EOS R3 Freeze-up Issue - The likely cause!

[sbunting]

My friends,

I believe I found the issue causing freeze-ups in the Canon R3!!!

Recall the following:

1) I experienced freeze-ups with my Canon R3 the first week I received it.

2) Canon CPS took the camera in for repair, replicated the issue, reinstalled the firmware, reset it to factory settings, tested it, found no more freeze-ups, declared it fixed and returned it to me.

3) I restored my settings manually and the freeze-ups still occurred.

4) Canon replaced my original R3 with a brand new R3

5) I updated my firmware to V1.1.1 and restored my settings from a CSD file this time, and the freeze-ups still occurred.

6) In all cases my freeze-ups were such that the buttons and dials would not respond (including power switch), yet touch functions still functioned including the smart controller. It would also freeze-up, at times, while asleep and could not be awakened. Of course, since the screen was black (asleep), no touch function could work. The only way to restore the camera was to pull the battery and then reboot the camera.

I have since, of course, contacted Canon and am awaiting a response, as Canon's engineering department seems to be in a denial mode, despite a Canon repair technician in Virginia having replicated the freeze-up issue when it first went in for repair.

I advised Canon that while I await their response, I was going to, one by one, change my settings to default and see if any particular setting eliminated the freeze-ups.

My first setting change was to restore the aperture and speed change dial settings to default, as I had them reversed. No change. I still had freeze-ups, so I restored my setting.

Next, I reasoned that, since the freeze-up even occurred while the camera was asleep, the only function I had changed that would involve activity during the sleep mode would be the GPS setting, which I had set to Mode 2. I disabled the GPS altogether. Since I have done so, I have left the camera on 24x7. Not once has it failed to awaken from sleep mode nor has it frozen at all while awake and being used. I have been testing for a solid week now (on 24x7) and I'm optimistic that this is the cause of the freeze-ups, as before I could rarely go a day without a freeze-up.  

I'm asking that some of you who are experiencing freeze-ups with the R3 such as I have been experiencing to check this setting and 1) verify it is enabled on your camera and 2) verify that by disabling it that the freeze-ups no longer occur.

Similarly, those of you who have an R3 and have experienced no freeze-ups, can you verify that your GPS is disabled.

Again, I'm optimistic that this is the issue, but I'd like to get feedback from others to verify what I'm experiencing before I approach Canon.

Steve

[sbunting]

John_Q - As you can see, since the R3 became available, this problem has persisted and has not improved one bit.  Are you willing to work with me and others who are still experiencing this issue, ones who have recently posted here, experiencing the same issues?  Mostly it seems centered around the GPS setting, at least for several reporting here.  I have a paper trail a mile wide documenting a lack of response from a Canon rep who was, at one time, attempting to assist me. Now he won't return calls or answer emails.  I can name names, dates, screen shots of unanswered emails, but I suspect rather than try to fix the issue, I'd get bounced from this forum, so for now I'll continue being nice.  ;->  However, my frustration over a lack of response to this issue is starting to cloud my judgement.  So let's all work together and get this resolved.  All you have to do is ask and we can start anew and troubleshoot this issue and get a fix in the works.

Steve

[HighOctanePhoto]

If anyones wondering, the latest firmware (1.5.1) mentions fixing a couple of lock up situations... however it doesn't fix all of them... I did the firmware update a couple of days ago, and had 2 lock ups at an event last night... one I caught in time, the other cost me a couple of good shots... 

[Waddizzle]

---

@HighOctanePhoto wrote:

If anyones wondering, the latest firmware (1.5.1) mentions fixing a couple of lock up situations... however it doesn't fix all of them... I did the firmware update a couple of days ago, and had 2 lock ups at an event last night... one I caught in time, the other cost me a couple of good shots... 

---

This is an older thread.  If you wish to discuss your issue, then please start a new thread.  GPS works by establishing contact with multiple satellites, not just one, so that it can triangulate your position.

The OP reports the issue is related to GPS being enabled.  I do not find that surprising.  Nor do I feel that it is a camera or firmware issue.  Guess what happens when you go indoors.  You are likely to lose contact with one of more GPS satellites, either intermittently or permanently.  Meanwhile, the camera begins to hunt for satellites to reacquire the signals.

Similarly, if you travel long distances, then the camera may lose constant contact with one or more GPS satellites and must now search for another.  

Another user setting that can cause the camera to seem to lockup is having wireless communication enabled when you are not proactively using it, particularly Bluetooth.  As you move about your camera may detect a Bluetooth enabled device and try to establish a connection.  It could even be your own smart device in your pocket running Canon connect. Control switches to the phone in your pocket and suddenly half your buttons seem dead.

[Wyimaginowany]

I sent the camera to the service center and the motherboard was replaced. after replacement, the camera works even worse and the veneers are peeling off.

[pavee99]

Hi, my R3 have the same freeze up problem like yours. I use my camera everyday and it freeze around 4 times per week. I also update my R3 to the latest firmware and it doesn't solve the issue. After using the camera for 1 years and 3 months, I believe I found the setting that cause this issue. Starting from Aug 2022, I leave my GPS on (Either Mode 1 or 2) then I disable "GPS Auto time setting" and It's seems to work for me. My R3 is working as it should with GPS information update with reliable GEO Tag to most of my image. And this is 3 months and counting from last time of freeze up.

Hope this info help. Cheers!

[Waddizzle]

Leaving wireless communications enabled, particularly Bluetooth, can cause the camera to seemingly lockup.  The camera may try to establish a connection if it comes within range of another enabled device, which could include the smart phone in your own pocket.

If you are not actively using wireless communication, then leave them disabled.

[Wyimaginowany]

Link Youtube Canon R3 problem

[pavee99]

Correct! I always turn off Wifi and Bluetooth when not in use. It will drain the battery also.

[wq9nsc]

A camera should NEVER lock up just because it loses full sync with the GPS constellation, that IS a firmware/design issue. 

If I owned a camera that was randomly and unexpectedly locking up at events causing me to miss images, I would very quickly be a former owner of that camera.  All of the features and technology in the world don't make up for the absence of basic product reliability.

Rodger

[Wyimaginowany]

https://youtu.be/fXPzVlHqpWo?si=3AAvme7ytU4zmtUH