Nikon D3300 Battery Issues

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PeteCos

New member
I started using my new Nikon D3300 couple of days ago. After using the camera and running low on battery I have recharged both the batteries (EN EL 14A). But since then the camera won't start up and there is a constant flickering low battery signal in the camera view finder. It's been referred to as DBS or dead battery syndrome online and one suggestion was to reset the camera. The Nikon D3300 doesn't have the hard reset option. I realized I can't do a firmware upgrade without the battery powering on the camera as well. Any suggestions on how to handle this issue? Thanks in advance.

Pete
 
Danno

Danno

Senior Member
First welcome to the forum Pete.

If it were me, and it were actually a brand new camera, I would exchange it. I am not familiar with the DBS you describe, but I would not spend a lot of time on a new camera. If it is a used camera, are they OEM batteries or 3rd party. Sometimes third party batteries can cause problems. The key word being "sometimes"
 
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nickt

Senior Member
I agree with Dan, if possible exchange it. Although you might try cleaning the battery terminals. I found this on a quick google:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUcxe3DlTIg

If you don't want to invest in buying anything, just try a cotton swab ever so lightly moistened in alcohol. Another thought after watching the video, just open the battery door and hold pressure on the battery to see if it powers up while you hold it tight. If it does, try cleaning the contacts. I wouldn't permanently shim the battery unless you are out of warranty.
 
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aroy

Senior Member
The problem may be with the body charging circuit or the battery.

To check if it is a charging problem, you need to get another battery and see if it charges. If it does then the battery is bad, if not then the body needs repairs/replacement.

Once in a while the controller chip in the battery goes bad, and the device will assume that the battery is dead. In such case you have to replace the battery, unless there is a repair shot than can replace the controller at a reasonable cost.

If it is a new camera with original Nikon Battery, then get the camera (and the battery) replaced.

If it is pre owned body (with no warranty) and/or the battery is not a Nikon one, then get a new battery.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
The one thing that hasn't been mentioned is that the charger could actually be at fault. If you have access to a volt meter you should check if the charger is actually doing something to that battery. It could be faulty...
 
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MaxBlake

Senior Member
I would suggest that you need to isolate the issue as either a camera problem, a battery problem, or perhaps even a charger problem. If you start with a charger that properly charges a battery that you know will hold a charge, you can more easily figure out next steps. If a simple battery replacement does the trick, or for that matter a new charger, then you are miles ahead in figuring out next steps.

Welcome to the forum, by the way.
 
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Sandpatch

Senior Member
Last month my wife and I bought a D3300 for our teen and now wish to buy a second battery for it. Nikon's EN-EL14a is $41.26 Ea on Amazon and I assume it'll play well with our D3300. Wasabi sells 2 Ea for $23.59. With the thought that our D3300 has the latest software update, is the Wasabi product a safe bet or will it have a software conflict? Thank you.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
Sandpatch said:
Last month my wife and I bought a D3300 for our teen and now wish to buy a second battery for it. Nikon's EN-EL14a is $41.26 Ea on Amazon and I assume it'll play well with our D3300. Wasabi sells 2 Ea for $23.59. With the thought that our D3300 has the latest software update, is the Wasabi product a safe bet or will it have a software conflict? Thank you.
Click to expand...

Can't speak for the D3300 but they work great with my D750
 
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