HomeError | FixWhy Is My Polaroid Flashing Red? Battery, Film & Camera Errors

Why Is My Polaroid Flashing Red? Battery, Film & Camera Errors

-

Key Takeaways
  • Polaroid cameras are loved for their instant picture production, but encountering a red flashing light can be frustrating.
  • Reasons for the red flashing light include low battery, battery voltage issues, outdated firmware, no or damaged film, storage problems, camera errors, and physical damage from dropping.
  • Solutions include charging the camera, replacing batteries, updating firmware, using original film, managing memory card storage, troubleshooting camera errors, and seeking professional repair if needed.

Polaroid cameras have been loved for a long time due to their ability to produce pictures almost instantly. Anything happens great, and you can capture it for a lifetime and also get a print out of the same almost instantly. However, problems start occurring when you notice that your Polaroid is flashing red.

Encountering a red flashing light on your Polaroid camera can be a frustrating experience, leaving you wondering about the possible causes and reasons. So, without worrying to much, we will show you into the reasons behind the red flashing light and go through various ways of fixing it.

Why Is My Polaroid Flashing Red? Battery, Film & Camera Errors

Why Is My Polaroid Flashing Red?

Your Polaroid might be flashing red for various reasons. As we go through this guide, we will tell you the reasons alongside the fixes that you can adapt to resolve the ongoing issue. We strongly recommend that you read the guide completely else you wonโ€™t be able to diagnose and fix the issue.

Reason 1: Battery Low

The first and the most possible reason for your Polaroid flashing red is battery low. While the Red light flashing on a Polaroid can be due to various reasons, if your Polaroid is new or you have been using it for a long time, battery low is the most possible reason.

Fix Battery Low

Charging your Polaroid camera by either plugging in the cable or putting it on the charging dock is the best solution. If it is flashing red even when put on charging, let it charge for more than 2 hours and then check. If the flashing is still not gone, follow up with the next reason and fix it.

Reason 2: Battery Voltage Problem

The battery voltage problem with Polaroid cameras is not new. They have been here from the second generation of Polaroid cameras. The most interesting fact about Polaroids is that they can work on any type of battery given the size and polarity matches. However, a lot of users do the mistake of buying and using unknown batteries for the sake of pricing. This results in Polaroid flashing red.

Fix the Battery Voltage Issue

The best way to fix the battery voltage problem is by replacing the battery with the original Polaroid battery sold at factory outlets. When you purchase the original battery, you also get a 6 months warranty. Within that time period, if anything happens, you can request a replacement. However, if you are using an old Polaroid Camera that comes with AA or AAA battery, you can simply purchase a new set of batteries and use them.

Reason 3: Outdated Firmware

While this would be irrelevant for older Polaroid cameras, if you are using one of their latest cameras like the i2 or i2 Touch, this is possibly the most common reason for Polaroid cameras flashing red. These days, like every software, the firmware on your Polaroid has become outdated, and it is causing problems.

Fix Outdated Firmware

If you want to fix problems related to old firmware, you need to install the Polaroid Connect app on your phone. The app is readily available for iPhone and Android. Download the app and proceed with the on screen instructions for firmware upgrade. When your Polaroid is updated, check whether you see Polaroid flashing red or not.

Reason 4: No or Damaged Film

The latest Polaroid cameras have the functionality to detect films. This means that if you are on budget, you cannot go and purchase a simple counterfeit Polaroid film, load it into your camera and start clicking pictures. The camera sensors can detect it. On the other hand, if you have an original Polaroid film, it is possible that there are no remaining films for pictures to be taken.

Fix No or Damaged Film

Always purchase original Polaroid films as this will prevent your Polaroid camera from getting damaged. If your film is finished because you have shot all the images, you need to insert a fresh set of film for your camera to work again. Remember that using counterfeit film will not only void your warranty but also damage your camera. It is possible that the quality might also degrade.

Reason 5: Storage Issue

Latest generation Polaroid Cameras like the Polaroid Now, Polaroid Now+ and Polaroid i2 have the capability to shoot images and store them in a memory card for you to view them anywhere. If the storage is completely utilized and the memory card is full, you will encounter a Polaroid flashing red issue.

Fix Storage Issues

You can easily fix storage issues. Like if you have a memory card that is full, simply connect it to your PC and copy the contents. Now, clear the storage by formatting it and deleting some images. Make sure that the images you delete are already backed up or you will lose out. On the other hand, a better way is to purchase a larger memory card with at least 32 GB of storage.

Reason 6: Camera Errors

Since these days Polaroid is going all advancement and focusing on technology, there can be camera errors. Gone are those days when everything used to be manual on a Polaroid. Now you also receive software and firmware updates for that mini camera.

Fix Nominal Camera Errors

Fixing camera errors that lead to flashing red LEDs include cleaning the lens with a soft, moist cloth and doing basic troubleshooting. Cleaning a lens is important because if the lens is dirty, your camera can sense that and give out an error. Basic troubleshooting includes restarting your camera and checking whether the Red LED light is gone or not.

Another thing you can do is take out the battery and then put it back in. Charging is also another option but if you are reading from the beginning, you have already tried that earlier.

Reason 7: You have dropped the Camera

If you have dropped the camera, nothing should happen to it in the first place. However, if you have dropped the camera pretty hard and the lens has hit the ground, it is possible that you have damaged your polaroid. Sometimes, if water gets into a polaroid, it can also damage it.

Fix A Dropped Polaroid

If you have dropped a Polaroid pretty hard or it went under water and now it is not working, you need to take it a Polaroid service station. These days, Polaroids are not that popular. As a result, you might not find a registered Polaroid technician.

In this case, you better reach out to Polaroid and tell them your problem. If you are from Europe, fixing it might be easy because of service reach. For your convenience, hereโ€™s the link to contact Polaroid customer support.

ALSO READ:

LATEST