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PhotoSmurf · ‎01-02-2013

Hi

I have just bought a 600ex-rt ... But the batteries I put in it (which are all new) only result in a "replace battery" sign and the flash refuses to switch on.

I have tried 3 new sets of batteries, all are top grade lithium batteries, is there a known issue with lithium batteries - the manual says they can be used?

Many thanks for any info that could help.

Flash_Speednite · ‎12-16-2014

Solution Summary

Steps to Resolve Speedlite 600EX-RT Low/Change Battery Issue:

Turn the Speedlite power switch to the Off position
Remove the SCH-E1 Color Filter Holder
Turn the Speedlite power to the On position

Details

After recently purchasing a new Canon 600EX-RT in preparation for a family portrait session, I was eager to get the Speedlite out of the packaging and onto a stand for some test shots before packing up and heading off for a weekend with my extended family.

I grabbed a package of fresh batteries, loaded (4) AA's, secured the battery cover, attached the provided SCH-E1 Color Filter Holder and powered on the Speedlite expecting to see the default factory settings on the 600EX-RT's main LCD display.

Instead I was greeted with a blank LCD and the Low/Change Battery symbol.

I was fairly sure that the batteries that I'd selected were unused, but I usually unpack batteries from their shipping material and add them to a larger container of batteries, so it was possible that used batteries had somehow made their way into the group or that some number of the batteries were simply too old. I set aside the batteries in question and tried another group of four batteries.

I was more than a little disappointed when I was again greeted with the Low/Change Battery symbol. I was fairly certain at this point that the batteries were not the issue, but just be sure I tried a third set of batteries with the same result.

I quickly searched for an online resource that might help me troubleshoot and resolve the issue and found this Canon Support forum thread.

The problem state and the proposed resolutions seem to be inconsistent and involve variations of some or all of the following:

Power-cycling the device a number of times
Opening the battery cover, moving the power switch to either the Lock or On position and then closing the battery cover
Holding the Sel/Set button while powering on the device
Holding the Clear (Reset) buttons while powering on the device

Unfortunately, none of the proposed solutions resolved the issue for me. So I gave Canon support a call and to see if this was a known issue.

I described the behavior to the support engineer and at first he too was stumped, suggesting that perhaps this was a defective device. He offered me several options for either returning or repairing my new 600EX-RT.

I was hoping for a more immediate resolution AND based on the large number of people reporting this same behavior (here in this thread) I suspected that there might be a Canon support advisory (perhaps only available to Canon support personnel) with information describing the issue along with a resolution that did not involve returning or repairing the device.

I asked the support engineer to check and he kindly agreed. After a few minutes on hold he came back and said there was in fact a support advisory that described a similar problem, but it involved the color filter holder. As previously mentioned, I had installed the color filter holder shortly after unboxing the flash.

I was dubious at first that the filter holder would cause the Speedlite to malfunction, but hoped he was right.

Steps to Resolve Speedlite 600EX-RT Low/Change Battery Issue:

Turn the Speedlite power switch to the Off position
Remove the SCH-E1 Color Filter Holder
Turn the Speedlite power to the On position

I performed the steps as indicated and the Speedlite 600EX-RT powered on correctly. I placed the filter holder back on the device and power-cycled the flash a few more times, and each time the Speedlite came back up as expected.

Upon closer inspection you see sensors near the top of the flash unit and just underneath the bottom clasp of the color filter holder, as well as what appears to be a small magnet in the bottom clasp of the filter holder. These sensors are used by the EOS system to determine when the filter holder is attached to the flash unit and assist in white balance calculations when using Canon supplied filters.

For a more detailed explanation of the color filter's form and functions alongside an EOS camera, google 'Speedlite 600EX-RT SCH-E1 review'.

For a copy of the advisory google 'Canon Issues Speedlite 600EX-RT Product Advisory'

View solution in original post

TCampbell · ‎09-01-2015

@ai3643 wrote:
Tried everything on here, no luck.

Heres my solution that worked for me,

It really seems to be a battery connection problem. All I did after messing with moving the switch back and forth, playing with the clear buttons, nothing worked.

I just opened the battery lid, wiped the battery contacts and battery ends with my finger, and shut it. Now it works. Maybe just luck. Just using normal Durcell batteries.

My Duracell batteries tend to leak ... that can be a real mess if you leave them in the flash and they corrode the contacts inside your flash. For this reason, I ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS eject single-use batteries when I'm done for the day. It's also the reason I strongly prefer rechargeable NiMH batteries (I use Panasonic Eneloops and have had only positive experiences with these.)

Tim Campbell
5D III, 5D IV, 60Da

Ocho · ‎09-01-2015

Hi ai3643, i found the problem. When you use filter cap and battery drains out you should take off the filter cap, replace the battery, and than put filter cap back. Otherwise sensors on bottom keeps the error of drained battery.

TCampbell · ‎09-01-2015

The gel holder should not be left on the speedlite if you are not using a gel.

Tim Campbell
5D III, 5D IV, 60Da

isabelwatson · ‎10-08-2015

It's true!! After not using my new flash for months because of the battery cross issue and trying everything on here, it just had to take the plastic diffussor filter off of the top of it and voilá! Works like the expensive thing that it is. I actually joined the forum just to write this!!

Garymac · ‎04-12-2016

A month ago I purchased a 600EX RT and since day one got the dreaded low battery indicator. Didnt matter if I used food alk or NiMh'sin it the fash would not power on. Tried all the tricks with button holding, lock then on etc and never really worked.

So last week, threw in the towel and called Canon support. They took the flash in for repair and I just received it back. The. Service details stated they changed the CASE ASS'Y, BATTERY CY2-4278-000. It appears from an online part search that the part is the entire electronic battery assembly, multiple boards etc...

It appears to be working just fine now. Wont know for sure until I shoot an evemt this weekend. I suggest if it is under warranty to send it in and request this part to be chamged....

moranjr · ‎04-13-2016

Gald to hear you got it fixed. It is cold comfort to those of us with out of warranty 600ex-rts to know that yes indeed there actually is a problem and not user error or our imaginations. Tis the 'curse of the eary adopter'...

df105 · ‎05-05-2016

Thank you all. This was very helpful (when I finally read enought of the posts). I came to the forum several different times and tried the clear buttom and power switch method several times, but only a couple times each time. When I read that it takes several times I poured a glass of wine and settled in. It took me upwards of 10 times plus, but it is working again!!!

congagreg · ‎10-13-2016

Same same here and everyone else it appears...not happy for money 😞

moranjr · ‎10-13-2016

I wish Canon would give us a trade in credit for our 600EX-RTs.

Son · ‎03-30-2017

I just read on the Canon website to power it down, detach the colour filter holder (the plastic cover that fits in fromt of the flash and holds the lottle colour filters) and then power it up and oh my word it works!!!

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Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem