D5100 cannot focus need help, tried changing lens but still cannot focus

Please help, my D5100 is only 2 years old, took it out today and camera would not focus, changed battery, changed lens, tried different settings but still no luck.

First thing is to verify it has not accidentally been set to Manual focus, either on the body or on the lens.

that was the first thing I looked at, camera will focus in manual mode, but all else fails, I have tried lots of configs such as auto. aperture which I always use, camera was ok last time I used it about 3 months ago, so I am at a loss to know what it is.
Thanks for reply, Austin.

Also check the Menu- my neighbor had this happen with his D3100, and it ended up being a Menu selection for "Rangefinder Off". Slecting "ON" solved his problem. Perhaps a case of "Bad Translation" for a Menu item, had it been labeled "Autofocus" rather than "Rangefinder" it would have made more sense.

OZMON said:

that was the first thing I looked at, camera will focus in manual mode, but all else fails, I have tried lots of configs such as auto. aperture which I always use, camera was ok last time I used it about 3 months ago, so I am at a loss to know what it is.
Thanks for reply, Austin.

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I'm sorry, I am unable to tell from your words if you understand. Sure, it will focus manually, but is the actual camera mode MANUAL FOCUS? If it is set to Manual focus mode, it will never focus automatically. Verify actual camera focus mode actually says AF-S or AF-C, but NOT Manual. You did not say those words.

sorry Wayne, yes camera is in AF-C and it sill will not focus, rangefinder on,but at my wits end.I guess I will try the manufacturer if I cannot get any further. I thank you for all your comments, best wishes, Austin. (OZMON)

Does it let you take a picture even though it is not focused?

OZMON said:

camera was ok last time I used it about 3 months ago,

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I think this is the problem. The camera is mad at you for not taking it out for 3 months. My cameras get upset if I miss a day without shooting it.

Have you tried doing a full camera factory reset?
https://support.nikonusa.com/app/an...-to-reset-a-d-slr-to-factory-default-settings

Hold both buttons down at the same time

Remember to reset all your custom setting after you do this. Like resetting back to RAW or JPEG Fine or what ever settings you normally use.

I would try doing a two-button reset just to be sure there hasn't been some change done in the menus by accident causing the issue. Your manual, or Google, can explain how to do a proper reset of your camera's settings.

.....

Thanks to all replies, yes I have done a 2 button reset and my usual settings, the camera will take a pic but of course out of focus, I do not get the green square or beep which I have set to on, autofocus is on, rangefinder on, but nothing seems to work.
Austin. (OZMON)

The last ditch effort would to be to clean the contacts where the lens attaches to the camera. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO GET ANYTHING IN THE CAMERA WHILE CLEANING THESE CONTACTS.

Denatured alcohol and a lint free cloth is a good starting attempt.

Bummer. One last thing before bringing in for a professional inspection: clean the contacts of the lens and the camera "just in case" one of them is dirty.

Dumb question - what lens are you using? Is it a new but used lens you just picked up or is it a lens you've used with this camera before?

I don't know what the default is after a reset, but if you are still in af-c mode, double check menu a1, release priority. Set to focus priority. I'm troubled that there is no focus beep. The camera is 'ok' with not being focused so it lets you take a picture. That tells me it thinks you are in manual focus mode or af-c with release priority.

done that but no luck

Dumb question #2 - is the MA/M button on the lens switched to MA or M?

I seem to have cracked the problem with focus if I change to AF-F The camera seems to focus ok I get the beep when it is in focus but when I return to AF-S or AF-C it still will not focus unless I press and hold the AE-L AF-L button and the the camera will focus without me pressing the shutter release.I hope this is of use to anyone using a D5100 camera.
I thank you all for your helpful comments.
Best wishes Austin.(ozmon).

I'm not sure if you are saying this is your latest symptom or your work-around. But if it is focusing when you press the af lock button, then the back button is programed for af-on and that keeps the shutter button from initiating focus. Check menu f-2 and set it to ae/af lock.

Nick- all I can say is WOW!

Will be interesting if this was Austin's problem.

No wonder I use manual focus lenses 98% of the time.

Clean the lens contacts !!!!!!!! And reset the camera to factory defaults !!!!!!!!