What went wrong?
My camera's shutter won't fire
The shutter button won't press, or nothing happens when it does.
Check this first
Does the camera need a battery to fire the shutter?
Likely causes
- 1.
Flat or missing battery in an electronic camera
Common- How to tell
- An electronic-shutter camera with a dead meter and no response.
- Fix
- Fit a fresh battery of the right type and clean the battery contacts with a pencil eraser.
- 2.
Film not advanced, or end of roll
Common- How to tell
- The advance lever won't move or is already at the end of its travel.
- Fix
- Advance fully, or rewind if the roll is finished.
- 3.
Lock or safety catch
Occasional- How to tell
- Many cameras have a shutter lock collar, or won't fire with the lens cap on (some auto-exposure compacts).
- Fix
- Check the manual for locks.
- 4.
Mechanical fault
Occasional- How to tell
- A mechanical camera that's advanced but stays jammed.
- Fix
- Don't force it. Get it serviced.
Avoiding it next time
- Carry a spare battery.
- Remove batteries when storing a camera.
Go deeper
Other camera problems
Last checked October 2026. Seen something different? Tell us.