So you got yourself a brand new DSLR and after using it for a little while got the dreaded “Err” error on your camera LCD? Fear not, your camera might not damaged and there might be no need to return it back to Nikon, as they suggest in most camera manuals.
The reason why this error comes up, is because your camera is not properly communicating with your lens due to some dirt and grease both on camera and lens contacts. The solution is pretty simple – all you have to do is dismount your lens and clean the lens contacts, then clean camera contacts and mount the lens back on the camera and see what happens. Sounds too complicated? Are you afraid to damage your camera and/or lens? Then keep reading, because I will show you exactly what needs to be done.
So here is the step-by-step process:
- Dismount camera lens – before you remove the lens, make sure that you are doing this in a clean environment indoors. I prefer to do it at night (when kids are sleeping) in the bathroom :) If you have not dismounted a lens from your camera yet, now is the time to learn. Turn off your camera. Press the lens release button located to the left of the lens when the camera is viewed from the top, then rotate the lens clock-wise to dismount the lens as shown here. Right after the lens is dismounted, put the black plastic camera cap back on the camera lens mount to prevent dust from getting into the camera.
- Clean lens contacts – there are many different cleaning solutions out there, but I would recommend the following approach: first, wash your hands with soap and dry them out. Next, put some denatured alcohol (ethanol) on dry, light-colored microfiber cloth, wrap it around your index finger and gently wipe each lens contact in circular motion without touching the glass on the back of the lens. Here is how the contacts look like on the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G lens:
If you can see dirt or grease on the microfiber cloth, repeat the above process again using the cleaner part of the cloth. Once you are done cleaning the contacts, use the Giottos Rocket Blower to blow away any particles your microfiber cloth could have left on the lens.
- Clean camera contacts – remove the black cap from the camera lens mount, then use the clean portion of the same microfiber cloth and gently wipe the camera contacts, just like you did with the lens contacts. Here is how the contacts on the camera look like:
Hold your index finger with your nails facing down and while holding the microfiber cloth, move from left to right and vice-versa several times. Repeat the process one more time with the cleaner part of the cloth to make sure that there is no dirt/grease left on the camera contacts. Make sure to do this rather quickly to prevent dust from entering the camera chamber.
- Mount lens back on the camera – once all contacts are clean, align the dot on the camera with the dot on the lens and fully mount the lens in counter-clockwise direction.
- Test and make sure that the “Err” message is gone – now turn the camera on and take a few pictures. The “Err” message on the camera should be gone!
What if you are still getting the “Err” message? Try another lens and see what happens. If nothing changes, your camera could be damaged, so call Nikon for support.
About Nasim Mansurov
Hi Nasim,
I really like your blog posts and follwer your every word… ;-)
Just want to add that this might be the general tip in most cases, but with I got my Nikon D90 with 18-105 kit lens this error came up about every 10 shot or so even after doing the recommended action. My only choice was to take it back to Nikon service shop, where they changed the communication contacts on the lens and that actually corrected the issue for me. I am NOT saying that this is the case for everyone, but it was for me.
Br,
/Morten Denmark
Morten, thank you for your feedback! It is definitely good to know that people might encounter this error due to bad connections on the lens itself. I will add some text in the article to try another lens…
Have a great weekend!
Hi Nasim, I had this camera own by my niece, its nikon d60, the subject are too dark even when i see through the viewfinder, its is very dark..even in broad daylight…it has nikon kit lens attach with it the 18-55mm, i thought i was the lens, then i change and use other lens..still the same..
what do you think is the problem ?
Thank you
Jame Brunei
Thanks for sharing. What I encountered is on & off. Most of the time don’t have, but once in a while it happened. Didn’t know it have to do with contacts.
Dennis, so you were getting the “Err” message while turning the camera on & off?
Nasim, apology for the misleading. What I meant was the occurrence that I encounter the err problem is in infrequent. Now that I know what to look out for if I ever see this err message again.
Dennis
Ah, I see :) Well, if it happens to you again, try the above steps and let me know how it works out :)
I had the same problem and cleaning the contacts did not help. I tried briefly removing the battery and card as well, no success. Then I removed them both and waited for about 20 minutes, put them back in place, I had the Err message for a few more seconds then eventually it cleared out and I was able to use my D80 again. Hope it helps .
TK, that’s strange, but thanks for letting us know!
Thank you so much. This totally helped. Just wanted to add that after i cleaned the lens connectors and turned it back on, it still flashed ERR, but with one press of the shutter release, it was all good. Seems to be good now!
Hi Nasim,
Thanks a lot for this excellent piece of advice. It just saved me from sending away my D3s on service. One funny detail that added to the confusion: The two lenses that needed cleaning (AF-S 85/1.4 and 50/1.4G) worked well on my D7k even before they were cleaned.
Hi Nasim,
I bought my D7000 from the US and brought it to the Philippines, after a couple of weeks use, the Err message appeared, i was freaking out like crazy, imagine the cost to send it back to US.. good thing i googled solutions about the Err message. I did the steps last night, and waited this morning to turn it on praying that the Err message is gone. It is as good as before, all 3 lenses worked good on it… thank you.
Thanks for the step by step. Just purchased a used Tamron 18-270 to run on my D90.
Was dissappointed as the lens would function and then not at all. It occurred to me that contacts needed to be cleaned. Will update with the results.
Hallo.i also have the same problem but also when i turn on the camera without the lens on. So i imagine it is not a contact problem or could be the same?
thank you
andrea
Hallo.I also have the same probkem but also when I turn on the camera without the lens on. Same error message appears. Can this be a contscts problem again?
Thank you
andrea
Andrea, give a call to Nikon and see what they have to say…the error should not come up without a lens.
I have a Nikon D80 (2yrs old) and has an imagine and symbols when looking thru the viewfinder that won’t go away no matter what reset option i use (on menu, 2 button, or factory reset).
In bottom left I get the B/W, battery meter, and no disk symbols all the time. Page 6 in manual shows all these. I set camera to normal mode (not B/W), I even put a fresh charged battery in, and I have a disk in that I know is formatted and works fine.
I went to the menu and turned “off” the viewfinder warning and it still shows up. Hmmmm, any help besides sending it in.
Oh ya, I can take pics but this image (which flashes red as I press the shutter) makes it hard to see the image thru viewfinder.
Craig, sounds like an electronic problem – I recommend sending your camera to Nikon for repair.
Looks like having the same problem. Mine are may be a worst. I wasnt used my d80 for a couple of month
But when i on the camera get err blinking…i can using the menu on the screen
..also having a problem with flash button. It wont release the flash.
Then when i tried to viewing pic…it shows a message not contain a folders.
Trying to avoid services to nikon…cost a lot a money i guest….do anyone facing the same problem?
Hello, I would like to share my experience with the “Err” message as well. When I removed the lens, I noticed that the mirror was stuck halfway, so that the viewfinder would display only half of the scene. To solve it, I put the lens back on, turned off the autofocus using the manual switch and pressed the shutter release. It made a weird sound, but after that it was good to go again!
Thank you so much for posting this.
I followed your steps and it worked perfectly. I am back shooting with my main camera again.
Thank you
The Err message popped up on my d7000 today. I did everything, changed sd cards, lenses, charged the battery, let it sit, and now cleaned all the contacts like you say. I even get the message when there is no lens attached. The shutter fully clicks still and is not stuck. I called Nikon and they wouldn’t give me any info unless I send it in. Hopefully they cover it, my one year warrenty expired 6 days ago. I’m going to try it again in the morning.
My “Err” message started to show on a D3s after the camera has been at Nikon for cleaning etc.
It happens ONLY for few seconds and just for frame. It only happens when I switch on the Camera (if the Camera has been off for at least 30 min or more)
very odd!