Have you ever been out capturing precious moments with your Instax Mini 7s only to find that it suddenly stops working? It can be frustrating, especially when you’re unsure of the reason behind it. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll explore the top five reasons why your Instax Mini 7s might stop functioning and provide some helpful solutions. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. The batteries are dead or dying
The most common reason for the Instax Mini 7s to stop working is depleted batteries. According to the manual, two new AA batteries can power the camera for about 100 shots or approximately 10 film rolls. Therefore, it’s essential to keep track of how many shots you’ve taken to avoid any unexpected battery failures.
Fujifilm recommends using batteries of the same brand and type, specifically alkaline batteries. If your batteries are dead or dying, you’ll notice either all the lights on the brightness adjustment dial blinking simultaneously or a red lamp illuminating beside the viewfinder.
To fix the issue when all lights blink, replace the batteries with new ones while the lens is extended (with the camera turned on). If only the red lamp is on, turn off the camera by pushing the lens back into the body and replace the batteries. If there’s no damage to the camera, this should resolve the problem.
2. The film was damaged or loaded incorrectly
Sometimes, the culprit isn’t the camera itself but the film. Faulty or damaged film packages can cause issues, but most problems arise from improper loading or handling techniques.
When loading the film, refrain from pressing the rectangular holes on the back or exposing it to direct sunlight.
Moreover, avoid opening the camera back until you’ve used up all ten shots. Opening it prematurely will expose the remaining frames and render them useless.
Lastly, when inserting a new film pack, make sure to slide it straight into the back with the yellow marks on the film aligned with the yellow marks on the camera.
3. You’re too close to your subject
If many of your shots appear out of focus, it’s possible that you’re too close to your subject. The Instax Mini 7s has a minimum focus distance of 60cm (or between 50cm and 35cm with the additional close-up lens attached). If you get closer than the minimum distance, the lens won’t be able to focus properly. This is particularly important to remember if you enjoy taking selfies or close-up shots.
4. Your camera needs a good clean
Just like any electronic device, dust and dirt can accumulate in the various crevices of your Instax Mini 7s. Regularly check for foreign objects in the film ejection slot and ensure that the lens remains free of fingerprints, dust, and smudges.
We recommend investing in a simple lens cleaning kit that includes items like a blower brush and lens cleaning cloth. The Camkix lens cleaning kit on Amazon is a great affordable option.
5. The camera was dropped or knocked
Accidental drops or impacts can lead to malfunctioning. If you notice that all the lights on the lens adjustment dial continue to blink or the red lamp beside the viewfinder remains lit even after inserting new AA batteries, there’s a good chance your camera has suffered damage.
The lens unit is the most vulnerable part, and you may experience issues like the lens not extending or retracting smoothly or the black lens cover failing to open. Other susceptible parts include the optical viewfinder, flash bulb, or the mechanical film roller used for film ejection.
To prevent further damage, handle the camera with care and be gentle when pressing the lens unit back into the body. It’s always wise to use a wrist or neck strap to avoid accidentally dropping it. If you’re skilled at fixing things, you can refer to a helpful replacement guide. Alternatively, contacting an authorized Fujifilm repair center is the best option.
Tried everything above and it’s still not working?
Sometimes, you may encounter more unusual issues with your Instax Mini 7s, such as the camera failing to display the number of shots left, ejecting all ten shots at once, or simply refusing to turn on. In any of these cases, it’s advisable to seek assistance from an authorized Fujifilm repair center.
If you found this article helpful, please take a moment to check out our other relevant articles: Instax Mini 9 Review and My Favorite Instax Mini 9 Accessories. And feel free to pin this article for future reference!
