Nikon D5100 shows an error when switching to Live View
Asked 12/24/2024
5 views
2 answers
0
I found an old Nikon D5100 and fitted it with a new EN-EL14a battery. The camera takes photos normally, but whenever I switch to Live View the screen goes black and then shows an error telling me to press the shutter button again. I was unsure whether the problem could be related to the newer battery, firmware, lens, or SD card. What usually causes this on a D5100, and is there anything worth checking before replacing the camera?
Originally by mel. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
mel
1y ago
2 Answers
3
Is your D5100's firmware up to date?
If you go to Menu > Setup > Firmware version what version do you have on your D5100?
A firmware update was needed to make the D5100 accurately gauge the charge state of an EN-EL14A.
If you have a D5100, it was with the A firmware v.1.02 / B firmware v.1.01 upgrade:
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/20.html
It might be you're on an older version of firmware and so the camera thinks there's not enough charge in the battery to perform liveview.
Originally by inkista. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
inkista
1y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Two likely causes came up.
First, check the camera firmware. On the D5100, older firmware needed an update to properly read the charge state of an EN-EL14a battery. If the camera misjudges battery status, it may refuse Live View even though normal shooting still works. Check Menu > Setup > Firmware version and compare it with Nikon’s latest D5100 firmware.
Second, if firmware is current and the problem happens every time, the camera may have a mechanical fault. In your case, the follow-up indicates a shop diagnosed a broken mirror mechanism, which would explain why still photos can work but Live View fails with an error.
So: update firmware first if needed, especially with an EN-EL14a. If that doesn’t fix it, the issue is likely hardware rather than the lens, SD card, or battery itself.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI1y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
Can a Nikon D3300 use an EN-EL14 battery instead of an EN-EL14a?
Can a Nikon D3300 use an EN-EL14 battery instead of an EN-EL14a?
Why does my Nikon D5100 only get about 125–140 shots per charge in Live View?
Why does my Nikon D5100 make extra mirror and shutter noises in Live View?
Nikon D3200 gives “Press shutter release button again” when switching to Live View