Auto Focus not working for Canon EFS 18-55mm lens

I see this same problem occuring all over the internet on Canon lenses. Autofocus not working any longer. For some stupid reason the lense will lock up and quit autofocus while other lenses will work fine. A light pull on the lense focus ring away from the camera body will give a noticable pop or click which unlocks the jammed lense. Try it if you are having troubles with your autofocus. This is a very common problem and worth giving it a try.

I have the same issue with the 18-55mm auto-focus not working. Opened up the lens and found a broken flexible cable.

From the looks of design and location, this cable moves with the zoom lens, so it WILL break eventually if you zoom in and out a lot. Once it snaps, the auto-focus will not receive any info from the zoom position and cease to work as a result.

Highly suspect its a design fault. Hence the relatively low price of the lens. Replacement cable if same design WILL break eventually as well.

Http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Replacement-Lens-Focus-Aperture-Flex-Cable-For-Canon-18-55mm-EF-S-/180879022297



clockwise autofocus ok but counterclockwise autofocus not working. i opened to lens. i found that above linked item is broken (Focus-Aperture-Flex-Cable-For-Canon-18-55mm-EF-S). it is a cheap part but i think i couldnt chaged it :) must be go to repair shop.

Common problem here is indeed a broken flat cable. Via Aliexpress a new flatcable can be ordered for ca Eur 4,- for 2 cables. Youtube shows several videos how to open the lens and replace the broken cable. I managed to repair my wife's canon efs 18 55 IS lens. Important advise 1; you will need very small Phillips 00 and 000 screwdrivers! Advise 2: When re-installing the gearbox make sure the gearbox shaft is properly connected to the focus shaft inside the lens! Advise 3: take your time to accurately glue the flatcable in the lens. Advise 4: It is not necessary to remove the outside rubber focus ring and additional screws as shown in some videos. There is enough room to replace the flatcable while using the right pincers.
It is great fun to notice that the autofocus is doing fine after this action for only a few Euros. Good luck!

Yes this is a very common problem. I have got one lens repaired by Cannon repair center and I got back the old parts when they returned the lens. I have examined the cable. The came as my friend said does bend while focusing. But this same type of arrangement is used in many devices (ex. printer head connection to mother board). and they don't break in their life time. But this cable looks a little different. part of the fixed end has a stiff material attached to it, so this part of the cable isn';t allowed to bend, but portion immediately next to it bends. This in my opinion is the reason breakage exactly at the same point. I fee Cannon can examine the issue and find a solution easily by eliminating the stiff part on one end. A lot of customers who trust Cannon are put to difficulty on this account. I see no reason why cannon should not make this repair free of cost as it is obviously a design issue. There is no guaranty that replaced cable will not eventually break.

Purushotham