Canon EOS R10 Autofocus Not Working: Causes and How to Fix It

The Canon EOS R10 is a highly regarded mirrorless camera, celebrated for its superior image quality, rapid autofocus system, and user-friendly operation. It’s an ideal choice for capturing everyday moments and is equally adept at both photography and videography. However, even with its impressive performance, users might occasionally face challenges, such as autofocus not working properly. This article is here to assist if you’re experiencing this issue with your Canon EOS R10.

We will explore the various reasons why the autofocus might malfunction and offer practical solutions to resolve these problems. By identifying the root causes and applying the recommended fixes, you can restore the full functionality of your Canon EOS R10’s autofocus system and continue enjoying a smooth photography or videography experience. Let’s delve into troubleshooting the autofocus issues of the Canon EOS R10.

Table of Contents

Canon EOS R10 Autofocus Not Working: Causes and How to Fix It

1. Incorrect Focus Mode

One of the possible causes of autofocus not working on the Canon EOS R10 is using an incorrect focus mode. The camera has different autofocus modes for different shooting situations, such as One-Shot AF, Servo AF, and Face+Tracking AF. If you use the wrong mode for your subject, the camera may not be able to focus properly or may focus on the wrong area. For example, if you use One-Shot AF for a moving subject, the camera will lock focus when you press the shutter button halfway and will not adjust if the subject moves. To avoid this, you should use Servo AF, which will continuously track and adjust focus on the moving subject. Similarly, if you use Face+Tracking AF for a subject that is not a human face, the camera may not detect it or may switch focus to another face in the scene. To avoid this, you should use a different mode, such as Zone AF or Spot AF, which will let you select a specific area or point to focus on. You can change the focus mode by using the focus mode switch on the camera or the lens, or by selecting the AF operation option in the menu. You should always check the focus mode before shooting and choose the one that suits your subject and scene best.

2. Manual Focus Mode Activated

Another possible cause of autofocus not working on the Canon EOS R10 is having the manual focus mode activated. The manual focus mode allows you to adjust the focus manually by turning the lens focusing ring. This can be useful when you want to have more control over the focus or when the autofocus fails to focus on your desired subject. However, if you forget to switch back to the autofocus mode, the camera will not focus automatically and you may end up with blurry images.

To check if the manual focus mode is activated, you can look at the focus mode indicator on the camera or the lens. If you see a MF symbol, it means that the manual focus mode is on. To switch back to the autofocus mode, you can do one of the following:

For RF lenses without a focus mode switch, you can set the focus mode switch on the front of the camera to AF. Alternatively, you can set [: switch (AF/MF)] to [ Disable] in the menu and then select [ AF] in [: Focus mode].
For RF lenses with a focus mode switch, you can set the lens focus mode switch to AF. The camera focus mode switch will be disabled in this case.

You can also use the manual focus mode in combination with the autofocus mode by using the full-time manual focus feature. This feature allows you to fine-tune the focus manually after the autofocus has locked on the subject. To use this feature, you need to set [: Full-time MF] to [ Enable] in the menu and use an RF lens that supports full-time manual focus. Then, you can press the shutter button halfway to activate the autofocus and then turn the lens focusing ring to adjust the focus manually.

3. Autofocus Lock Engaged

Another possible cause of autofocus not working on the Canon EOS R10 is having the autofocus lock engaged. The autofocus lock allows you to lock the focus on a specific subject or area and prevent the camera from refocusing on another subject or area. This can be useful when you want to keep the focus on a certain subject while recomposing the shot or when the subject is partially obscured by another object. However, if you forget to release the autofocus lock, the camera will not focus on anything else and you may end up with out-of-focus images.

To check if the autofocus lock is engaged, you can look at the AF lock indicator on the viewfinder or the LCD monitor. If you see a AE/AF LOCK symbol, it means that the autofocus lock is on. To release the autofocus lock, you can do one of the following:

Press the <AF-ON> button again.
Press the <AE/AF LOCK> button again.
Press the shutter button halfway and then release it.

4. Low Light or Low Contrast Scenes

Low light or low contrast scenes can also affect the autofocus performance of the Canon EOS R10. The camera uses an advanced autofocus system called Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, which relies on phase-detection pixels on the image sensor to measure the distance and direction of the subject. However, in dim or dark conditions, the camera may not be able to detect enough contrast or detail on the subject to focus accurately. Similarly, in scenes where the subject has the same or similar color or brightness as the background, the camera may not be able to distinguish the subject from the surroundings and may focus on the wrong area.

To overcome this challenge, the Canon EOS R10 has some features that can help improve the autofocus in low light or low contrast scenes. One of them is the low-light AF feature, which enables the camera to focus in conditions as dark as -4EV. This is equivalent to moonlight, and it is much better than most other cameras in the market. To use this feature, you need to set [: Low-light AF] to [ Enable] in the menu and use an RF lens that supports low-light AF. Another feature is the AF assist beam, which emits a light from the camera or an external flash to illuminate the subject and help the camera focus. To use this feature, you need to set [: AF assist beam firing] to [ Enable] in the menu and use a compatible Speedlite flash. You can also use the manual focus feature to adjust the focus manually by turning the lens focusing ring. To use this feature, you need to set the focus mode switch on the camera or the lens to MF.

5. Lens Compatibility Issues

Lens compatibility issues can also cause autofocus problems on the Canon EOS R10. The camera has an APS-C sensor and features Canon’s RF-Mount. It is compatible with both Canon RF-S (APS-C) lenses and also Canon RF (Full-Frame) lenses. However, not all RF lenses have the same autofocus performance or features as RF-S lenses. For example, some RF lenses do not support low-light AF, focus lock, or full-time manual focus, which are useful features for the EOS R10.

If you want to use older Canon EF or EF-S lenses with the EOS R10, you will need to use an EF-RF Lens Mount Adapter. This adapter allows you to attach EF or EF-S lenses to the RF-Mount and retain the autofocus and other functions of the lens. However, some EF or EF-S lenses may not be fully compatible with the EOS R10 or may have reduced autofocus performance or accuracy. This is because EF or EF-S lenses are designed for DSLR cameras, which have a different autofocus system than mirrorless cameras like the EOS R10.

6. Dirty or Damaged Lens Contacts

Dirty or damaged lens contacts can also prevent the autofocus from working properly on the Canon EOS R10. The lens contacts are the metal pins on the back of the lens that connect to the camera body and transmit information and power between them. If the lens contacts are dirty, dusty, corroded, or bent, they may not make a good connection and cause communication errors or power failures. This can affect the autofocus performance or cause the autofocus to stop working altogether.

To check if the lens contacts are dirty or damaged, you can remove the lens from the camera and inspect the contacts on both the lens and the camera. If you see any dirt, dust, grease, or fingerprints on the contacts, you can clean them gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Do not use any liquids, solvents, or abrasive materials, as they may damage the contacts or the lens coating. If you see any corrosion, rust, or bent pins on the contacts, you may need to contact a Canon service center for repair.

To avoid dirty or damaged lens contacts, you should always store the lens with the rear cap attached and the camera with the body cap attached when not in use. You should also avoid changing the lens in dusty or humid environments, and always turn off the camera before removing or attaching the lens. You should also use only compatible Canon RF or RF-S lenses or Canon EF or EF-S lenses with an EF-RF Lens Mount Adapter. Using third-party lenses or adapters may cause compatibility issues or damage the lens contacts.

7. Camera Firmware Outdated

The camera firmware is the software that controls the functions and settings of the Canon EOS R10. If the camera firmware is outdated, it may not be compatible with the latest features or improvements of the camera or the lenses. This can affect the autofocus performance or cause errors or malfunctions. Therefore, it is important to keep the camera firmware up to date by downloading and installing the latest version from the Canon website.

To check the current firmware version of the camera, you can go to the [Firmware ver.] option in the setup menu and press the [INFO.] button. The firmware version will be displayed on the screen. If the firmware version is lower than the latest version available on the Canon website, you can update the firmware by following these steps:

Download the firmware file from the Canon website and unzip it. The file name will have a .FIR extension.
Copy the firmware file to a formatted SD card and insert the card into the camera.
Turn on the camera and go to the [Firmware ver.] option in the setup menu. Press the [SET] button and select [OK] to start the update process.
Follow the instructions on the screen and do not turn off the camera or remove the battery or the card until the update is completed.
When the update is finished, turn off the camera and remove the card. Check the firmware version again to confirm the update.

By updating the camera firmware, you can ensure the optimal performance and compatibility of the Canon EOS R10 and its autofocus system.