Rebel x3i (600D) autofocus not working in Creative Zone mode. Works okay in the Basic modes.

[morenlucky]

I bought a Canon refurbished x3i from Canon last Summer after my Ritz Camera extended warranty became useless and my xTi (400D) died. The camera has been excellent until very recently.

About a week or so ago, the autofocus stopped working. I think it started when I decided to try the Canon refurbished 50mm 1.8 lens I bought off the internet. It didn't work for that lens and hasn't worked in Creative Zone since.

There is an asterisk (*) in the lower left corner of the viewfinder. This is an AE progress indicator. There are no active Focus Points. Sometimes, all nine of them will light up, but it doesn't mean anything.

Based on responses to other forum posts, I have tried different EOS lenses (I have two Rebel film cameras) and I have tried LiveView. Same problem. I can live with the situation, but, obviously, I would rather not.

Naturally, Manual Focus works fine.

The pins on the camera look and feel fine - no bends or broken tips. The pins on the lenses look fine, too, even the 50mm.

(I haven't contacted Canon, yet, because after-the-sale guarantees are usually 30-90 days, but I will contact them tomorrow)

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

I don't think you are getting the camera cleared and reset.  You MUST clear all settings.  It sounds like you have focus lock set to ON.

[morenlucky · Accepted solution]

Your advice was spot on! In fact, I just received an email response from Canon that had that as the second suggestion. This was their first, which I didn't try since yours worked. (Note: the 50mm also works fine, now, too):

Power Reset

1. Make sure the camera is off, and then remove the battery, memory card, and lens.

2. Close the battery/memory card doors.

3. Turn the power switch to the "ON" position, and then press and hold down the shutter button for 10 seconds.

4. Release the shutter button, turn the power switch to the "OFF" position, reinsert the battery, memory card, and attach the lens.

5. Power the camera on.

[troxmo]

I found the solution for this problem - I had the exact same behavior as morenlucky: No AF functionality in creative modes  (M, Av, Tv, P) except when using the AE Lock Button (*).
Somehow, resetting my camera didnt reset the custom functions, so I went through them and saw the following setting set to 1, it needs to be set back to 0 - then, AF works like expected.