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I've been recently getting the infamous "error 99" on my Canon Rebel XS, under very specific circumstances:

  1. Insert a fresh battery
  2. Turn on the camera
  3. Shoot one or more exposures
  4. Turn off the camera
  5. Turn the camera back on
  6. Press the shutter: error 99:

    Err 99

    Shooting is not possible.
    Turn the power switch to <OFF> and <ON> again or re-install the battery.

I understand that error 99 is the catch-all "something went wrong" error, so this could refer to anything from a lens problem to a battery problem to a CF card problem, etc.

In my case, I've tried some of the steps that seemed to work for most people, such as cleaning the lens contacts, recharging the battery with the cf card removed, etc. to no avail.

One suggestion that seemed to match my situation was to disable Automatic Sensor Cleaning. My theory is that this function only happens when turning the camera off, and my problem only occurs after turning the camera off.

However, I don't seem to be able to do it. I select "Auto Cleaning" in the menu, select "Disable", and return to shooting mode. I even go back to verify that, indeed, "auto cleaning" is still marked as disabled. And still, after turning the camera off and back on, I see it is marked as "Enable" again.

What could cause this problem? Am I even going down the right path?

bwDraco
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Ray
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    Stab in the dark: have you upgraded to most recent firmware? – Jakub Sisak GeoGraphics Jun 26 '11 at 12:53
  • Unfortunately I have no clue about the solution. But for completeness of information (so that the question can become a reference) could you explain what happens after point 6.? Does the error message go away if you switch off and on? – Francesco Jun 26 '11 at 15:12
  • @Jakub, I was on 1.0.5. Updated 1.0.7, and had the same problem (still get error 99; still can't turn off auto-clean – Ray Jun 26 '11 at 16:47
  • @Francesco, Once I get error 99, I cannot take any pictures until removing the battery and reinserting. – Ray Jun 26 '11 at 16:48
  • I'm having the same problem with my Rebel xs, Im almost certain the automatic sensor cleaning is causing the err 99 but I can't seem to turn it off. Did you find a solution or have to send it in for repair? Thanks –  Nov 27 '11 at 20:07
  • Did you solve your problem? If so, posting the answer would be nice :)
  • Since ERR99 can be anything, I'd turn the camera to a Canon Service Center and get them to look at it...
    • – matt.nguyen Dec 22 '12 at 17:06
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    Thanks for the follow-up. It seems to be the date/time battery, but isn't accessible on the 1000D. For some time I continued removing the battery each time I turned off the camera, but eventually my sister upgraded her camera body and I got her old one, so I suppose I solved it via other means. – Ray Dec 22 '12 at 18:05