Yongnuo YN560 III Speedlight Repair

UPDATE: The capacitor is black and it was just to the left of the fuse I tested the continuity on. I just fixed a YN560 IV and the capacitor was blue in color. I discharged it by using the light bulb connected to wires method as seen in other tutorials. The YN560 IV had a blown out fuse that I desoldered and replaced. Here's the part on Amazon: www.amazon.com...
My Yongnuo YN560 III flash stopped working and would not turn on, so I made a video showing how I disassembled it and was able to repair it. This is my first attempt at a KZbin instructional video. If you are not confident with handling electronics do not try this at home, just buy another one!
Please comment below if any information in my DIY tutorial was incorrect, so I can change it. Thanks to other KZbinrs for posting similar repair videos which helped me understand what I needed to fix my speedlight and to be very cautious and aware of capacitors that exist in electronic equipment such as this flash.

[@vince.bragat]

2024 Thank you for this Tutorial! i though my YN560 IV has an internal issue and abandoned it in storage for 4-5 years, and behold! Today i saw this video and knew it's just the corrosion on the battery contact points. cheers!

[@johnramirez460]

Yup, it happened to me too recently something so simple. I still run around with a YN560IV on a belt clip in 2024 for Real Estate photography though I've switched the rest to Godox. Glad it helped 👍

[@mh-qe4xi]

Thanks! I had the same problem with battery - corrosion on the contacts. Sandpaper an contact spray - fixed within 1 minute!

[@melm4499]

I will definitely clean the terminal. I have the same problem but I did not use my flash for 3 years and I did take out the batteries when not in use. Will try this before buying a new flash.

[@johnramirez4217]

Not likely the issue since you wisely removed batteries before storing it, unless corrosion from past use. Maybe the soldering connecting wires to the battery terminals were fatigued and finally broke? I made DIY dummy batteries and accidently put them in backwards/reversing the polarity which blew the soldering from overload. I switched to Godox TT600 cheap and equally good. Best of luck!

[@johnramirez4217]

Forgot to mention the obvious problem that's easy to overlook. Check the little metal battery spring contact plates to make sure they are fully extended and aligned. If even one battery is not touching both terminals, nothing will turn on. It happens...

[@samibrydan9467]

Thank you so much , I was but the battery in obesit way and store my tow speed light for 2 years, and after I wanted to work again with them , They doesn't work , and i found your videos which help me after I clean them by sterilizer . and they came to a life again . Thank you so much from Tobruk. ,Libya

[@KLNYC]

Same shit as mine.. I have had this flash over 5 years and over the Thanksgiving weekend stupid flash wont power up.. So i cleaned the terminal and fixed it.

[@markisee]

Great tip about the had sanitiser - thanks

[@bobng5888]

Thanks! I had the same problem with battery - corrosion on the contacts. Clean the contact using hand sanitizier but I have to use elastic to force down to the contact. Works for now, may be taking apart later to see what's inside.

[@Jason_Connolly]

Have a look with the batteries installed and the cover open, usually you will see one or two batteries sitting lower than the others (usually the negative ends of the batteries against the cover). Try using a paper clip bent into a hook at one end and pull up the battery contacts as they bend over with use

[@christopherleubner6633]

The contacts in these cam corrode and break easily. Fixed by soldering a spring contact from an old solar garden light. Never store these with batteries in them, batteries in before your shoot, and out right afterwards ❤

[@johnramirez4217]

Good tip, thx👍 Fortunately no corrosion yet since always remove batteries after every shoot.

[@babewebster]

Thank you!

[@svengeorgecysarek905]

great, thanks!

[@shestudio-stevenherrerafot5653]

Hello, my yn 560iii has started to recycle in 12 seconds when I shoot at 1/1, the problem is capacitor?

[@johnramirez4217]

Sorry never saw your message. You probably got a new one or fixed it by now. That would have been my guess too though.

[@avshalombarhum1861]

Hi. I had the YN560 IV flash and the power not turning on. I tried to clean the battery contacts as shown on your video even though it is in good shape and has no corrosion, but still, it won't turn on. Any advice? Thanks

[@johnramirez4217]

Anytime this happens to me, I first try new set of batteries (could be dead cell or battery contacts need cleaning as well), second check that the batteries all sit level in the compartment if even one is slightly lower it will stop flash from turning on. This happens because battery contacts are pressed down over time and the springs are no longer fully extended. I sometimes use tweezers or make a tool out of a paper clip to reach in and extend the battery contacts back up. Last, you could have blown a fuse, if so they are cheap $7, BUT if you do not know how to discharge the electricity stored in the speedlights capacitor it can shock bad enough hospitalize you, so I would just buy another speedlight. I now use Godox TT600, cheap $65 on Amazon. Hope this helps.

[@ianosnaznara899]

Hi,my yongnuo 560iv started whirring(not beeping). When I press the flash button it just pulses weak flashes. Any suggestions or recommendations?

[@johnramirez460]

This is a guess, so take with a grain of salt :) If the whirring sound is constant it almost sounds like the zoom mechanism which you're hearing (which moves into position on startup) is stuck on something, maybe a wire? If it were stuck running that might prevent the capacitor from fully charging and the flash ready beep from beeping. The test flashes would also be weak as a result. You could attempt to remove the case and see if zoom mechanism is stuck, at the same time check that the flash bulb filament is still good. Don't touch anything though without discharging the capacitor first. It could also be IGBT transistor I saw a post on. That would require soldering. I've only replaced a blown fuse, a flash bulb and broken power connection like in this vid. DISCLAIMER: I don't have any formal electrical training, I'm just a photographer so be careful and attempt at your own risk. Also, be aware the the top circuit board still has electricity even after you discharge the capacitor. I know this because I zapped myself last time I did this thinking everything was fully discharged. Good luck!

[@svspicturesarts]

i have same problem blue light flash not working plz some sugestion

[@johnramirez4217]

Sorry haven't had that problem. You're saying pilot light stays blue and doesn't turn red? Did you try factory reset? press both mode and illuminate/sound buttons to get to advance settings, scroll up or down arrow, until you get to "Cl ea" and then hold down the select button to reset.

[@9947635732]

I have the same problem.. Not yet repaired.. Blue light stays continuously on.. And won't change to RED.. What should I do?

[@balaraj3782]

Hello , I'm facing problem with 568exiii When I insert fully charged batteries ,after testing with 1/16 for three to four times ..the battery is discharging easily by one point...it's not even giving backup for 100 flashes on full charge..any suggestions wil b helpfull Thanks.

[@alfonsogalicia3709]

Hi... thanks by the video. Recently I was trying to use some kind of ac adapter instead batteries in all my flashes, and i got it. But for reach it I ruined 3 flashes. I ruined 2 Speedlite Pixel Mago, and 1 Speedlite X800C Pro; and It happened while i was conecting the flashes with cheap ac adapters having a short circuit. I already have dessembly all flashes but everything looks clean and nothing seems to be bad inside. ¿Where do you think i should start to find for fixing it? Thanks so much

[@johnramirez4217]

Hey Alfonso, I did the same. If positve/negative terminals still good like I showed in video, maybe the fuse blew? You can order fuses on Amazon for under $10, but you need to research which they take. I did it once for a YN560 IV and was a pain to install, but it worked. Check if fuse is still good by testing continuity between the terminals with a multimeter if you have one. Other than that maybe the capacitor? I don't know how to test/replace those, just remember to disharge them before trying it. Best of luck man, lmk if you figure it out.

[@stevenherrerash_portraits3881]

Hello, do you remember what values the capacitor had?

[@johnramirez4217]

Don't recall, but see if I can find it and let you know.

[@johnramirez4217]

Fairly certain this is it on Amazon: PoiLee Capacitor 470uf 16V Radial Electrolytic Capacitor 8x11mm 105 C (Pack of 10pcs) a.co/d/6tzJVfY

[@uptownphotography]

Is it hard to get to the on/off switch? My on/off switch on the Yongnuo 600EX-RT (for Canon models) is very loose and easily can move accidentally turning the speedlite off during a shoot. (my model has a 3-way rotary type switch..Off, Lock and On positions). It will actually turn past the full intended travel past the ON and OFF positions, now with the damaged switch. Still works but one could easily turn flash off by accident, so won't be reliable in the field). I bought it for a backup flash so not even sure how this happened. Thanks. Hoping you have a suggestion or can tell me how hard it is to get to the switch internally. Thanks. Philip

[@johnramirez4217]

Sorry Philip wish I could help. Never had that model so haven't had a chance to take it apart. I don't see any other repair videos posted on it either. Best of luck.

[@uptownphotography]

@@johnramirez4217 Hi John, I appreciate your reply. My on/off switch is in the same exact spot as your model, it is just a 3-way rotary type. When you had your unit apart, was your on/off switch easily accessible? That would be helpful for me to know that info this way I know that at least I'll have good access to the switch to try and repair/replace it. (Assuming I can find the correct part). Hopefully it's repairable so I don't have to look for the correct part. Thanks again. Your video is very helpful. Philip

[@johnramirez4217]

@@uptownphotography Looking at the video again, I would say no, it's not easily accessible. It looks like you have to remove the whole motherboard just to access it. If you do decide to go there, just make sure you know how to discharge the capacitor, definitely not worth trip to hospital or worse. I started using Godox TT600, relatively cheap $70 and work well. I prefer the quick on/off switch on these better.

[@riowibilaksono8754]

Is it same mecanic system with yongnuo 560 mark iv?..

[@johnramirez4217]

Same mechanism and basically same layout. The motherboards looked only slightly different. In my YN560IV the capacitor was bright blue and easy to identify so that I could stay clear of it when handling and discharge it before doing any further repair. They also use the same type of fuse.

[@aamishahmad]

I press power button and its on when i release power button its off.. Please solution ....

[@johnramirez4217]

Sorry Aamish, I have no idea, never had that problem. If switch broke, I don't even think you could buy a replacement for it. Would have to find another broken Yongnuo to use it for parts and probably wouldn't be worth all the trouble. I could be wrong, I don't have any background in electronics. Let's us know if you find the solution. Thx.

[@gammap6114]

Hi Aamish, I have exactly the same issue. The flash is fairly new. So no corrosion. Please let us know if you managed to get it working

[@alhudagalery]

Nyimak

[@stolenshotmotovlog]

I got problem low battery after i turned on.. Even i buy new battery after turning on a few seconds low battery is displayed.. what should i check?