D5100 Mode Dial Quit Working: The Mode Dial on my D5100 seems to have forgotten what it's job is. One day it just Quit Working. Now it is stuck in Auto mode. The Camera repair man said...

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

The Mode Dial on my D5100 seems to have forgotten what it's job is. One day it just Quit Working. Now it is stuck in Auto mode. The Camera repair man said that he's never seen a mode dial quit working, but it is possible that the sensor may have gone out. Another repair bill that I cannot afford! Is it possible that I may have it on a setting that prevents the mode dial from working? I,ve tried everything that I can think of. Help Please?!?!?!

Elliern Loc: Myrtle Beach, SC

Audie Thornburg wrote:

The Mode Dial on my D5100 seems to have forgotten what it's job is. One day it just Quit Working. Now it is stuck in Auto mode. The Camera repair man said that he's never seen a mode dial quit working, but it is possible that the sensor may have gone out. Another repair bill that I cannot afford! Is it possible that I may have it on a setting that prevents the mode dial from working? I,ve tried everything that I can think of. Help Please?!?!?!

Odd problem. You can try to 'reset to factory default'.

I have no solution. But I would first google the problem to see if it has happened to many others
Then go to Nikon forums,
Then call Nikon and ask.

Actually, I might do the last item first. Good luck.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Audie Thornburg wrote:

The Mode Dial on my D5100 seems to have forgotten what it's job is. One day it just Quit Working. Now it is stuck in Auto mode. The Camera repair man said that he's never seen a mode dial quit working, but it is possible that the sensor may have gone out. Another repair bill that I cannot afford! Is it possible that I may have it on a setting that prevents the mode dial from working? I,ve tried everything that I can think of. Help Please?!?!?!

You mean you can't turn it? If so, remove the battery, turn the camera on, and hold the shutter button down for a few seconds. Then try it.

Also, try blowing some air under the dial. Maybe there's something stuck under there. Or slide a piece of paper between the dial and the body to see if something's in there.

Bret Loc: Dayton Ohio

Will the mode dial turn at all?

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

Yes, the Mode Dial does turn freely, it just doesn't change any settings. Tried blowing air as you said and I tried a razor knife blade to slide under the dial. Not enough room for the piece of paper as the Live View switch won't allow it. I Haven't lost Hope yet, but it does appear to be something internal. Thank you so much for your suggestion, and by all means, if something else comes to mind, please don't hesitate to comment.

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

Elliern wrote:

Odd problem. You can try to 'reset to factory default'.

I have no solution. But I would first google the problem to see if it has happened to many others
Then go to Nikon forums,
Then call Nikon and ask.

Actually, I might do the last item first. Good luck.

Thank you so much for your reply. I don't know why I didn't think of Googling it. I usually Google for everything else. If that offers no remedy then I will call Nikon on Monday morning, as they are closed now. Thanks again.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Audie Thornburg wrote:

Yes, the Mode Dial does turn freely, it just doesn't change any settings. Tried blowing air as you said and I tried a razor knife blade to slide under the dial. Not enough room for the piece of paper as the Live View switch won't allow it. I Haven't lost Hope yet, but it does appear to be something internal. Thank you so much for your suggestion, and by all means, if something else comes to mind, please don't hesitate to comment.

It sounds like a disconnect between the dial and the "innards." It should be a relatively cheap fix, probably replacing a little linkage.

picpiper Loc: California

"...does turn freely..." Are you saying there are no little clicks as the detents catch at each mode position? If you're not feeling the clicks it really sounds like an internal mechanical issue. If you're feeling the clicks then I would suspect an electronic or electrical contact problem. In either case I suspect it needs some professional attention.

Audie Thornburg wrote:

Yes, the Mode Dial does turn freely, it just doesn't change any settings. Tried blowing air as you said and I tried a razor knife blade to slide under the dial. Not enough room for the piece of paper as the Live View switch won't allow it. I Haven't lost Hope yet, but it does appear to be something internal. Thank you so much for your suggestion, and by all means, if something else comes to mind, please don't hesitate to comment.

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

jerryc41 wrote:

It sounds like a disconnect between the dial and the "innards." It should be a relatively cheap fix, probably replacing a little linkage.

Yup, I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to have to give my camera up for a short time and sent it in for repair. Now, to go to the shelf and pull out my old Canon 35MM "film" camera. I don't suppose that I'll be shooting as many photos as normal for the duration of the repairs. Thank you for your comments and expertise jerryc41.

Audie Thornburg Loc: Eureka, Kansas

picpiper wrote:

"...does turn freely..." Are you saying there are no little clicks as the detents catch at each mode position? If you're not feeling the clicks it really sounds like an internal mechanical issue. If you're feeling the clicks then I would suspect an electronic or electrical contact problem. In either case I suspect it needs some professional attention.

I feel the clicks, but nothing changes. Off to the repair shop it goes. :-( It's gonna be like being away from my best friend. We go every where together. It's back to my Canon 35MM for a while. Thanks for commenting picpiper.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

They break. It needs to be replaced. Nikon charged me $200 for a camera that had been dropped and landed on its control pod. They charge a flat rate, unless something major has to be replaced. This apparently is not considered major.

Al Beatty Loc: Boise, Idaho

Hi Audie,

If it proves too expensive to repair this camera listed here is a used one on eBay at a reasonable price (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D5100-16-2-MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Black-Body-Only-Shutter-Counts-9-139-/331147667705?pt=Digital_Cameras&hash=item4d19f068f9). You could use your broken camera in auto mode as a backup to this lightly used camera. Take care & ...

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hi. My name is Rick. Im the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. Ive been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair the camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If youre interested, please respond by private message or simply reply to this post.

Audie Thornburg wrote:

The Mode Dial on my D5100 seems to have forgotten what it's job is. One day it just Quit Working. Now it is stuck in Auto mode. The Camera repair man said that he's never seen a mode dial quit working, but it is possible that the sensor may have gone out. Another repair bill that I cannot afford! Is it possible that I may have it on a setting that prevents the mode dial from working? I,ve tried everything that I can think of. Help Please?!?!?!

thepicturesnapper

Had the same problem, with my 5100. I guess this is a common problem with the 5100. Had to send it back to Nikon and cost me $200 and had to wait six weeks to get it back. They told me that they had to replace the top unit of the camera.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

Hi.

I tried to reply to the email address you gave me but it doesn't go through. Please verify the address for me.