Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P9 Troubleshooting

The camera doesn't seem to be able to turn on.

Before delving into the guts of your camera, try holding down the power button for several seconds to see if the camera will turn on.

If your camera still won't turn on, try charging the battery again. If this doesn't work, you might have a bad battery that needs replacing. Refer to the Battery Installation Guide for the steps in replacing the battery.

It is possible nothing is happening because the display is bad. Check to see if the power indicator LED is on. If the LED is on, you might have a faulty LCD screen. Use the LCD Repair Guide to replace the display.

If all other possibilities have been ruled out, the camera may have a faulty motherboard. Look to the Motherboard Repair Guide for instructions how to replace the motherboard.

The lens is stuck in the open or closed position.

Attempt to clean any dirt or debris that may be obstructing the lens cover.

Try charging the battery and then see if the lens will open or close.

If the battery is charged and there is no visible dirt clogging the lens, the gears or motor mounts may need to be replaced. Unfortunately, the lens of this model can not be disassembled and thus must be completely replaced. See the Lens Repair Guide.

The flash won't activate automatically.

Make sure the flash is toggled in your camera settings. It may have gotten switched off.

The battery may not have enough power to use the flash. Try charging the battery. If it still does not flash, you might need to replace the battery.

If the above solutions do not work, the flash may be physically broken. See Flash Repair Guide to replace the flash.

The camera will not save or take anymore pictures.

Your memory card might be filled to capacity. Try replacing it with another memory card or emptying it by transferring the photos to a computer.

Some memory cards can be "locked" so you can't interact with them. Remove the memory card and make sure it is unlocked. There should be a switch on the memory card that will indicate whether it is locked.

You connected the camera to the computer, but the computer doesn't say it is.

The camera should be on before the computer will detect it. Make sure it is on when you connect it.

Charge the battery while it is plugged into the computer. The computer should detect the camera if it has sufficient charge.

Try using a replacement cord to connect the camera and the computer.

If none of the above fixed it, the motherboard might need to be replaced. See the Motherboard Repair Guide for how to do this.

The camera's display is visibly cracked or is not displaying properly.

The outer cover may just be damaged. If so, just replace the back casing using the Casing Repair Guide.

If the LCD is not working correctly or is damaged, it needs to either be reconnected or replaced entirely. Refer to the LCD Repair Guide for instructions on how to do this.

No matter how hard you press, the button just won't respond.

Spray compressed air on the top button in question to remove dust and other particles that may have collected in it.

The top button might just be broken. Use the Button Repair Guide to fix it.