Why is my camera cover stuck open?

The lens flap (or lens barrier) of a Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S750 getting stuck is a known mechanical problem with compact cameras. The flap blades open and close automatically via a tiny spring and plastic guides whenever the lens extends or retracts. [1, 2, 3, 4]

When this flap remains in the open position, it almost always has one of the following causes:

1. Causes of an open flap

• Dirt and sand: This is the most common cause. Even a single tiny grain of sand, dust, or dried splashes (for example, from a drink) between the blades can block the mechanism. [5, 6]

• Blades out of guide: If pressure has been applied to the lens front (for example, in a pocket or bag), a blade may have popped out of its microscopic plastic guide rail. [4, 7]

• A weak internal spring: The blades are pulled shut by a very fine spring. If this spring has come loose or become slack, the tension needed to close the flaps is missing.

• Problem with the lens itself: If the lens housing is slightly misaligned after a bump or fall, the locking mechanism will no longer reach the activation point. [4, 7]

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1. Safe steps to resolve the issue

Try to resolve the problem using the steps below, ordered from safe to manual. Never force the flaps with brute force, as this will break the internal mechanism. [3, 8]

1. 1. Blow clean (Most effective)

• Turn off the camera so that the lens retracts.

• Use a blower bulb or a can of compressed air.

• Direct the airflow into the gaps around and between the open flaps to blow away any sand or dust. [9]

1. 2. Cleaning with a cotton swab

• Moisten a cotton swab with a very small amount of pure alcohol (isopropanol). The swab must not drip at all.

• Gently rub along the edges and under the blades to dissolve any sticking dirt or grease. [1]

1. 3. The 'massage' method

• Turn the camera on and off.

• While the lens is in motion, very gently tap the side of the lens housing with your fingertip.

• This may cause just enough vibration to shake loose a stuck blade or grain of sand. [3, 10, 11, 12]

1. 4. Manual assistance (Careful!)

• Use a wooden toothpick or fine tweezers.

• Very gently push the blades a fraction toward the closed position to feel if there is any movement.

• Does the flap spring open again afterwards? Then the internal spring is likely weak or loose. [4, 7]

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1. What if it doesn't work?

Since the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-S750 is an older model in the vintage compact camera class, professional repair at a service center is often no longer financially viable. [4, 13]

If the lid stays permanently open but the camera still takes pictures normally, you can continue to use the camera. In that case, buy a universal replacement lens cap or store the camera in a snug-fitting fabric case to protect the lens from scratches. [14]