EOS Rebel XS saying busy and won't take pictures

[mliz2486]

My camera worked fine the other day.  Now, it won't take pictures at all.  When I go to take a picture, it will act like it is focusing by flashing and such but it will never go through.  It always says busy.  I have tried all modes, and none will work not even without flash. 

I have also taken the battery out, taken the card out and reformatted it, and cleared all camera settings.  Can anyone help?  I have a newborn that I would really like to be able to capture. 🙂

Thank you ahead of time!

[bobbrohm114]

I'm sorry to report my experience with this problem was not solveable by the user.  My T2 suddenly and without cause just would not record a photo, The busy light came on and the display screen was a no-photo when a new picture was taken.  The display screen would display all the previously taken photos.  The fix was a new main control board, $300.  I see all the other causes for the problem on the forum, but not in my case.

[jpeak]

I am having the same issues...busy and nothing will work. Just bought a wideange lens and am pretty annoyed at all the posts about the same issue. Not a cheap camera or extra lenses. After reading all the posts about the exact same issues, I'm wondering about buying a Nikon instead of paying 300 to fix it until it does the exact same thing. Anyone get this fixed and end up having the same issues again?  I hooked it up to my computer and nothing, changes lenses and nothing.  Pretty annoyed at this time.

[NashvilleSuz]

It is so frustrating to have this problem. I would feel the same way if it were my camera, especially if I had just bought a new lens for it.

Just some thoughts:

1. Have you tried it with the older lenses when it was working fine?

2. Have you tried taking out the card and just having your computer read from directly from the card so you can "see" the quality of the images AND save what you have already shot?

3. Do you have another cable to use to see if it could be the cable from camera to computer? Cleaned the contact on the side of the camera?

4. I get some of the symptoms your camera is displaying when the batteries are low in the camera and I try to connect it to download the pics to my computer. I shoot a lot of images and often forget to keep an eye on the battery level.

5. Have you tried all the other suggestions about formating in camera and using a true high speed card, resetting camera to factory settings, doing firmware updates, etc?

To be honest, I upgraded to a T4i to get extra features and fuctions. I would recommend this rather than investing $300 in, evidently according to others, a questionable repair on the older T2? camera.

I am very happy with my Canon cameras, flashes, power drives, and lenses. I shoot thousands of images a year with no problems (that aren't my oversight, that is).

[yvespacala]

My CANON EOS 1200D Camera also wont take photos. the screen is black, it wont display anything. its also says busy.

I have used it only for a month and now it doesnt work anymore. 

Battery is fine because it works on other cameras.

please help thanks

[Marlene10]

Hello

This is the second T3i that I have purchased. After nearly a year I returned the first one. It works for a while and then stops taking pictures.  On the previous T3i the service centre has said that it has something to do with the mirror.  I have tried reformatting the card. Switching to manual from auto focus. Changing lens ... The camera is not dirty I take very good care of my camera. I always make sure that it's not subjected to extreme heat or cold temperatures and if it is I let it climatize.  Can someone please tell me what other options there are.. It was working until now. And it's not on a timer.  Now it appears that I cannot access the menu either.  I've also tried pressing the button down twice to see if by some chance it changed modes on it own. Any other suggestions?  Also it's not the lighting because there is plenty of lighting. 

[NashvilleSuz]

!. Do you have any way to reset it to factory default?

2. Check on Canon site and see if there is a firmware update...even an old one for your camera. Follow directions on Canon site to update firmware. Maybe that will reset everything.

[Jhp]

My camera had this same problem.

I found that if the lens filter ring is gently rotated clockwise, camera body held normally, the focus motors will be 'unjammed' and the camera will function normally.

This worked for me!

[NashvilleSuz]

I rescued my Canon PowerShot using your technique but never thought of using it on a jammed DSLR. Thanks for suggestion.

[Stargazser]

I just got this cannon eos ebel t5 and it came with one lens, and I'm getting this busy message and it won't take a picture.  I've done everything the manual says to do.  Sometimes it will flash the yellow light in front and make a beeping noise.  It still won't take a picture.  I have it in the modes the manual tells me to put it in.  Help!  I don't have another lens to put on it.

[Stephen]

Hi Stargazer!

Thanks for reaching out, we're happy to help! Put your lens in manual focus mode (MF), and see if you can take a photo. If you can, that indicates that your lens is having a focusing issue. 

While in Manual Focus (MF), try to rotate the focus ring (not the zoom ring) on your lens all the way one direction, and then all the way the other. Once you've done that, flip the switch on the lens back to AF mode, and put the camera in "P" on the top dial and try to take another photo in a well-lit area to see if that resolves the issue.

If it doesn't, you'll want to contact our US-based support team for further troubleshooting. They're at 1-800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666) from 8am to Midnight (ET) during the week, or from 10am to 8pm (ET) on Saturdays. 

If you're outside of the US, you'll want to get in touch with Canon in your area by clicking HERE. 

We hope this helps!