Repairing DSC-RX100 Error: "Turn camera off then on" / "Kamera aus- und wieder einschalten"

Silly typos---"point & shoot" cameras. And "buying" a new camera.

I tried the fix and it SEEMS that if I leave the side screws very loose it helps a lot so I just leave them loose and cover them with electrical tape so as not to lose them.

I have the same problem as some of the other users,leaving the bottom plate off altogether fixes it but the fault does reoccur especially if I zoom ,a shame really because it's a great little camera but at least it's working some of the time.

I had the same problem. I've done the steps before. But i tighten the sight-screws in order. First the side-screw at the bottom, at the battery-side; then the opposite-screw at the bottom, then the opposite-screw at the top and at last the top-screw at battery-side. Do not turn the screws with high torque! Now it works fine.

Is this a sony problem that could cause a recall? Why so many people with the same problem>

Fixed it for me, even after reassembly.

That worked! I'll carry a little screwdriver with the camera in case this happens again.

Worked perfectly for me. Thank you so much for posting this solution.

Thank you, Cherry, for giving me the courage to open the camera! And also thank you, Scanningene! I had the same experience as some of the other commentators: when I opened up the camera it worked but as soon as I closed it up, it went back into the 'turn power off then on' freeze . And that's where Scanningene's comment about leaving the side screws loose helped. I experiemented in leaving the side a bit ajar and found that my camera worked perfectly fine only when I left the bottom plate screwed on but the side by the battery about a toothpick width ajar. In fact I broke the toothpick you had recommended as tool in half and wedged one part in the side slit by the battery and the other along the top opening and taped it all shut with duct tape. The tricky part was taping around the mode dial. Will it last? Maybe, maybe not. For now the camera works and takes beautiful pictures again. Thank you!

On my camera, i removed the screw beside the battery completely and the bottom panel is only hold by one screw in the center. camera works fine now.

@Scanningene/Ursula Chappell: Thx for the hint with the battery. Makes reassembling a lot easier and the bottom panel must not be removed completely.

Hello,

I had the exact same problem. The lens would start working when disassembled but get stuck again once reassembled.

After some trial, I discovered that the problem occurs when the right side of the camera (when looking at the screen) was been pushed into position and secured with screws.

Some further testing revealed that even with the camera disassembled, when pushing my finger against the tape cable at the bottom-middle was causing this problem! I don't know what exists under this cable, there are some SMDs but I don't know if they are sensors or simple electronics components.

What seems to have given a solution, was to bend the tape cable a bit differently, so as to move the bend position a bit to the left, eventually leaving some "air" over the point where the pressure affected the lens. Then I tightened all the screws and now the camera works with no issues!

I don't know if this will hold neither whether this new position can harm the tape cable in the long term.

@sinadroi please show me which tape cable you are referring to?

So guys, same thing happened to my rx100, lens cant open if case is screwed shut, but when case is unscrewed and right side left ajar (I use a 2mm paracord to keep the top right corner ajar and screwing in the rest of the screws except one, it works fine.

but i don't want dust to collect internally, so if anyone knows which cable to shift so this can be a complete fix, please let me know

Solution : I found it amusing but it worked for me. I simply dropped my camera ( switched off ) from 2 and 1/2 feet on carpeted floor twice and turned it on and it worked. Thanks to ifixit solution and comments from users ( which gave me the idea that issue is some what related to some kind of pressure within the camera ) and thanks to "Thailand Living" user on youtube.

"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4JSctme...

I had to snap two fine sowing needles to the length I needed them, and then leave the screws out on the sides. I then placed the needles in either side to leave a slight gap on either side of the back plate. I then gaffer taped them and the back plate in place using high strength electrical tape and just used two screws for the bottom plate. This keeps the back plate open enough for the lens to work. The gaffer tape keeps the back plate nice and secure.

I have no part number. Just search for "RX100 lens flex cable". Some are offered with sockets on the cable (small white connectors), some without. The old cable has connectors, so I ordered that one. I don't know if the cables on e*** are original parts, but it's definitely worth a try. If I sent in the camera, Sony would most likely replace the whole lens unit, which economically does not make sense. But I just love that camera and will not yet let it go. The cables come from China and delivery time is around one or two months, so we'll have to do without our great camera for a long time. :-( Replacing the old cable will probably be quite challenging and I hope it does not require to open the lens barrel, but I don't have much to lose...

Update: I received the flex cable yesterday. Quality is mediocre (the tracks for the zoom motor are thinner than the original, and one of the two cables I ordered (one as spare for the case something goes really wrong) had some crumpled spots and looked as if some of the tracks could be damaged from the start). What came as a surprise when I started disassembly to remove the original flex cable is that it has three tiny light barriers soldered directly onto the cable. They are missing on the new cables. I had to solder them off, which was the most difficult part because they are surface mounted, i.e., I had to apply heat from the flip side of the cable without risking to overheat the light barriers. Anyway, I finally succeeded - at least it looks like everything is working fine again, which also proves that the problem was in fact caused by the sharp bend in the ribbon cable. The repair was really difficult, but it cost me 20 EUR for the two cables instead of 250 for a new lens unit. :-)

Which cable do i need for the M1 Version?

I only find cables for M2, do they also fit for my mark one?

thanks

It may be that the cables for M1 and M2 are the same because the description/name of the one I bought was "Lens Back Main Flex Cable For SONY DSC-RX100 RX100 II M2 Digital Camera + Socket".

I almost gave up on my RX 100, and I was ready to get a new one until I saw this post. It worked and I can use my camera like it was brand new!. Thanks Cherry!

Just in case this can help. My Sony RX100 Mk1 started this problem. After reading your advice I could restart after removing the battery and reinserting, but the problem would soon start again. I noticed that there was no problem if the battery door was left open but that is completely impractical. So with the camera turned off and lens retracted I opened the battery door and gave the camera a light tap downwards onto the right hand end as seen from the back. This was done onto a firm but soft flat surface. This may have moved a cable inside fractionally. Since then the camera has worked as normal with the battery door closed.

I too have this issue with my RX100 v1. I have just received a replacement ribbon cable .

I am about to embark on transferring across the light barriers onto the new ribbon cable. Not looking forward to that! Any tips @rx100user? How heat proof is the ribbon when soldering from the back? Not looking forward to this job. Massive respect to @rx100user for managing it.

Ribbon cable arrived Saturday. When I removed the bottom plate, camera started working. Now bottom plate is secured but with some play, and it works, sort of. Playing around with the Zoom caused the on/off error to reoccur. So I too feel it's inevitable that the ribbon will have to be replaced. I'm also very concerned about using the soldering iron. My soldering skills are mediocre at best, and I'm using a cheap 1 heat setting soldering iron that I use on RC stuff. Any advice from @rx100user would be greatly appreciated as well.

I experienced the same problem and, Thanks to Your suggestions, I loosened all the screws in the body of the camera and tightened again not very strong. Miracle, now the zoom works fine. Happy !

I didn't get notified of the new posts. Hopefully my response is not too late. I did the job with a rather old and cheap soldering iron with a thin pencil-shaped tip that I set (if I remember correctly) to 270 °C. I too was concerned about how much heat the ribbon cable and the light barriers can stand. As my camera still works fine (with the screws of the back cover fully tightened) they obviously weren't damaged. I fixed the light barriers in a small vice so that the heat from the soldering iron is absorbed. Then I placed the ribbon cable very carefully on the light barrier so that it is exactly (!) in the right place and also fixed the ribbon cable with adhesive strips so that it cannot slip away during soldering. Then I placed the soldering iron on the back of the ribbon cable and applied some pressure. After a while the soldering pads of the light barrier melted. Make sure that all four pads fully melt so that the barrier sits completely flat on the cable. Repeat that with all three light barriers.

Thanks for sharing this Marcel. I placed a small strip of rather stiff foam right in the bend of the replacement cable to stabilize it. The problem with the quick fix is that it only works if you are lucky so that by chance the front faces of all broken conducting paths have stable contact with their counterpart. Even if that is so, you have to expect that any vibration can cause the camera to fail again. And as we all know, these things always happen when you least need them...

LOL, I just bought a used RX100 M1 on Ebay. Have only use it one day and had this problem. Thanks for all this information.

I just banged it a few times on a table and got it working again! At least I know what to expect and how to handle this issue in the future, even if I need to get to the point of removing screws. Hopefully I can get the value of $350 from it that I paid :)

On my side I had the same message "turn power off then on" with my RX100Model 2 (I bought it 3 years and half ago just to give an idea of the robustness you can exepct from Sony cameras). For a while I was using the workaround...but this issue was back all the time. in the end I have bought on exxxx the "RX100 lens flex cable" that is described Just wanted to let people know that unsoldering the SMT and soldering on the cable is extremely difficult. On my side, I have not been able to make it work. Not a big deal since I have paid less than 10$. Unless you have special expertise, I don't recommend you to start. You may loose your time. Just wanted to share my experience.

I couldn’t find any toothpicks so I used a sliver of business card in the same spot as Daniel’s toothpick, and the camera now works.

I took my RX100 apart several times and the camera worked until I put the back plate on and put the  screws in.   The did the ‘hit it on the battery side’ trick and it works.    Thanks to all.

In my case, tightening the screws on the sides and bottom resolved the stuck lens issue.

Thank you for the helpful suggestions. The “fix” worked but like others have found, it is very sensitive to screw tension. To get it to work reliably, I have held it together by just using the two upper side screws. I have discarded the base plate entirely and replaced it with a piece of black insulating tape cut to shape whilst it is in position. That avoids the pressure from the screws. From an engineering viewpoint, it’s unsatisfactory but it works!

As others have said, the camera takes great photos but reliability is poor. I have already had one expensive repair in the 3 years of ownership. If my “fix” fails, I’ll go back to my old Canon Ixus 105 whilst I consider what to do next. It won’t be another Sony camera!

Geoff in New Zealand.

Problem seems to be due to the camera body flexing over time due to holding the camera on the right side, causing problems with the internal wiring when gripping with too much pressure.

Hi all. Had this problem.

All I did was remove the battery while the error was showing instead of turning it off with the button.

Put the battery back in and turned it on.

Fixed it for me.

Am now on my 2nd RX100 - total disappointment with reliability - but when working was great, Both have the lens and ‘turn off’ msg problem.

Sony should have done a recall or else offered a free fix - seems it can happen almost from new to far later on. Never had another camera ( currently 3 dslrs and about 10 point and shoots) that have given me any trouble at all except these Sony Rx100.’s

Even if they are currently working, having the knowledge that there is an inherent fault that Sony ignores will not suppply a fix for ( unless under warranty or else big $ are involved) , and that it can appear without any warning - eg. 1 week ago brilliant panorama shots - looked at sd card on pc - replaced card in RX100 - then won’t work.

Checked all fixes on the net (apart from perhaps fitting a new sensor or replacing the whole guts) and nothing works. Even tried swapping lense units from camnera to camera - still same probs with both.

Sony you really screwed up with this overpriced and under reliable camera !!!

After two years of usage, my RX100 MKI does not work any more. Or to be exactly: It still works, I can make pictures, its focusing and saving them on the SD card but the display does not show anything. There is just no sign of life at the screen at all. I bought a used RX100 to replace the screen but same goes for the other screen which is working in its RX100. I than connected the blank screen to the other RX100 and it is working. So it is not the screen. Do you think it can relate to the turn on/off error that is wildely discussed here, so is there a chance it is flex cable related or do you thin it is a hint that the main board might be the problem? I will order a spare flex cable but it will take some time until it will be in Germany…

I had the same issue with my camera. After a lot of searches I finally went for the permanent fix: the flex cable that goes around the lens needs to be replaced. It can be bought (new and original) for 10€ on the internet (search for “rx100 lens flex cable”, BE SURE TO BUY THE VERSION WITH THE 3 HALL SENSORS if you do not want to soldier them yourself). replacing the cable is not easy but is DOABLE (I am not a repair specialist). You will just need to soldier it to the zoom motor (2 points, quite easy) and plug it in various places. but after that it will work!!! be very careful not to break the CMOS sensor cable (which is very sensitive as well) when removing the lens block.

Thank you very much for all your above replies! It encourages me to engage with Sony, now that they declared my 2,7 years old RX100 ‘totall loss'.

"Repair costs more than the remaining value“ was their blunt way of communicating my loss. I can have my camera back for the (predicted) €75 service costs - un-repaired, that is. Their repair proposal was - as was suggested above - to replace he entire lens set, not just the cable..

Same problem here. But the solution was much easier, found on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_Q1bljf...

Same problem. RX100 Mk1. My lens did not come out at all with screws in. worked perfectly when the back was off. I too found that when you pressed on the flex cable near the bottom of the camera it would malfunction. I folded a piece of thin cardboard and inserted within the fold of the flex cable to keep in from bending too much. Camera is back to working even with the back on and all the screws tight.- I’ll hope that I don’t have to replace this cable. I wish you all luck!

I had the same problem. I tried putting paper in the ribbon but had trouble getting it in there. I realized I was going to wreck something or get too much dust in. Eventually, I just decided to just removed the 2 problem screws entirely and use electrical tape to cover the screw holds and side gap. Works fine so far.

If you don't want to take the camera apart, you can try this method. The 2 screws to remove are on the right side of the camera when you are faceing the screen. Those 2 put pressure on the cable.

Thanks to the orginal post I was game to take my camera apart and try a fix. Dispare followed by the toothpick trick has worked. I also left the tweo screws out on the battery side and covered the gap with a dark silicon over a sliver of plastic. I also had to leave out one side screw on the non battery end but if I can get another year out of a great camera I will be happy. Thank yopu to all who tried and posted. William

I ordered a band cable in China and within 2 weeks it was delivered at my home in Groningen. Guided by the Youtube film I replaced the old (broken) cable for the new one. This was not a very hard job to do, just have patience. But in spite of all the labour, the problem is not solved. Now the lens remains out and can only be retracted by removing and inserting the battery: reset the camera. Above all it introduced a second problem, the display does not work anymore. I fear this is the end of my Sony RX100M1.

@gemako : If the display is off, since you replaced the cable, you should consider, that you missed a detached power cable from the display or create a new break somewhere in the electric circuit, whose power is now insufficient to supply the screen. I propose to check again for micro structural breaks, which are common (like the issue here), if products are produced in a scale, that minimal physical (and longterm chemical) changes in the material itself, can reduce their lifetime.

We often claim, that this ‘limited lifetime’ of products, is a sign for an conscious misleading of consumers, through the use of materials whose natural, physical or chemical decomposition process makes the product unusable, in time. Which is not always true, but based on the experienced we share here, we can say: “They should offer more support for people who like to stick on a device, as long as it works for their needs, instead of NO SUPPORT for loyal and convinced customers. This ignorance by their customer care is a shame.”

@gemako : But because your "digital buddy” is maybe dead, try a used RX100 up 80€/$, because now you know what to do, in any (new) case.

Amazone and ebay start at 300€/$ which is too much. I bought my used one from a local guy, over ebay classifieds, for just 80€, because it had exactly this on/off error. So, i took the risk, but i was confident that i can repair this issue, as long as there is no physical or water, or display damage. It worked for me and now i can use this RX100 since mor than 5years - and i know - at some point, also the used RX100 offers out there will no longer be available, but i do not have to buy a 20MP each 2 years and hav not to live with the constantly decreasing quality of products within this price segment. At the end, your focus is to get a great picture out of it, and i do not care if the cam i use is tripple used, as long ‘this tool’ is working. So, i’it's sad to say - but - if your “digital buddy” die, just buy a used one, if you love the eggs you got from the dead one ( ;

I would like to thank all of you, who shared their experiences here. It’s a great community of talent and passion - and because of the time, we all invest, to deal with issues, where companies do not seem to care about, i would like to add this statement here, to wish all of you nice holidays and a great 2019 ( !

Just had the same problem on my RX100 M1. I loosened all screws on base, which fixed it, and then re-tightened just to the point where I met resistance. So far so good.

Mike B

I tried this many times and it is a temporary fix. Frustrating. This is how I permanently fix it. I took the 4 side screws off and noticed the right side panel opens slightly. I did not even remove the bottom panel. Turn the power on and it opens up with no error messages. Turn off and on a few times, no problem. When I put the four screws back on and tighten it, back to error message and lens stayed partial extension and would not retract. Figured there was probably lens alignment out of wack. I used liquid superglue and put it in between the front and back panel on right side. After the glue dried I tested the power button many times. I put the 2 screws on left side first, test again and finally put the 2 screws on right side and tighten it. My Sony is now fixed. I hope this post will help others with same issue.

my camera is the first generation rx100.

Bonjour

J’ai suivi les instructions et immédiatement, le problème a disparu. Bravo et merci pour ces informations

Like the others the error reappeared as soon as it’s reassembled. But what this partial disassembly tells us is that the problem comes from something is squished just a bit too much on there. The whole construction being basically like a stack of paper if you want to unsquish one direction just squish on another direction. The top to bottom direction seams a bad idea as most of the control are there. But the side to side axes is basically free from anything super fragile. So here is the idea, if you squish the camera between your thumb and finger in a side to side axes (firm and gentle) then that should slightly bend the front panel just a tad bit.

Bingo !

I’d bet the problem came from the camera been somehow squished on the front to back axe.

Initially removed base and placed a piece of paper between wires and base this resolved for about a month. After same error returned still would not work even with base removed. Therefore removed all 4 side screws but first peeling back the camera grip tape then reapplying after screws removed. Amazingly camera starting working again with no clicking of lens when extended. Will see how long this lasts.

Hello,

Please, could you translate from English to French step 2 ?

Thanks !

Yours sincerely.

Robert

thanks bro

my camra was properly worked

thanks

I’m so grateful! This worked for my RX100 IV!!!

Great, it works

Just be careful not to re-tighten the screws too much. I had one, in particular that, when I tightened a little too hard, caused the error again. I loosened it slightly and all works fine! Yippee!!!

I try to fold the ribbon.

But it is broken. I give up

Another problem with my Sony: there is no light anymore in the EVF of my Sony RX100 M3. I think I have to replace the complete unit. Has anyone of you ever done this before?

It worked for me up to a point. When reassembling the camera it kept working until I put the bottom plate back. So, now the camera works /lens extends as far as I keep the bottom plate off. Can anyone analyze why that is?

I have no idea how someone figured this fix for the Sony rx100m VI, but it WORKS! My camera kept giving me a message to turn off my camera and then turn it on. After doing that it still kept giving me that message. I followed the five steps listed here and it worked perfectly. Again, who knew? Well, obviously someone and to that person, I say THANK YOU!!!

Robert Klein -

Hi,

Thanks for the wonderful solution. When I removed the screws it didnt got resolved. but like others the Lens flex cable is making the problem. The downside cable attached to the lens. That bent is making problem over time, I feel. I kept a rolled paper inside it. Then after reassembling it started working.

Thank you all once again and Thanks for the post,

Thank you one and all RX100 lovers to help me fix my Mk1 camera. The permanent fix is to replace the ribbon cable but quite frankly the blog showing that scared me a little. I was able to resolve by placing tissue paper in the ribbon cable fold and got all the screws back in. For a better explanation of my fix, see my reply above to Patrick Gauthier - 03/20/2017 that came up with the concept of understanding the fault must be that ribbon squeezing on itself. I am ecstatic that the camera is working again. I waited a few days before posting to double check and make sure but it has opened/closed 100% now. Special thanks to Cherry for starting the ball rolling on this and our collective trouble shooting.

It works but when you fix it back you go back to square one, probably something is getting pinched, I understand the bottom centre screws press against the black power cable though I am not sure. There must be some sensor problem I guess. Someone used WD 40 but I wouldn’t do that as it will collect more dust in the long run!

My Sony has the same issue, haven’t been able to use it for a few years. I happened to think about this site when posting on another issue and found all your post and info. I’m going to attempt to put some paper in the flex line as shown in the post, thank you for all of your information on this problem.

I agree with many others, shame on Sony for not taking responsibility with a recall for this problem. Sony will not get my money on another product ever again!

Fingers crossed this works!

Hi all,

Reviewing the answers, and having the same issue, I only made the screws below the camera a bit loose (all 5 of them), just a bit, and the camera started working well again. Not sure for how long, but for now its working as normal.