topic Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 15:38:07 GMT

I was shooting a wedding yesterday on a new R6 mkIII which I've used for a few weddings with no issues. I updated the firmware to 1.1.0 and was using it for the first time since the updating the firmware.

I was about 30 shots into the day. I lifted my camera to find the viewfinder screen visible, showing what was through the lens but all the camera setting info and focus points weren't visible. I pressed the shutter button and nothing was working so I turned off the camera (did not remove the battery) and turned it back on and it was working as normally.

I continued to shoot and then decided to check my camera and review an image and all of the images I had shot since turning the camera off where not viewable in the camera. I then turned off the camera (did not remove battery) and the screen said 'saving' 132 images. I let the camera sit for 45 minutes and it still said 'saving' with no change.

I then removed the battery and checked the camera to find the images were still not showing on the memory card. I even checked the 101EOSR6 folder in both cards through the computer and no luck.

I'm using Sandisk extreme pro memory cards (both a few months old) and was shooting images only, not in burst mode so there shouldn't have been any buffering issues. My memory cards were freshly formatted in camera at the beginning of the shoot and the images were set to RAW + JPEG. The write data was set to 'Rec to Multiple' and both cards have no images.

I have yet to try any recovery software but I fear there was some sort of issue with the camera communicating with the memory cards.

Any one have any issues like this before? Any thoughts?

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

Waddizzle — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 19:14:30 GMT

“ I'm using Sandisk extreme pro memory cards (both a few months old) and was shooting images only, not in burst mode so there shouldn't have been any buffering issues. My memory cards were freshly formatted in camera at the beginning of the shoot and the images were set to RAW + JPEG. The write data was set to 'Rec to Multiple' and both cards have no images. “

Sounds like a memory card issue. I don’t think your issues have anything to do with the firmware update because hundreds, or even thousands, of others have updated their firmware without issues.

I would recommend replacing the memory cards. What are the specs on the cards you’re using.

Where did purchase your current memory cards?

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:35:57 GMT

Thanks for the reply.

I'm hoping that's the case but I'm pretty bummed that my faith in the camera has been shaken. Mostly that the camera let me continue shooting despite having the release shutter w/o memory card disabled. Clearly the cards weren't communicating with the camera properly.

I've been photographing professionally for 15+ years and been using canon since the 5d2 and never had anything like this happen... glad it hasn't happened to anyone else with the new firmware.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:35:54 GMT

Maybe one of the Canon moderators can provide insight - does the camera just physically determine that a card is installed via microswitch or does it electronically confirm write ability. The former would be much easier, since it is already set up to detect a locked card.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 23:41:25 GMT

I'd love to know that as well. The fact BOTH cards didn't have any data (confirmed with san disk recovery software) makes me think it's less likely a memory card issue.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

Waddizzle — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 06:35:00 GMT

“ I'd love to know that as well. The fact BOTH cards didn't have any data (confirmed with san disk recovery software) makes me think it's less likely a memory card issue. “

I suggest that you set up a service ticket with Canon. Send the camera in for a checkup. Explain the issue in exacting detail. Be sure to include your memory cards when you send it in.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

jrhoffman75 — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:18:00 GMT

I agree.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:10:00 GMT

UPDATE: I was shooting another wedding this past weekend with a different R6 Mark III body and different memory cards, and it happened again! This time, there was no freezing or any other indication that something was wrong. I went to review an image, and it simply wasn’t there. Again, when I turned the camera off, it displayed “Saving” as if the images were still being written, but they never made it to the memory cards.

At this point, this seems to rule out the memory cards and the camera body as the cause. The one thing that remained consistent was the lens. I was using the same RF 28-70mm f/2L both times.

In the meantime, I contacted Canon CPS, and they told me that a battery or lens could potentially have a short that might cause this type of issue.

I’ve used this same lens extensively on the original Canon R6 with no problems. Even after the first occurrence. My guess is that there may be some newer software or protection built into the R6 Mark III that detects or responds to a potential short differently than the original R6. That’s just a theory at this point, though.

Both R6 Mark III bodies are now in Canon CPS’s hands, and I’ll update this post when I have more information.

Hopefully leaving this information here will help someone else troubleshoot the issue a little faster if they experience something similar.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

jrhoffman75 — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:48:10 GMT

Thank you for keeping us updated.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

marinajanine — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:44:42 GMT

Oh my god! I have the EXACT SAME problem!!! And It just got worse - error 70 - plus black screen after my first photo of the day - camera is dead only a battery removal helps!! I found out, you will know the buffer issue appearing by checking if the touchscreen is still working! If it stops you should check if there are any photos in the saving buffer! Btw im from Germany and I was talking to the Canon Service today, This error is not really common, please contact the service and tell them what has happened so that they can open a case!

We were already Thinking about the Battery having issues or what ever.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

marinajanine — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:47:07 GMT

Its not the lens! I use rf 24-70 2.8 aaand also happening with the rf 16mm - its the fu**ing update 🤡

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

marinajanine — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 21:48:04 GMT

Also I have to add - as I lost the whole exit of the church - recovery software doesn't work, unfortunately. Everything is gone. 💔

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

jrhoffman75 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 00:04:47 GMT

Are you using OEM LPE6P batteries?

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

marinajanine — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 10:19:23 GMT

Of course, the new R6 III doesn't work with any other battery - it will just turn off.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

Musclford — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 12:16:33 GMT

OMG, I just ordered my first Canon, I opted for the R6 MarkIII over the II.... reading this makes me question my decision... it hasn't even shipped yet 😞

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:47:16 GMT

Wow! Did this start happening immediately after the latest firmware update for you?

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:48:19 GMT

Sorry to hear. Thankfully my errors happened early in the day so I didn't loose critical moments. I also double cam so I have footage from the other.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:49:24 GMT

Yes, genuine canon batteries only. I have 10 of them and have yet to rule out a battery issue since I'm not sure if the same battery was used in both instances.

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

McNulty211 — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:52:20 GMT

Both of my cameras and lens are in the hands of canon service center and I should have some answers by today. 🤞🏼

So your camera did the same thing, froze or just didn't write to card with no warning? Did you have the error 70 after this happened or before?

Re: EOS Canon R6 mkIII Image write failure

marinajanine — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 14:52:49 GMT

Yes! Immediately! The second wedding after the update, and since them its just getting worse.