Nikon Coolpix 3100 Troubleshooting

Overview

The Nikon Coolpix 3100 is a digital point and shoot camera which was released by Nikon in 2003. The Coolpix 3100 is lightweight, easy to use and has a 3.2 image resolution. One of three new cameras manufactured by Nikon at that time, the Nikon Coolpix 3100 boasts additional features such as a higher focusing range, a 3x optical zoom and several new modes. But with more complexity comes more potential problems, which is why it is good to know a few troubleshooting tips.

If the Monitor is Black

You may be welcomed by a black LCD screen after you turn on your Nikon Coolpix 3100. While you still can take pictures, you cannot view them because the black LCD screen persists. Reseating your batteries may fix this problem.

First locate the battery chamber which is located on the bottom of the camera, and press the latch in the direction of the arrow until the battery cover door pops open. Remove the batteries and then re-insert them while making sure both the positive and negative terminals follow the batterywhich is inside the battery chamber. Try replacing the batteries with new ones if re-seating the batteries does not work,

Ensure that the Nikon Coolpix 3100 is not in sleep mode. Press the shutter button down halfway and see if the unit powers up. Also, verify the monitor is turned on by pressing the monitor button which is located on the back of the camera.

Pictures Not Taken

You may run into another issue with the Nikon Coolpix 3100; no picture is taken when the shutter button is depressed. Make sure that the Nikon Coolpiz 3100 is actually in picture taking mode. To do this, hit the playback selector button, indicated by a black, right arrow that is located on the back of the camera.

Check the mode dial which is located on the top of the camera, making sure it is fully on a shooting mode. The Nikon Coolpix 3100 will not shoot if the mode dial is caught between two modes.

It could be that the wrong memory is inserted into the Nikon Coolpix 3100. This will be indicated if you receive an error on the LCD; “CARD IS NOT FORMATTED” or “OUT OF MEMORY”or “NO CARD PRESENT”. Read the Nikon Coolpix 3100 manual to verify you have the right memory for your camera. Reseating the memory also may fix the problem.

Turn the camera off before attempting to reseat the memory into your Nikon Coolpix 3100. Open the memory slot cover by sliding it until the slot cover pops open. The memory slot cover is located on the bottom of the camera. Take out the memory card, blow off any dirt or debris from the contacts and then push the memory into the memory slot in the direction of the arrows (with the label facing the back) until the memory card snaps into place. Close the memory slot cover and try another picture.