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!

[uberthin]

Crystal's advice (page 1 of this thread) to "just pull" worked perfectly.  Thank you!

I have the IS II version of this lens.

I didn't pull hard enough the first time.  It took a solidly "medium" amount of force.

In retrospect, I believe that before the lens's "chiropractic adjustment" the lens didn't track right with manual focus slew.  By that I mean that in manual focus mode, when twisting from focus extent to extent the lens simply racked in one direction.  After the adjustment I was reminded how the lens normally works - at one extent of focus ring travel the lens is out a bit, as you focus it retracts, then at about mid-focus-adjustment it starts racking out again, finishing the focus travel sticking out again.

So if your lens is having trouble, and doesn't do the out-in-out behavior, this "pull on the end" technique may be just the trick.

[jgepson]

Like others, my AF does not work. I tried all the fixes but nothing helps. It will AF when in the "Live View" mode but it is so slow so not really useful for my type of photography. Bummer!

[Waddizzle]

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@jgepson wrote:

Like others, my AF does not work. I tried all the fixes but nothing helps. It will AF when in the "Live View" mode but it is so slow so not really useful for my type of photography. Bummer!

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If the lens can autofocus in LIve View, then there is nothing wrong with the lens.  The advice on this thread apply to situations where the lens does not focus, at all.  It seems dead in the water, because it is.

What are you trying to photograph?  What camera body are you using?  Is your lens and “STM” lens?  What position is the shooting mode dial in?

Live View mode uses an entirely separate focusing system from viewfinder focusing.  Be aware that you can encounter low light situations where the camera will not focus.  If you are too close to the subject, the camera will not focus.  If there is insufficient contrasting lines under the active AF point, then the camera will not focus.

If you using One Shot mode, then the camera must acquire a focus lock before it will take a picture.  Switch the camera to “P” mode, and then change the AF mode to “Ai Servo”.  The camera should now take a picture whenever you press the shutter, assuming the camera is operating with the factory default behaviors.  The camera can be reset to factory defaults in the menus.

[Demara]

Hi! I had the same problem with my autofocus when i click it produces some noise, it seems it is trying to focus thats why it created the noise. Anyways, I followed what you said, your instructions rather. And boop! It is working again! Thanks for saving my camera and lens. Sooooo much thank you. Its back. 😆💪

[Phillylady]

I'd given up hope, and tried this several times until I understood the description!  SUDDENLY my auto focus works again!

I'm thrilled!

[Nicka4]

Brilliant, thanks this worked first time.

[mc4]

Hi,

I have the same problem, a Canon EFS 18-55 IS lens and the autofocus does not work correctly, but in my case only in one way. It retracts but does not extend. If I extend manually the lens, the autofocus retracts it till in focus, but if I retract it manually it does not extend till in focus, I can ear and feel something but no movement...

I disassemble the lens, took out the autofocus motor and with a 1.5v battery I managed to verify that the autofocus motor and the gears work well in one direction and in the other, so it seems that it is not a problem with this autofocus motor, don't you think?

If it is not that the problem what could it be?

I tried my camera (EOS 50D) wih other Canon lenses and all work well, so it is not a camera problem..

Thanks for any help.

Mike

[Waddizzle]

The best course of action over the long run just might turn to be buying a new lens.  

How old is the lens?  Is it a newer “STM” version of the 18-55mm lens family?  Before you took it apart, did it make a noise when you shake it?

Have you reassembled the lens, and does the problem persist?  Did you find the post early in this thread by Canon Product Expert Julius?  Julius describes a technique of twisting the lens, which re-aligns the focusing motors without taking it apart.  But, his solution only works for the older “non-STM” versions of the lens.

The basic problem seems to be that people might be turning the focusing ring, instead of the zoom ring.  On the older lens designs, this can cause the focusing motors to become misaligned, and stuck in one position.

[mc4]

My lens was bought in second hand a few years ago, but it worked well till now and it did not make any noise shaking it...

I reassemble the lens and the problem is the same, autofocus only in one direction and I think t is a non STM version, maybe an older one.

As I described it is not a problem of re-align the motor with the lens as it works well in one direction, retracting the lens, but not extending it.

Thanks

[Francesco]

Julius's suggested procedure unblocked my EOS1200D EFS118-55 AF at the very first try. Thank you so much!