D3100 will not autofocus

hrussell007

New member
With camera and lens in AF it will not achieve focus. The focus rings spins all the way to one side
then all the way back past infinity and stops.

I've tried all focus modes and points, cleaned inside camera, tried back button focus & the lens works
perfect on my D7100 so nothing wrong with the lens, I've also reset all modes to factory.

Manuel and live view focus works fine, just not autofocus in the viewfinder.

Any thoughts?
 

RocketCowboy

Senior Member
I don't know much about the D3100 (you tried everything I would have thought to suggest), so I'm only able to offer you a "howdy" and welcome to Nikonites!
 

hrussell007

New member
The lens has the motor, the focus ring spins when trying to achieve focus but does not, but it is a 50mm 1.8G AF-S also tried my 18-200mm with same results
 

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
With camera and lens in AF it will not achieve focus. The focus rings spins all the way to one side
then all the way back past infinity and stops.

I've tried all focus modes and points, cleaned inside camera, tried back button focus & the lens works
perfect on my D7100 so nothing wrong with the lens, I've also reset all modes to factory.

Manuel and live view focus works fine, just not autofocus in the viewfinder.

Any thoughts?
On the camera body, down by the lens-release button, there's a switch to enable/disable auto-focus; that switch needs to be in the "A" position.

Have you checked that?
...
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.

If two lenses work fine on another camera, but not on your D3100, it sounds bad. Sorry, but otherwise I am in the same boat as Rocket Cowboy and can't offer any more suggestions.
 
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nickt

Senior Member
Just out of curiosity, does the 'in focus' dot in the view finder light up when you manually focus? Half pressing the shutter button while manually focusing will enable the dot to light when the selected focus point sees focus. This camera sounds broken especially since you have tried everything. Live view uses a completely different method to determine focus but it does tell you that the motor can be controlled properly.
 

hrussell007

New member
Just out of curiosity, does the 'in focus' dot in the view finder light up when you manually focus? Half pressing the shutter button while manually focusing will enable the dot to light when the selected focus point sees focus. This camera sounds broken especially since you have tried everything. Live view uses a completely different method to determine focus but it does tell you that the motor can be controlled properly.


No, it does not stay steady, just keeps flashing. So I guess that means the camera can't even tell it's in focus when it is. Figured it would need repair but was hoping that I just missed something or somebody had a little trick.
 
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