topic Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

imagedriven — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 19:20:51 GMT

I was on a shoot with my R3 and on the display, the square with the Q is grayed out, as opposed to white when normally working. The Q-button, Menu-button, image playback-button, and the rate-button are all unresponsive. I can still BB focus, change camera settings, and even use the info button. I can take pictures as well. The rest of the camera works just fine.

I successfully updated the firmware (not sure why I was able to access the menus that one time), but after the update the same buttons are unresponsive. I've tried the following:

Shut off the camera and replaced the battery with the new one (several times, with differing waiting periods
Swapped out to new unformatted cards
Used different lenses

I brought it to my local camera store and none of the Canon experts have ever experienced this. They also tried everything to no avail.

Obviously I can't access the menus to try to reset the camera. Anyone have any experience with this and how to fix before I send it off?

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:07:35 GMT

I notice that your lock lever is set to on. Try turning it off.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

wq9nsc — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:16:21 GMT

The power switch on the R3 is like the 1 series DSLR, lock is the center position allowing chosen controls to be locked to avoid accidental changes while shooting. His switch is in the normal on position so the controls are unlocked.

Rodger

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:23:33 GMT

Ok, thanks for the clarification.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Jul 2023 20:26:10 GMT

I am told that your switch is in the correct position.

The only other thing I can think of is to remove the lens and see if your missing functions return without a lens installed, on the remote possibility that the lens is causing an issue.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

wq9nsc — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:56:15 GMT

You are welcome. It is a VERY useful switch. When shooting sports I use either 2 or 3 1DX II and III bodies and when switching cameras rapidly, you don't want to have an accidentally bumped dial radically changing the exposure setting.

I try to keep an eye on the viewfinder data during an event but it is easy to overlook that when things on the field get exciting. Just before the pandemic, I was at a high school game and a visiting newspaper sportswriter discovered he had shot most of the game at 1/8000 which doesn't work well on typically poorly illuminated high school fields. I shared some photos with him and he learned a valuable lesson about using the lock setting.

I shoot in manual mode with auto ISO and lock the aperture and shutter speed where I want them for the event. I have one button programmed to toggle back and forth between two sets of aperture/shutter speed settings when I temporarily need more depth of field for post score celebrations and other group captures. But at an event, unless you know you will need to adjust exposure settings often that lock setting is an excellent insurance policy against accidents.

Rodger

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

shadowsports — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 02:48:07 GMT

This is an interesting problem. Not one I've seen before. I would not have attempted to flash the camera's firmware as a possible solution. The multi-function lock does allow you to disable touchscreen control, so he might try turning the switch to the off position and power cycling the camera. I doubt it will help, but there is nothing to lose.

To me, this appear to be a "Quick Controls" issue, but if you cannot get to the menu to reset, this cannot be confirmed. I believe the orange menu options indicate these settings are activated. I've not tested this myself. I'm sure Rodger has more experience with them. Canon might be the only one to resolve this.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

imagedriven — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:50:19 GMT

I did that several times. Nothing.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

imagedriven — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:53:24 GMT

The camera is not locked. I tested that as well. When set to lock, it functions as it should. The issue is centered around the Q menu.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

imagedriven — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:57:43 GMT

I am not sure why the quick control customization would change without me actually going into them in the first place. I have shot on Canons for over 10 years and never came across this. I am hoping there is a way to reset the camera using button combinations rather than only going in through the menus.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

imagedriven — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:58:32 GMT

I asked this as a reply, but is there a way to reset the camera without using the menus? Button combinations?

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 20:59:02 GMT

It seems that the camera needs to be repaired by Canon.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

John_Q — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 21:33:49 GMT

Hello imagedriven,

I would suggest trying the camera with a fully-charged battery only, no lens or cards, or anything on the hotshoe. If the menu button and others are still unresponsive, then the camera would need to be sent in to our factory service center.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

John_Q — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 21:38:22 GMT

Hi imagedriven,

Without access to the menu, there is no way to reset the camera unfortunately.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

shadowsports — Wed, 19 Jul 2023 00:54:42 GMT

Hi imagedriven,

The newer body's and software are extremely complex. My body has 13 customizable buttons, many with multiple options. I'm sure the R3 is similar. We've seen a few instances of this or similar behavior with newer software releases. While there was a loss of functionality or control, the ability to navigate remained and allowed recovery via a reset. How you managed to update the firmware was a feat.

I'd try as John_Q suggested with the cameras stripped. Try in "C" modes, turning the multi-function lock off. and powering on the camera with incorrectly formatted media. HPFS+, NTFS, etc, anything that might kick-start the menu selection ability. Try the mode dial, main dial and the rear control dial. Pressing the set button occasionally. You've probably been through this, but we are hoping you can come out of it.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

rhettcutrell — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 20:35:19 GMT

Hi imagedriven. Did you ever find a solution to this? I am having the exact same issue with my R5C.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

mrlnyc — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:09:19 GMT

I have this exact issue. Not finding anything on the internet, has anyone found a solve here? Really frustrating. This is a $5,000 camera.

Re: Canon R3 Q functions, Menu Buttons, image playback suddenly stopped working

mrlnyc — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 03:13:47 GMT

This did not do anything. I've had the same exact experience as the original poster. After 2 years of shooting, it suddenly has this issue. Randomly started working normally again, then once again the buttons became unresponsive. I can still shoot fine, but I cannot access the menu and use the camera properly.