Canon Community

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

SteynLaubscher7 · ‎10-12-2013

Hi

I just unboxed my 600ex-rt and it shows the same battery symbol... I put the flash on my camera and te af assist beam actually works but the screen shows the striked out battery and the flash does not go off... I tried the on position with the battery cover and it doesn't work... Any advice??

liansongchen · ‎07-05-2014

I have a new 600 Ex-RT and battery does not work after first time (total less than 100 shoots). new battery with dead battery sign! any solution. I got it from B and H

ctsutsumi · ‎01-04-2014

Is there some issue with this.. I just got mine as well.. Opened it and tried 3 different brands of batteries.. nothing.. Then turned on, opened lid closed it,. nothing.. then moved the arm up and down then it started to work.. Very odd..

moranjr · ‎01-09-2014

I too experienced this problem and solved it with the tips on this forum.

Is this a recurring problem with an individual speedlight?

Has anyone seen this happen again once it has been fixed?

SimonDK · ‎01-09-2014

mine only did it the first time. and my unit always sits without the batteries cause i use them for a lot of different things (rechargables).

Simon

moranjr · ‎02-01-2014

I am back. Cannot get 600EX-RT to recognize new batteries. Gives dead battery indicator. Any other suggestions? Send back to B&H for replacement? Very, very dissappointing. Even if it starts working I do not trust the flash to work when I need it.

atomskitchen · ‎02-19-2014

I bought the 600EX-RT a year ago, hardly used it and when I really needed it, the no battery symbol appeared and the flash won't work... I've replaced the batteries and followed all the advice posted on this forum, Very disappointed and frustrated. Please help

SimonDK · ‎02-19-2014

@atomskitchen wrote:
I bought the 600EX-RT a year ago, hardly used it and when I really needed it, the no battery symbol appeared and the flash won't work... I've replaced the batteries and followed all the advice posted on this forum, Very disappointed and frustrated. Please help

did you try letting the batteries sit in the unit for some time (while off)? that worked for me, think it was a few minutes - ever since then it has worked without problems. but it seemed like it need to fill up a capacitor, charge an internal battery or something.

atomskitchen · ‎02-19-2014

Thanks, I have tried....nothing

moranjr · ‎02-19-2014

I posted earlier about the same issue. I finally got mine working. But on the first change of batteries the issue returned and this time none of the tricks worked. I sent it back to to B&H for an exchange. I am uncertain if the sent me a brand new or a refurbished unit but atleast it works (for now). The 600 is a beautiful device but it's hard to rely on a parachute that opens "most" of the time. I am not bashing Canon. I think the world of their products but it puzzles me why have not aggressively addressed this issue. My advice is if your flash doesn't work send it back for an exchnage ASAP.

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Speedlite 600ex-rt battery problem