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A6000 battery drain with camera off problem: Potential resolution (?)

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solster said:
SFuller123 said:
solster said:
I have been testing with success what may be a possible solution to the A6000 battery drain problem when the camera is off. There are many folks having this problem as reported in multiple threads in this forum and across other sites.

Until yesterday the camera was draining about 20 -25 % of charge simply when in switched off state. This was very, very disappointing of course, perhaps the most prcatically and unacceptably disappointing problem I had with the camera. Of course, had tried all usual suspect solutions suggested before (airplane mode on, remote control off etc) to no avail, just like everyone else with the problem. Fw was 1.21 as well and battery is Sony battery that came with the camera as well as an extra.

As a last resort, I tried uninstalling and installing the two play memories apps I had, and uninstalling them had not helped either. So after I installed them back, I noticed that the "smart remote" app, which is embedded In the camera OS by default from factory (and couldn't be uninstalled by user) had an update. This update wasn't there before yesterday, so I updated the "smart remote" app

Since last 24+ hours I have been testing the camera by turning it on every few hours, shooting (and then looking at the lcd to browse through the pics and/or deleting a pic or two) and switching it off. This was the exact routine that resulted/observed in approx 20% charge drop per day previously. Since the last 24+ hours after the "smart remote" update, the charge has stayed constant at 100%

I'm seriously hoping this is a real fix I'm seeing and not some fluke, so maybe others can try the same?
Click to expand...
It's been common knowledge for about a year, that the only people that ever had problems, where those that never updated the stock app with the fixed (and much upgraded in functionality) version that's available, for free, from the store..
Click to expand...
Funny that I never found this "common knowledge" cited in any of my thread searches in this forum or by google - maybe my search skills are to be blamed!

Maybe you can point out a specific post/thread where this "common knowledge" has been cited? That way, we would also know for sure what the fix is with more actual data outside of this thread.
Click to expand...
I've never heard of this as a solution to battery drainage. But worth a try. Or go back to an older firmware update.

For light battery drainage...far as I know all the non-Sony batteries do this. Or so it's been said.
 
I updated the "smart remote" app. Then problem went away! Thank you very much for posting the cause.
 
vett93 said:
I updated the "smart remote" app. Then problem went away! Thank you very much for posting the cause.
Click to expand...
Just how DID you do the Update ?.. I can't find any way (that seems obvious to me at least) on-camera and no idea how to do an update any other way.. Any info well received thanks..
 
Just to make sure that it is clear. There are two things that need to be updated: the camera firmware and the smart remote app. My camera came with the latest FW and so I did not have to update the FW. So I am referring to the smart remote app here.

There are also two ways to update the smart remote app. One is done using a computer. Brian Smith posted how to do that in this thread. So if you want to use a computer to update the smart remote app, please refer to his posting.

I use the camera itself to do update. To do that, you need to make sure the following first:

1. You have an account with Sony Entertainment Networks.

2. Turn airplane mode off.

3. Connect your camera's WiFi to a router or access point so that it has internet access.

Then go to the "Application List" in the 4th menu tab, click it, and then click "PlayMemories Camera Apps". When you are in the "PlayMemories Camera Apps", go down to "All", and then find "Smart Remote Control" app. If your copy is not the latest version, it will show "update". Then click it to do the update.
 
Many thanks for this response - there are a few things I need to ask further.. see below ..
vett93 said:
Just to make sure that it is clear. There are two things that need to be updated: the camera firmware and the smart remote app. My camera came with the latest FW and so I did not have to update the FW. So I am referring to the smart remote app here.

There are also two ways to update the smart remote app. One is done using a computer. Brian Smith posted how to do that in this thread. So if you want to use a computer to update the smart remote app, please refer to his posting.

I use the camera itself to do update. To do that, you need to make sure the following first:

1. You have an account with Sony Entertainment Networks.
Click to expand...
I don't have .. but see below ..
vett93 said:
2. Turn airplane mode off.
Click to expand...
This was OFF when I got the camera so have left it OFF.. what does ON do anyway ?
vett93 said:
3. Connect your camera's WiFi to a router or access point so that it has internet access.
Click to expand...
I've already set my A6000 to get Internet via my Home Router - it's normally off but as the Router P/W is set I can get on easily if needed
vett93 said:
Then go to the "Application List" in the 4th menu tab, click it, and then click "PlayMemories Camera Apps". When you are in the "PlayMemories Camera Apps", go down to "All", and then find "Smart Remote Control" app. If your copy is not the latest version, it will show "update". Then click it to do the update.
Click to expand...
I've previously found the Apps and in fact got onto the Smart Remote itself..but NOTHING shows as far as an Update is concerned..does this mean I don't need an Update..or does the latter only show IF I have that Sony account working ?
 
ericN2 said:
Many thanks for this response - there are a few things I need to ask further.. see below ..
vett93 said:
Just to make sure that it is clear. There are two things that need to be updated: the camera firmware and the smart remote app. My camera came with the latest FW and so I did not have to update the FW. So I am referring to the smart remote app here.

There are also two ways to update the smart remote app. One is done using a computer. Brian Smith posted how to do that in this thread. So if you want to use a computer to update the smart remote app, please refer to his posting.

I use the camera itself to do update. To do that, you need to make sure the following first:

1. You have an account with Sony Entertainment Networks.
Click to expand...
I don't have .. but see below ..
ericN2 said:
2. Turn airplane mode off.
Click to expand...
This was OFF when I got the camera so have left it OFF.. what does ON do anyway ?
ericN2 said:
3. Connect your camera's WiFi to a router or access point so that it has internet access.
Click to expand...
I've already set my A6000 to get Internet via my Home Router - it's normally off but as the Router P/W is set I can get on easily if needed
ericN2 said:
Then go to the "Application List" in the 4th menu tab, click it, and then click "PlayMemories Camera Apps". When you are in the "PlayMemories Camera Apps", go down to "All", and then find "Smart Remote Control" app. If your copy is not the latest version, it will show "update". Then click it to do the update.
Click to expand...
I've previously found the Apps and in fact got onto the Smart Remote itself..but NOTHING shows as far as an Update is concerned..does this mean I don't need an Update..or does the latter only show IF I have that Sony account working ?

--
/eric
Staffordshire, UK
Click to expand...
Its not a Smart Phone.. I do not believe it has the ability to just grab stuff off the Wifi like you are used to with the smart phone.

You connect the Camera to the Computer. Got to the site for Apps www.sony.net/pmca

Create an account. It will install software so the web page can detect your camera and what is loaded etc. Then Apps will show updated etc.

--
K.E.H. >> Shooting between raindrops in WA<<
Don't Panic!.. these are just opinions... go take some pictures..
 
Last edited:
K E Hoffman said:
ericN2 said:
Many thanks for this response - there are a few things I need to ask further.. see below ..
vett93 said:
Just to make sure that it is clear. There are two things that need to be updated: the camera firmware and the smart remote app. My camera came with the latest FW and so I did not have to update the FW. So I am referring to the smart remote app here.

There are also two ways to update the smart remote app. One is done using a computer. Brian Smith posted how to do that in this thread. So if you want to use a computer to update the smart remote app, please refer to his posting.

I use the camera itself to do update. To do that, you need to make sure the following first:

1. You have an account with Sony Entertainment Networks.
Click to expand...
I don't have .. but see below ..
K E Hoffman said:
2. Turn airplane mode off.
Click to expand...
This was OFF when I got the camera so have left it OFF.. what does ON do anyway ?
K E Hoffman said:
3. Connect your camera's WiFi to a router or access point so that it has internet access.
Click to expand...
I've already set my A6000 to get Internet via my Home Router - it's normally off but as the Router P/W is set I can get on easily if needed
K E Hoffman said:
Then go to the "Application List" in the 4th menu tab, click it, and then click "PlayMemories Camera Apps". When you are in the "PlayMemories Camera Apps", go down to "All", and then find "Smart Remote Control" app. If your copy is not the latest version, it will show "update". Then click it to do the update.
Click to expand...
I've previously found the Apps and in fact got onto the Smart Remote itself..but NOTHING shows as far as an Update is concerned..does this mean I don't need an Update..or does the latter only show IF I have that Sony account working ?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Eric, not all people owning the camera have had this problem - since you state that you don't see big drops in battery charge when the camera is left switched off, your specific camera piece is probably not plagued by the problem. So I would just not worry about it (for your case).
 
K E Hoffman said:
Its not a Smart Phone.. I do not believe it has the ability to just grab stuff off the Wifi like you are used to with the smart phone.
Click to expand...
What can I say. Go read the user manual!

 
Not too old yet...

Airplane mode ON means that the camera turns off all communication devices; e.g., WiFi, bluetooth, NFC, etc.

The new "smart remote" app just came out pretty recent. I just bought my A6000 last week from Amazon and it did not have the latest version. Use the following method to check if you have the latest version:

Find the "smart remote" app under the "PlayMemories Camera Apps". Click the center button to invoke it. It will give you a description of the app. Scroll down and it should describe the feature enhancement for each release.

The latest version is V3.2. If the description talks about V3.2, yours is the latest. If not, it is not.
 
solster said:
Eric, not all people owning the camera have had this problem - since you state that you don't see big drops in battery charge when the camera is left switched off, your specific camera piece is probably not plagued by the problem. So I would just not worry about it (for your case).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response on this. At the moment I think I'm 'between a rock and a hard place' as I read a lot about this Battery drop before I bought the camera but didn't know enough about it .. enough at least to put me off what seemed the better things. I'd got a Battery charged to go and put it in - checked it showed 100% and just left it overnight. It did drop a bit just that way but showed I think it was 98% next morning. I've done this a few times now and it does show a drop.. just standing .. but no big amount.
It's moreso really when I USE it to take pics or browse the multitude of Menu items.. that really seems to knock Hell out of the Battery..I'm sure flipping through the Menus takes a lot out..USING it to take pics also seems to take quite a bit out , after just a fairly low number of pics..focussing, general composition etc before shooting.. and it just seems to me that the Battery drop is WAY WAY more than I've ever had with many various recent cameras. the Fuji X-E2/X100S were my most recent and they seem to last WAY more to give me no bother at all if I went out for such as a half-day or some local trip ... I really don't see much joy in having to use and carry around a load of Batteries and right now it's just giving me massive disappointment and taking away much of the pleasure.

I really think the BIB BIG Menu screens and what's in them MUST need a fair bit of power and not sure there is much I could really turn off as not wanted... Altoget her I just feel right now that I'd be happier just going back to my Fuji..it IS a very god camera with APS-C and a good fast focus..I'm sure not that different to the Sony... very unsure right now..

I did make an Account with Sony Entertainments - then got more involved with their site - everything but what I wanted - but I've tried connecting to them again just now - to see if there IS an update on that Smart Remote Apps thing .. again..it just will not connect on camera even though the Smartphone I used does show I'm connected to the Sony camera.. it's either perils of old age or the blasted complicated camera !!
 
vett93 said:
Not too old yet...

Airplane mode ON means that the camera turns off all communication devices; e.g., WiFi, bluetooth, NFC, etc.

The new "smart remote" app just came out pretty recent. I just bought my A6000 last week from Amazon and it did not have the latest version. Use the following method to check if you have the latest version:

Find the "smart remote" app under the "PlayMemories Camera Apps". Click the center button to invoke it. It will give you a description of the app. Scroll down and it should describe the feature enhancement for each release.

The latest version is V3.2. If the description talks about V3.2, yours is the latest. If not, it is not.
Click to expand...
How confusing can you get with this camera !!!!
After following your instructions - best I've seen as yet - I did get to the Smart Remote App in the full list of Apps and it did show 'Update'. Forget what ver it showed at the time but I followed it through and DID get a sign-in then an Update..AT LAST I thought....
Would you believe it...the camera STILL shows that App as Very.3.10 which MIGHT be what i was before and s certainly not the 3.20 as you say .. and it no longer shows in the Apps list as "Update"

AND it does say onscreen that the installation "would be as required by your camera" .. so is this 3.10 the latest as far as I'm concerned then..

MAYBE best thing I got from your notes is that..IS IT?? .. if I switch Airplane Mode to ON (although I think it still iS that.. as it came new.. will that then ease some burden on the Internet usage on camera and help Battery I wonder ??

Scrolling FURTHER down the Smart Remote Apps screen it DOES show a Ver 3.20 but it does not show "Update" below the App in my list so IS that available to me I wonder ??
 
i have the same problem.

My A6000 has smart remote control app 3.1 and doesnt show update for the 3.2 version!

I tried from my mac computer to make the upadte but it doesnt show either the update button.
 
solster said:
I have been testing with success what may be a possible solution to the A6000 battery drain problem when the camera is off. There are many folks having this problem as reported in multiple threads in this forum and across other sites.

Until yesterday the camera was draining about 20 -25 % of charge simply when in switched off state. This was very, very disappointing of course, perhaps the most prcatically and unacceptably disappointing problem I had with the camera. Of course, had tried all usual suspect solutions suggested before (airplane mode on, remote control off etc) to no avail, just like everyone else with the problem. Fw was 1.21 as well and battery is Sony battery that came with the camera as well as an extra.

As a last resort, I tried uninstalling and installing the two play memories apps I had, and uninstalling them had not helped either. So after I installed them back, I noticed that the "smart remote" app, which is embedded In the camera OS by default from factory (and couldn't be uninstalled by user) had an update. This update wasn't there before yesterday, so I updated the "smart remote" app

Since last 24+ hours I have been testing the camera by turning it on every few hours, shooting (and then looking at the lcd to browse through the pics and/or deleting a pic or two) and switching it off. This was the exact routine that resulted/observed in approx 20% charge drop per day previously. Since the last 24+ hours after the "smart remote" update, the charge has stayed constant at 100%

I'm seriously hoping this is a real fix I'm seeing and not some fluke, so maybe others can try the same?
Click to expand...
Sorry to duck back to the beginning of this thread... but what VER of the Smart Remote App do you now finally have on...

Mine says v3.10 (after update) and doesn't seem to offer any higher .. the App did say that what you get installed "is appropriate to your camera" so I'm wondering if my v3.10 is actually the latest as far as mine (in UK) is concerned.. and the ver3.20 is for some other Region ??
 
Well, we have one more mystery from Sony.

Latest firmware from Japan site is 1.21 and the rest of the world is 1.20.

Now, smart remote from the site is 3.20, but the installation never starts, although it seems to be trying.

If I try from inside the camera, the latest version is still 3.10.

BTW, I´ve just updated the firmware to 1.20. The time it takes to install a 0.2 GB firmware is enough to install several times the 3 GB Samsung Galaxy S5 firmware !


Best Regards
Eduardo
 
Hi to all

For a few months now I have had a similar dramatic drain of the battery in my A6000. Having read all of the suggested remedies (firmware, updates, switching stuff off) I think my problem has now been resolved.

I changed the SD card by removing the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC UHS-II Memory Card - they have two rows of connectors) with a normal SD card, and the problem is gone. I have changed nothing else.

Strangely though, the card does not have the same battery draining effect on my older Sony NEX5N.

I hope this helps someone else, and thanks to all who have posted their suggestions here.
 
After studying the words on Sony site, it seems Sony decides what versions you need by themselves.

So perhaps there´s no mistake on their part, it seems Smart Remote 3.2 only adds camera models and we don´t need it.

So the site says the latest version is 3.20 and my camera says it´s 3.10, what IMO is a wrong policy to adopt, cause it makes confuses the users.


Best Regards
Eduardo
 
Eduardo said:
Well, we have one more mystery from Sony.

Latest firmware from Japan site is 1.21 and the rest of the world is 1.20.

Now, smart remote from the site is 3.20, but the installation never starts, although it seems to be trying.

If I try from inside the camera, the latest version is still 3.10.

BTW, I´ve just updated the firmware to 1.20. The time it takes to install a 0.2 GB firmware is enough to install several times the 3 GB Samsung Galaxy S5 firmware !

Best Regards
Eduardo
Click to expand...
Eduardo -

Yes indeed.. the very latest (what it does or changes I do not know..) is ver1.21 but I found it impossible to get anywhere..I got v1.20 on but that was after about THREE miserable failures in Windows. It did just it seems you got..kept trying and trying to do the pre-install process but NEVER got there. So I decided I'd try it on my Mac..WOW..in literally 10 minutes or so it was done..NO hassle at all..after Windows one had failed miserably

But if you want to try v1.21 it's here. ALL in Japanese but don't worry..scroll down and you'll see the versions for A7's and at the bottom the A6000..just a click on the actual file (a .dng of course for Mac) and you get the d/load to install

http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/update/ILCE-7_7R_7S_7M2_6000_win.html

If you cannot do a Mac. I'll give you the Windows one..but if you got the trouble you say..probably same might apply..but I'll show it if you wish...

Loading…

www.sony.jp

(above a bit back-to-front I think but should work as you prefer)

Re the Smart Remote.. I finally got admitted to the Sony Entertainments site and got a User name plus Password..and THAT got me in OK and then when I went back to the A6000...open the Apps main Menu but click on the FIRST icon for '...Apps'....NOT on the Smart Remote one. Via the first main App you can view ALL the Apps they do and the Smart Remote is in there..it will likely say "Update" meaning yours is not updated..so with a User name/Password you can then enter the main site and the upload of the new version will follow

But what still puzzles me is that ON camera.AFTER the Update..I STILL only have it showing ver3.10...NOT ver3.20 or whatever is here said as the Update. But it does say on the site that the Update will be as required by your camera..whatever again THAT means.. seems maybe mine (UK/Euro version) may not NEED or can take ver3.20 ?? Queer ????????
 
Last edited:
Anton0329 said:
Hi to all

For a few months now I have had a similar dramatic drain of the battery in my A6000. Having read all of the suggested remedies (firmware, updates, switching stuff off) I think my problem has now been resolved.

I changed the SD card by removing the SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC/SDXC UHS-II Memory Card - they have two rows of connectors) with a normal SD card, and the problem is gone. I have changed nothing else.

Strangely though, the card does not have the same battery draining effect on my older Sony NEX5N.

I hope this helps someone else, and thanks to all who have posted their suggestions here.
Click to expand...
 
Yes, same as mine, still on 3.10.

Regarding fw 1.21 I´ll wait an USA version.


Best Regards
Eduardo
 
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