Canon R6 Freezing Up Intermittently

[llehmann]

Anybody else having this problem with the Canon R6 freezing up. It usually starts with the camera not focusing. Its also becomes none responsive to mode changes. The on/off button doesnt work. Opening the battery door shuts it off... but still doesn't fix it. Pulling the battery out usually fixs the problem right away. But again... not always and sometimes it take a few battery removals to get it back up and running. 

This has happened while shooting both photo and video. It happens with different lenses. It happens with different memory cards. I can't recreate the problem on command. The camera works 99% of the time. But at least once a wedding shoot, over the period of 6 hours, It freezes up!

In the video below... I was attached to the Ronin gimbal. But it's happened just shooting photos and without the gimbal. Plus, when I open the battery door and try and turn the camera on/off... it still doesn't work. Has nothing to do with that.

I was on firmware version 1.4
I updated the firmware this week to version 1.5.0.
This problem has been happening for a long time... 8 months. Camera is less than a year old.

Again, at last nights wedding... it froze. 

Here is a video that I recorded when it happened.
1. Focus isn't working. Both back button and touch.
2. Display freezes up. You can still see the audio working.

3. On/off doesn't work.

4. open battery door... nothing works.

5. Pull Battery

[ammitch]

Same.  And it happened during the grand exit at a wedding....right at the kiss.  Fan.freaking.tastic.  
I have done all the trouble shooting, now will need to call canon tomorrow to figure this out.  I cannot be down a camera.  Regretting moving from the MkIV to this one now.  

[Blackscarlet]

I am in the same situation. I do a lot of nightlife photography, and I literally don't have the option to send off my camera, as it will be to long b4 I get it back, especially with Nye round the corner.

[DSAR627]

I have a CPS membership and it has certainly paid for itself this year!

[DSAR627]

I have had the same problem!  I sent it to Canon for repairs.  They said the issue was the main board and they replaced it, BUT, I was photographing an event the other night and the problem started again...happening more often.  I turn the camera off and wait for the stuck shutter to close before turning the camera back on.  I am getting very frustrated, as this is an expensive camera!

[DhandaNot]

They replaced my whole camera and the problem is still there. Canon just announced their latest version 1.8.3 let us see if that solves the problem. I shall download and install today.

[DSAR627]

Canon received my camera today to repair the repair.  Fingers crossed.

[Waddizzle]

It would be best if this old thread were locked.  More and more “me too” members are adding to this thread with their own set of unique issues causing similar symptoms. I have used the R6 mark II for nearly a year and have not experienced any lockup issues.

Here is a checklist of items members should verify if they are experiencing issues.  This advice is a best practice for any camera body, no matter the brand or manufacturer.

1. Do not use any third party hardware, especially lens mount adapters and budget lenses.  If you have spent money on top shelf camera do not degrade its performance with cheap lenses.  Canon is not able to support or guarantee the compatibility of third party hardware.
2. Do not use cheap memory cards.  Only use name brand, full size, UHS-II SD memory cards purchased from a reputable vendor. This advice follows in the footsteps of the first.  Do not use micro-SD memory cards.  I advise against purchase any electronic accessories on the Amazon marketplace due to the widespread counterfeit items being offered. 
3. If you are not currently using wireless communications with your camera, then disable the wireless communication feature, especially Bluetooth.  This advice to mandatory.
4. Make sure your camera is running the latest firmware.  This is a best practice for normally functioning cameras.  While not every update is necessary for every user.  As long as your camera is functioning without issues, it is a best practice to keep it updated..  
5. Do not attempt to update firmware in a malfunctioning camera.  Updating the firmware in a camera experiencing hardware issues and display error codes is highly inadvisable.  You are likely to turn your camera into a paper weight.  Definitely contact Canon Technical Support.  If your camera needs an update, then let the professionals make that determination and do it.  
6. Try resetting your camera back to its factory defaults.  Perhaps you have a perfect storm of settings and shooting conditions that are causing issues.  However, I advise testing the camera in the factory default, Green [A+] shooting mode prior to a factory reset.  A full reset would include Custom Controls and several other settings.

I doubt if this is a complete list of things to check.  Only a Canon specialist is able to do that.  

[DhandaNot]

I am not using any 3rd party hardware.

I am not using cheap &/ slow SD Cards. I use SANDisk.

I have always used the latest firmware. Each time hoping that the problem is gone. But was disappointed to see the camera freeze again.

I have had the camera replaced and also a reset was done in between.

Now I have downloaded the new firmware 1.8.2 and will try with this.

[Waddizzle]

---

@DhandaNot wrote:

I am not using any 3rd party hardware.

I am not using cheap &/ slow SD Cards. I use SANDisk.

I have always used the latest firmware. Each time hoping that the problem is gone. But was disappointed to see the camera freeze again.

I have had the camera replaced and also a reset was done in between.

Now I have downloaded the new firmware 1.8.2 and will try with this.

---

The devil is in the details.  Assume nothing.

Your response does not address Wireless Communications.  This is the most likely cause of cameras locking up as it tries to establish a wireless connection with another device.

Memory cards are notorious for causing cameras to lockup.  There are counterfeit cards for sale all over the Internet, most especially at online marketplaces like Amazon.

[DhandaNot]

Sorry forgot to mention that WiFi or Bluetooth neither is on. I have the Airplane mode on.

Now about the SD Cards, yes they were purchased from Amazon.com. I have no way to prove that they are genuine, but I do believe they are. If they were not, I would have seen a lot more issues all the time and not just Camera Freeze that is seen once in a while.

It has uncanny habit of doing that exactly when the bird is about to fly or the Cheetah cub is about to jump kind of situations.

My fingers are crossed for the firmware 1.8.2