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Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

Started Jul 28, 2013 | Discussions
jamesblk New Member • Posts: 11
Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

Hi All,

I just bought 2 new 600 ex-rt and I put the batteries in and I keep getting the dead battery symbol- I have tried everything, changed batteries 5 times, I looked on line in another forum, and looks like many people have had the same problem- I read to try to turn it on and hold down the two clear buttons, that did not work- Can anyone help me please???? I have a shoot Sunday evening and the camera store is closed

Mesie

filibuster
filibuster Veteran Member • Posts: 4,417
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

What are the ratings in mAh of the batteries you are using?

I’m cutting and pasting a response from another forum from someone with the same issue. It may help!

I had the same problem, I tried with my Eneloop but got the battery indicator, then tried with some alkaline (Duracell) and the same problem, however I left the alkaline batteries in for a few minutes (I think the flash was OFF meanwhile) and after that it worked, seems like the system needed to get some juice into it first.”

I might suggest you also post this in the other Canon forums too. You may get more volume responses if you cover all bases.

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OP jamesblk New Member • Posts: 11
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

Thanks so much! I will give it a try

duffydog1 New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash
1

I found the problem after a lot of continuity tests. On the cover of the battery compartment is a SLIDE to open the unit to remove the batteries. This slide also acts as a switch to connect the two metal contacts inside the cover. Very carefully spay Contact Cleaner between the plastic and the metal piece that is connected to the slide. Switch back and forth a few times. Turn the flash to the ON position, put new batteries in and then push the cover back on. IT SHOULD TURN YOUR FSH ON. If it does not, do it a few times more. Should work! Good Luck!

For a very expensive flash it is a very poor mechanical design indeed.

emacpro New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

Thank you very much!! This worked perfect for me. I had to repeat the steps a few times, and the Flash cut right on!

Rodger in Edmonton
Rodger in Edmonton Veteran Member • Posts: 4,599
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

... was having the same issue today and cleaned the oxide off all battery contacts & silos and it seemed  good to go , now its constant.

Will try leaving it for a while with batteries out and in. Took 000s last summer w/o this much fritziness.

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KronicOutkast New Member • Posts: 1
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

Hey, I’ve had this problem and sometimes forget what causes it for me. Mine can always be fixed by taking the flash cover off and then turning it on, if only I would stop forgetting. Hope this post reminds me in the future and maybe helps someone else.

Rodger in Edmonton
Rodger in Edmonton Veteran Member • Posts: 4,599
Re: Dead battery Symbol on Canon 600ex-rt Flash

KronicOutkast wrote:

Hey, I’ve had this problem and sometimes forget what causes it for me. Mine can always be fixed by taking the flash cover off and then turning it on, if only I would stop forgetting. Hope this post reminds me in the future and maybe helps someone else.

Following up on Kronic's observations, this started happening to me - I think it is from low power in the transmitter but low batteries in 1 flash seems to lose the link if it has any flash has a chance to sleep. Usually turning 1 flash off then on solves it but I have had to turn everything off, re link etc.

The may have to " formally" set in group mode I was thinking too - I would call canon if it was a pro shoot.

it can drive you nuts when " all the stars align in the composition" but suddenly there is no link - a real freak out ensues - I have aslo avoided it somewhat by just keeping on clicking or resrating the flash myself so reset internal timers etc.

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