Getting an error 99 on my 30D. Help.

Question

I have been getting an error 99 when I try to take a pic with my 30D. The camera says to turn it off and then on and reinstall the battery. I did this, but it doesn't work. Does anyone know what causes this and how to fix it?

Answer 1

DubzMom, 
To isolate the cause of the error 99, we suggest that you try the following steps.  Your removal of the battery was a good first thing to try.  I'll have you re-do it here for the sake of going in order below   
 1.  Turn off the camera.
 2.  Remove the lens, battery, and CF card.
 3.  Allow the camera to sit without power for approximately 20 minutes.
 4.  Insert a fully charged battery, and turn on the camera.
 5.  Depress the shutter button as you would to take a picture.
Does error 99 still appear?  Please proceed with the following steps.
 6.  Format the CF card in the camera.  This will erase all data on the card so please be sure to save the images first. 
 7.  Also, please attempt the use of a new card properly formatted in the camera. 
 8.  Clean the lens contacts by gently cleaning then with a new, soft, micro fiber cloth.  If possible, please attempt the use of a different Canon lens on the camera. 
 9.  Turn on the camera.
10.  Depress the shutter button to take a picture.  Does the error 99 still appear on the camera? 
If multiple lenses cause the same error to be appear, then the camera should be sent in for service.  If only one lens causes it, then likely it's just that one lens which should be serviced.  You can set up service through our web site, here. 
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