How to fix your digital camera
While you can't open up a camera or camcorder and fix it quite as you can with a PC, you still have a number of ways to prevent camera or camcorder issues from ruining your perfect shot or cinematic masterpiece.
If your memory card isn't reading or writing properly
Some memory cards - usually SD cards - have a small notch that can lock the card in 'write-protected mode'.
If your card has that switch, try flipping it back and forth - it might be stuck. If the switch is broken, however, you can't do much besides buying a new card.
Sometimes cameras have problems using memory cards that have been formatted for use in other cameras.
In that case, back up your data on the card and reformat it in the new camera; you should then be good to go.
If you're having image-quality problems
Repairing a point-and-shoot camera's lens or image sensor typically isn't worth the time, effort, or technical expertise needed, so if yours was damaged you're probably looking at getting a new camera.
However, you can try a few other things before buying a new camera.
First off, wipe the lens with a soft dry cloth (don't do that thing where you breathe on it first - the moisture can fog the lens over time) to clean it.
If you're seeing a lot of 'noise' in your images, see how a few shots at a lower resolution come out; if your camera has a smaller lens and a high-megapixel image sensor, you might be better off shooting at a lower resolution unless you absolutely need high-res images for large prints.
Also, check your ISO settings (if your camera lets you tweak them) - read this piece on avoiding digital noise in your photos.
If your audio feed is crackling
Your external microphone connector might be loose. Secure the connection, and try again.
While you can't open up a camera or camcorder and fix it quite as you can with a PC, you still have a number of ways to prevent camera or camcorder issues from ruining your perfect shot or cinematic masterpiece.
If your memory card isn't reading or writing properly
Some memory cards - usually SD cards - have a small notch that can lock the card in 'write-protected mode'.
If your card has that switch, try flipping it back and forth - it might be stuck. If the switch is broken, however, you can't do much besides buying a new card.
Sometimes cameras have problems using memory cards that have been formatted for use in other cameras.
In that case, back up your data on the card and reformat it in the new camera; you should then be good to go.
If you're having image-quality problems
Repairing a point-and-shoot camera's lens or image sensor typically isn't worth the time, effort, or technical expertise needed, so if yours was damaged you're probably looking at getting a new camera.
However, you can try a few other things before buying a new camera.
First off, wipe the lens with a soft dry cloth (don't do that thing where you breathe on it first - the moisture can fog the lens over time) to clean it.
If you're seeing a lot of 'noise' in your images, see how a few shots at a lower resolution come out; if your camera has a smaller lens and a high-megapixel image sensor, you might be better off shooting at a lower resolution unless you absolutely need high-res images for large prints.
Also, check your ISO settings (if your camera lets you tweak them) - read this piece on avoiding digital noise in your photos.
If your audio feed is crackling
Your external microphone connector might be loose. Secure the connection, and try again.
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