Menu auto opening on rear LCD screen - EOS 7D Mark II

[Lorne]

EOS 7dII, Firmware 1.1.3

Without me touching anything the software is repeatedly executing a menu item relating to flash control. The message on the screen is "Menu not available. Flash is off or unsupported, or an accessary is attached.

If I attach a flash and turn it on the menu item is still repeatedly executed but with a different screen offering 3 flash settings. 

The camera still works (both with and without a flash attached) but the message is annoying and probably wasting battery life.  Any ideas how to get rid of it ?

[Waddizzle]

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@Lorne wrote:

I do not think that can be the issue - if it was the menu would open whenever any accessory is attached to the shoe and also the menu is auto opening every 30 seconds when a working flash is attached which should not happen.

Separately I reset the camera to initial defaults but it made no difference.  Next step I am going to see if it will let me reinstall the firmware.

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Don’t try to re-install the firmware.  When a camera is malfunctioning, attempting to install firmware is one of the worst things you can do.  The risk of turning your camera into a brick paperweight are HIGH.

I suggest that you at least take a LOOK at the hot shoe for damage, dirt, or foreign debris as has been suggested to you.

[amfoto1]

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@Lorne wrote:

I do not think that can be the issue - if it was the menu would open whenever any accessory is attached to the shoe and also the menu is auto opening every 30 seconds when a working flash is attached which should not happen.

Separately I reset the camera to initial defaults but it made no difference.  Next step I am going to see if it will let me reinstall the firmware.

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The message you reported when nothing is in the hot shoe "Menu not available. Flash is off or unsupported, or an accessory is attached." is exactly what I would expect to see if that tiny button switch is stuck in the "on" position for any reason. Because the microswitch is activated, the camera thinks something is in the hot shoe and is warning you because it can't detect what's there.

Previously you stated that when a flash is installed in the hot shoe a menu of flash setting options would display... Once again, this is what I'd expect to happen. In this case both the micro switch is activated and the flash itself has been detected by the camera.

Besides, it's super easy to look under the right hand rail of the hot shoe to see if there might be some reason that micro switch is activated... maybe some obstruction, or a bent leaf spring, or it's just the button is stuck in the depressed position. I've seen all three of these things happen with other cameras. I've fixed more than one in a few seconds with a toothpick!

I mean, why not just take a look at it?

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2), EOS M5, some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR

[Lorne]

The flash sensor has been stuck down for 2yrs - ever since I spent time in a very humid Borneo Jungle but the auto showing of the menu only started 2 weeks ago.  I took the camera for repair 2yrs ago but they could not release the pin and were unable to take the camera apart to get at the pin due to screws that appear to be rusted in.  However before this the menu never activated without me doing it when a flash was attached and I do not see why canon would set it up to auto execute a menu page and it certainly does not happen on my other EOS camera. 

Reinstalling the Firmware did not solve it and I found that deleting the camera settings does not do what it should - many setting were retained after the reset.  I think I am going to have to live with it.

[deebatman316]

Resetting the camera to factory default. DOES NOT clear Custom Functions. Custom Functions must be cleared via Clear Custom Functions.

[jrhoffman75]

It would have been good to know this from the outset. Perhaps there is internal corrosion that has finally resulted in a problem.