How to Fix a Canon e18 Lens Error Yourself!

Fix it Yourself - Step by Step Instructions!

The Canon PowerShot S1 IS, S2 IS, S3 IS, etc. are great cameras. I’ve had 3 (2 S2s and 1 S3). They’re a really good all around choice without getting into the expense or complexity of a SLR camera. They take really good photos. They just have one drawback – and it’s not a matter of if, but when, it will give the e18 lens error. My first S2 died under warranty and was replaced by Canon. The replacement eventually gave me the e18 error. I took it apart and cleaned it and lubricated it a few times before I gave up on it and bought the S3. Had I discovered the match stick fix then, I would probably still be using the S2!

Read comments from people who have fixed their Canon Lens Error using the step by step instructions to fix Canon Lens Error I have on this site.

Click here for Photos of the process.

What is the Error?
The error occurs when you turn the camera on, or, when you try to zoom the lens in or out, or, when you turn the camera off. The camera will try to move or zoom the lens and cannot… you will hear some noise as it’s trying, like a muffled, soft, clicking… the it will emit a few short beeps and will display the error message. At some point, Canon changed the error you see on the display from “e18” to “Lens Error”… they both mean the same thing!

What causes the error?
The error basically means that the small ultrasonic motor that moves the lens in and out can’t.

1. If you get dirt or grit inside the lens and/or camera this can cause the problem: his jams up the gears and tracks in the lens.
2. If you jam the lens when it’s extending, or bang it when it’s out, it can cause the problem. This causes the lens to get off track (it has little grooves and pins that fit in the grooves).
3. It just happens sometimes (this has been the case with my 3)… no dirt, no grit, no banging, it just happens. This is the most frustrating situation. If you get sand or dirt in your camera, you don’t feel so bad that it stopped working, but when it just stops for no reason you get really mad!
4. This web page will tell you how to fix all three!

General Notes:

• Once the camera has been taken apart, you can test fire it as you work on it. There is a small switch in the memory card slot area that keeps the camera from turning on if the cover is removed. You can snap on the back panel or somehow press that little switch in to make the camera come on. It will work with the front cover off (and the electrical connections that go to the front cover unplugged).
• You may be tempted to put a light grease on the gears and groves in the lens while you have the camera open. This may help with some problems. I used food grade silicone grease that I happened to have on hand. Just use a drop here and there. Grease will cause dirt to stick so don’t use much.

How to Fix:

• Banged Lens:
• If you banged the lens and it’s obviously crooked or not seated correctly you can try to work it back into place.
• Take the batteries out and lay it on its back and try to rock, push, or otherwise manipulate the lens until it snaps back into place.
• If you banged it too hard, then you could have actually broken or cracked some of the plastic “fingers” or other parts and you’re not going to fix it without replacing the broken parts. If you think this is the case, you can follow the instructions here to take the camera apart and then remove the ultrasonic motor and small gears (see Step 10 here). Once you remove them, you can use a small flat blade screwdriver to turn the lens and pull it in and out by hand. You should be able to see what’s broken, or, determine if the outer part is not seated in the grooves in the inner part.
• Dirt or Grit:
• If you think its dirt or sand then you can try to clean it without opening the camera, but more likely you’ll have to open the camera.
• You can try to bang the camera on the side with the USB port by gently banging it on a table. Bang the USB port down against the table – using the rubber cover as the point where you hit the camera on the table. Start gently and test the camera by opening the battery cover and closing it and then turning it on. Increase tapping/banging force until you feel you’re going to hurt the camera and then stop. The idea here is that the tapping will dislodge any dirt or grit from the gears.
• If that doesn’t work, then you can try to use a can of compressed air to blow into the lens gaps.
• If that doesn’t work, then take the camera apart, following the step-by-step instructions I’ve provided, and use compressed air to blog out the gears and grooves.
• If that doesn’t work, then you will need to remove the ultrasonic motor (3 screws) and the little gear box (2 screws and a flat ribbon cable that will need to be unplugged first), and clean the gears (see Step 10 here). Play close attention to the orientation of the gears so that you can reassemble them.
• Just Does Not Work (no dirt, no banged lens)
  How to fix it with a Toothpick or Match Stick:
• Ok so you may be asking can I really fix this thing. At this point, some people have been tempted to, and have, beat their camera to death with a hammer! Don’t!
• Click here for Photos and step-by-step instructions of the following process
• Disassemble the Canon PowerShot S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 IS Camera
• Once you have it apart, locate a fat square or round toothpick, or a match stick. If you use a match stick, you will need to taper it with a knife or sandpaper as I’ve shown in one of the photos.
• Push the matchstick or toothpick between the metal body of the ultrasonic motor and the plastic housing at approximately the 10 O’clock position (as viewed from the front of the camera). You want to push it in far enough to force the ultrasonic motor over towards the other side of the plastic housing. Put the back of the camera on, or push in the little switch near the memory door and test the camera.
• If you can’t get it to work, you may need to order a new ultrasonic motor – you can find used ones on eBay.
• If it does work, trim the match stick or toothpick (you may even want to put a drop of crazy glue on it to keep it in place), and put the camera back together.

Next: Click here for Photos and step-by-step instructions...

Did it work for you? Let me know. Drop me an email Fred at CanonLensError.com and I'll add some comments to these pages.

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