Autofocus Not Working
Canon Digital Camera / DSLR / Mirrorless
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Canon autofocus failures are usually caused by the lens switch being set to Manual Focus (MF), shooting in conditions that are too dark or too flat for AF to lock, or a dirty lens contact.
Affected Models
- Canon EOS R5
- Canon EOS R6
- Canon EOS 90D
- Canon EOS Rebel T8i
- Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Common Causes
- Lens AF/MF switch set to MF (Manual Focus)
- Scene too dark — AF needs contrast or light to lock
- Subject too close — below the lens minimum focus distance
- Dirty electrical contacts between lens and camera body
- Incorrect AF mode selected (e.g. single-point AF on a fast-moving subject)
- Lens or camera firmware out of date
How to Fix It
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Check the AF/MF switch on the lens.
Most Canon lenses have a small switch on the barrel marked AF and MF. Make sure it is set to AF. If it is on MF, the camera will never autofocus regardless of settings.
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Check the AF setting in the camera menu.
Even if the lens switch is on AF, the camera can be set to Manual Focus override. Check Shooting Settings → AF Operation and ensure it is set to One Shot (for still subjects) or Servo AF (for moving subjects).
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Clean the lens contacts.
Turn off the camera, remove the lens, and use a dry cotton swab to clean the gold electrical contacts on both the lens mount and the camera body. Dirty contacts can prevent the AF motor from receiving commands.
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Improve the lighting or use AF assist.
Autofocus needs contrast to work. In dim conditions, enable the AF-assist beam in the menu, or use a flashlight to briefly illuminate the subject while the camera focuses. Very dark or uniformly coloured subjects (blank walls, white fabric) are difficult for any AF system.
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Update lens and camera firmware.
Canon regularly releases firmware updates that improve AF performance, especially for EOS R mirrorless cameras with RF lenses. Check canon.com/isp/sales/c-ef/0024/ for the latest firmware for your camera and lens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Canon keep hunting for focus and never locking?
Focus hunting (the lens continuously moving in and out without locking) is caused by insufficient contrast or light for the AF sensor to work with. Switch to a centre AF point, point at an edge or textured area of your subject, half-press the shutter to lock, then recompose. In low light, the AF assist beam should activate automatically — check it is enabled in the menu.