Z50ii won't charge. Any ideas?

Mr Bolton said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Hal Wilson said:

Bought on Monday. Charged via 20W iPhone charger; this seemed to work initially. But since then, it simply won't charge at all. Tried different leads, all work elsewhere. Tried spare battery, so probs not that. Nikon manual says that a charger of 27W/9v/3A should be used; is this true? My Z6 charges off any old thing. And the fact it initially charged up suggests there might be a problem with the camera. Anyone else got any insight into this? I'm wondering if there's a simple fix before I take it back to the shop. Very annoying I have to say.

Click to expand...

EDIT: If you didn't try already (you weren't specific in this) please try to charge your Z6 again with the same cable and charger and get back to us. If that works, then it's probably a camera issue. If not, then you may have your answer.

We need to try to rule out that it's not the charger and the cable, so by trying with your Z6, that will pretty much tell us what the issue is (or at least if it's the camera or the cable/charger).

Also to verify, are you using OEM batteries? If not, that could also cause it not to charge, although most third party batteries (if not all) CANNOT be charged in the camera that I'm aware of. But only the OEM batteries can. I believe the camera can tell if an OEM battery is used, but I'm sure some third party mfrs are trying to work around that.

So if you aren't using OEM batteries or you're using an older version of the battery that maybe went bad, that could damage the charge circuits on the camera and could be one possibility (although unlikely). But doing the test I recommended with your Z6 will tell us more.

Click to expand...

The original Z6 might have lower charging system demands because it's older. I'm not reading reports here about the older models being as finicky about charging as the new ones.

Click to expand...

When I had my Z6ii I don't recall needing as demanding a charge setup, the Z7 was finicky. I was using USB-A to USB-C my Zfc has no issues with this, once I swapped to the Zf and Z8 it definitely required PD charging. I also went from EN-EL15B to EN-EL15C. I vaguely remember the B batteries not being as picky in my Z7.

Is this going to be a problem with more than just the Z50ii. Wife and I both have a Z30 which came without a charger, but did have a little short usbc cord included. I have only charged the batteries in the charger I had for my Zfc, so no problems thus far. But reading this got me to thinking, that I have no idea where the little short usb cord they sent is and if I ever have to try and charge the battery without having my Zfc charger, will I likely have problems. I don't. charge anything else around here with a usb cable, so unlikely to have a special cable handy.

Just curious?

My Z8 stopped charging during the summer. I assumed the port had simply failed, and that I would have to send it in for repairs. I never got around to that, and this past week I decided randomly to give it another try, and was stunned to see the charging light come on immediately. Apparently the fix was to just leave it alone for 6 months. Now I have no idea whether I need to have it repaired or not. I still need to send it in for the strap connector recall, so I figure I'll have them look at it when I finally do that.

Mr Bolton said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Hal Wilson said:

Bought on Monday. Charged via 20W iPhone charger; this seemed to work initially. But since then, it simply won't charge at all. Tried different leads, all work elsewhere. Tried spare battery, so probs not that. Nikon manual says that a charger of 27W/9v/3A should be used; is this true? My Z6 charges off any old thing. And the fact it initially charged up suggests there might be a problem with the camera. Anyone else got any insight into this? I'm wondering if there's a simple fix before I take it back to the shop. Very annoying I have to say.

Click to expand...

EDIT: If you didn't try already (you weren't specific in this) please try to charge your Z6 again with the same cable and charger and get back to us. If that works, then it's probably a camera issue. If not, then you may have your answer.

We need to try to rule out that it's not the charger and the cable, so by trying with your Z6, that will pretty much tell us what the issue is (or at least if it's the camera or the cable/charger).

Also to verify, are you using OEM batteries? If not, that could also cause it not to charge, although most third party batteries (if not all) CANNOT be charged in the camera that I'm aware of. But only the OEM batteries can. I believe the camera can tell if an OEM battery is used, but I'm sure some third party mfrs are trying to work around that.

So if you aren't using OEM batteries or you're using an older version of the battery that maybe went bad, that could damage the charge circuits on the camera and could be one possibility (although unlikely). But doing the test I recommended with your Z6 will tell us more.

Click to expand...

The original Z6 might have lower charging system demands because it's older. I'm not reading reports here about the older models being as finicky about charging as the new ones.

Click to expand...

I don't think it does, as the Z7 (which used the same battery and pretty much same power requirements) shipped with the EH-7P which was 5V/3A (15W) and could charge the camera so I don't think the original Z6 was any different. I mean maybe if they put in fast charging into the Z50 II perhaps it requires a PD 2.0 or 3.0 adapter now versus the older revisions which were I think only 15-30W. But the OP did say it worked once and then stopped, so it makes me start think it's a camera problem regardless (now it's possible the port was damaged with whatever charger the OP was using, that's possible). Nikon may also uses fuses to protect the internals of the camera when shorts/under/over voltage occurs from charging, but that would have to be fixed by Nikon if that were the case. I know the FTZ has a fuse likely for the same type of reason (to protect the camera/lens from issues with power delivery).

--
PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.

sirhawkeye64 said:

Mr Bolton said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Hal Wilson said:

Bought on Monday. Charged via 20W iPhone charger; this seemed to work initially. But since then, it simply won't charge at all. Tried different leads, all work elsewhere. Tried spare battery, so probs not that. Nikon manual says that a charger of 27W/9v/3A should be used; is this true? My Z6 charges off any old thing. And the fact it initially charged up suggests there might be a problem with the camera. Anyone else got any insight into this? I'm wondering if there's a simple fix before I take it back to the shop. Very annoying I have to say.

Click to expand...

EDIT: If you didn't try already (you weren't specific in this) please try to charge your Z6 again with the same cable and charger and get back to us. If that works, then it's probably a camera issue. If not, then you may have your answer.

We need to try to rule out that it's not the charger and the cable, so by trying with your Z6, that will pretty much tell us what the issue is (or at least if it's the camera or the cable/charger).

Also to verify, are you using OEM batteries? If not, that could also cause it not to charge, although most third party batteries (if not all) CANNOT be charged in the camera that I'm aware of. But only the OEM batteries can. I believe the camera can tell if an OEM battery is used, but I'm sure some third party mfrs are trying to work around that.

So if you aren't using OEM batteries or you're using an older version of the battery that maybe went bad, that could damage the charge circuits on the camera and could be one possibility (although unlikely). But doing the test I recommended with your Z6 will tell us more.

Click to expand...

The original Z6 might have lower charging system demands because it's older. I'm not reading reports here about the older models being as finicky about charging as the new ones.

Click to expand...

I don't think it does, as the Z7 (which used the same battery and pretty much same power requirements) shipped with the EH-7P which was 5V/3A (15W) and could charge the camera so I don't think the original Z6 was any different. I mean maybe if they put in fast charging into the Z50 II perhaps it requires a PD 2.0 or 3.0 adapter now versus the older revisions which were I think only 15-30W. But the OP did say it worked once and then stopped, so it makes me start think it's a camera problem regardless (now it's possible the port was damaged with whatever charger the OP was using, that's possible). Nikon may also uses fuses to protect the internals of the camera when shorts/under/over voltage occurs from charging, but that would have to be fixed by Nikon if that were the case. I know the FTZ has a fuse likely for the same type of reason (to protect the camera/lens from issues with power delivery).

Click to expand...

You mention Nikon providing a 15w adapter setup with the Z7/6, yet the new ones require a 27w or greater charger. I think that also means current at 9v versus 5. This would tend to support my supposition that the new cameras have more aggressive charging system requirements, even with similar batteries.

Mr Bolton said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Mr Bolton said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Hal Wilson said:

Bought on Monday. Charged via 20W iPhone charger; this seemed to work initially. But since then, it simply won't charge at all. Tried different leads, all work elsewhere. Tried spare battery, so probs not that. Nikon manual says that a charger of 27W/9v/3A should be used; is this true? My Z6 charges off any old thing. And the fact it initially charged up suggests there might be a problem with the camera. Anyone else got any insight into this? I'm wondering if there's a simple fix before I take it back to the shop. Very annoying I have to say.

Click to expand...

EDIT: If you didn't try already (you weren't specific in this) please try to charge your Z6 again with the same cable and charger and get back to us. If that works, then it's probably a camera issue. If not, then you may have your answer.

We need to try to rule out that it's not the charger and the cable, so by trying with your Z6, that will pretty much tell us what the issue is (or at least if it's the camera or the cable/charger).

Also to verify, are you using OEM batteries? If not, that could also cause it not to charge, although most third party batteries (if not all) CANNOT be charged in the camera that I'm aware of. But only the OEM batteries can. I believe the camera can tell if an OEM battery is used, but I'm sure some third party mfrs are trying to work around that.

So if you aren't using OEM batteries or you're using an older version of the battery that maybe went bad, that could damage the charge circuits on the camera and could be one possibility (although unlikely). But doing the test I recommended with your Z6 will tell us more.

Click to expand...

The original Z6 might have lower charging system demands because it's older. I'm not reading reports here about the older models being as finicky about charging as the new ones.

Click to expand...

I don't think it does, as the Z7 (which used the same battery and pretty much same power requirements) shipped with the EH-7P which was 5V/3A (15W) and could charge the camera so I don't think the original Z6 was any different. I mean maybe if they put in fast charging into the Z50 II perhaps it requires a PD 2.0 or 3.0 adapter now versus the older revisions which were I think only 15-30W. But the OP did say it worked once and then stopped, so it makes me start think it's a camera problem regardless (now it's possible the port was damaged with whatever charger the OP was using, that's possible). Nikon may also uses fuses to protect the internals of the camera when shorts/under/over voltage occurs from charging, but that would have to be fixed by Nikon if that were the case. I know the FTZ has a fuse likely for the same type of reason (to protect the camera/lens from issues with power delivery).

Click to expand...

You mention Nikon providing a 15w adapter setup with the Z7/6, yet the new ones require a 27w or greater charger. I think that also means current at 9v versus 5. This would tend to support my supposition that the new cameras have more aggressive charging system requirements, even with similar batteries.

Click to expand...

Perhaps but I would think that based on 7.6V and 1250 mAH it should still work with a less powerful charger like a 15W charger. The Zf they recommend a 27W charger but it's only recommended so it doesn't take forever to charge (I've used a 15W charger and it takes almost 2.5 hours to charge from what I remember). So maybe the "recommendation" is generally to just speed up the process.

According to this doc at least for the FF cameras, which are higher wattage, ones like the EH-7P should still work ,but they recommend higher wattages for faster charging:

https://www.nikonimgsupport.com/na/NSG_article?articleNo=000066794&configured=1&lang=en_SG

I still think for the case with the OP, it's either the charger or camera, so it wouild be helpful if the OP could tell us which charger they're using (make and model, and perhaps the output specs listed) so we can diagnose. So far I don't think this info was disclosed. My guess is that it either just barely makes 15W or cannot deliver a steady wattage so the camera eventually stops charging to protect iself. But 15W should work on the Z50 II if it can be used on the other higher-end (more power hungry Z cameras).

The EH-7P in my opinion seems to be more of a trickle charger or just a regular charger, but not a "fast" charger and frankly, fast charging may not be good for batteries long term unless they are specifically designed to do so, but even so, I don't think fast charging is good for any battery.

--
PLEASE NOTE: I usually unsubscribe from forums and comments after a period of time, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. Feel free to PM me if you have a questions or need clarification about a comment I made.

Any update on this?

Bob A L said:

Is this going to be a problem with more than just the Z50ii. Wife and I both have a Z30 which came without a charger, but did have a little short usbc cord included. I have only charged the batteries in the charger I had for my Zfc, so no problems thus far. But reading this got me to thinking, that I have no idea where the little short usb cord they sent is and if I ever have to try and charge the battery without having my Zfc charger, will I likely have problems. I don't. charge anything else around here with a usb cable, so unlikely to have a special cable handy.

Just curious?

Click to expand...

The Z30 might charge on just about any wall charger. I think PD charging is needed for the newer Z cameras that can both charge and operate from a charger at the same time.

My Z6 iii works with my tiny Anker wall charger . It has two 20w PD ports, both USB-3 (I think USB-3 signals might be required for PD?). It came with a thin, 3 foot USB cable, and that works fine with the Z6 iii charging, or I can use my 5 foot, high data rate USB-3 cable with this charger.

I see there's also a single port 20w Anker charger , for $16. I assume it comes with a cable, too.

The Z6 iii won't start charging with my other older wall chargers, that are 5V, 3A max, non-PD.

I have the 20watt Anker single and it works fine with my Z8, and Zf. I also recently picked up two dual 40 watt no names with 2-10ft 100watt cables. They work great also and cost me $10 on Aliexpress . When 2 devices are plugged in it delivers 20 watts to each device.

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

sirhawkeye64 said:

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

Click to expand...

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

AlainCh2 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

Click to expand...

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

Click to expand...

Had a short moderator imposed 'holiday'. Your guess is as good as mine as to why..

Just to reiterate; it isn't a charger or cable issue. Definitely 100% the camera. I'm guessing it may be a software bug that may be fixed in a future firmware update. It could also be a dodgy connection, perhaps a bad batch of those which may only affect a small number of cameras. Nikon have yet to respond to my queries so we won't know for a while at least.

This issue has made me really fall out of love with this camera. A major feature is the USB charging; as a 'travel' camera this would do away with the need to carry a separate charger, and just use the USB chargers I'd be taking anyway for my other devices. So if I can't use that, the camera fails in a pretty important way. My Z6 has no issues here, and neither did my Zfc. I do now have a battery charger; that itself took a lot longer to be delivered than expected.

If I do not get a satisfactory answer from Nikon Uk, I am going to return this camera for a full refund. Actually, I think I'm just going to do that anyway.I can't be bothered wasting time with things that don't work properly. I thought Nikon had a winner here; turns out it may well be a lemon.

Hal Wilson said:

AlainCh2 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

Click to expand...

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

Click to expand...

Had a short moderator imposed 'holiday'. Your guess is as good as mine as to why..
Just to reiterate; it isn't a charger or cable issue. Definitely 100% the camera. I'm guessing it may be a software bug that may be fixed in a future firmware update. It could also be a dodgy connection, perhaps a bad batch of those which may only affect a small number of cameras. Nikon have yet to respond to my queries so we won't know for a while at least.

This issue has made me really fall out of love with this camera. A major feature is the USB charging; as a 'travel' camera this would do away with the need to carry a separate charger, and just use the USB chargers I'd be taking anyway for my other devices. So if I can't use that, the camera fails in a pretty important way. My Z6 has no issues here, and neither did my Zfc. I do now have a battery charger; that itself took a lot longer to be delivered than expected.

If I do not get a satisfactory answer from Nikon Uk, I am going to return this camera for a full refund. Actually, I think I'm just going to do that anyway.I can't be bothered wasting time with things that don't work properly. I thought Nikon had a winner here; turns out it may well be a lemon.

Click to expand...

a couple of things:

1) Did you ever post a picture of the charger that you are using so that the folks here can verify if its a PD rated? a picture of the cable would also be good. If you are still using that Apple 20 W phone charger, it's not PD rated .

2). Assuming that you have a legit charger / cable combination, a brand new non -gray market Nikon camera would be covered under the manufacturer warranty so Nikon would fix or replace your non-charging camera at no cost.

Hal Wilson said:

AlainCh2 said:

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

Click to expand...

...
it isn't a charger or cable issue. Definitely 100% the camera. I'm guessing it may be a software bug that may be fixed in a future firmware update
....
So if I can't use that, the camera fails in a pretty important way. My Z6 has no issues here, and neither did my Zfc
.....

Click to expand...

I have a Z30 that charge no issue from whatever.
My Zf have nothing as that mood:
It need 5Volts -> at 4.7V it will never charge.
It need min 2A -> at 1.6A it will not charge.

If I'm able to give it a PD [charger + cable] it has no issue gobbling down power.

My main issue is I use an M.2 Hub to connect to the PC and then charge both cameras turning them OFF when Dropbox uploads terminates.

I solved my issue with a PD cable and using the only QSC3 port of the Hub.
Then dedicating them only to the Zf.

> The new Nikon cameras have higher USB Power requirements than the previous generations.


That port is not working with the Zf [4.7Volts], while perfect with the Z30


Switching ports solved the issue and now both cameras work and power up perfectly fine

I went crazy for two months until I found the USB Specs for the new Nikon camera in a Lost Chat on the Net with a Tech guy who did all the testing with a modulating charger
:-D

( I was thinking like you before, and I was ready three days later to service the Zf )

PS: it worked fine four months before the port went down to 4.7.
I bought that white tester after reading the specs

--

___.............................!............................ ___
-------- Mid of French/Italian Alps --------- I Love my Carnivores. >https://eu.zonerama.com/AlainCH2/1191151
.
Photography ... It is about how that thing looks when photographed..
( Avoid boring shots )

Hal Wilson said:

MrHollywood said:

Hal Wilson said:

Sadly, the problem has returned on the replacement camera. I'm going to call Nikon support on Monday to try and find out what is going on. I'm really hoping it's not an inherent fault. Rapidly falling out of love with the camera now; if I can't get an acceptable resolution to the problem, I'm going to return it for a refund and give up on the idea. Which will be a massive shame; otherwise, it's a fantastic camera. But if I can't actually charge the batteries in the manner Nikon state, then it's useless. The charger I've ordered from Nikon UK hasn't arrived, over a week after ordering. So I can't even charge batteries that way. But I will give Nikon the chance to rectify the problem before making any final judgments.

Click to expand...

No one else is reporting this and TWO defective bodies isn't likely.

Click to expand...

Others have reported similar issues with other Nikon cameras that use USB charging. and how do you know that two defective bodies isn't likely? Read my comments re batches. Entirely possible that a small number are affected by a faulty component.

Click to expand...

If it was a camera issue, this place would be lit up like a Xmas tree. Any tiny Nikon issue is amplified & blasted on this site...

Search for any issue Nikon (or any brand) has had, D7000 focus issues, D600 Oil, D800 AF issues, Z strap lungs, etc, etc, etc. and look at the multiple threads.

JJ

LastLapPass said:

If it was a camera issue, this place would be lit up like a Xmas tree. Any tiny Nikon issue is amplified & blasted on this site...

Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. See the Nikon Z6III flickering issue that has been beaten to the middle of Earth.

Hal Wilson said:

AlainCh2 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

Click to expand...

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

Click to expand...

Had a short moderator imposed 'holiday'. Your guess is as good as mine as to why..
Just to reiterate; it isn't a charger or cable issue. Definitely 100% the camera.

Click to expand...

I still don't believe this is the case. The odds of you getting two bad bodies vs something else in the chain failing (since this is the only report I've heard of in multiple forums) is not very good.

I'd guess either the cables or block can't provide proper charge to the camera.

Hal Wilson said:

I'm guessing it may be a software bug that may be fixed in a future firmware update. It could also be a dodgy connection, perhaps a bad batch of those which may only affect a small number of cameras. Nikon have yet to respond to my queries so we won't know for a while at least.

Click to expand...

They probably can't tell you anything other than "make sure you're using approved chargers/proper voltage/proper amperage"

LastLapPass said:

If it was a camera issue, this place would be lit up like a Xmas tree. Any tiny Nikon issue is amplified & blasted on this site...

Search for any issue Nikon (or any brand) has had, D7000 focus issues, D600 Oil, D800 AF issues, Z strap lungs, etc, etc, etc. and look at the multiple threads.

JJ

Click to expand...

Well, all the other issues you list were real issues, so I don’t know why a new issue can’t be discussed openly and frankly.

Hal Wilson said:

AlainCh2 said:

sirhawkeye64 said:

Peter3579 said:

Any update on this?

Click to expand...

Been a week now since the last update from the OP. My guess is that they either sent it in or found it was a charger/cable issue. Maybe PM them.

Click to expand...

I'm curious as well !!!

( Hopefully, the OP will reappear soon to tell us more )

Click to expand...

Had a short moderator imposed 'holiday'. Your guess is as good as mine as to why..
Just to reiterate; it isn't a charger or cable issue. Definitely 100% the camera. I'm guessing it may be a software bug that may be fixed in a future firmware update. It could also be a dodgy connection, perhaps a bad batch of those which may only affect a small number of cameras. Nikon have yet to respond to my queries so we won't know for a while at least.

This issue has made me really fall out of love with this camera. A major feature is the USB charging; as a 'travel' camera this would do away with the need to carry a separate charger, and just use the USB chargers I'd be taking anyway for my other devices. So if I can't use that, the camera fails in a pretty important way. My Z6 has no issues here, and neither did my Zfc. I do now have a battery charger; that itself took a lot longer to be delivered than expected.

If I do not get a satisfactory answer from Nikon Uk, I am going to return this camera for a full refund. Actually, I think I'm just going to do that anyway.I can't be bothered wasting time with things that don't work properly. I thought Nikon had a winner here; turns out it may well be a lemon.

Click to expand...

If you get a USB battery pack it will charge all your devices, and its USB-C port will charge even the most power hungry of new Nikon cameras. You can even use your existing 20w charger to charge up the battery, since you seem pretty determined to keep that one.




$18 at Best Buy. Will charge a Zf or your Z50 II, along with a couple other things in its USB-A ports at the same time. If this doesn't work, then the camera is at fault.

ryanschwartz80 said:

LastLapPass said:

If it was a camera issue, this place would be lit up like a Xmas tree. Any tiny Nikon issue is amplified & blasted on this site...

Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. See the Nikon Z6III flickering issue that has been beaten to the middle of Earth.

Click to expand...

'Fujifilm autofocus issue' has entered the chat.. reading some of the fora here, you'd think it is almost impossible to take a properly focused shot with a Fuji camera. It is a real issue, but like most such issues, it's blown out of proportion.