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!

[finmccoll]

honestly thank you so much my camera now works perfectly i was getting so worried!

[Amrutter]

Thank you! Tried a couple things with no luck. Did this and it fixed it instantly!

[a_villasanta]

I have an 18-55 IS II. It won't autofocus at all. I can't hear the gears running, as if the lens doesn't know that it's on autofocus mode. I've also tried this on the 55-250, and the 50mm f1.8, but those lenses are able to autofocus well. I've opened my lens and checked the gears, but all the gears seem to be well in place. No gears have missing teeth.

[RobertTheFat]

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@a_villasanta wrote:

I have an 18-55 IS II. It won't autofocus at all. I can't hear the gears running, as if the lens doesn't know that it's on autofocus mode. I've also tried this on the 55-250, and the 50mm f1.8, but those lenses are able to autofocus well. I've opened my lens and checked the gears, but all the gears seem to be well in place. No gears have missing teeth.

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I don't mean to insult you; but because you're new to the forum, I have to ask: Are you sure the lens itself (not just the camera) is set to AF mode? It's a fairly common mistake that we've seen newbies make.

BTW, opening up a lens is not a smart idea unless you really know what you're doing.

[ebiggs1]

Try this: I don't know if it works on the II version.

Take the lens off of your camera.

Put the lens in MF mode.

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.

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.

Put the lens back on the camera.

Put the lens in AF mode.

Turn the camera on.

Put the camera in AUTO or P mode.

Try it.

[a_villasanta]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@a_villasanta wrote:

I have an 18-55 IS II. It won't autofocus at all. I can't hear the gears running, as if the lens doesn't know that it's on autofocus mode. I've also tried this on the 55-250, and the 50mm f1.8, but those lenses are able to autofocus well. I've opened my lens and checked the gears, but all the gears seem to be well in place. No gears have missing teeth.

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I don't mean to insult you; but because you're new to the forum, I have to ask: Are you sure the lens itself (not just the camera) is set to AF mode? It's a fairly common mistake that we've seen newbies make.

BTW, opening up a lens is not a smart idea unless you really know what you're doing.

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Yep, both the lens and camera are set to AF.

I actually have development on this, the AF works if I do the following sequence:
1. Set the lens to Manual Focus

2. Set the focus ring to the farthest it can go

3. Switch it back to AF

4. Half press the shutter

The focus ring can retract, but not extend, when I have the lens on AF. 

[RobertTheFat]

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@a_villasanta wrote:

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@a_villasanta wrote:

I have an 18-55 IS II. It won't autofocus at all. I can't hear the gears running, as if the lens doesn't know that it's on autofocus mode. I've also tried this on the 55-250, and the 50mm f1.8, but those lenses are able to autofocus well. I've opened my lens and checked the gears, but all the gears seem to be well in place. No gears have missing teeth.

---

I don't mean to insult you; but because you're new to the forum, I have to ask: Are you sure the lens itself (not just the camera) is set to AF mode? It's a fairly common mistake that we've seen newbies make.

BTW, opening up a lens is not a smart idea unless you really know what you're doing.

---

Yep, both the lens and camera are set to AF.

I actually have development on this, the AF works if I do the following sequence:
1. Set the lens to Manual Focus

2. Set the focus ring to the farthest it can go

3. Switch it back to AF

4. Half press the shutter

The focus ring can retract, but not extend, when I have the lens on AF. 

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That usually means that someone has tried to manually focus the lens while it was in autofocus mode. Most versions of the 18-55 don't like to be treated that way, and the AF mechanism can get jammed. Try Ernie Biggs's suggestion; it's the approved method of trying to un-jam the lens. If that doesn't work, you may have to write it off. The low-end lenses usually aren't worth professional repair.

[a_villasanta]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@a_villasanta wrote:

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@a_villasanta wrote:

I have an 18-55 IS II. It won't autofocus at all. I can't hear the gears running, as if the lens doesn't know that it's on autofocus mode. I've also tried this on the 55-250, and the 50mm f1.8, but those lenses are able to autofocus well. I've opened my lens and checked the gears, but all the gears seem to be well in place. No gears have missing teeth.

---

I don't mean to insult you; but because you're new to the forum, I have to ask: Are you sure the lens itself (not just the camera) is set to AF mode? It's a fairly common mistake that we've seen newbies make.

BTW, opening up a lens is not a smart idea unless you really know what you're doing.

---

Yep, both the lens and camera are set to AF.

I actually have development on this, the AF works if I do the following sequence:
1. Set the lens to Manual Focus

2. Set the focus ring to the farthest it can go

3. Switch it back to AF

4. Half press the shutter

The focus ring can retract, but not extend, when I have the lens on AF. 

---

That usually means that someone has tried to manually focus the lens while it was in autofocus mode. Most versions of the 18-55 don't like to be treated that way, and the AF mechanism can get jammed. Try Ernie Biggs's suggestion; it's the approved method of trying to un-jam the lens. If that doesn't work, you may have to write it off. The low-end lenses usually aren't worth professional repair.

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Sorry but I can't find any post from an "Ernie Biggs" in the thread, I checked the entire thread. Am I missing soemthing

[RobertTheFat]

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@a_villasanta wrote:

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Sorry but I can't find any post from an "Ernie Biggs" in the thread, I checked the entire thread. Am I missing soemthing

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He's "ebiggs1".