Trying to Repair a Canon Vixia HF R800 Camera

My Canon Vixia HF R800 camcorder is not working. Can I fix it?
Yeah I hear ya, I'm doubtful too; but the way it is right now is no good, so what have I got to lose!!
In this video I completely dismantle this Vixia HF R800 camcorder to try and find out why the monitor screen is intermittent. I believe the problem could be related to ribbon cable connections or some such thing. We'll see eh!!!
What do you think? Is this a good idea? As it turns out, the camera worked when I was finished so all is not lost. I even think I made the camera work 'a bit' better at least!!!
Thanks a lot for watching everyone and I sure hope you give me a thumbs up and leave a comment.
Have a great week and we'll talk to yas ...
#grampiesworkshop
#canonvixiafix
#videocamerarepairs

[@haneyoakie14]

You are a better engineer than they are. You have it going with fewer parts, so your engineering is superior!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Ha Ha Ha!! Just imagine if I take it apart again, I could get a few more parts maybe!! LOL Great comment Tom and take 'er easy!!!

[@STTC]

Mike you deserve Canadas highest medal for bravery! I used to love taking stuff like this apart a few years ago but now I get so frustrated that I can’t see properly, I really hope you’ve cured something to keep that camera going 👍🏻

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Steve!! Brave or crazy, they say there isn't a lot of difference!! LOL My fingers are getting too fat and clumsy to be doing this kind of work. I was using the cheater magnifying glass a lot to get it back together!! Thanks for the visit and I hope the camera lasts too!!

[@ab-shop]

Hello Mike!You were very brave to disassemble an object so small but so complex and articulated, I would not have tried for sure! Then work with those tiny screws, for me an M4 is already small, maybe yours were M2 or M2.5! Wow ... in Italy we say that working with very small objects is "like putting your shoes on flies"! 😂 Congratulations you managed to reassemble it, it is not trivial! See you soon Mike, good super weekend !! Alberto

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Ciao Alberto!!! Putting shoes on flies is a good way to describe this. Man there were a lot of screws and I ended up with 3 extras!! Now I have some spare parts!! So far the camera is working but it's not perfect. Better than it was though. Thanks for watching and take care!!

[@gatorsworld]

As we could see the pieces coming off I had visions of that camera never working again but low and behold....it’s still working. You were hiding from us that in your previous life you use to be a watch repair man..... Well done and I hope it keeps on working for you......CHEERS

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hey there Gator!! Can you imagine doing this kind of work all the time!! Man oh man, your eyes would be out on your cheeks eh!! I was some surprised the camera worked. It's not perfect, but better than it was and still takes good videos!! Take care!!!

[@RCAFpolarexpress]

Mon ami, vous êtes un véritable magicien électronique et c'est merveilleux 👌😇👍🧐 Bonne semaine 🍻🍻

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Comment ca va mon ami? Je n'est pas un magicien, Je suis vraiment chanceux!!! Je suis tres heureux aussi car le Vixia ca marche encore!!! Merci d'avoir regarde la video Dave et je vous souhaite une bonmne semaine!!! A la prochaine!!!

[@DIYMyWay]

Hi Mike! Well done! I hope your efforts pay off with a fixed screen. That was an intricate project and you now have 3 spare screws! Seems like a win to me. Take care.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hey there Martin. I was some surprised when this camera worked again. It's not perfect but a lot more usable than it was. And with 3 screws left over I now have a spare parts stash for it!!! LOL Thanks for watching and take care!!

[@HuntingFarmerOfficial]

You found the problem Mike!! It had three too many screws! 😂 You are braver than I to tackle those little parts!! 👍

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? There sure were a lot of screws. I tried to mark them down so I could get everything back together, but as you saw, 3 screws left over. But you're onto something there, these must have been the problem parts!!! LOL Take care and thanks for the visit!!

[@EverydayProjects]

@@GrampiesWorkshop I always have a few parts left over...I call it inventory. How do you think I filled up my shop, eh?

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@EverydayProjects For sure, if you need parts restocked, take something apart and put it back together again and voila, spare parts!!!

[@tree_carcass_mangler]

Great job taking that down and reassembling it, and getting it to run again. When I was a kid, I once took a lawnmower engine apart & reassembled it, with parts left over. Unlike you though, it would no longer run. That was in auto shop class. I failed that lesson. Thanks for rekindling that memory! Thumbs up!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I always liked to take things apart to see how they worked too!!! I was some surprised that the camera worked after this job. It's not perfect but usable now at least!! Thanks for watching!!!

[@bdogjr7779]

Awesome Grampie📽《☆》Wow It seems those 3 screws are the cause of the malfunction eh🍺🍕Nice work Brother👍😎☮

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Bdog!! I think you might be right!!! Without those screws it seems to be working a lot better!! LOL Take care!!

[@thebeardedstork432]

Mike, you Sir are one brave soul! Nicely done!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Brave or crazy, I think it's a fine line eh!!! The camera is working better and usable now at least but it's not repaired perfect. It was good fun!! Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@jackcollins2344]

The white board says it all LOL !!!!! Thanks Mike

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I'm not too sure how much an elephant would cost but it would be nice to have that much cash on hand eh!! I could buy something else for the tractor!! LOL Thanks for your visit tonight Jack and take 'er easy!!!

[@tinkeringtaylor3053]

Really good video Mike, I do hope you have fixed it, you never know if something has come loose and with you stripping it down and rebuilding it you may have solved the problem 😀

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I was hoping that maybe it was a dirty connection Nev. It seems to be working better now, but every now and then the screen doesn't come on. But it's better than before so progress made!! LOL Take care!!!

[@bernieclancey9430]

Hi Mike. I hacked about 6 Sony cameras to use as a trail camera. I found when tearing them down it was handy to put a wide piece of double sided tape across the work bench. Then as you take screws out you can stick them to the tape and mark where they came from right on the tape. Maybe a tip for future reference should you open a camera repair shop. Great video and keep them coming. Oh, and I do have a couple cams that need repair if your interested.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello Bernie, nice to see your comment!! That's a good idea about the tape trick. I tried to write down where the screws came from but then I couldn't understand my notes!! LOL If it's OK with you, I think I'll pass on repairing those cameras for you!! LOL Thanks for dropping by and take care!!!

[@loggerjohn01]

You are a very brave man my friend. Somewhere in China, there is a Chinese engineer pulling his hair out right now watching this. LOL. There are always screws left over with stuff like that.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? This is not a job you want to do sober!!! LOL I was happy the camera worked when I was finished and now I can continue to use it!! Thanks for the comments John. Take care!!!

[@davessmallenginerevival2847]

WOW Mike I don't think I could have tried that, I would have taken it apart and probably just give up and throw it in the trash. You put it back together and it WORKS!!! Great job my friend

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I lucked out on this job!! But the camera wasn't any good before I started so I didn't have much to lose. LOL The camera isn't perfect though but at least it's usable now. Thanks for the comments Dave. Take care!!!

[@tractortalkwithgary1271]

I don't argue with results Mike. Sometimes things just need a little adjustment. Like me, I think I need an attitude adjustment. Glad your camera is once again working.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The cameras is working but it's not perfect Gary!! But talk about a surprise when it actually worked!!! LOL No harm done and the camera is usable again. Win - win!!! Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@BruceLyeg]

Scared yourself a little when you forgot to open the lens cover, didn't you? Nice job Mike. I wouldn't have even attempted it!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Bruce!! You noticed that eh. I was figuring it wouldn't work after the 'brain surgery' and when it didn't light up I thought it was toast, then I remembered the lens cover. I was pleasantly surprised when it lit up!!! And it still makes good video!! Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

[@180Floridalife]

Hey Mike that was some great camera surgery 👍👍 great job 👏 been trying to catch up with everyone been so busy getting ready for my big move have a great one ☝️

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'"? Thanks for taking some time to watch. I can just imagine what it must be like. When we moved from town to the camp here at the lake I near went crazy and it was only an hour away. You're moving days away. Wow!!! I think I'd rather take my camera apart again!!! LOL Stay safe!!!

[@russellbelliveau1694]

Pretty brave Mike holy moly! Lol I had faith you’d get it working again! Great work bud.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she gin'? It's working but not perfect. Still a few issues, but the monitor works and it still takes good videos. It wasn't usable the way it was so being brave wasn't needed to tackle this job!!! Take 'er easy Russell!!!

[@gravelyman]

Hello Grampie. With all those screws 3 left over is not bad. I hope it stays working for you. Stay well my friend 👍

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!! So far Arty the camera is working good. I'm posting a vid tomorrow that I used this Vixia newly repaired camera to shot and it worked great!!! Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@hossdunn8727]

You are one brave man great video hope it keeps working for you

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Hoss!! You and me both will be very happy and surprised if this keeps working. So far so good though. Man there are a lot of screws in these little puppies!! Take care!!!

[@janetdickson4451]

Wow I certainly wouldn't attempt taking something that complicated and small apart and you even got it back together and working. Hope it keeps working for you . Ha ha money doesn't buy health or happiness so don't wish for it too much.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Well we sure make good use of the elephant maybe!! LOL

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Janet does Mike take his superman shirt off at night or does he sleep with it on? Lol. 👍

[@janetdickson4451]

@@rogermcdonald1607 Ha ha Roger - no superman shirt just that Mike is a super guy.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@rogermcdonald1607 Ha Ha Ha!!!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@janetdickson4451 Awe gee, now my face is as red as my cape!!!

[@macfarms]

I think I had a couple of those at one time. Broke the screen on one but the other worked when I sold them lol. They did the trick.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I really like the Vixia. It does everything I need in a camera. The GoPro Hero 9 is nice too with lots of various settings. Thanks for the comments and take care!!

[@GardenTractorBoy]

Great job getting the camera apart and it is even better that you got it back together and it is working. With any luck it was just a loose connector which you have fixed. I think something like that is far too small and complex for us to tackle

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hey there Joseph!! There sure are a lot of tiny screws in the camera. Quite the engineering feat to design this camera and have everything fit together like it does. I was some surprised that the camera worked after the 'brain operation' but it did and still takes good video. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@hossdunn8727]

Hope she works out for you you are one brave man keep up the great videos

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? So would that be brave or crazy? LOL I did get it working a bit better but still not perfect. Thanks for the support buddy!!

[@MannistoCay]

Man oh man, Mike I heard their having trouble with the space station, you might want to give NASA a call to arrange a repair flight. 😂 Good on you bud for fixing up the camera. 🍻 🛠🪛⚙️

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The camera wasn't working too good and was basically no good at all, so taking on this job was low risk!! I was some surprised that it worked when I was finished. There sure is a lot of tiny screws in the camera and no 2 are the same!!! LOL Take 'er easy!!!

[@rammerron2460]

Hello Boys, my wife feeling left out LOL Good videos!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Sorry about that. But I did ask how is 'she' going so I guess I'm trying to include the women!!! LOL I sure don't mean to leave anyone out, but "How's she goin' boys" is just a local greeting. It's all good. Thanks for the comment though. I do need to pay attention to who may be watching. Take 'er easy and I hope you can come back again soon!!!

[@mikecurtis2585]

Wow good luck 👍! Hope it works nice for you!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!! Well Mike so far so good. I was some surprised, and happy, that it worked after that brain surgery!! LOL Take care!!!

[@rogermcdonald1607]

Hi Mike. Your braver than i am. My eyes are bad enough to not try that task. I hate when i take something apart and dont really find anything wrong. I hope it keeps working for you as its been a great camera for you. You seem to be doing good with the Hero 9 and i cant wait to here your thoughts about it. Stay safe my friend!🇨🇦🇺🇸👍Roger

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Roger since this Vixia wasn't much good in the condition it was, I figured I didn't have much too lose, so I tried this repair. I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out too. It's not perfect but it's usable now and still takes good video. Thanks a lot for tuning in old friend. I sure appreciate all your support!! Take care!!!

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Mike, An enjoyable video, thank you... I had a broken screen on one of my Olympus camera's, I sent it for repair as I am not as brave at you... Take care. Paul,,

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The camera wasn't working good enough to use so I had little to lose trying this job. As it turns out the camera is working but not perfect, but it's usable again so that's good!! Thanks for tuning in and take 'er easy!!!

[@twinbrookacres]

Good job, Mike. I often don't have the patience now for an intricate job like that. Through the entire video, I was wondering how many screws you would have left over. If I was doing the repair, I would have had at least 2 or 3 screws left over, too! I hope the camera gives you many more years of service!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Mike!!! Since this camera was basically useless the way it was I figured I didn't have much too lose by trying to take it apart. Ending up with 3 screws left over was kind a miracle for me I have to say!!! But the camera is working again. It's not perfect but it's usable. Thanks for watching and take 'er easy!!!

[@stevoj8959]

Gutsy move on your part to take that apart, I would have done the same thing. The repair would have been more than a new camera. I dropped my camera last winter and it cost me 650 to get my lens repaired. I bet it felt good when it fired back up again. Thanks Mike. Stevo

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Stevo!! It did feel good, but when I first tried it the lens cover was closed and the monitor didn't fire up. That scared me. But once the lens cover was opened, it was all good. Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@IrishChippy]

I would think it was either the ribbon terminals not seated or the flip switch stuck. We will never know. That camera has hdmi output so you could use with a computer monitor if you were stuck next time. Hopefully there will not be a next time. Take care Mike & Nannie

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hello there Pascal!! Yes it does have an HDMI and when I saw your video about the remote display I thought the timing was incredible. That display would be perfect. The camera is working better but not totally fixed. Every now and then the monitor won't come on. Oh well, it's better than it was!! Take care!!!

[@CountryLivingWithTheHarnishs]

Great job you are always a hoot LOL

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? This wasn't working too good to start with so I figured I couldn't make it much worse. As it turns out, for the time being anyways, it's working better!! Sure nice to see your comments. Take care!

[@DIYVariety]

Lol three screws left hey lol it never fails mike. i was doubtful you would get it working but you got her done

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Never say never eh!! 3 screws left and the camera worked. No one more surprised than me. LOL Thanks for tuning in and take care!!!

[@DIYVariety]

@@GrampiesWorkshop Lol

[@houndsmanone4563]

Grampie, that's nothing I'd fool with. Heck, I have enough difficulty dealing with big screws and bolts much yet little itty-bitty screws and o-rings. Well, I enjoyed watching you disect the motion camera. It sure is a neat looking camera. I too had my two camera's go tits-Up on me last year so I broke down and bought the camera I use now. It's the Canon M50 Mark II. It came with a lens and I just ordered a zoom lens for it yesterday from Amazon and that zoom lens cost about half of what the dang camera body itself cost. So who says KZbin doesn't pay? Well, it doesn't pay me one cent but I sure paid out of my pocket for nifty cameras and other gadgetry. Hope your Hero camera does a super job for you and lasts more than four years. Have a fine week and I'll see you in your next video. Don 👍🏽🤠 7/12/22

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks for the visit Don!!! The Vixia is at least usable now although it's not perfect my any means. And since is wasn't usable before this job, I guess it was a success!!! LOL We sure can spend money in a short while buying cameras. The GoPro Hero 9 seems like a decent camera but has a lot of different settings. No too sure if I'll be able to figure out all the bells and whistles. Take care!!!

[@mudnut59]

A big thumbs up for your effort, and it seems to work, Yea!!! How did the video work out, Just wondering.... Good Job Buddy!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? The camera worked!!! Wow, I was some surprised. It takes good video still so it's good. Not too sure how long it will stay working as I really didn't find any 'faults'. I was going to include a video in this post but this video is already too long!! Take care!!!

[@OpenAirOutdoors]

Well time will tell Mike! I use that same camera, its a good one👍

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? It sure is a nice camera eh. It doesn't take 4K videos but to me that was not an issue. The audio is great and the files were easy to access and edit. Just good camera. That must be why Canon stopped making it!! LOL Thanks for watching and take care!!!

[@EverydayProjects]

@@GrampiesWorkshop Marc could test this camera in a lake for you Mike...soak it at 50 feet for a week and see what happens. I love the water test for unruly equipment!

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@EverydayProjects Hey Marc are you up for this test? LOL

[@DriveShaftDrew]

wow with 3 screws to spare oh well at least it works for now lol guess time will be the real test but good job either way its better then not working at al;l

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Hey there Drew!! I knew going into this that if the camera didn't work at the end it would be OK. Well was I surprised when it worked!! Take care!!!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Great compact camera my FRIEND! What movie editing program do you use?

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

Good day eh!! I love this Vixia and was sad to see it not working. It's working better now but not perfect!! Oh well. BTW I use Open Shot for a video editor. I like it. It's free and pretty easy to get onto and lots of tutorials on KZbin. Take care and thanks for the visit!!

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

I just use iMovie and Pronto for text…..Do you copyright free music in your videos?

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

@@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead No, the music I use I get from KZbin Studio. It's free to use and I like to add the creator's credits at the end just in case!! LOL I like the way you edit your videos too. You are good at using iMovie. I have never tried it. I would like to get something that would help me make better thumbnails though. Do you use anything special for that? Or do you just screen capture and use Pronto for the text overlay?

[@user-lg1xm2tg6e]

لوسمحت انا معايا كاميرا كانون R806 مشط بصمه الزوم المتحرك مقصور ومش لاقي حل ممكن افادة

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Thanks for watching and commenting. I tried to translate your message and I think you're asking me if I know where you can get parts for your Canon camera. I'm sorry but I don't know where other than sending the camera back to Canon for repairs. They have repair depots around the world. Hope this helps. Have a good day and take 'er easy!!

[@RONIXPRODUCCIONESGT]

hello, I have a panasonic, note that it charges, but it does not turn on, what could it be?

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Wow I'm sure no expert, as was seen in this video, but usually 'not powering on' could be something simple. But a lot of cameras use solid state switches so I'm not too sure. Sorry I'm not much help but thanks for dropping by and asking though!! I hope you can get it repaired and back working again. My camera still works but the view finder screen almost never comes on now. I think the camera could be repaired but it was almost $300 for them to look at it and they wouldn't guarantee it could be repaired. Not worth it to me. Take care!!

[@SteelBenderMan1]

Great work Mike, I’ve a HF R80 with a cracked display. Do you know of a parts source?

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Welcome to the channel and thanks for the nice comment. I don't know of any parts suppliers. My display works only some of the time so this repair attempt didn't really solve anything. It was interesting trying thoigh. When I checked the camera repair websites for 'technical help, they showed an estimated charge for overall general types of repairs. I think to fix the display it was something like $265 Canadian plus shipping. Well the camera wasn't worth that to me although I think it was a very good camera. I ended up buy a GoPro Hero 9. That isn't too good a camera either. Way to many 'setup' modes and the touch screen is very intermittent to use. Thanks again for the comment and sorry I couldn't help you out with a parts source!!

[@MissouriOldTimer]

I have a vixia 700 but I think that's too delicate of an operation for me to undertake.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? It sure was delicate Vernon. I was some nervous removing those ribbon cables and then I needed the cheater magnifying glass to get them back together. What a nice surprise when it worked!!! LOL Take care!!!

[@haneyoakie14]

You can get an elephant at the zoo for peanuts.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Oh no you can get an elephant for peanuts? And I thought it would be at least 20 bucks or more!! LOL Thanks for the visit and take care!!!

[@EverydayProjects]

That's not a camera...it's a signal light. It's working, it's not working, it's working, it's not working...that's the sure sign of a signal light. Intermittent...yep, for sure that's a signal light. What made you think it was a camera???There's always the lake nearby for the float test if need be. Any help needed don't hesitate to ask.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? I should have tried my trailer light tester box on it instead of stripping it down like I did. Man there are a lot of screws in this camera and I don't think there are 2 the same either!!! Anyways, it's working better now and I didn't need to do the float test!!! LOL Take care!!!

[@ourfam6671]

Oh my goodness why is it going so fast I’m trying to see where the parts go

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? Welcome to the channel. This was pretty intense eh!! Sorry I didn't go slower but you can run the video at a slower speed and pause it to watch it more closely. After I finished this 'repair' the screen worked but it was about 2 months later that it went dark again and now it works only about 1/10 of the time. Kind of makes the camera useless. Too bad too because this was a really nice camcorder. I checked into sending it to Canon for a repair job, but I think they wanted something like $264 just to look at it and then the costs of repair would be added onto that. With so much newer and cheaper technology out there when it comes to video cameras, I went down the 'get a new camera' road!! I got a GoPro Hero 9 black. A pretty nice camera but complicated to use, or at least I find it so. The touch screen doesn't work all the time either and that sure is maddening. Thanks for tuning in and I'm so sorry this video didn't turn out better for you. I hope you can come back to the channel and watch some of my other videos though. Take care and have a great week!!!