Sony a6000 Autofocus Not Working: Causes and How to Fix It

The Sony a6000 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 Sony a6000.

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 Sony a6000’s autofocus system and continue enjoying a smooth photography or videography experience. Let’s delve into troubleshooting the autofocus issues of the Sony a6000.

Table of Contents

Sony a6000 Autofocus Not Working: Causes and How to Fix It

1. Incorrect Focus Mode

One of the possible causes of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is using an incorrect focus mode. The focus mode determines how the camera focuses on the subject, and choosing the wrong one can result in blurry or out-of-focus images. Here are some tips on how to select the right focus mode for different situations:

If you are shooting a stationary subject, such as a portrait, landscape, or still life, you can use the single-shot AF (AF-S) mode. This mode locks the focus when you half-press the shutter button, and allows you to recompose the shot before taking the picture. You can also use the focus magnifier function to zoom in on the subject and fine-tune the focus manually.
If you are shooting a moving subject, such as a sports event, wildlife, or action scene, you can use the continuous AF (AF-C) mode. This mode tracks the subject and adjusts the focus continuously as long as you keep the shutter button half-pressed. You can also use the lock-on AF function to lock the focus on a specific subject and follow it as it moves across the frame.
If you are shooting a subject that alternates between moving and staying still, such as a child or a pet, you can use the automatic AF (AF-A) mode. This mode automatically switches between AF-S and AF-C depending on the subject’s movement. However, this mode can be unreliable and slow, so it is not recommended for fast or unpredictable action.
If you want to have more control over the focus, you can use the direct manual focus (DMF) mode. This mode allows you to use the autofocus first, and then fine-tune the focus manually by turning the focus ring on the lens. This mode is useful for macro photography, low-light situations, or when you want to achieve a specific focus effect.

2. Manual Focus Mode Activated

Another possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is having the manual focus mode activated. This mode disables the autofocus system and lets you adjust the focus by turning the focus ring on the lens. You can also use the focus peaking function to highlight the areas that are in focus on the screen.

To check if you have the manual focus mode activated, you can press the AF/MF button on the camera and use the control dial to switch between AF-S, AF-C, and MF (Manual Focus) modes. You can also assign the focus mode setting to a custom button for quicker access. If you see MF on the screen, it means you are in manual focus mode and you need to change it to either AF-S or AF-C depending on your subject.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to manual focus mode, you can do the following steps:

Press the AF/MF button and use the control dial to select AF-S or AF-C mode.
Alternatively, press the Fn button and choose Focus Mode from the menu, or press the custom button that you assigned to the focus mode setting.
Choose the appropriate focus mode for your subject. For stationary subjects, use AF-S. For moving subjects, use AF-C.
Press the shutter button halfway to activate the autofocus and confirm that the focus point is on your subject.
Press the shutter button fully to take the picture.

3. Autofocus Lock Engaged

A third possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is having the autofocus lock engaged. This feature allows you to lock the focus on a specific subject and prevent the camera from refocusing on something else. However, if you forget to release the autofocus lock, you may end up with blurry or out-of-focus images when you change the composition or the subject moves.

To check if you have the autofocus lock engaged, you can look for the AF lock indicator on the screen or in the viewfinder. It is a green symbol that looks like a padlock with the letters AF inside. If you see this indicator, it means you have locked the focus and you need to release it to resume the autofocus.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to autofocus lock, you can do the following steps:

Press the AEL button to release the autofocus lock. The AF lock indicator should disappear from the screen or the viewfinder.
Alternatively, press the Fn button and choose AF/MF Control from the menu, or press the custom button that you assigned to the AF/MF control setting. Select AF On to resume the autofocus.
Press the shutter button halfway down to focus on the subject. You can also use the focus area setting to select the size and position of the focus point on the screen.
Press the shutter button fully to take the picture.

By releasing the autofocus lock, you should be able to fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working problem and capture sharp and clear images.

4. Low Light or Low Contrast Scenes

A fourth possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is shooting in low light or low contrast scenes. These conditions can make it difficult for the camera to detect and lock on the subject, especially if the subject is small, far away, or has a similar color or texture as the background. The camera may hunt for focus, fail to focus, or focus on the wrong area.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to low light or low contrast scenes, you can do the following steps:

Increase the amount of light in the scene, if possible. You can use a flash, a reflector, or an external light source to illuminate the subject and create more contrast.
Use a faster lens with a wider aperture, such as the Rokinon AF 24mm f/2.8 or the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN. A wider aperture allows more light to enter the lens and improves the autofocus performance in low light situations.
Use a higher ISO setting, but not too high to avoid noise and loss of detail. A higher ISO increases the sensitivity of the sensor and helps the camera focus faster in low light situations. However, a too high ISO can also degrade the image quality and make it harder for the camera to distinguish the subject from the noise. You can use the Auto ISO function to let the camera choose the optimal ISO value for the scene.

5. Lens Compatibility Issues

A fifth possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is having lens compatibility issues. This can happen when you use a lens that is not designed for the Sony E-mount system, or when you use an adapter that is not compatible with the camera or the lens. Some of the symptoms of lens compatibility issues are:

The camera does not recognize the lens and displays an error message such as “Check the lens attachment” or “Lens not attached”.
The camera does not autofocus or focuses slowly or inaccurately.
The camera does not display the correct aperture value or focal length.
The camera does not record the lens information in the EXIF data.
The camera does not support some features such as image stabilization, eye autofocus, or face detection.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to lens compatibility issues, you can do the following steps:

Make sure you are using a lens that is compatible with the Sony E-mount system. You can check the list of compatible lenses for your camera on the Lens compatibility information website. You can also use Sony ‘E’ lenses and Sony ‘FE’ lenses on the A6000-series cameras. A full-frame FE lens will be heavier and more expensive but can make a great macro, portrait, or telephoto lens. However, for shorter focal lengths and wider angles of view, you need an APS-C ‘E’ mount lens.
If you are using a lens adapter, make sure it is compatible with the camera and the lens. You can use a lens mount adapter to attach Sony A-mount lenses and Konica Minolta (Maxxum/Dynax) lenses to the E-mount camera. However, you may need to set the focus mode to MF and manually adjust the focus when using some SAM lenses with the LA-EA1 or LA-EA3. You may also lose some features such as image stabilization or autofocus speed.

6. Dirty or Damaged Lens Contacts

A sixth possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is having dirty or damaged lens contacts. The lens contacts are the metal pins on the back of the lens and the camera mount that enable the communication between the camera and the lens. If the lens contacts are dirty, dusty, corroded, or bent, they can prevent the camera from recognizing the lens, adjusting the aperture, or focusing properly.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to dirty or damaged lens contacts, you can do the following steps:

Turn off the camera and remove the lens from the camera body.
Inspect the lens contacts and the camera mount for any signs of dirt, dust, corrosion, or damage. If you see any, use a soft cloth or a cotton swab to gently wipe them clean. Do not use any liquids or solvents that may damage the contacts or the lens coating.
Reattach the lens to the camera and make sure it is securely locked in place.
Turn on the camera and check if the autofocus is working normally. If not, try another lens that is compatible with the camera and see if the problem persists. If the problem is still there, it may indicate that the camera mount or the camera sensor is faulty and needs to be repaired by a professional.

7. Camera Firmware Outdated

A seventh possible cause of Sony a6000 autofocus not working is having an outdated camera firmware. The firmware is the software that controls the camera’s functions and performance. Sony may release firmware updates to fix bugs, improve compatibility, or add new features. If your camera firmware is not up to date, you may experience autofocus problems or other issues.

To fix the Sony a6000 autofocus not working issue due to outdated camera firmware, you can do the following steps:

Check the current firmware version of your camera. You can do this by selecting Menu > Setup subpage [6] > Version on the camera.
Compare the current firmware version with the latest firmware version available on the Sony website. You can find the latest firmware update for your camera model on the Drivers and Software updates for ILCE-6000 page. As of March 2019, the latest firmware version for the Sony a6000 is Ver. 3.21.
If your firmware version is lower than the latest version, you can download and install the firmware update on your computer. You will need a fully charged battery, a USB cable, and a memory card for the update process. You can follow the instructions on the ILCE-6000 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver. 3.21 (Windows) page.
After the firmware update is completed, check the firmware version again on the camera to confirm that the update was successful. You can also check if the autofocus is working normally and if there are any new features or improvements.