18-55 kit lens is locked

I have an Eos XSi and I have already returned the 55-250 lens and gotten a replacement because it would keep searching for focus and never find it. Now my kit lens is doing something a little different. It won't even attempt to focus. Just blurry and nothing is moving. NOW WHAT!!!

1. did you accidently switch the lens to "manual" focus ?
2. are you trying to take a picture of something within the lens's minimum focus distance ?
3. have you re-seat the lens by installing it again
4. the dioptre adjustment might have moved

Does this happen with any lens?

The most common failure of the 18-55 IS that I know of is that of the AF mechanism. I set up a poll somewhere to try to gauge the severity of the problem. I myself consider it to be a design flaw. That is what may have happened in your case.

Lannes's suggestions 1, 2, and 3 are good; 4 not so much as the dioptric adjustment doesn't affect AF at all (although it could make the VF look fuzzy even when focus is correct).

The other thing I'd mention is that if you have been adjusting the focus ring manually while the lens is set to AF, you've probably broken it yourself as this lens does not have FTM. Nor does your 55-250 IS, so beware.

1. No
2. No
3. Yes
4. Huh?


Other lenses do not have a problem! Which leads me to think lens? Not camera.
Thanks to all!

4. Huh?

The diopter adjustment is described on page 36 of the manual and shown on page 17. It changes only whah you see in the viewfinder and is for us old people who need "reader" type glasses. If it isn't set correctly the viewfinder will show blurry images but the final picture will be fine, assuming the camera is working propely and you are using it properly.

mishymama wrote in post #13636967
I have an Eos XSi and I have already returned the 55-250 lens and gotten a replacement because it would keep searching for focus and never find it. Now my kit lens is doing something a little different. It won't even attempt to focus. Just blurry and nothing is moving. NOW WHAT!!!

do you have one or all the AF points selected? (auto mode?)

Just switched lenses for the third time and now it is working....WHAAATTTT!!​!

Like Iannes asked "1. did you accidently switch the lens to "manual" focus?" And now you've switched it back? Easy to do...

Don't think so but anything is possible!

Thanks all

When that happens, which is usually indoor shots, I just switch to MF. The Autofocus on the 18-55IS is sooo slow.

ian_socool wrote in post #13648212
When that happens, which is usually indoor shots, I just switch to MF. The Autofocus on the 18-55IS is sooo slow.

Thanks I will totally try that!!

mishymama wrote in post #13636967
I have an Eos XSi and I have already returned the 55-250 lens and gotten a replacement because it would keep searching for focus and never find it. Now my kit lens is doing something a little different. It won't even attempt to focus. Just blurry and nothing is moving. NOW WHAT!!!

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Okay, are you able to take a video of it happening [or in this case, not happening?]

And as for the blurry thing, check the viewfinder focus itself. On my t3 it has a viewfinder focus. That may be off.

Next time it happens I will try to video..thanks all!!