Canon EOS Rebel XS 35mm Troubleshooting

Camera does not appear to be powering on.

Move the command dial to something other than the L position to turn the camera on.

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and put into the camera correctly. Also make sure that the battery contacts are clean. Clean with a dry cloth.

If the LCD is not working, the camera may appear to be off.

A wire or component on the motherboard may have come loose. If not, a component on the motherboard could have gone bad.

Camera won't take photos when shutter is pressed

Move the command dial to something other than the L position to turn the camera on.

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and put into the camera correctly. Also make sure that the battery contacts are clean. Clean with a dry cloth.

Take the lens cap off of the front of the camera.

Make sure that there is still film remaining in the roll.

Check if the film is inserted correctly in the camera without jams. Clean the dust out of the film chamber with a blower brush if necessary. The film pressure plate and film guide may also have to be cleaned. To do this, use a blower brush to blow dust away. Then wipe the surface lightly with lens cleaning paper moisturized with lens cleaning fluid. Look for a film symbol on the LCD to see if the camera recognizes the film.

Make sure the camera is focused by holding the shutter button half way. The viewfinder should also show a blinking focus lamp. If it doesn't focus in automatic mode, try focusing in manual mode.

The shutter curtain or mirror may be stuck in an opened or closed position. Check for obstructions.

The shutter is delicate and should not be touched. The shutter may be stuck. Look for obstructions. If the shutter is too damaged, it may have to be replaced.

A wire or component on the motherboard may have come loose. If not, a component on the motherboard could have gone bad.

Photos develop unusually

Take the lens cap off of the front of the camera before taking pictures.

Try to keep the camera steady when taking photos to reduce blur. Consider using a tripod.

If the film was exposed in open light or was hit by x-rays, the film may not develop correctly.

If photos develop with unusual specs or lines, the camera lens, mirror, and/or focusing screen may have dust or dirt. Clean the mirror and focusing screen by using a blower brush reserved for this purpose only. If that doesn't work, it is highly recommended to have a professional clean it. If you insist on cleaning it yourself, use a lint free anti-static cloth with lens cleaning fluid. In extremely gentle circular motions that barely touch the surface, pick up the dust or debris. To clean the lens, use a blower brush to get some dust off. Then use lens cleaning paper moistened with lens cleaning fluid to gently wipe the lens. Use a careful spiral cleaning motion from the center of the lens to the outside edge.

The shutter is delicate and should not be touched. The shutter may be stuck. Look for obstructions. If the shutter is too damaged, it may have to be replaced.

A wire or component on the motherboard may have come loose. If not, a component on the motherboard could have gone bad.

The film may have been developed incorrectly.

Nothing appears on the LCD.

Move the command dial to something other than the L position to turn the camera on.

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and put into the camera correctly. Also make sure that the battery contacts are clean. Clean with a dry cloth.

After 5 years, the LCD may be difficult to read. Replace the LCD.

A wire or component on the motherboard may have come loose. If not, a component on the motherboard could have gone bad.

The "bc" indicator indicates a really low battery or an internal problem.

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and put into the camera correctly. Also make sure that the battery contacts are clean. Clean with a dry cloth.

Push the shutter button down half way and then all the way down. If the "bc" indicator disappears, then carry on taking photos. If not, then there is probably a problem with the internals of the camera. Try to figure out the problem by looking at different symptoms that the camera shows.

The flash bulb wont pop up

Move the command dial to something other than the L position to turn the camera on.

Make sure that the batteries are fresh and put into the camera correctly. Also make sure that the battery contacts are clean. Clean with a dry cloth.

=== Push down the flash button ==

The flash button can be pressed to make the flash bulb pop up.

For the flash to automatically pop up, the command dial must be set to full auto mode (green frame), portrait (face), or macro (flower).

The flash may be jammed closed or stuck on something. Make sure nothing is in the way of the movement of the flash popping up. If the flash is stuck on the inside, gently tug on the flash to try to pop it up. If that doesn't work, the camera may have to be opened up.

A wire or component on the motherboard may have come loose. If not, a component on the motherboard could have gone bad.

''Camera doesn't auto focus when in auto focus mode, but can manually focus when in manual focus mode."

Make sure the "AF" mode is selected on the lens. The "M" mode is for manual focus.

To auto focus in auto focus mode, the shutter button needs to be pushed half way down while the brackets in the viewfinder are on the object you want to focus on.