Canon G9 wont power on. Time bomb
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009 | Author: admin
So my G9 stopped working this weekend… It was working fine all day when I went back to turn it on it just wouldnt (I recharged the battery hoping it would be the cause of the problem….but it wasnt). So after searching the web and finding lots of other people with the same problem I stumbled upon:
http://www.myfixtips.com/blog/digital-camera/who-killed-my-g9-133.htm
Canon G9 defect
Canon G9 defect
This great guide basically shows that the G9s were assembled without using screw lock gel to keep the screws from loosening. So if you have a G9 for over a year chances are that there are two screws inside the camera that are hanging loose and will soon fall and shortcircuit your camera’s DC or main board.
I dis-assembled mine using that guide and found the same exact thing pictured on the guide. One of the screws was still attached (barely) the other was inbetween the circuit boards and had already short circuit my board. I emailed Canon tech support and havent heard back from them yet. It seems that people that sent the cameras back for repair get charged ~$250 for this. It seems crazy that a manufactor design flaw that is in effect a timebomb is not covered by a recall. I’m a long time Canon user and the handling of this will affect my opinion of further purchases/recomendations of this brand.
The Canon G10 is basically the same design…. will it be affected?
**UPDATE** 6/18/2009
I sent it in, and explained the problem (out of warranty) they wanted to charge $180. After speaking with an manager they said they would fix it free of charge without a warranty on the repair.
Canon handled my concerns and was able to help me. I really appreciate the service and will continue to support them by purchasing/recomending their products.
**UPDATE** 11/02/2009
My G9 died again last weekend same symptoms, same problem… I called then again and they want $150 for the repair which sounds crazy for a flaw that was never addressed. I’m really disapointed with Canon and the next upgrade I will switch to Nikon over this. I cant support a company that does not stand behind their products/customers.
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My G9 is not powering on and I suspect the same problem. I am checking with Canon prior to opening up the camera. I also noticed screws missing from the tripod socket. Does yours have these missing? The first 5 digits in my serial number are 63213, is this close to yours?
Thanks…Paul
Hi Paul, I’ll check on the serial later today.
Mine was missing one of the screws from the tripod too… (they replaced it)
Chances are that its been shorted out by the same defect. If you giggle it can you hear anything loose inside? mine did but yours might not.
I did take the front cover off and I can see a loose screw on the board http://twitpic.com/d3m4q. I am going to send it in to Canon.
Just let them know its a known defect with these model camera’s. If they want you to still pay for it ask to speak with the supervisor and explain that you’re a loyal Canon customer and they should comply with the repair. The manager I spoke too was understanding.
Dear Sir,
I am a student from India, being impressed on your approach to rectify your Canon G9 camera, I look for your support to solve a similar problem of mine. The loosened screw being a design problem which you have convinced them to get your camera free serviced. But for the same problem Canon people are not agreeing to serve free , even with your reference. Here they want the response reference from canon which was sent to you. If that is seen they will consider my request to service my camera also free .
Could you please mail me your earlier correspondence from canon which will convince these people to consider my case. Seeking your immediate response please.
Hey Oisik, sorry to hear that…. all I did was copied the report from the site and emailed it. Once the repair center received the camera they sent me a bill so I called and spoke to a manager and we reached an agreement. Its a clear fault on the camera as long as you can provide them with other cases they should be able to see the problem. But this does not mean they will fix it for free.
I really hate to see Canon screw customers that paid top Dollar (Rupee) for the top-end compact camera.
I wish you luck…
I sent mine to the Illinois service center and received a note saying it was going to cost $149 dollars to repair. They said they have not encountered many of these problems, but that they would repair mine at no charge, since it was only a few months out of warranty. I did not have to mention that I have been a long time customer (S50, G9, D30, 10D, 20D, 40D and 1DMiiN). This was my first issue with a Canon product and they handled it well.
Thats great Paul I also sent mine to the Illinois center and I also mentioned my laundry list of Canon stuff (10D, 20D, 40D, 5dmkii, “L” lenses and EX flashes…) I guess that makes a difference.
Cool I’m glad it worked for you too…
I’m contemplating opening mine again to make sure the screws have been locked correctly…
I used the camera repair services of CamerasAndParts.com recently and was very pleased with the service that I received for the problem described here. The technician who did the repair work called me and explained the whole process and what was needed. He explained my options and the nature of the problem. He also explained that he would do some additional adjustments for free, which would likely make the camera take better pictures than when I first got it, since he would adjust the camera settings precisely to the manufacturer’s standards, instead of allowing for a margin of error, which is how the cameras are sent out new. And then, finally, he was sympathetic to my unique circumstances—departure for Iraq, etc.—and upgraded their postal return for free. In the end, though, I got the camera back much later than I had been told was likely, which was a disappointment, though understandable in light of the holiday rush for camera repairs. I would gladly use the services of CamerasAndParts.com again and want to recommend them to the readers here.
How much did they charge you? was it a G9?
I had the same exact problem! My g9 decided to die on me out of the blue a week ago. After doing a bit of research online I found out that this is a rather frequent problem for G9 users. I found several companies that were willing to repair it at a flat rate and ultimately went with the recommendations of others to chose http://www.camerasandparts.com to repair it for a flat rate of $89.
Andy, who is one of the managers there, handled my case. He was extremely responsive to all of my questions and concerns. He took the time to explain exactly what it was that he would do and how long it was going to take to do it. The customer service at camerasandparts is far superior to most companies I have dealt with in the past. The time it took to ship them my broken g9 and receive it back fully operational was all within 4 days! I can honestly say with out hesitation that they are by far the best company to repair canons.
Use them to repair your canon and it will be the best decision you have made in a long time!
Same experience here, and thanks for the advice from everyone on pressing Canon Repair for a “free of charge” service on the G9 problem. I’ve owned mine nearly 3 years, and just had this “loose screw” problem ruin a vacation picture opp recently. Sent the camera in, and when notified to pay the $160 w/shipping, I called and insisted on speaking to a supervisor straight away. Actually was given 3 options; the other two being a half price repair with a 90 Day warranty, and of course the “Trade-in” as a loyal Canon Customer.
This 90 Day warranty issue brought this site to mind; I wonder if anyone else who’s opted for the free repair encounter any problems with the camera after they got it back? I specifically asked this supervisor if I was getting “as good” a repair without paying for their “warranty”. I guess time will tell….
I sent mine and the same problem resurfaced in about two months. I should have opened it and taped the board and screw.
I ended up fixing it again and selling it.
DO NOT SEND it to CamerasAndParts.com. I did and that was the last time I saw my camera and $100 that I paid. When you call them you will reach a voicemail. When you leave a message they will never call you back. When you email them, you’ll get a canned response.
Fix it yourself instead.
Hello I really need help with this. My camera is taking pictures and all, however I can only see the pictures and where I am aiming it, if I face the camera at a certain angle (upwards)!! If the camera is pointed down I will not be able to see what I am shooting at, or even review the photos… This is so annoying especially because I have no idea why it is malfunctioning like this. The problem somewhat seems to go away if I hold the bottom of the camera really tight.. Its like something maybe loose….Its never been dropped, no water damage, nothing!! DO you think its a loose screw issue, like this??.. I’m too scared to take it apart and mess it up completely….Please help
Hi Mary its got be a loose connection. Its not too hard to take the camera apart, but I dont recommend it if your not comfortable with it.
The Canon G9 has a well known problem where these two screws work themselves loose over time, then fall out and short out the fuse on the DC/DC board.
Canon will usually not repair the problem for free, especially now that the camera is so far out of warranty. There really needs to be a class action lawsuit to get them to take care of this issue!
If you do a Google search for “g9 no power repair” you will see in the #3 position [
***************], where you can have this repair performed for $85 total! This includes the part, installation, and return shipping of the camera.If you want to do the repair yourself (no instructions included, sorry) you may purchase the part you need for $48 including shipping.
Hope this helps!
Thomas Drayton
Owner, ******DO NOT send your camera to camerasandparts, it’s a scam company.
For those who have a good transaction with Cameras And Parts, I’m happy for you.
I don’t want to argue with other real or fake customers who are the employees of C&P.
But through my experience with them, if you didn’t get your camera back after 2 months.
Just file a complain to the Better Business Bureau of El Paso here:
http://elpaso.bbb.org/
Just key in their number: 915-239-6199 to search for this scam company.
And also, call this number: 915-832-4436
http://www.ci.el-paso.tx.us/police/financial_crimes.asp
To report white-collar crime or scam if you want to call it.
You can also complain to: UPS National Fraud Center, UPS El Paso, Yahoo, PayPal, MasterCard.
Other info about the customer service of C&P:
Your call will usually go into their voice mail. You’ll not get a reply if you emailed them.
They might tell you they’ve shipped back your camera, but they won’t give you a tracking number and tell you that they ship through a third party which name is unknown.
About myself: Shipped my camera 4 months ago to Camerasandparts. Did I finally get back my camera? No.
Think about it, will anyone who has nothing to do with C&P spend time writing bad things about them? Unless the employer has many enemies. It’s up to you your judgment to believe or not. I just want to help other innocent customers.
Good Luck!
My G9 died last week, I sent Canon an E-mail asking for some Customer Goodwill, they shipped me a prepaid shipping label to ship it back. Now the want $160.00 to repair it. I called and they act like they know nothing about the problem. **** CANON! I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER CANON PRODUCT!
My G9 died when shaken you could hear the loose screw inside.I telephoned the Canon helpline in England they denied there was a problem with screws coming loose.
Even tho out of warranty by a year they have fixed my camera my G9 is my back up camera (FN Awesome)
Thank you Canon very much
I’m glad you got it back…now sell it or open it and apply some thread lock on those two screws… mine died once more after the Canon fix.
As it seems it is a common problem on this modest DSLR camera model Canon Powershot G9 made in 2007.
My G9 suffered the same problem with something floating and moving from inside, it was the same tiny screw as its shown on the picture. The mainboard went off and never started on again, shortcircuit? shoud be for sure.
It is worthy to spend money on a new maiboard or it is better buy a new proofy DSLR Camera really reliable for an amatteur photographer?, My guess the last option looks definitively that makes a sense.
I’m just another dismayed Canon G9 user reporting that my camera was put out of commission by the loose strap screw shorting out the power board. I had followed information found on this site to open the camera and thus confirm that this was indeed the problem. Despite all the bad press that someone is circulating about [
********], I did my own research and entrusted the repair to them. Happy to report that they received my camera on February 8th and I had it back in hand on February 19. Couldn’t be happier with the service or with the attentiveness and demeanor of the staff.I would fix it and sell it…. then get a DSLR
I used camerasandparts.com and was very dissapointed. Had to use BBB to get my camera back. Four and a half months to get it back. “Customer Service” is not in their vocabulary. I feel lucky to have my camera back based on many other reviews. Stay away from C & P.
My G9 died – not 3 years old yet. I paid top dollar for this and have all the acessories, too. Although I really loved this camera when it worked, I was afraid to buy another Canon. Got a Nikon P7000 now & am working my way through the various functionns. Got a 5-year warrantee, too, for 89 bucks at Henry’s in Toronto.
well guess what?! my G9 ‘ just stopped working’. I bought it in 2008, probably from that bad batch made in 2007 that i am now reading about. I went to use it and at first the screen wasnt on, so i took a few photos thru the viewfinder, and i think it took a few, but of course i couldnt view them, i thot the battery was low and conserving just before it shut off.. so i recharged battery, it would not even power on.. i thot the battery being 3 yrs old had packed it in.. so i went and bought a new one.. charged it put it in, and .. you guessed it,, still doesnt power up.. so here i am now reading all these similar stories! i too have been a loyal canon customer, my first camera was the G3 powershot, ( my kids call it ‘ the tank’ because of its size)
Anyways!so what to do? Do i send it to C & P? or to a local repair guy and explain the history? or try and get canon to do it for free or to the place that thomas drayden on here recommends ? i paid about alot of money for this,( around 900 bucks! ) and i have no money for a new one, and i NEED my camera back! any suggestions?! thanks..
So sorry to read about everyone’s G9 problems. I’m on the trip of a lifetime in Istanbul and my three-year old Canon just died this morning. I’m not going to try to get it fixed here, of course. Fortunately I have a little Nikon Power Shot that’s doing the best it can. What a major disappointment!
Same fault happened twice, after Canon repaired the G-9, at a cost each time. I have had a lot of Canon products, but this last failure caused me not to buy a G-12, but a Nikon 5100 instead. I’m very happy with my decision.
My G9 just quit powering on and ordered the fuse board to replace it. When I opened the camera I found no loose screw. All the screws are intact and tight but still the fuse board went bad.I replaced the fuse board and my G9 came to life.
I read a lot of good reviews about C&P and their quick, less than one week turn-around, so emailed them about this issue I am having. It’s been a week and I haven’t heard from them, so it doesn’t give me a lot of confidence to send my camera there.
canon G9 powershot failed me when I was away on a break so I was deeply disappointed.I looked after it so well and now have paid ioo to get it repaired but of course I did not hear if it was a common fault until I googled it.
I have had the same problem and my My Canon PowerShort refused to power on and when i searched online i found this website. I opened my camera to verify the problem and i found 2 lost screws inside and i was really shocked. I used many items from this brand and i really recommended them to my work place (we recently purchased 2 G11 cameras, a bedscanner and a Photocopier machine) and i would like to say that i lost the trust i have had in this brand.
I would like to ask where i can buy Canon G9 DC/DC Board and how it may get to me since i am in Rwanda (Africa) and if you can estimate how much it may cost to get here! Thanks
thanks everyone on this site, my G9 just packed it in, same probs, while rounding the coast of south africa, reading this makes me madder still, looking to buy a different make!! thanks again…andre
Hi folks, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I had exactly the same problem and I’d like to thank the author of the G9 time bomb for pointing it out. Canon were absoloutley useless and claimed it wasn’t there problem, however they did suggest I contact one of their recognised repair retailers who could possibly fix it for a price.
However when I contacted their suggested repair centres, they said there would be no choice as it was a manufacturing fault. So I now have my good old G9 back fully working (this was in the UK) Good luck G9er’s – hope you het yours fixed for free too.
Thanks for the link. I followed the instructions and found both screws floating around in there. I ordered the fuse component and soldered it on top of the existing component and the camera works great now. Fingers crossed on how long it’ll last.
My Canon G9 has stopped working without any apparent reason and the battery wasn’t the problem. I started to browse the net and came across this article. After reading it, i shook my camera near my ear and heard a sound ressembling a lose screw rattling inside, so i decided my camera has the same problem as described here. I took my camera to Canon service representative in Lithuania (i live in Lithuania) and explained the situation. They said they are not aware of such G9 issue and they refused to fix it free of charge. But they offered me to write a complaint and they promised to send it to Canon. And so i did. Few days later they called me and told that Canon gave them a permit to fix my camera for free. Same day i took my camera back and it’s working perfectly again. Thank you Canon for serious attitude and for not disappointing me. Also thanks to all good people in lithuanian Canon service and especially to the author of this article. BIG THANKS!