My Canon is displaying - Err 99 what should I do?

Just found this info which should help diagnose the err 99 issues (info direct from Canon apparently)

To isolate the cause of the issue, do the following: -

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
3. Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
4. Insert only a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.


Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If so, the camera may be faulty and requires a service. If it does not, then: -

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Insert the CF card.
3. Turn on the camera.
4. Format the CF card in the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.


Does the “ERR 99′ message appear? If so, then the CF card is faulty. Try a different card. If the message does not appear: -

1. Turn off the camera.
2. Clean the gold contacts on the lens by GENTLY rubbing them with a pencil eraser or soft cloth. Keeping the camera face pointing down, also clean the gold contacts on the camera, being careful that you do not let any debris fall into the camera body.
3. Reattach your lens.
4. Turn on the camera.
5. Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
If the “ERR 99′ message only appears when one particular lens is attached, then that lens should be examined by a service technician.
If you see the “ERR 99′ with a different Canon lens attached, then the camera is faulty and should be serviced.

Hi I am having the same problem error code 99 at switch on.
I have tried two batteries two lenses & two flash cards and get the same result each time.
Try this it, works for me to get the camera back on. but must be done each time you switch on.
Press and hold the JUMP button on as you switch on the camera.
Works for me every time. Good luck. Camera type Canon 400D.

On my cannon 400d found the error code 99,refered to the lens not the camera

Just for anyone else there looking for tips i recommend the solution from 'tropicalivin', the firmware update. i had tried *everything* else you hear about, diff lens, diff cf card, erasers on the contacts, battery removals. Tried the firmware as a last resort and voila, it works again now! 400D, many thanks to the person who wrote in with that!!

Have had the same problem when using a 75-300mm Canon lens. Problem vanished when I bought some non-canon batteries that are a higher mAh rating (1000mAh) than the Canon supplied one which is 720mAh. So for me, it seems to be a power consumption problem and it fixed it.

Http://web.canon.jp/imaging/eosdigital3/e4kr3_firmware-e.html
update your firmware to solve this problem

I have the same Err99 problem, and found the fix to be the solution number 8 (JohnLeF)  I still get the error message, but can carry on taking pictures and exporting them etc by remembering to take a picture as soon as you turn on the camera. You can then delete that first picture and, all the time the camera remains switched on, it works fine.  I appreciate I still need to get a service as it still has the problem, but at least the camera can be used.

I'll think that this problem can be solved by placing a battery of 1000 mAh or more because some lenses need more power. Most of the battery (standard) are 600 or 720 mAh. Is there any readers of this collum who's has have an experience with this. My problem is a Sigma 70 - 300mm 1:4-5.6 DL Macro with a Canon 350D. My Canon 28-90mm lens doesn't give any problem.

I have the same with the 400D, only with a Sigma 18-35 aspherical lens though, I have tried all solutions (thanks for those) but none work. all the genuine Canon and Tamron len's are fine just this damn Sigma sorry I have nothing helpful to add just posting just incase someone has a solution for the Sigma lens that hasn't already been posted.

BUY A Nikon!

Canon sucks...I'm going on a holidays for a few days, and today my 400D showed me Err99 message. Bullsh*t!!! I bought ND400 filter fot this camera, it will arrive in next few days...but I think I won't be able to use this filter 'cause this **** camera is malfuctioned!!!!

Hi Im having the error 99 flash up on my 400d whilst using my sigma lense 28-105 in well lit areas
In dark it works just fine Ive tried the eraser and changed lenses and it only occurs with the sigma lense.
The shutter does not seem to work properly on the sigma lense.
Hope this may help

I am having the same problem with my four month old 40D. Nothing I've tried has changed the error message.

I have no suggestion for it, but on Canon 400D it whas only with a SIGMA lens - but this lens worked fine on analog Canon 500N since Canon give NO help I will in my next camera-buy stay away from canon

Jhon, This is a common problem for these cameras. canon does not admit it but it seems to be a manufacture glitch. Try cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser. it's important you use a pencil eraser and not cloth!!! Hold the contacts face-down to prevent eraser rubber from falling into the body and vigorously scrub the lens contacts with the eraser. Reassemble the lens and the "err 99" should be fixed. Good Luck!

I'm having error #99 when I shoot at wide angle 17-30mm in Av, TV, M mode....what should I do???

This doesn't do anything if your problem is due to the flash. Try taking a lot of pix with the flash turned off. If you don't get a single error99 msg turn the flash back on. getting the error msg again? I've found no solution to this.