PowerShot SX720 HS Will not turn on

[Cyrus17]

My brand new PowerShot 720 will not turn on - battery is charged 

I already returned one because it wouldn't turn on.  What to do?

[Crista]

Hi Cyrus17!

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[sdtuttle]

My Canon PowerShot SX720 HS won't power on.  I charged the batteries and missed photos of a great trip to the UK and France.  I bougth new batteries, charged them and it still won't power up. I'd be surprised if I even took 100 photo prior to this occuring and have put it away. Then I saw it and tried it again and still no joy. This was an expensive camera and the quality is terrible for any camera -- especially Canon.

[John_]

Check the condition of the battery contacts inside the battery compartment to see if there is dirt in there. Try turning it on by pressing the Play button instead of the power button

[sdtuttle]

Thanks. I tried.  No joy. Even bought new batteries.  Computer won't even see the camera when connceted. 

[KikiDarlin44]

I am having the same issue. 2020 showed no reason to use the camera since February. I took it out yesterday. Made sure all 3 batteries I have were charged. It will no power on at all. I plugged into PC and like you no recognition. Im at a loss.

[John_]

So sorry your relatively new cameras will not turn on and it was not a battery problem. One last "Hail Mary" type thing to try is some good contact cleaner like Deoxit D5...one that is safe for plastics and rubber and apply it carefully into the power switch. If you use a spray cover the rest of the camera with a cloth. 

You could call Canon for a repair estimate and see what they say. Keep in mind you can purchase a new one for $279 and compare that to the cost of a repair. 

[KikiDarlin44]

Thank you John. Since I'm a novice with cameras, I wouldn't even know where to get that. However I do agree that purchasing a new camera might be the way to go. Since I paid $299 for it in 2017 and it's currently being sold for $230. I'm sure there are newer cameras with better options out there for me. Just have to do the research. I do wonder if there are somebody who would buy this just for scrap parts.

[rbtl]

I also have a PowerShot SX720 HS that’s a few years old. It had salt water damage while kayaking recently in French Bay, Bar Harbor Maine. When we got home, I was too impatient, took out the battery, SD card, and I hit the power button. No go. Googled extensively on ways to save it: put it in a big plastic to dry with container filled with silica to absorb water. Let it air out a couple of days and tried again. Still no go. Then I tried cleaning the battery contacts with rubbing alcohol and thin Q-tip swabs. Did that 2x or 3x. Funny, a couple of days later, as John mentioned before, I tried the Play button, and it turned on! Hit the shutter button, and its lens expanded open. However, the Power button still didn’t work.

I was about to give up and called Canon’s repair service center. The tech said Canon doesn’t service the PowerShot SX720 HS anymore! He suggested an upgrade to a refurb SX730 or SX740 which will still run me a few hundred including free shipping. It’s a lot more expensive than the SX720. I was debating whether I should bite the bullet and buy another one. I really like my SX720, and it’s only a few years old. I’m so glad I didn’t give in.

And as mentioned before, I tried John’s suggestion: try carefully spraying into the seams of the power switch. Instead of Deoxit D5, this time I purchased a spray can of Isopropyl alcohol (forgot brand) at Micro Center which is used to clean out sensitive electrical connections, pc components, circuit boards, etc. Googled it, and read good reviews about and it’s not as expensive as Deoxit D5. At Home Depot, even WD40 has its own version of contact cleaner. So I gave it a shot. Power button still didn’t work until the 3rd try today. The Power button works now! John was right about the Power button. Apparently, the electrical button under the mechanical Power button was probably stuck until the isopropyl alcohol UN-stuck it.

So Folks, before you decide to give up, spray the Power button like crazy! Press the Power button for a few minutes to let the alcohol seep in. Spray again, repeat. Have patience, and you’ll be doing the happy dance! Good luck!

[shadowsports]

Greetings,

@rtbl. When it comes to water damage, especially salt water there is typically very little chance of recovery. The water itself is not the real killer, it's what it contains. Salt, minerals and other contaminants.

If your camera works at all, consider yourself very lucky. There is usually less that 10% chance of recovery after a salt water exposure. What's more, you will never be able to count on the camera's reliability again 100%. It could fail at any time. I hope your "happy dance" continues, but know you were extremely lucky.