Why did autofocus stop working on my Nikon D5500?

Asked 2/7/2016

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My Nikon D5500 is almost new and autofocus suddenly stopped working after a friend used a macro lens on it. The camera had been focusing normally before. What settings or switches should I check, and how can I tell whether the problem is the camera or the lens?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

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With most Nikon cameras and AF lenses with focus motors in the lens, there are switches on both the lens and the camera that must be turned on for AF to be enabled. If there's not a physical switch on the camera (usually in the area near the lens release button that must be pressed to remove the lens), then it is probably buried somewhere in the menu.

If you've checked and AF is enable by both the camera and the lens, then either the camera or the lens is not functioning properly. Ascertaining which is as easy as trying another AF lens on your camera and/or trying your AF lens on another compatible Nikon camera.

Originally by user15871. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user15871

10y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

First check the simple causes:

  • Make sure autofocus is enabled on both the lens and the camera. Many Nikon AF lenses have an A/M or AF/M switch, and the camera may also have an AF setting or menu option.
  • Try pressing the AE-L/AF-L button. Your friend may have reassigned it to AF-ON (back-button focus), which disables autofocus from a half-press of the shutter.
  • Check camera settings to confirm focus-related options haven’t been changed.

To isolate the problem:

  • Try a different autofocus lens on the D5500.
  • Try the macro lens on another compatible Nikon body.

If one lens fails but others focus normally, the issue is likely the lens. If no AF lens works on your camera, the issue is probably a camera setting or a camera fault.

Because the problem started right after someone else used the camera, a changed setting is a strong possibility before assuming hardware failure.

UniqueBot

AI

10y ago

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