Autofocus not working. (18-55mm lens)

[marcosochoa]

Hello,

The autofocus on my Canon 18-55mm is malfunctioning and I'm afraid it may be broken.

All the internet research I've done points to issues electronic, but I believe this to be mechanical simply because of the noise it makes. With the lens set to AF, it does nothing, but makes a slight whirring sounds as if the camera is trying to, but can't focus the lens. In MF, turning the focus ring makes soft clicking sounds.

The autofocus works fine on the other lens I have.

The lens has not been dropped. I take really, REALY good care of my stuff!  Any other recommendations or bits of advice are much appreciated!

[Stephen]

Hi Steria!

Check out the suggestion from Julius on page three HERE.

If that doesn't work, you'll want to reach out to support for options at 1-800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666). 

[Steria]

Hi Stephen,

I did try some of the suggestions in this thread before creating a post, but unfortunately they did not work for me. I also tried one more time after your suggestion here, but it still did not do anything for me. I've seen that some others in this thread have a problem where their autofocus does not work at all, but as stated above (and in the reply on page 2 by Martmcin as well) my autofocus works 50% (works one way but not the other).

Could it still be that the focusing motor has to be put back into its proper place in my case here?

[Stephen]

Hi Steria!

It could be that the focusing motor needs to be re-aligned (usually the steps provided do that trick), or it could be that the focusing assembly has been damaged. If the assembly is damaged, it's time to look into repair or replacement of the lens. 

[danielrn]

I have and I don't have a solution 😞 did you find any advise or solution to this?

[kvbarkley]

Did you try the chiropractic solution listed very early in the thread?

[danielrn]

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@Martmcin wrote:

Hi,

Has anyone experienced this issue but only focussing one way? My lens will focus on a subject further away but refuses to focus back to nearer subjects. Its such a pain having to set to manual in order to reset the focus to near everytime!

---

I have experience the same, it only focus in one direction and I don't have a solution 😞 did you find any advise or solution to this issue?

[ebiggs1]

Try this carefully........

1. Take the lens off of your camera.
2. Put the lens in MF mode.
3. Twist the FOCUS ring (the tip of the lens) all the way to one side (extend it). You may hear a click noise or two, this is good, but don't FORCE the lens.
4. Twist the FOCUS ring all the way to the opposite side (retract it). Again, you may hear a couple of clicking noises. What we hope is happening is the focusing motor being put back into its proper place.
5. Put the lens back on the camera.
6. Put the lens in AF mode.
7. Turn the camera on.
8. Put the camera in AUTO or P mode.
9. Take a test photo.

[vigelantes]

hello all

i have same problem with my canon 18-55 is lens, i found out on this site that you have solved this problem, but i don't understand exactly how to do it.

can you please give me more details about how to proceed?

just"pulling on focus ring"is not enough for me, i am not very familiar with DSLR cameras, i just buy my first one and after 1 day i have this problem.

to pull outside until when? if it is at maximum i have ot force it?

[Waddizzle]

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@vigelantes wrote:

hello all

i have same problem with my canon 18-55 is lens, i found out on this site that you have solved this problem, but i don't understand exactly how to do it.

can you please give me more details about how to proceed?

just"pulling on focus ring"is not enough for me, i am not very familiar with DSLR cameras, i just buy my first one and after 1 day i have this problem.

to pull outside until when? if it is at maximum i have ot force it?

---

The problem that the posted procedure resolves is unjamming lens motors that have become stuck.  This situation usually arises when people attempt to turn the focus ring when the lens switch is in the "AF", auto focus, position. When the lens switch is in the "MF", manual focus, position, the focusing motors are disengaged from the focusing elements. 

It is easy for beginners to mistakenly turn the focus ring, when the lens is "AF" mode.  I know that I have done it before.  It is all too easy to turn the focus ring, instead of the zoom ring.

As far as attempting the posted procedure, do make sure that you lens exhibits the exact symptoms they describe.  Read the other posts by people who said they initially tried it, and failed.  But, then built up some courage and applied more force on the lens, and it worked.

If you are in doubt, let a professional in camera shop take a look at the lens.  Print out the procedure and let the pro see it.

[quadshooter]

My focus ring just turns and the lens doesn't move, neither auto or manual mode.