topic EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 13:41:45 GMT

Hi there, I haven't used my Canon 6D for a couple of days. Today, when I tried to use it, I noticed that it doesn't turn on with an SD card inserted. However, it does turn on without the SD card. How can I address this issue?

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

rs-eos — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 15:39:48 GMT

Look inside the card slot to see if any pins are bent. Perhaps there's a short that is happening when the card is inserted.

Also, are you using a full-sized card or a micro-sized card with an adapter? Micro-sized cards are known to cause many issues.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 16:00:15 GMT

Hi, thanks for the response. I'm using a full-sized card. I've checked inside the slot, but I don't see any bent pins. I've also tried several cards that work perfectly in other DSLR cameras, but the camera still won't turn on with any card.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Peter — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 16:37:18 GMT

Have you changed the bootloader (installed magic lantern)?

What if you format the card in computer, for example with SD Formatter?

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 17:09:21 GMT

Hi, no, I'm using the current official firmware of Canon. I formatted the card in various ways, but it still doesn't turn on.

I'm not sure how this problem happened. However, I believe the possible causes could be:
- My memory card was recently infected with a virus. I discovered this when I inserted it into my laptop.
- My memory card is a bit old, and some parts got detached when I removed it, but I checked and there are no debris inside, and I don't see any bent pins. The inside is clean.

After much research on the internet, I found one person who had the same issue. He mentioned that moisture had formed inside the slot and he removed it. However, I don't see any moisture inside the card slot of my camera.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 18:33:00 GMT

As a last resort before getting the camera repaired, try blowing out the SD card slot with canned air. Also, throw the broken SD card out.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:46:29 GMT

Regrettably, there isn't a DSLR repair shop in my country.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Waddizzle — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:49:41 GMT

Is the door to the memory card fully and securely closed? There is a micro-switch on the door that can prevent the camera from turning on when the door is not properly secured.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:54:48 GMT

I've checked and it's fully secured and closed.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 19:55:32 GMT

Picsart_23-08-11_13-42-47-294.jpg

Finally, I discovered that whenever these two pins make contact, the camera fails to turn on, similar to when I insert the memory card. I attempted to place something to prevent them from touching, and then I inserted the memory card. The camera turned on, but the card wasn't read.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 20:07:50 GMT

Then your camera needs the SD card slot replaced, unfortunately. Looks like using your broken SD card might have caused the issue.

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Sandeepsng — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 17:48:51 GMT

Your camera work now or not ? How to fix it

Re: My canon 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

alexiaxcollazo — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:17:08 GMT

Hi! I am very late to this but just because the same thing just happened to me with my Canon Rebel T7 I just wanted to pass along what worked for me. I had tried everything people on YouTube said worked for them however the only thing that worked for me was formatting my SD card on my laptop and erasing everything that was on it. Before you do this make sure you have passed or transferred over your photos to your laptop into a folder.

Re: EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

atarian — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 08:52:46 GMT

seems like something common, to be honest i didnt expect it on a camera that is only a few years old, canon eos 6d and there is nothing wrong with the memory card, full sized and its intermittent. Replaace card, close door and nothing, no point in removing and reinserting the card, its not the card. The card is in, so the only thing that is left is, open close the door, until the light flashes and it powers up.

I had had these type of cameras for years, never a problem until now.

Re: EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

shadowsports — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:16:36 GMT

Greetings ,

This is a 3-year-old topic. It's likely the thread's starter has moved on. The Canon 6D was released 14 years ago. If you need assistance, please start a new topic. Thanks in advance.

Re: EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

atarian — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 11:48:47 GMT

however, the last post in this thread wasnt. And as this turned up in a search, the chances are that others who have the same problem, will see it. And i dont know about you, i get fed up of reading through results that, in the end, are donkeys years old, and you cannot find any answers. So whats the problem.

The mark 2, however, isnt even 10 years old.

Re: EOS 6d is not turning on when I insert the SD card.

Tutu4542 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:31:15 GMT

I had to replace the motherboard