My 580EX II stopped firing

[Blitz]

I was using it pretty heavily at a friend's birthday party last week. Took a few dozen shots in an hour or two. Nothing crazy. In automatic mode, ETTL I think it's called. Well, I clicked the shutter at one point and the thing didn't fire. I turned it off for a while to see if that would help, but nope. And it hasn't fired since. When I have the camera in P mode with the flash connected in ETTL, I get shutter speeds like I do without the flash on. When it was firing, I would always get 1/60. So I know something is definitely off.

My friend came by with his 350D today and I hooked up my flash, thinking it was a problem with my very worn 300D. But it wouldn't fire on his camera either.

I've had it for a few months only, so it is still under warranty. But I'd rather not if it's something I could diagnose myself (that is to say, with your help). Is there something I'm missing? Did I press some magic button that made it stop firing? Are the batteries low? I'm just hoping someone else has experienced this.

Thanks in advance guys.

[andrepaul]

1/60 is like a default slowest shutter speed in P mode so as to eliminate camera shake/blur. Uhm, I'd change the batteries though.

[doidinho]

Excuse me for stating the seemingly obvious too, but did you change the batteries?

[Blitz]

I haven't yet guys. I guess I figured it would say "Low Batteries" or show a pictures or something if that was the case. I hope it is! :)

[clickcanon40]

I would try the batteries. Please tell us if that works out for you.

[tim]

Put in fresh batteries, press the test button, if it doesn't fire send it to Canon to have the flash tube replaced.

[SMP_Homer]

I haven't yet guys. I guess I figured it would say "Low Batteries" or show a pictures or something if that was the case. I hope it is! :)

It says "Low Batteries" by not firing the flash anymore:p

[egordon99]

One of these days they will invent a flash that warns you that the batteries are getting low -

"WARNING - You have 5 flashes left before the batteries die"
"WARNING - You have 4 flashes left before the batteries die"

Like other folks said, no warning, no indicator, just stops firing.....

[Blitz]

I put in new batteries and it fired right away. Thanks guys! I'll remember to always try that first from now on.

[SnlpeR]

omigosh...

it fixed my problem too!
anyone else?

[dle42]

omigosh...

it fixed my problem too!
anyone else?

It fixed this person's, too...

How do I get my 430EX to not switch off automatically? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=455916)