Olympus Camera Error Messages

Solutions for common camera problems

When something goes wrong with your Olympus point-and-shoot camera, don't panic. First, make sure everything on the camera is tight, all the panels and doors are closed, and the battery is charged. Next, look for an error message on the LCD, which is your camera's way of telling you how to fix a problem.

The tips listed here should help you troubleshoot your Olympus camera error messages and fix problems with Olympus camera memory cards.

Olympus TG-860 Camera

Olympus

Card or Card Cover Error Message

Any Olympus camera error message containing the word "card" refers to the Olympus memory card or the memory card slot. If the compartment sealing the battery and memory card area isn't completely closed, you'll receive a "Card Cover" error message.

If you believe the problem is with the memory card, use it with a different device to determine whether it's malfunctioning. If another device can read the card, the problem might be with the camera. Try another card in the camera to see whether the camera is malfunctioning.

Image Cannot Be Edited Error Message

Olympus point-and-shoot cameras typically cannot edit images that have been shot on another camera, resulting in this error message. In addition, images you edited once cannot be edited a second time with some Olympus models. Your only remaining option is to download the image to a computer and edit it there.

Memory Full Error Message 

Although you may think this error message deals with the memory card, it usually indicates that the camera's internal memory area is full. Unless you have a memory card you can use with the camera, you'll have to remove some images from internal memory to alleviate this error message.

With Olympus camera error messages, memory card errors almost always contain the word "card" in them.

No Picture Error Message

This error message tells you the Olympus camera has no photos available for viewing, either on the memory card or in internal memory. If you see this message, make sure you have the correct memory card inserted. If you know there should be photo files on the memory card or in internal memory, yet you still receive the No Picture error message, you might have a malfunctioning memory card or internal memory area.

It's also possible the memory card you're using was formatted by a different camera, and the Olympus cannot read the card. In this case, format the card again using your Olympus camera.

Formatting the card erases any data stored on it. Download and back up any photos from the card before formatting it.

Picture Error Message 

The picture error message means your Olympus camera cannot display the photo you selected. The photo file may be damaged, or the photo was shot with a different camera. You need to download the photo file to a computer. If you can view it there, the file should be OK to save and use. If you cannot view it on the computer, the file is probably damaged.

Write Protect Error Message

The write protect error message usually occurs when an Olympus camera cannot delete or save a particular photo file. If the photo file you're trying to delete has been designated as "read-only" or "write-protected," it cannot be deleted or edited. You have to remove the "read-only" designation before you can change the photo file.

In addition, if your memory card has a locking tab activated, the camera cannot write new files to the card or delete old ones until you deactivate the locking tab.

Different models of Olympus cameras may provide a different set of error messages than shown here. If you see error messages not listed here, check the user guide for a list of other error messages specific to your camera model.

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