Canon S500 Error - E18.....help!

My camera (Canon S500) just screw up, I tried to turn it on, there is a "desssssss" noise. The lens zoom open only half way and the screen remain black and E18 is shown on the screen. I checked conon web site...couldnt solve the problem, so I'm trying my luck here to see if anyone had the same problem and if it can be fixed.

Anywhere in Montreal Area that I can bring it to repair and get an estimate?
*My camera is 2 yrs old..no more warranty.

did you try replacing the batteries with new once and see if lense will retract?

once my canon powershot a85 lense got stuck halfway. i had place newly (ultra brand nimh) charged batteries into it. perhaps it was cheap batteries or something. after a few shots, the lense got stuck. tried turning power off but the lense wouldn't retract. took out the batteries, replaced it with new alkaline batteries, (press power button or i didn't have to - i forgot) and the lense went back in. now it's working again.


don't know if this will work to solve your e18 error, found it via googling.

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-7593-0....sageID=1064946

E18 quick fix

I'm sure that every1 looking at this right now would love to be able to do a quick fix for the dreaded E18 error. Well, I have fixed mine several time in less time that it takes to take a picture. So here it is: This error occurs when the lens is "stuck" or not extending "straight". The error can happen in 3 ways: either when the lens wont "come out", or "comes out" and then retracts, or does not retract at all. Mine did all of these at one stage or another.
1) If the lens doesn't extend at all or it extends, but then retracts again, do as follow:
Turn the camera off. Place the camera on it's back with the lens facing up and have a look at the "spacing" between the lens and the lens housing. You'll probably notice that the gap is NOT EVEN all the way around. To fix this, simply -VERY GENTLY- press down on the side where the gap is the biggest. You will hear a "click" as it pops back in place. Try powering it back on.
2) If the lens is extended all the time and won't retarct at all, do as follow:
Turn the camera off. Take the camera in one hand and with the other gently, in turn, take the two part of the lens and gently move it round in a cuirclar movement. Do so with both sections of the lens. You will once again hear a little "click" as it pops back in place. Power the camera on.
This has worked for me many times and it seems to happen when the camera has been carried around and possible had a little knock. I hope this is of help to someone else.