Some of my menu selections have disappeared from my 5D Mk IV

[JulCus]

I was going to update the firmware on my Canon 5D MK IV because the last time I used it, it didn't work correctly.  When I pulled up my menu, some of the menu selections are missing--The wrench (yellow) only has selections 1-5.  6 is missing, and 6 is where the firmware information is located.  Also, the last menu item--the camera (I don't know the color) doesn't even show up at all.  

Do I need to send my camera in to be fixed or is this something I can do?  

I appreciate any assistance--

Julie

[FloridaDrafter]

Hello, Julie!

Have you made sure you are in one of the "creative" modes, like M, AV, TV? Some menu items are only available in those modes.

Newton

[JulCus]

Thank you for writing, Newton.  Yes--I only shoot in AV and M.   I also remembered tonight that even while in AV and M, I cannot choose my focus points--I can only shoot in Autofocus.  I don't know how to do this--or even if I can--but I wondered if I could reinstall the software to restore the menu tabs that are missing and now the focus points too.  

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

If you having menu challenges, I would first try a factory reset through the menu system. If that does not work, remove the battery, cards and lens (put the body cap back on the camera) and leave it for a few hours, then put them all back and try again.

[JulCus]

Thank you, Trevor.  I will attempt a factory reset tomorrow.  Some of the issues with missing menu tabs and focus points have somehow been restored.  When I put a fresh battery in earlier today, these were missing, but several hours later, I turned the camera back on, and somehow they were restored.  It could be that there is a really, really long delay...  This is a back-up camera and I haven't used it much in the last couple of years--not sure if that contributes to these issues.  But--I will try your suggestion tomorrow--factory reset.  If that doesn't work, I will send it into Canon.  I've had it since 2017--not sure what it would cost if I end up having to send it in, and not sure it's worth putting much money into it.  Thank you very much for your suggestion.  Julie

[Tronhard]

I am assuming you have a pretty standard lens attached when you bring up the menu. There are definitely potential issues with storing a camera for a long period of time, so the idea of leaving it with fresh batteries on board for a day or so is a good one.  It's a solid camera, and I would be surprised if you can inadvertently degrade the EPROM that stores the menu system.   If you can get it to the point of updating firmware, I would definitely go in that direction, that should cause the firmware to overwrite the EPROM with fresh data.

[JulCus]

Thank you, again, Trevor.  It wasn't stored with a lens, but I had attached my EF100L macro lens to the camera when I put the new battery in.  It seems less scary to do a firmware update than a factory reset--though the only custom button I set up is back-button focus, and that's not a prob. to redo.  I looked at it this morning, and all of my menu tabs are still there, as well as focus points/selections.  It's just a bit slow to respond to my demands.  Thank you--I appreciate your help.  Julie

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

A Main and Custom settings reset is recommended as a first step in these cases.  Attempting to upgrade firmware on a malfunctioning device is not something I'd recommend.  

With the camera powered off, remove the lens, memory card(s) and battery.  Replace the body cap.  Reinsert a freshly charged (Canon brand battery) of known good quality and recheck camera functions. 

If your camera is missing menus in the creative modes Newton mentioned, try pressing the Q or info buttons.  

If that doesn't work, it's best to have the camera inspected by Canon.   

***Tronhard and I think alike 🙂

[JulCus]

Thank you, Rick, for your suggestion.  I will attempt a factory reset tomorrow.  Interestingly, leaving my camera off for several hours after putting in a fresh battery  (though they weren't there when I put the fresh battery in)  the missing menu selections reappeared, and I've been able to change my focus point.  Something is still not right though as there is a very long delay (enough so that I thought some buttons weren't working--like playback--and then after a minute or so, they do.  I only use this camera as a back-up camera, so I haven't used it much at all in the last 2 years, and I wonder if that has something to do with the problems I'm experiencing.