topic Re: Flash Malfunction in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS M50 won't take a photo with flash on

johnpotash11 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:08:40 GMT

Hello! I have a cannon EOS M50 and it works completely fine until a turn on the flash and then it says busy and fails to take a photo. I have switched out my SD card as some suggested to so and it still does not function properly. What can I do to fix this?

Re: Flash Malfunction

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:58:33 GMT

@johnpotash11 wrote:

Hello! I have a cannon EOS M50 and it works completely fine until a turn on the flash and then it says busy and fails to take a photo. I have switched out my SD card as some suggested to so and it still does not function properly. What can I do to fix this?

Is the flash popping up?

Re: Flash Malfunction

Waddizzle — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:06:57 GMT

The “BUSY” message could simply mean that the flash circuit is charging, and the camera isn’t ready to capture a flash photo.

Re: Flash Malfunction

johnpotash11 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:09:24 GMT

I can manually put it up, I don't remember if it ever popped up on its own.

Re: Flash Malfunction

johnpotash11 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:10:05 GMT

No matter how long I leave the flash up, presumably allowing it to charge, the busy message will not go away.

Re: Flash Malfunction

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:11:21 GMT

@johnpotash11 wrote:

I can manually put it up, I don't remember if it ever popped up on its own.

So the error is occurring after you manually raise the flash? I don't know the specifics of that camera but many Canon DSLRs will automatically raise the flash.

Re: Flash Malfunction

johnpotash11 — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:17:08 GMT

The error message occurs after I turn flash on manually by pressing the flash button and selecting on. Even if the flash isn't raised but the setting is selected, the camera won't shoot. Same goes for if the flash is up and selected.

Re: Flash Malfunction

Waddizzle — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 16:39:09 GMT

How long have you had this camera?

Has it always exhibited this issue or is it something that just started?

The camera is several years old. It’s possible that the charger for the flash drive circuit has failed. Make sure you have a good battery that’s fully charged.

In don’t know if this camera is still serviced by Canon.

Re: EOS M50 won't take a photo with flash on

Ckdahl11 — Thu, 13 Feb 2025 23:16:09 GMT

I am having the exact same problem! I might take it into a camera shop so they can look at it. I’ll let you know if I find out anything

Re: EOS M50 won't take a photo with flash on

MapleCamera — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 03:36:01 GMT

What worked for me was by turning on the camera while the pop up flash is lifted. This seems to override the busy status. It is not a permanent fix however and will go back to the same issue if you close the flash while the camera is on. You need the camera to be off. Lift the flash. Then turn the camera on. I suspect this to be a firmware issue and should be resolved once it’s updated. I’ll see if it’s fixed once I try a firmware update.