EOS Rebel T7 locks up

[rlbrown07731]

My EOS Rebel T7 is locking up after I take a few photos. The LCD will turn off, like it should, but the focus motor continues to run for almost 30 sec before I can use the camera again.. It started doing this 6 weeks ago. I can watch the focus ring turning back and forth until the camera “comes back”. Cycling power doesn’t help. All I can do is wait.

I sent it in for repair but it’s still doing it. I shoot jpeg, continuous shutter (I always take 2-3 shots of each subject), mostly AI Servo mode. The problem happens with all 3 of my lenses so I know it’s the camera. I’ve owned the camera for 5 years and never had this problem before.

Any thoughts?

[Waddizzle]

Welcome to the Community!

Sorry to hear that you’re experiencing issues with your camera gear. You are not the first to have similar issues.

May zi ask about your memory card.  Exactly! What brand, model, and storage capacity is your memory card?

I advise forum members the following:

• Always and only use full size memory cards. Micro-SD cards that need a plastic adapter are unreliable.
• Always format your memory card in the the camera prior to first use. And never allow another device to write to the card.
• Most importantly, only use SDHC memory cards, 32 GB or less.  SDXC cards seem to always have issues.
• Be careful who and where you buy memory cards. Only buy camera accessories from a reputable, Canon factory authorized retailer. I never use Amazon or similar online marketplaces. 
  
  

Hope this helps.

[ebiggs1]

As very thoroughly listed above the only thing you can do is check the SD. Check your manual and only use the SD it recommends. You can check over your battery and don't forget the charger but beside form that there's little you can do to fix it.

You did do a full reset? ALways do that if something isn't normal and you don't know why.

Repeat..."Always and only use full size memory cards" Never, ever use micro-SD.

[rlbrown07731]

Thanks for the feedback.

I have a PNY Elite-X 256GB card. It’s been in the camera since 2024, it was about 1/4 full. When the problem first occurred I backed up the card and reformatted it. I also changed batteries and reset the camera, then sent it to Canon for repair. When it came back the problem was not resolved. The camera is currently with Canon for a second repair.

thanks for the advice.

[Waddizzle]

“ I have a PNY Elite-X 256GB card. “

Thus is your problem. The memory card. Is it a micro-SD card?  PNY is not a brand that I would use. I use SanDisk Extreme.Pro. 

The biggest issue with your card is the oversized storage capacity.  Stick to full size, SDHC cards, 32 GB or less, and your issues will go away. I guarantee it. 

PNY is known for micro SD SDXC cards. Use a card reader to copy your photos off your memory card and never use it in the camera again.

 

[rlbrown07731]

Why would the problem occur now? I started using the PNY card in late 2024 - seems like I should have had problems right away.

[deebatman316]

@rlbrown07731 sometimes high capacity (SDXC 64GB or larger) will work fine for awhile. Then out the blue the start causing problems for no apparent reason. I always recommend using SDHC (32GB or smaller SD Cards). If you need more space you can always buy multiple smaller cards. NEVER rely on an SD Card as a storage device. Always copy pictures over to a computer or HDD/ SSD for long term storage. Also using multiple smaller SD Cards prevents you from losing all of your pictures if a card fails. Have some pictures is better than losing all of them completely. So keep that in mind.

[ebiggs1]

"I started using the PNY card in late 2024 - seems like I should have had problems right away."

Nope. Actually that's the problem micro SD work until they don't. And usually at the worst possible time, too.

There is an additional contact area which adds to unreliability held in place with plastic.. 

[ebiggs1]

On this forum the top responders don't agree on a lot of stuff but about using micro-SD we all agree 100% to not use them. That's pretty powerful since that group has hundreds of years of accumulated knowledge and experience. 

[Waddizzle]

“ Why would the problem occur now? I started using the PNY card in late 2024 - seems like I should have had problems right away. “

“ ,..Actually that's the problem micro SD work until they don'….. “

I would say luck has been on your side.