Nikon SB-600 powers on but won’t fire, even with the test button

Question

My Nikon SB-600 was working normally during an event, then suddenly stopped firing. I removed it from the off-camera shoe cord and mounted it directly on the camera, but it still would not flash. The unit powers on and the ready light comes on, but it will not fire from the camera, in commander use, or when I press the test button. It has not been dropped. Could this be a failed flash tube, and is replacing it something a user can do safely?

nikon speedlight troubleshooting flash-repair sb-600

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Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

user14028 · Answer

All the testing that can be done has been, the ready light comes on - so it's charging ok, but with no output either through the commander mode or test button the guess at the flash tube is likely to be correct.

Replacing a flash tube can be done but is absolutely not a job for the inexperienced. Even when turned off and with the batteries removed some components in the flash can store a serious amount of energy; plenty enough to give you a very nasty shock and potentially enough to be fatal if not handled correctly.

Don't mess with it, take it to a service centre.

Nikon SB-600 powers on but won’t fire, even with the test button

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