Canon R6 getting error 20 message when I power on but works normal after I half click on shutter

[larrynxtdoor]

I recently bought a used R6 body. When I power on the body, I instantly receive an error 20 message. But when I half press the shutter button, the camera works perfectly fine. Sometimes in the middle of taking photos with continuous, I receive an error 30 message as well, but then again after a couple seconds, the camera goes back to where it left off and works totally fine. It has recently been updated to the latest firmware and factory reset as well. I think it would be necessary to send the camera into the factory since nothing is really wrong with the shutter (hopefully) or maybe it just may need another firmware update to clear the codes? Could someone please help me resolve this problem?

[deebatman316]

What types of things do you shoot. Are you shooting sports or any action since you mentioned continuous shutter. Also which shutter type are you using. It sounds like your battery could be weak if your shooting high fps.

1. Full Mechanical
2. Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS)
3. Full Electronic Shutter

[larrynxtdoor]

I was shooting portraits but I took a few motion shots in between regular portraits. I used the Full Mechanical shutter shooting around a 1/200 shutter speed.

[deebatman316]

What drive Mode are you using. Note H+ requires LP-E6NH batteries or Battery Grip BG-R10, a battery level of at least approx. 50% with two LP-E6NH and Compatible EF lenses. Not all EF lenses support 12 FPS or higher. So check the manual to see if the lens in question is compatible. 

1. Single Shot
2. High Speed Continuous Shooting + (H+ shooting)
3. High Speed Continuous (H)
4. Low Speed Continuous 
5. Self Timer 2 Secs/ Remote Control
6. Self Timer 10 Secs/ Remote Control

[Tronhard]

As per the advice from Demetrius, the first step is to do a full camera reset.  Then using mechanical shutter in single shot mode, see if you can take photos - trying a series of different shutter speeds.  If that works then move on to continuous low speed mechanical, and if that works onto high speed mechanical.  If they don't work, go to electronic shutter mode and try there - this should take the mechanical elements out of the process.

If you get the error codes 20 or 30 again, you need to contact Canon support - call 1-800-OK-CANON.  It will likely requires service which could be expensive, but you may be lucky if it is under warranty. 

If you purchased the camera from a reputable dealer, contact them to see if they will provide support.  Did you test the camera before making the purchase or was was it, for example, bought on line - that may be more problematic.

[larrynxtdoor]

Hey Trevor! The camera shoots normal in all of those mode at all shutter speeds. After I leave the camera powered off for a couple of minutes I receive the error 20 code but the camera works perfectly fine after I half press the shutter button.

I bought the camera from a photographer in my area, I tested it before purchase and everything worked fine. A couple hours later when I first powered the camera on myself I got the code 20 but I did a whole shoot with the camera working perfectly fine.

[Tronhard]

If that is the case then one has to look at the mode in which you are shooting.  You say that you did a shoot with no error message, so can you think of any differences between that occasion and when you did get error message,  in the use or setting of the shutter that might account for this?

[larrynxtdoor]

Well I got the error 20 code at both shoots when I first turned the camera on. The shoot where I also got the error 30 code I was tethering to my laptop shooting on high speed continuous. Not sure if that could be the reason for that?

[Tronhard]

Demetrius made an excellent point about batteries  What batteries are you using and what level of charge were they at when you were getting the error messages?

[shadowsports]

Start here.

Reset the camera to default settings, both main and custom.  

Power off

Remove all accessories.

Remove the lens

Remove the memory card.

The only thing in the camera now is the battery.  

Open the LCD.  Power on the camera.

Error 20 or 30 - power off and change the battery.

Power on

If the error reappears, the body needs service

If no error, power off and add one thing at a time, power cycling between each addition.   

When the error appears, there is the problem.

***If you are using non OEM batteries, try a Canon branded battery to rule out a power delivery issue.

[Mikon84]

Hi! Did you solve the problem? Got the same issue