richard Loc: Mamaroneck, NY

All of a sudden the camera has this system error (zoom) and nothing is working. It is a Panasonic TZ31.
I've turned it off and on several times, removed the battery, tapped on the camera, re installed the battery and I still get the same error message.
Does anyone have an idea what is wrong or what I should do?
Thanking you in advance.

Leitz Loc: Solms

What did Panasonic customer service say when you asked them?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Some electronics keep a residual charge, even a small internal battery - it is why you don't have to reset everything after changing the battery.

Try removing the battery, then turn the power on and off several times for at least 10 seconds or more. This will often drain that residual charge and then the new fresh battery will power everything up in a clean boot. Then you reset everything, sometimes this works.

But before you try that, make a note of the error code and look it up on line or in the Panasonic support site data base.
And yes, you might contact Support tomorrow during business hours and give them the error code and ask what it means and what to do about it before attempting any home brew repairs.

zenagain Loc: Pueblo CO

System code error "Zoom" indicates that the lens is stuck or misaligned.
Try turning power on and off while holding the zoom button down, or GENTLY tapping the lens while turning on and off. If these do not work look up on google, i am sure you will find other tricks to try and free it up.
Best of luck.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Panasonic has the nasty habit of charging for advise when a camera has been discontinued. They did it to me.
Ever since I am with Olympus.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Two You-Tube videos that address this error message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx8e0z0zsg4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H_quqjVBio

.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

OK, I did not realize Panasonic actually uses words for error messages, in this case "zoom". I am used to obscure combos of numbers and letters.

I looked it up and the article I found says it is most commonly a lens that is dirty - dust builds up to the point the strain to move the lens overloads the little motor, things shut down and you get the message. If you are really unlucky the motor actually burns out.
But it had a link to another article with pictures of how to disassemble the camera to clean the lens. YIKES! And it involved building one working camera from two with the same problem.
Personally I would get it to a good camera repair shop for a cleaning and if the estimate is just too much? Buy another camera.

https://techsparx.com/photography/repair/panasonic-lumix-system-error-zoom.html#:~:text=The%20System%20Error%20(Zoom)%20message,does%20not%20operate%20at%20all.&text=In%20the%20video%20it's%20explained,and%20harder%20time%20of%20operating.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Take out your manual. Look at the last part of the manual, usually under the heading of TROUBLE SHOOTING or something to that effect.
If it is not there look for the contact number for them in the manual, if it is not there, google this, "contact number for Panasonic camera's".