Nikon D7100 green memory-card light stays on and camera won't start
Asked 11/23/2013
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2 answers
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My Nikon D7100 stopped working after I reinserted an SD card and tried to format it. Now the memory-card access light stays on even when the camera is switched off, the top LCD is blank, and the camera won't function. The SD card works in another camera, and the problem happens in either card slot. Could removing or reinserting the card while the access light was on have caused this, and is there anything I can try to reset the camera?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
2
This may or may not be the issue with your D7100, but the Nikon (Blinking) Green Light of Death has cropped up on several previous Nikon models. Some folks have reported this fix:
- Turn the camera off, then pull the power switch all the way past On over to the lightbulb.
- Hold it there for a few seconds with your fingernail, then pull your fingernail straight off of it so that it 'flicks' back using the force of the spring. It should have enough energy from the spring to 'flick' all the way back to Off.
- Here's a link to one discussion at dpreview.com that discusses the issue and this solution.
Other online reports say that pressing the shutter button while the camera is off will stop the problem.
Others report the same problem but the 'switch flick' didn't work for them and the camera had to be repaired by a Nikon service center. Usually one of several circuit boards has been replaced. It is usually the same board for each particular model with the (B)GLoD problem.
For more, please see this answer to What to do when my Nikon DSLR back LED keeps blinking, draining the battery quickly?
Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user15871
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
This sounds like a lockup that some Nikon users describe as the “green light of death.” Removing or inserting a card while the camera is active can cause trouble, so avoid doing that if the access light is on.
Things reported to help:
- Power-cycle reset:
- Turn the camera on, then off
- Wait about 5 seconds
- Remove the battery (or disconnect AC power)
- Wait a little while
- Reinsert the battery
- Turn the camera on again
Some users say this may need to be repeated, varying how long the battery is left out.
- Switch “flick” trick:
- With the camera off, pull the power switch past On to the illuminator position
- Hold it briefly, then let it spring back fully to Off
- Some also report pressing the shutter button while the camera is off can clear it.
If none of these work, the camera may need service. Since the card works in another camera and both slots show the same behavior, the issue is likely the camera body rather than the SD card.
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AI12y ago
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