D5500 stuck in Live View Mode - possible broken LV switch (HELP)

Hi all,

New forum member here. I've run into an issue with my camera and could use some assistance.

Yesterday, my Nikon D5500 showed a clear issue - when turning the camera on, it would immediately switch into Live View mode. On top of that, none of the buttons on the rear of the camera body were responsive nor were the touchscreen functions responsive. The issue started when I switched into Live View mode, took one last photo, then powered off the camera.

I tried removing the SD card, inserting another one (SanDisk Extreme). I tried another fully charged battery. Neither of these improved the situation.

The dials on top still work and when I press the shutter button, photos are still taken.

In my googling around, I believe I have a stuck button - hence why none of the other buttons work. Which button do I think it is? The live view switch which is part of the mode dial on top of the camera. I can tell the switch isn't engaging as it once did so something must be off whether it be dust, gunk, or a broken switch.

I'd like to remove the mode dial to take a look at what could be going on. My problem is I'm unable to determine how to do this and there isn't a lot online about the D5500. I'm fairly technical and have worked in support at other camera companies so I believe I can accomplish a DIY repair if my hunch is correct.

Can anyone provide guidance on how to remove the top mode dial / live view switch on my camera. A written explanation, YouTube, or even PDF of this part would be helpful.

Thanks all!

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

Try a factory reset, do a google search for Nikon D5500 factory reset.

Welcome to the forum. I can't help with the top removal, but would suggest contacting Nikon if the camera is still under warranty. If not under warranty, maybe someone will be able to chime in on a procedure. We did have some on here that enjoyed tearing things apart and fixing them. Ha!

Hi Via, From what you're describing, a stuck or damaged LV switch seems to be the only logical explanation. As I understand it, you'd have to dismount the top part of your camera since the innards of that switch will only be accessible from underneath. I'm not aware of how exactly to disassemble a D5500, but you may find this video helpful - it is for a different Nikon model but one that has a similar overall layout, so it may give you hints on how to go about opening your body. With lucky, there is just something mechanically blocking the switch that can be removed without leaving any damage. Otherwise, you'd have to get a spare part, which probably makes using a Nikon repair service inevitable.

EDIT: I just noticed that a few sellers offer the mode dial + LV switch as a replacement part on EBay.

Hope this helps!

Hi Via, I am new to this forum. did you get any solution to this problem. Unfortunately, I am also facing this issue with my new d5500. Can you pls share your experience. Thanks

AnilParmar said:

Hi Via, I am new to this forum. did you get any solution to this problem. Unfortunately, I am also facing this issue with my new d5500. Can you pls share your experience. Thanks

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Not likely to get a response from the original poster, the only post in 18 months. As previously mentioned if its still under warranty contact the seller or Nikon. What troubleshooting have you tried.

AnilParmar said:

Hi Via, I am new to this forum. did you get any solution to this problem. Unfortunately, I am also facing this issue with my new d5500. Can you pls share your experience. Thanks

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Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

Since the camera is new, take it back, don't mess with it!

I’m obviously chiming in way late here… but my camera did the exact same thing. I flipped to LV to take a photo—captured them, then tuned off. When I turned back on, LV automatically turned on. I couldn’t take an LV photo, open menu, playback, etc…

I’ve tried disconnecting lens, SD card, and battery. Even left battery out for an extended period of time. Mine’s definitely out of warranty, so I’m not sure what to do.

ADockter said:

I’m obviously chiming in way late here… but my camera did the exact same thing. I flipped to LV to take a photo—captured them, then tuned off. When I turned back on, LV automatically turned on. I couldn’t take an LV photo, open menu, playback, etc…

I’ve tried disconnecting lens, SD card, and battery. Even left battery out for an extended period of time. Mine’s definitely out of warranty, so I’m not sure what to do.

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You might try a factory reset using your menu. I don't know much of anything about it, but I recall too that some Nikon models have had their mirrors stick in the up position.

Sandpatch said:

You might try a factory reset using your menu. I don't know much of anything about it, but I recall too that some Nikon models have had their mirrors stick in the up position.

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I'm unable to reset via the menu (since none of the buttons appear to work), and I cannot perform a hard reset using the green dotted buttons - since again, none of the buttons appear to work... Any other ideas?

ADockter said:

Any other ideas?

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Could try this.

Peter7100 said:

Not sure if this is relevant to this make/model, but on Canon body, I was able to reset things by doing the following: 1. Switch off, 2. remove battery and card 3. switch on 4. Hold down the shutter for at least 15 seconds 5. switch off 6. re-instal battery and card 7. switch on and keep your fingers crossed.
It worked for me and cleared unusual issues I was having with it.
This was apparently a suggestion from a technician in one of their factories and was not widely known in the public domain. It makes you wonder if this is what they do when people send their cameras in for a repair costing a fortune

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ADockter said:

I'm unable to reset via the menu (since none of the buttons appear to work), and I cannot perform a hard reset using the green dotted buttons - since again, none of the buttons appear to work... Any other ideas?

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Welcome!

Please let us know if Needa's reply works for you, in case someone else has the same problem in the future.

Also, please feel free to introduce yourself here - https://nikonites.com/forum/forums/new-member-introductions.35/post-thread

I had the same problem with my D600. Removing the objective while the camera was on helped partially. Quit liveview, most of the button do their job. Read this in the 600 manual.