Nikon D40/x Users / Discuss

jenn_jenn says:

clear skies, what mode are you using when it does that? did you try it on Auto? I am curious now. I hope everything is ok!!
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

clear skies & tail winds    says:

I have tried to use it in all modes with no luck.

My external flash, sb-600 works fine.

But the original flash makes that "click" sound as if it has not popped up! :-(
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

photofixation    says:

never heard such problem occurring to anyone. I feel it must be auto mode but as you said you checked all modes. Just try clicking in dark room and auto selected. I am assuming you have not disabled flash in settings.
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

clear skies & tail winds    says:

I actually havent used the camera in a week.... or maybe a bit more, and i noticed the flash wasnt working.

Im thinking the batteries MIGHT now have enough power. Both batteries are down to one bar.... and im at work with my camera but no charger.....

Could that be it? Low battery can anyone test this?
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

photofixation    says:

Possibly yes ! Low battery may disable flash. Try again by fully charging the battery.
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

Scott Sanders [ssanders79]    says:

I have been at 1 bar with the flash still functional.
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

jeffegg2    says:

It sounds like it could be the micro switch that tells the camera that the flash is open. perhaps the switch is stuck.
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

clear skies & tail winds    says:

well iv never had my flash not fire because of not having a fully charged battery.... but i think its something to what jeffegg2 says... although the switch seems to be fine...
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

Reneek_ says:

This kinda of scares me because the same similar situation happened with me with my Nikon Coolpix 5700.
Posted 57 months ago. (permalink)

laurieg27 says:

clear skies & tail winds, did you find out what was wrong with your flash? I am having the same problem with mine.
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

Walton Studio says:

Can you update us? What happened?
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

JAMND300 says:

Same thing happened to me, i am not sure what caused it exactly but same exact symptoms.

i sent it off to Nikon to get repaired - i believe it cost me roughly $16 dollars to ship my camera body to Nikon and about 2 weeks turn-around til my baby was back home.
Posted 54 months ago. (permalink)

Gerry Visco    says:

I love my D40 but the same thing happened to me for no apparent reason. The flash doesn't fire, though it does pop up. I've tried various settings to no avail. It has NOTHING to do with a low battery -- come on, that's something so obvious. I think it is some digital setting that is a flaw in the camera, since I've researched this on the internet and have manhy other people complaining of the same thing. I did have the same problem on my D70 but a guy in B&H fixed it -- not sure what it was. Help! I hate to send the camera to Nikon.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

soundman1024    says:

Roll your camera to any of the PASM modes then press the flash button to pop it up and see if it fires then. Sometimes in the Auto and Digi-Vari modes the flash will be up but it won't fire.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

Gerry Visco    says:

Thanks. I tried that but it didn't work. I didn't realize Nikon has a 24/7 customer service line (who'd a thunk it) and they were helpful, but they suggest I bring it to an authorized repair place or send it to Nikon. I'll keep you posted.
Posted 53 months ago. (permalink)

SammiSpatz    says:

I have this same problem, PLEAAAAAAAAAASE message me if you find a cure!
Posted 46 months ago. (permalink)

Mr Gausman says:

I had this problem as well.. brand new Camera,
just gave it back for the warrancy assistance once I got back from US yesterday... digging to figure out a possible solution... seems to be an "electrical" issue...
Posted 46 months ago. (permalink)

thebulli    says:

I have this exact same issue ... I have sent this camera in 3 times ... since I have had my camera for a year ... I feel I have only had it in my hand for 3-4 months ...

I am now going to send it back a 4th time ... I was even refused when asked to speak to a manager ... this has been super frustrating ... otherwise takes great pics ...

My D40 Flash nightmare

I have never even dropped the camera or exposed it to anything ... the most it has experienced is shipping bank and forth to Nikon ... Cannon here I come?
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

///Stenger    says:

I think it depends on what the light reads. I know at times mine will not go off, but if I make a shutter speed adjustment, it works.

Or it could just be a issue with the D40. Not sure. I try not to use flash when ever possible.
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

felixspencer2    says:

it's always possible that the bulb has broken, sorry don't know how to test if this is the case.
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

thebulli    says:

It makes that mechanical sound ... and pops. If i press 1/2 way down ... and release it fires ok. But the the first time it pops it doesn't register that it's open ...

I am so upset at service ...
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

Highly Dynamic says:

Same here. Out of nowhere my D40X flash is failing. Store and Nikon will not replace the defective camera.
Posted 41 months ago. (permalink)

.MB.Photography. [deleted] says:

sounds like you have defective cameras. do you have warrenty at all on your nikon? i know i bought a 4 yr warrenty at future shop for 90 bucks and they will replace it if anything malfunctions or fix it too
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

marc7654 says:

I've got a D40 ad have the same problem. Noticed it over Christmas and thought I had the wrong settings or something. But now that I've investigated it more It seems to be a problem with the D40
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

Mr. Ladue says:

I have also had the problem of flash not working on my Nikon D40. I found out the problem and I also made a quick video to help those who are having this problem. Here's the link to the video: Hope this helps !

www.vimeo.com/3141400
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

igotyofire says:

i have seen numerous d40s on craigslist for sale with flashes that do not work.....hopefully ull figure whats going on with them. Im glad my d40 works fine. What firmware are you running, because i never upgraded mine and am running the original firmware....the way i see it, if it aint broke dont fix it,lol. only reason ive put off upgradeding the firmware. hopefully in the future ill be able to upgrade to a d40 before that happens...also please let note us on what nikon charges to repair the flash as buying a sb-400 might be much more worth it depending on price.
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

camran2020 says:

Dear Mr. Ladue,

Your dicovery surely deserves a Nobel Prize. It worked for in a matter of minute. My D40 flash just wouldn't fire, it was exactly the springy wire had come of its position, just had to push it back. Million thanks. Cameran
Posted 40 months ago. (permalink)

listedm.i.a.    says:

This the 2nd time this had happened to my D40 also,I've had my camera for 3 years now.I called Nikon today and I guess I'll send it back if it happens for a 3rd time. I will be definitely selling my D40 and going with cannon.This is so frustrating I hope Nikon can investigate this camera flaw further.
Posted 39 months ago. (permalink)

S. Heinly Photography    says:

I've never had that problem with mine. April will make it one year.
Posted 39 months ago. (permalink)

Jock?    says:

I wasn't aware you could take photos with cannons.

Learn something new every day.
Posted 39 months ago. (permalink)

BDB3003 says:

I wasn't aware you could take photos with cannons.

Village. says:

There is a little black piece in the hole where all the wiring goes through that you see once you take your lens cover off. You need to pull that little black piece out more so that it lies right under the metal piece right above it.

It is used so that when the flash pops up, the black piece raises that metal piece to touch another metal piece that notifies the camera that the flash is up.

Ive been shocked 4 times trying to fix it. But it ends up working.
Posted 39 months ago. (permalink)

jbpanneton says:

Village,

THANK YOU!!!! You SOLVED my problem!!!

I can't believe it was that simple.....the little copper piece that makes contact with the other two little copper pieces was off the black post next to the hole which the wires go through. It was just like you said!!!

I recommend anyone with the same problem; the flash not operating when open, to try to fix it themselves before sending it out to be repaired. I ordered a new flash to tried to replace it myself, but I didn't have the guts to try to take the top of the camera off and solder the wires on. THANK GOD I DIDN'T!!!

This was just so simple and a quick fix!!!!

Thanks again for the insight!!
Originally posted 36 months ago. (permalink)
jbpanneton edited this topic 36 months ago.

WaffleZphoto    says:

I have read almost this whole discussion and have the same issue... I refuse to send it in because they lost my moms coolpix not too long ago Ny other ideas???? Thanks
Posted 32 months ago. (permalink)

WaffleZphoto    says:

Ok I'm with the person above my last post. Ifound the answer on another site with a photo of the problem and fixed it myself kinda scary but really simple thanks I will post that web link when I'm on a computer next I am on my iPod touch now thanks again :))
Posted 32 months ago. (permalink)

mycort1 says:

hey guys, really glad I was able to find this topic....man, I had my d40 for about 3 years now....worked great until now. I just turned it on one day and the popup flash flipped up but everytime i do press the button, the clicking flash would happen.

Now that there's an actual solution, I can't seem to figure out what you guys are talking about. what is that "black little piece". When you mean remove the "lens cover"....do you mean detach the actual lens away from the camera body? Please clarify what you guys are talking about....it's not quite clear on where in the camera should i make this fix on? if possible, maybe send me a pik of where to look for this......
Posted 23 months ago. (permalink)

bobbyr_001 says:

Watch this video it worked for me!!
www.vimeo.com/3141400
Posted 22 months ago. (permalink)

Ob_1 fotografy    says:

Thanks for the link. I tried it and it's working fine now.
Posted 17 months ago. (permalink)

WV Ron says:

I'm having the same problem with my D40x. I've tried to do this fix, but haven't been able to loosen the two screws. I've tried a #0-2 Phillips, and it just spins without biting into the screw head. I've looked at the screw heads with a magnifying glass, and they're not stripped out. Any ideas?
Posted 17 months ago. (permalink)

sholszewski says:

I have tried hooking the copper piece back over the black part that comes out (as in the video and suggested by Village) however no luck. It was actually already on there when I took it apart. Any other ideas on how to fix it??
Posted 17 months ago. (permalink)

intmid8rwc says:

Same problem with mine followed the example in the video and it were not for the broken post in my camera it would work. I noticed that the post in my camera was broken as soon as I took the cover off. There is no way for me to attach the copper connector to it so I guess it is off to the repair shop for this camera. Just know that the post that the contact attaches to is very fragile and if you aren't careful it will break.
Posted 17 months ago. (permalink)

intmid8rwc says:

WV Ron I had the same problem with trying to get the screws out of mine too. It has to do with the angle, just take the lens off the camera after you get the flash to pop up, it will make it easier to access the screw heads and get the right angle on them. On mine they seemed to be pretty tight considering their size.
Posted 17 months ago. (permalink)

Shaun Wamal says:

Ive been shocked 6 times trying to fix it. But it ends up working. (the last one was same unpleasant like the first one ) be careful !
THANK YOU Village. !
Posted 11 months ago. (permalink)

eternal_iternal says:

Could somebody help me how to fix our nikon d40 camera. The flash doesn't pop up. I try to all modes but suddenly the flash won't pop up. I set the flash and there is a lightning bolt symbol. I reset the camera. it doesn't work at all. Please help me to fix this. thank you.
Posted 9 months ago. (permalink)

modman_03054    says:

eternal - read the posts just above yours
this is likely your problem and solution
Posted 9 months ago. (permalink)