topic Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 20:12:04 GMT

Hello, I installed the 1.6 firmware update on my R7 yesterday. The install completed and I clicked on the "OK" message. After that the camera shut off. I have not been able to turn it back on.

I have tried removing the lens, memory cards. I have tried turning it off and holding the shutter button. Nothing has helped. Has anyone else seen this before?

Thanks

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

ebiggs1 — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:14:35 GMT

On the surface that does not sound good. I suggest you call Canon 1 (800) 652-2666

If the worst thing happened and your camera is "bricked" Canon is the only place that can restore it.

Re: Help: R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Sun, 13 Oct 2024 15:18:57 GMT

Thanks, yeah I plan on calling them tomorrow. So frustrating it is out of warranty by a few months.

Thanks,

Bill

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

CharlieDCurry — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:02:19 GMT

I just installed firmware 1.6.0 on my EOS R7 (5 minutes ago) and the same exact thing happened to me. Please let me know if you find a way to fix it.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

shadowsports — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 14:17:31 GMT

Greetings ,

1.6.0 was released about 3 weeks ago. Your posts are the first I've heard of anyone having a problem. A quick search of Google didn't reveal any widespread issues.

Follow Ebiggs1 suggestion and contact Canon support. Please post your solutions to this thread as it may be helpful for others.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:23:45 GMT

Hi, I called Canon support and they did not have any suggestions other than to mail it in for service, which I did. I just got the estimate for the repair, it is a little over $400 in labor. No specific reason for the problem was given. My camera is 5 months out of warranty and I did not buy the CarePak. I don't have much choice but to get it fixed.

Support was helpful but the whole situation is disappointing

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 16:24:55 GMT

No idea how widespread or fast adoption of firmware updates is. I know I am going to wait a while next time.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

ebiggs1 — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:03:28 GMT

My advice is to read what the FW does before you try to install a new release. Some are necessary but some are not and if it does something you never use it will not help you.

99% of the time a FW update will go off without issue but sometimes something can go awry. Follow the instructions precisely. A new formatted top brand SD and a fully charged battery are a must.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Sat, 19 Oct 2024 15:58:09 GMT

Just to finish the story. I got my R7 back today. I feel like it was repaired very quickly, I shipped it on Monday and got it back on Saturday. Canon indicated that the main circuit board needed to be replaced. All is functioning normally.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 20:58:25 GMT

I just attempted the same firmware update and got the same results. My R7 will no longer power up. I have tried replacing batteries, lens, etc., but nothing will work. My R7 is dead. This is disturbing since we own 3 Canon EOS R7 bodies. I will not attempt the update on the other 2 bodies. We have never had a problem with firmware updates before. If I have to pay to have a motherboard replaced due to a firmware release issue, this will be the last time I ever update Canon firmware on any equipment. We own a lot of Canon cameras and L lenses and have stayed with Canon for many years. If this is not resolved, it may be time to move to Nikon. I am a retired software engineer and realize that this problem was most likely caused by a faulty software update.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

BillBoese — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 18:33:50 GMT

That is distressing, I am sorry to hear you had the same experience. I worked in the software industry my whole life too. I have been through a lot of patching efforts, updates, and upgrades. I have had to back out a few. I have never seen faulty software cause a physical device to fail (like my motherboard) though. It is a strange bit of engineering, and it is hard to understand why it can't just be backed out.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

shadowsports — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 19:37:38 GMT

To anyone affected. I would not let one bad experience keep you from updating your camera's firmware again. The process is not difficult, but the steps do need to be followed. We don't know what happened here. No widespread issues have been reported. This appears to be isolated. Like Ebiggs1 stated, you don't have to upgrade each time a new firmware is released, but eventually you may want to apply a newer version (they are cumulative) if it includes helpful performance enhancements or fixes. It's definitely worthwhile.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 20:40:22 GMT

I have 3 Canon R7s. I have performed every firmware update to each of these since their purchases. After trashing one today doing the 1.6.0 firmware update, I doubt that I will ever do another firmware update to the 2 remaining R7s. From the original post, if I also require a main circuit board replacement at my cost, I doubt that I will continue to purchase Canon equipment in the future. It may be time to move to Nikon. This problem was definitely caused by the firmware release. Canon obviously did not thoroughly test the software prior to its release. I was a software engineer for 34 years in the defense industry and am fully aware of possible causes of this issue!

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 20:56:08 GMT

Unfortunately, at this point there is little that we can do. The fix, if possible, would require direct connection to the hardware. With our camera bodies not powering up, we have no way to interact with the hardware. Thus, our cameras will have to be fixed at Canon. They will take the easiest method of repair, which is to replace the entire motherboard, rather than to try to do a direct firmware burn onto the appropriate chips. P.S. I worked with real-time software in the defense industry. All of our work was with weapon systems. As you might surmise, our testing had to be extremely thorough. System failures like this could cost the lives of our soldiers. Obviously, the commercial industry has a lower standard of performance risk.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

ebiggs1 — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:13:17 GMT

" It may be time to move to Nikon. "

And you think Brand-N doesn't have any, or this, problem. Of the reasons to switch brands this would be number 99 out of 100.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 20:40:55 GMT

I also sent my R7 to Canon for repair. I was advised by the Canon Service Rep. when I first called to clearly indicate on the repair request that my camera had stopped working immediately after installing the 1.6.0 firmware update. The Canon Service Rep. told me that there was a chance that I would not be charged for repairs since the problem occurred at the successful completion of the firmware update. Yesterday, I received a repair estimate from Canon for $387.02. I called Canon back to find out what specifically had to be done, but the Rep I spoke with did not yet have that information. The Rep. did tell me that I could send my other 2 EOS R7s in to Canon and they would do the firmware updates for no charge if I wanted. Considering the costs of insurance and shipping, I do not think that I will be doing that, as there is nothing in the 1.6.0 update that I need. Further, after this event, I doubt that I will ever do another Canon firmware update to any of my Canon bodies or lenses. For example, can you imagine the cost of shipping and insurance for my Canon EF 600 mm f/4L IS III lens for repair should the firmware update fail.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 16:29:28 GMT

My EOS R7 was just returned from the Canon Factory Service Center. I experienced the same R7 failure following the 1.6.0 firmware update. The repair invoice stated that the main circuit board had shorted out during the firmware update. As a result, the camera could no longer power on. Total cost of the repair to replace the main circuit board on my R7 was $387.02.

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

MadJack70 — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:03:43 GMT

I just realized that I had not posted additional information regarding my October-November 2024 R7 repairs that were required due to issues with the 1.6.0 firmware update. I had sent in my R7 to Canon after it had ceased to operate following completion of the 1.6.0 firmware update. Canon had to replace the main circuit board, which they said had shorted out during the firmware update. My R7 was returned to me on 11/3/24. I had paid $387.02 in repair costs. Later, I received a customer survey from Canon Factory Service regarding my satisfaction with the repairs. I replied that I was quite pleased with the results of the repairs, but not happy that I had to pay for them, since the issue was a result of installing Canon's firmware update. Late in November, I received a notice from my bank that my VISA account had been credited with a refund of my Canon repair charges. I never received a notice from Canon that this was being done, but I was extremely satisfied with the results. I guess sometimes it pays to complete satisfaction surveys. Now, I am eager with anticipation for the rumored future release of the R7 Mark II! 🙂

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

ebiggs1 — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 17:30:20 GMT

Nice! 😁

Re: Help: EOS R7 Will not turn on after firmware 1.6.0 install

Photofanatic — Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:00:50 GMT

I had been enjoying the camera new out of the box for 3 days when I decided to updated the firmare. On my second birding expedicion it powered off mid shoot and wouldn't turn back on. After spending a few days trouble shooting and talking with a Canon technician it was recommended that I return the camera for a refund.

I will note that this is the 3rd of 4 Canon cameras that I have purchased over the past 15 years that has done this. 2 Canon eos SL1s and now the R7. The exception being a 6Dm2

Fortunately I was able to return the camera under a 30 day seller's guarantee however I am back to square one without a camera. I am thinking about purchasing another R7 but after seeing how many people have had this problem it's hard to have the confidence to try another one.

I'm still on the fence but this does seem to be a common problem with at least this model.