How to fix the Nikon DSLR "Press shutter release button again" error. Works on D40 D60 D3000 D5000

[@LolaIsMyDogsName]

I am a professional camera repair technician with 21 years experience. The problem with the D40, D40x and D60 cameras is either sand/dirt stuck in the red gear OR the motor is bad (dead spot). Most of the time the motors are bad & need to be replaced. If you turn the gear and the camera works for a while and stops again the motor is bad. Look closely at the red gear - see any sand or dirt stuck in a gear tooth? If so, pick the stuck piece of sand out of the gear tooth and you should be good to go. It is ok to blow compressed air onto the gear while operating the camera to help clean the gears. Most importantly, these cameras do NOT NEED LUBRICATION. Lack of lubrication is NEVER the problem. Please do not spray lubricants into a camera unless you want to ruin it for good. Good luck with getting your D40, D40x or D60 going agin!!

[@TheQwertyfish]

Mine turned out to be a bad motor. Do you happen to have any instructions on these @Matt F? is a bad motor replaceable DIY style? my camera isnt under warranty anymore and there aren't any local dslr repair shops in my town.

[@monteen8219]

i have D60 and now its broken . it's show ' press shuter release button again' but when i open the lens and i found the mirror was stuck . its not going down . so what should i do ? sorry my english is bad . please help me

[@abhinaya4312]

hi i am also a technician .nikon d 40 when i clean the red gear.2-4 times shutter clicked but press shutter release buttom again appeared showing

[@Michael00000001]

Maybe I ruined my camera now but first I cleaned everything and it did not work (I also did not see any dust or so at the beginning). Then I did exactly do what's shown in the video - and it did not work. After thoroughly spraying and wait a little bit and doing 100s shots or so everything went smoother and smother and now it seems to work (a couple of 100s shots so we'll see). What you're saying: most probably I will have the problem soon again and it's the motor!?

[@corynnedignan3388]

Hi, Matt. How much would the motor cost for a D60? Your disclaimer is what's happening to me: works for a shot then stops. I am noticing that I can turn the red gear freely in one direction but sometimes when I turn in in the opposite direction it gets tight. Is this supposed to happen or does that mean I need oil?

[@amabitsapiens]

Thank you for the video. To anyone who may be struggling with this, I have a D3100 (DSLR) - the shell is configured differently, and the bottom doesn't pop off as shown in this video. In my case, I discovered that the problem was not the red gearwheel anyway, but rather the mirror, under the lens. I fixed it with a video entitled "D3100 Mirror Fix" - thanks for the video, nevertheless! :)

[@hermespampa8598]

Hello my friend. Could you fix your camera? After a while that solution is durable? Did it continue to work well or did it have problems soon? Thank you very much and excuse my bad english. Regards from Argentina.

[@Deontjie]

But can you guys play rugby?@@hermespampa8598

[@rayalevesque]

I got a Nikon D40 at a yard sale with a dead battery and no charger. After getting a new charger and 2 new batteries I found that the dreaded "Press shutter error" on my $60 find rendered it useless. Your fix worked perfectly. Keep track of the screws and where they go as they are two different sizes. Rotated the red gear back and forth several times, reinstalled the batteries and pressed the shutter button and voila the shutter works again and my d40 is back to taking pictures. Thanks to your tutorial I am now the owner of my even dozen of Nikon Cameras.

[@jacko101]

Good news!

[@UrbCrafter]

Worked like a charm for my $23 shipped from eBay, Nikon D60 Black Gold Edition in the box with all accessories papers and books, 3300 shutter count.... You made my day, thank you...

[@pauloraraujo]

Smashing advice, Steve! Works on the D60 too, in that case, 9 screws to be removed including 2 on the lens mounting curvature and one hidden under the battery door flap! I'm sure it's saved me a bomb on the (lousy) Nikon service!

[@CrakShaft]

THANK YOU! I tried it on my D5000 and it worked! I turned the little red wheel, checked the button, turned it again and so on, until I heard the sound of something dropping from the wheel mechanism. Must have been a small piece of plastic jammed in there (a few months ago my camera had an accident and a little piece of the lens frame got chipped of, that must have been it, I guess) I hope it doesn't happen again.

[@redvale6045]

thats exactly what happened to me thank god i found this video

[@vinithkumar7120]

Red Vale is it working ??

[@vinithkumar7120]

Red Vale is it working ??

[@joelboateng3569]

I have 5600 is there any solution with newer models?

[@deajae1974]

BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! My D60 stopped working on the first day of a holiday and i was expecting a big repair bill when i got home. But i watched your video and tried it on my return. Fantastic, so clever, so simple, so effective. Thank you so much. you have just saved me a small fortune. Thank You.

[@deajae1974]

It's a quick fix that doesn't last. the comment that mentions the flat spot is right. I fix it, take 8 photos and fix it again. Repair it or buy a new one, Sorry guys.

[@johnpoutney9404]

Cracking video. Fixed my D40X in about an hour. That includes going to local B&Q to get the Silicon spray and to Tesco's to get precision screwdriver set. Under £ 10 for the lot. Saved me a fortune. Thanks a lot

[@SleepUnpluggedPodcast]

Steve, you have just saved me a minimum of $190 dollar and a lot of time and headache. When I opened up the bottom of the camera, there was a tiny piece of black plastic jamming the gear wheel. As soon as it was removed, the problem was solved and the camera was back to working perfectly again. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to post this video.

[@jacko101]

That's great news William! I'm really happy when I can help people out. Thanks for the comment.

[@baryhuang]

I even drill a hole under my D40x, and use tape to cover it. Whenever, it stucks, I peel open the tape and move it ...

[@TJKHADKA]

I am also having same problem, while I am in Canada Tour..... I will try to fix it with this tutorials. Thanks Steve Jackson for your guides and video

[@Islandwoman221]

You, Sir, ROCK!!! Many blessings upon you!! Worked a treat with my D40X, just had to be careful not to strip the screws. THANK-YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Bonsignore4U]

Just fixed my D40 watching this video.. Thank you very much

[@maplewoodsp]

I like this video, but I would not attempt to spray into a camera. Spraying may cause no harm, but.... I would apply a drop or two on a toothpick or something allowing more control. This is apparently a problem on the D60 as well. I wonder how many shutter counts accumulated before this is a problem. Shutter counts are found in EXIF data on Flickr for some cameras. Cheers

[@1Goat717]

I solved the problem myself with just a very simple method and very little cost, and so far my D60 has clicked over 10,000 shots without any issue.

[@suemiles7169]

How do you remove the cover to open the Nikon DSLR 3200 to fix the shutter release problem?

[@jf8220]

The other videos loosen the shutter inside the front of the Nikon. Why do you go under the base plate?

[@jblack8027]

Thank you so much for sharing this! Was able to get my camera working again today after following these helpful instructions. :)

[@jacko101]

Glad I could help you out

[@MarioMartinez-xl5bc]

@@jacko101 oi foi de muita ajuda, mas faço 10, 15 shots and the problem apears again,..

[@EdVidz]

The camera baseplate is at the very bottom of the camera, one piece, and thin. Why do you also remove the screw at the very top of the battery chamber which is located at the top of the camera to remove such a small piece from the very bottom of the camera? Curious.

[@brianlange77]

Awesome -- thanks for saving us a ton of unnecessary money at a camera repair shop!

[@Ivanan94]

what recommended brand of silicon oil can be used?

[@leonardrou]

If it's stucked upwards, just push it slowly with your finger to the right position.This worked for me ! I use a Nikon D7000.

[@jpartnersreengineeringcons5286]

thank you, on the process of updating the firmware on my Nikon d5000 it went off without competing the process, since then the camera is off can somebody help please?

[@masajesandrei]

Thanks , your video help me for fixing my D40x. Now work again.

[@jacko101]

That's great news!

[@mistaskate8715]

I have a similar problem, but on my D5000. I can shoot 1/250 s exposures and shorter, but the images come out darker than normal and out of focus. Longer exposures result in "Error press the shutter release button again". I tried this, but with no luck. Any ideas??

[@davidcarr8575]

Superb video. Note that my Nikon D40x has slightly different screw positions but simple enough to sort out. Quick question - I don't have any silicon spray lubricant, but I have a light oil lubricant with teflon. Could I use that, or do I need to go out and buy the silicon lube?

[@jacko101]

David Carr There is some debate as to whether lubricant will help or if it’s actually the motor that has lost power. I think any lube will do, just don’t get any inside the camera, only on the wheel.

[@jpmagg3]

This worked well after I managed to lock up the mirror inadvertently and then got the error message...thanks!

[@layla8mayville]

Thank you for showing how to do this! It worked for the Nikon I had with this error.

[@stevewozniak7694]

Thanks Steve for a succinct video. I was able to put the first screw back in by first putting the screw in the bottom frame and then mounting the frame and the screw together onto the body. I think mine got stuck because I was holding the shutter button half way pressed for too long waiting for a perfect shot. I might've caused the motor to overwork.

[@dovalenano2]

Hi. I'm having this error only if I don't use aperture f/3,5, other apertures gives the error. What can I do?

[@keithwong1423]

Thank you Steve for this tutorial. A real lifesaver

[@Joinwithmeonmyjourney]

Thank you! Nice tutorial. Fixed my good old D40. Almost thought I had to throw it away.

[@hermespampa8598]

Hello Ken. Could you fix your camera? After a while that solution is durable? Did it continue to work well or did it have problems soon? Thank you very much and excuse my bad english. Regards from Argentina.

[@SuperEaglebeak]

what kind of silicone grease? where do you get it?

[@tamarapounds1860]

We'll, Steve, your instructions are simple and brilliant. Alas, I clearing have a serious problem and need to take my D60 to a professional repair shop. But, I'm a fan and subscribed to your channel.

[@jeremysmith9800]

I'm getting this error on a *brand new camera* that I haven't properly used yet. I'm not sure if I should use this fix or send it back and get a replacement.

[@jacko101]

You should send it back for a replacement as it's still under warranty. Don't open it or the warranty will be void!

[@airboss66]

I used this great tutorial to work on my D60, in my case I have another problem. After freeing gear and lubricating my problem is intermittent. I've come to the conclusion the mirror box motor has a flat (dead) spot. Replacing looks way past my experience and repair is more than camera is worth.

[@LolaIsMyDogsName]

Yes, the motors go bad (dead spot). As a professional camera repair technician I replace them all the time.

[@airboss66]

Matt, sorry I did respond sooner. I'm not sure what I'm going to do since I still have D40 as backup. Do you have a flat rate to replace motor? Thanks HB

[@saipratap1120]

Hi sir. I have a d70s camera It has a multi shutter problem It means when click the shutter it will automatically skipped, and the shows on the display error. After clicking the second time shutter action twice but photo not taken. And finally press the 3 rd time take the pic. Tell me what I do Plz tell me solution

[@jonknight6100]

Thanks Steve. Fixed my D40

[@jacko101]

Great news!

[@aneyesky]

Beats my “ just bang it against the tree” method. Thank you for the great vid!

[@jacko101]

To be honest, I didn't notice if the red gearwheel moved side to side. I assume the problem is due to friction, and the small motor can't drive the mechanism. When mine stopped again, I cleaned the wheel, reapplied grease and moved the wheel round until it worked again.

[@adamsturdy321]

What screwdriver do you use?

[@creativenasim4778]

Sir please help me my camera is showing this press shutter release button again and the camera's live view mode is not working.whenever i switched to live view mode the camera shut down.is this same problem as this video??

[@manda4363]

Brilliant it worked, thank you so much. Been looking at new cameras and so glad did not order one last week. I had only done 15800 shots and hope I still get double that out of this camera, use it a lot in the heat!!!

[@thewanderinglambs918]

worked! damn this camera was stucked for a long time. turned the gear for sometime until I did not feel any tension in turning the gear. high probability that some dust got clogged in the gears. thanks!

[@przemyslawkijewski]

I had the same problem and I fixed it with the same way like in video. It helped but not for too long. It worked couple days and again stuck. Steve any idea? I've noticed that this small red gear also moving aside - just a little bit. Is it normal?

[@bagomyanmar]

Will this work with a D3100?My cD3100 shutter is stop working and don't know how to fix it??

[@TheVerciis]

Thank you, D3000 works again.

[@armandozertuche4054]

I wanted to use my DSLR after a few months of not using it. It's only been about 3 months, it was in it's bag, and I took it out and I test shoot some pictures and then this error came up. I've tried fixing it with other videos out there and it didn't work. I'm going to try this method to see if it'll fix it. I'll update this comment later. Edit: what kind of screw driver should I get to open the bottom screws?

[@JohnMascarinas]

can i ask what is the main cause of this problem??... i also experience this kind of problem in my Nikkon D60

[@Dammie2great]

Can this method work on Nikon D80? When I press to take picture, it sound like it does take picture, but no picture taken, no flash. Yes, i do have memory card. I heard its shutter problem? the one behind the lens? what is ur say?

[@janussQv]

Ah - encountered this problem on d40 with ~45k shutter count.. havent tried lubricating the wheel, but just cleaning it did not help.

[@D33PDIV3R]

Dear Steve, thanks for the guide, it helped, however after approx 500 expos, the error comes up again. Any ideas to fix this?

[@jacko101]

It might be that the motor is weak needs replacing.

[@D33PDIV3R]

Thanks, I will give it a try.

[@NikhilNevrekar]

Steve J just my Nikon D750 starting the problem and it is under warranty so what is your opinion sir.

[@jacko101]

If it's under warranty use that first.

[@glennmoody4186]

Took all of 5 minutes!! Thanks you!

[@episto]

Hello sir. I have tried this and it works for 1-2 shoots and then its error again. Can I move the gear all the way around? Thanks.

[@opablo_gm]

This worked perfectly on my old Nikon D40x that I left unattended for 1 and a half years... It's clearly a lubrication problem.

[@LolaIsMyDogsName]

It is NOT a lubrication problem. The problem is either a bad motor or dirt/sand stuck in the red gear. I am a professional camera repair technician, we replace motors all the time. Again, lubrication is NOT the issue.

[@MissHitAllTheTime]

@@LolaIsMyDogsName so is there anyway to take the motor out to check for dirt or sand??

[@MissHitAllTheTime]

@@LolaIsMyDogsName so is there any way to take the motor out to check it for dirt or sand?? my camera is only coming up with this type of error when i use shutter speed 1/125 and anything slower...but then it use to be anything slower than 1/60. weird huh???

[@GoldenNuggetRec]

this sorta worked for mine, but a while after spraying the lubricant the camera wont turn on anymore. i fear i may have shorted it. so i dont recommend the silicone spray.

[@Muhammed12ish]

I did it but after few shots it comes again ! please help !

[@corynnedignan3388]

Mine too. What did you end up doing? I have a D60.

[@kishorechandra4924]

@@corynnedignan3388 any solutions ? I've same issue with my new d3500 :( What could be the reasons?

[@MissHitAllTheTime]

hi does this work for the nikon d3400??

[@323Silvia]

really useful.I fixed my camera. thank you so much.

[@jacko101]

Great to hear, thanks for the feedback.

[@seaweed7298]

what oil did you use?

[@angelick1315]

Does it work with nikon d3500?

[@marguerite928]

Wow! I wish I had seen this video a year or so ago. I purchased a new camera last December because I did not want to pay Nikon $160 to fix my shutter error. I'm going to give it a try and if it works at least I will have an extra camera to give my daughter!

[@morningmadera]

Hi guys, can anyone tell me how do I know that the shutter is the problem? I have the same error, but everything seems to work fine. The mirror is working properly, I think; And I can see the shutter "thingy" moving when I take pictures. Can this error be something else then shutter or mirror?

[@omarg6022]

If anyone here came to this video having there D3500 giving the same error despite the shutter working just fine I was able to fix it by literally taking apart the entire thing and putting it back together after finding nothing wrong with it. My issue was due to shock damage but I believe what fixed it was resetting the cache by unplugging all the ribbon cables and draining any residual power in the capacitors. This is just my assumption and I have no conclusive evidence.

[@onwells]

Is this a recurring issue or sign of a bad camera? Just bought a used D5000 and this error popped up after 3 days

[@jacko101]

I'd say you have a problem with the camera. Get a refund if you can.

[@faizanrafique7129]

Facing "ERR" message on D90 camera LCD - Could you please guide me on this if anyone is having experience for the same - Please help

[@mama2nicnryl]

I am having the "Press shutter release button again" error with my Nikon D60. I tried checking the mirror inside the lens area, it wasn't stuck, I tried rolling the red thing on the bottom of the camera, it would work for one picture and then I would get the error message again...Any ideas?? I'm so frustrated!

[@harsharanw]

Thank you so much. It works well with my D3000. Great instruction!

[@hermespampa8598]

Hello Harsha. Could you fix your camera? After a while that solution is durable? Did it continue to work well or did it have problems soon? Thank you very much and excuse my bad english. Regards from Argentina.

[@jdresh5065]

What u use for spray lubricant

[@jacko101]

I used silicon spray

[@tinalane1987]

my d80 is showing an err can't see anything in view finder I have tried cleaning the risk conectors but no change I have checked mirror ...I'm crying :( nothing seems to work I need help :(

[@MrYoda1919]

Thank you so much.. Fixed the old dx40 shooting again...

[@hazsunsetsphotography8261]

Will this work on a Nikon D-80?

[@Panamafotografo]

Hi i have D5000 and it recently started giving me the same error, so I followed your video step by step and it was not working at all then suddenly I went to my menu and selected the sensor cleaner (which i am sure is set of to whenever i turn the camera off and on) and it stopped giving me the error. :/ so I honestly dont know whats going on. I am sure it will give me an error later on (i have a photoshoot today so the error went away for good)

[@RachelSpring85]

I'm having this problem now, so glad I found this! Do you have a recommendation for the brand or type of grease?

[@cbarcena74]

Thank You! It worked!! Me and my Family are so thankful for your advice!...

[@newbollywoodmoviescollecti8322]

sir when i rotate the red colour wheel . the shutter is moving up.. why

[@mr.tusetsky7737]

The video doesn't play

[@Skydiarizz]

Yeah lol wtf

[@albertb.6977]

thank you soooooooooooooooooooo much.. i had watched another video that made us buy a part replacement..BUT YOUR VIDEO IS GREAT.. EASY TO FOLLOW..

[@honvee]

It works ! My D40 was abandoned for a couple of months until i performed this. Much Thanks !

[@1Goat717]

I have the same problem but I could not solve it completely with just turning the gear or adding some grease to it. The solution above only works on my D60 for a couple of shots. The root cause is the dirtiness on motor brush/collector. As you can see with just a lightly touch on the gear to move the motor brush/collector to the right angle to get good contact then it works again.

[@tomasbarlow]

Thanks Steve, you sounded so calm and it fixed the problem. Nice one :-)

[@alexispratt1]

I did all that and the gear jam up again when i put the cover back on any ideas?

[@janagram10]

Well shoot! I went to try this and used my screw drivers for eye glasses and it is to big! What size do I need?

[@robertomanzo7956]

what is the part number plase o motor

[@jimboi17]

yep.me too. any alternative solutions? Thanks!

[@TheQwertyfish]

I found that for the Nikon D40 you don't need to remove the screw inside the battery compartment. The bottom cover will still come off, just to save the d40 users the trouble! (The screw is responsible for the tightness of the shutter release button I think).

[@moshmosh1677]

my shutter is not working??? i dont know if its true but i will try it .. help me please!!!!!!!

[@bgbugg]

Thank you for making this video Steve Jackson. I will let you know if this works for me, I have to go out and get a small enough screwdriver after work tomorrow, wish me luck.

[@sebas8462]

Does this work on Nikon D3300?

[@se6175]

Hi I did it but after few shots it comes again atar 1 min error message again

[@marcialortiz7765]

thanks , it worked with my camera D40X, I fix it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@93OldGregg]

Will this work with a d3100?

[@josewilsondelimalima1409]

Bom dia !! amigos(a) minha câmara é a D40 Nikon

[@jacko101]

I don't know. But you could remove the end plate from the camera and see if there's a gear wheel.

[@MrSpikez4444]

top lad D60 still running like a boss haha thank you :)

[@senoharyo]

Is it work on Nikon d800? Please help me :)

[@Astonishing36]

Thx so much. Fixed my camera in 5 mins

[@Manny_News_Blogs_Tutorials]

Is this the same problem when you got shutter error when your so-called "shutter count" on a DSLR expires? My Nikon D90 already have 200,000 shutter count on it but has never have problems with shutter mechanism yet. My problem is the shutter switch itself which is depressed and leaving with no halfway switch to focus the lens.