topic Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

Pepe_Peralta — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 02:47:12 GMT

Hi, i have an EOS M5 that i use mostly for portraits, and while shooting today, most of the functions became unresponsive. I always shoot in M mode, and it is impossible to change ISO, Diafragm, Shutter Speed, access the Main Menu, Quick Menu, Video Recording, * or switch the Info on Display. Meanwhile, the MF/AF selector, Delete, Connectivity and Shutter Release buttons are still working.

I'm using a 32mm Canon EF-m lens, and i tend to use the AF and adjust the ring if i see that the focus isn't sharp where i want it. Now it won't search for focus when i hold the shutter release, and every time i adjust the ring, the image gets stucked in 10x focus assist. Other than that, all info in display appears when i change the dial mode, and then disappears, leaving only the fixed expossure information, and the spot meter icon. If i open the built-in flash (that button also works), the focus assist beam activates with the shutter, but won't go off.

Any idea on what kind of demon got into my little Camera? Thanks for your time reading this madness!

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

John_Q — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 03:46:01 GMT

Hello Pepe_Peralta.

It does sound as though we have some rather strange happenings going on. I would suggest removing everything from the camera to start, battery, lens, card, and anything on the hotshoe, if applicable. Then, put a fully charged battery, (Canon battery) in the camera only and reset the camera to defaults. Choose Reset camera on the yellow wrench tab #4. Once done with that, I would add one thing at a time starting with the lens and test it before then adding a card and so on.

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

Pepe_Peralta — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 16:40:59 GMT

Hi John, thanks for your suggestion. I tried that and got control for about a minute, managed to reset all basic functions before it got all unresponsive again. I've noticed that the touchscreen is also unresponsive. I am wondering if the little lithium battery in the Main PCB has any saying in all that is happening with the camera, any thoughts?

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

AndyDee — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 08:24:43 GMT

Hi Both.
I am experiencing this exact problem. Did you ever solve it?

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

ebiggs1 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 15:22:06 GMT

You are asking on a 4 year old thread. I doubt the OP is still around. Sorry. Do the things suggested previously above.

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

Pepe_Peralta — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:08:09 GMT

Hi Andy, is been a while, and I don't exactly remember how this one was solved. I had to take the Camera to service twice. The first one, and I think this were the first symptoms, was due to a Power Board problem, and they had to change it. The next time i had a problem, took it to Service, but they could't find the cause of the problem. I deep cleaned all buttons with compressed air, and most of them worked normally after, but couldn't get it to autofocus ever again with the shutter button, I had to switch that function to a different button.

I don't quite remember if one of this problems was the one related with even the touchscreen not being responsive, but considering the timeframe of my post, I would say the latter. And also drained most of the remaining power firing the flash and immediately after, taking the battery out before proceeding to brush and blow with a can of air.

I'm sorry if this is not the straight forward answer you need, but I can't quite remember exactly. Hope you can solve it, Now I have to replace the Shutter on my M5, but still can record video with it and is still going after so many years, great companion on many sessions.

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

Pepe_Peralta — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 19:10:56 GMT

Still alive, not quite around, but present!

Re: EOS M5 dials and buttons won't respond

ebiggs1 — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 14:32:52 GMT

"I'm sorry if this is not the straight forward answer you need,..."

I am amazed you responded at all! 🤔 Generally this doesn't happen with these old threads.