and me just learning I would say I would be better off buying a couple of pizzas. Thanks for your reply and as always these forums can get a person out of a pinch.
Murray

Even selling the bugger busted on eBay will turn you a profit. I would say that it would fetch about $150-200. At the least the lenses are worth salvaging.

1. Make sure the contacts on the lens are clean - rub them with a pencil eraser. (does anyone even have a pencil anymore?)

2. Try body with a different lens, the problem with communication can be in the lens itself and not the body. If this produces errors with any 2 lenses the the problem is in the body. In which case it may not be worth servicing.

[jerome.oneil]

Take a look at this Blog, this might help you! If not, others who search this site may find this useful.

Canon DSLR Error 99 fix

Jerome

[Murray Warner]

Thanks Izzy and Jerome
I did the first thing mentioned and took off the lense, battery and card and left it overnight. Put everything back in the morning and could take pictures again. Turn the camera off and when it went back on and clicked for a picture err99 was back. This time I took every thing off again and reattach right away and err99 was gone again Took more pictures and turn off again and back on ,took picture err99 again so to narrow down the probelm, I just opened card door and closed right away and err 99 was gone so now When I turn on the camera I just open and close the card door and I don't see err99 until I turn off and on the camera and take a picture without opening the card door. I will do the cleaning as mentioned and even though that is a second card I tried and a class 10, I will buy another one for this camera. Thanks for the help and I'll post my cleaning results.
Murray

[inkista]

Have you tried reformatting the card?

[Murray Warner]

That is a good idea because I been using the card in 2 cameras so could be conflict. Will do that with all the other maintance.

[Murray Warner]

Hi again
I cleaned the lense and camera body contacts and formatted the card and am still getting the err99. I remember seeing a firmware update on the canon site so went to it again and it says it will fix this rare phenomenon and other errors . Here is a quick link Canon EOS REBEL XS / 1000D Firmware Update Read the Q/A for all the fixes.
I have to go to the camera store tomorrow to get my battery charged up as I do not have a charger myself as yet. Inturn I hope this thread helps other that may have some issues with their cameras.