Nikon d3400 black screen help!

[Clovishound]

This thread is about a year old. The original poster has not been active here since then. I doubt they will respond. Try doing a "reset all settings" and see if that fixes it. If not, report back and maybe someone else will have an idea.

You can also call Nikon customer service. They may be able to help you over the phone. Unfortunately, if it needs to be sent in for repair, the cost will likely exceed the price of a replacement used D3400. A used D3400 can be had for $230- $250 from a reputable dealer.

 

[tonvero]

There's a Menu option to "Reset All Settings"... I would remove the battery first.... Then re-insert the battery, and then do the "reset All Settings" menu option and see if that helps

If screen not showing how can you see the menu options to reset?

 

[Needa]

If screen not showing how can you see the menu options to reset?

You are unlikely to get a response from Fred He has passed hence the RIP.

You might try the following if you are also having that problem. Maybe you will get lucky.

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

 

[cesaraghost]

Today I used my camera. All was working well. Then the power light went out and the menu screen is black. With the power switch on, the shutter and flash are working. I cannot access the reset as the main screen is black.

Any ideas?

 

[Needa]

Today I used my camera. All was working well. Then the power light went out and the menu screen is black. With the power switch on, the shutter and flash are working. I cannot access the reset as the main screen is black.

Any ideas?

You might try the following if you are also having that problem. Maybe you will get lucky.

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

 

[Marilynne]

Welcome!

Please let us know if/how you solved this issue. It may help someone else later.

Also, please feel free to introduce yourself here - new member

 

[Dionsmum]

same problem today, i was taking photos on my d3500 but tonight i noticed some of the photos on the camera were plain black screen, i transferred the photos i took to the computer and the images i first took show up fine, but there are other photos that are just showing as black. i always photograph using the viewfinder as i was doing today. Tonight after reading this forum i thought i would switch to live view i took a photo it is showing up as a full black image, yet when i put it in video mode, no problem it records video so back to square 1, i updated the firmware tonight as shown, still no problem. I am beginning to think the camera is screwed now. i have had it for a couple of years. not happen. will have to go back to my d5100 i am a newspaper photographer and this has pretty much stuffed up my weekend.

 

[BF Hammer]

same problem today, i was taking photos on my d3500 but tonight i noticed some of the photos on the camera were plain black screen, i transferred the photos i took to the computer and the images i first took show up fine, but there are other photos that are just showing as black. i always photograph using the viewfinder as i was doing today. Tonight after reading this forum i thought i would switch to live view i took a photo it is showing up as a full black image, yet when i put it in video mode, no problem it records video so back to square 1, i updated the firmware tonight as shown, still no problem. I am beginning to think the camera is screwed now. i have had it for a couple of years. not happen. will have to go back to my d5100 i am a newspaper photographer and this has pretty much stuffed up my weekend.

I am taking a guess that the shutter is sticking closed on the black images. Using the viewfinder, you are looking through the lens off the mirror in front of the shutter, so if it sticks closed the sensor sees nothing. Set to LiveView, apparently it can open the shutter and hold it open, but for taking a photo it cannot overcome the stickiness fast enough so the image is black.

So yes, if this is pretty much a tool to use to do your job, then switch to a different tool that works. Don't let faulty gear stop your earnings.