Nikon Camera D3300 Reference Manual

							
331
Technical Notes
AF-assist illuminator does not light:
• AF-assist illuminator does not light if  AF-C is selected for autofocus 
mode ( 074) or if continuous-servo au tofocus is selected when the 
camera is in  AF-A mode.
 Choose  AF-S. AF-assist is also not available 
when  f (3D-tracking (11 points) ) is selected for AF-area mode; if 
single-point or dynamic-area AF is selected, select center focus point 
( 0 78, 80).
• The camera is currently in live view or a movie is being recorded.
• Off  is selected for  Built-in AF-assist illuminator  (0 229).
• The AF-assist illuminator can not be used in some shooting modes 
(0 326).
• Illuminator has turned off automatically.
 Illuminator may become hot 
with continued use; wait for it to cool down.
Image size can not be changed : An NEF (RAW ) option is selected for image 
quality ( 086).
Camera is slow to record photos :
• Depending on shooting conditions and memory card performance, 
access lamp may light for up to about a minute after shooting ends in 
continuous release mode.
• Turn noise reduction off ( 0226).
Noise (bright spots, randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) appear in photos :
• Choose lower ISO sensitivity or turn noise reduction on ( 0226).
• Shutter speed is slower than 1 s: use noise reduction ( 0226).
• Turn  Active D-Lighting  off to avoid heightening the effects of noise 
( 0 123).
No photo taken when remote control  shutter-release button is pressed:
• Replace battery in remote control ( 0308).
• Choose remote control release mode ( 097).
• Flash is charging ( 031).
• Time selected for  Remote on duration (ML-L3)  (0 247) has elapsed.
• Bright light is interfering with ML-L3 remote control. 
						

							
332Technical Notes
Beep does not sound :
• Off  is selected for  Beep (0 247).
• Camera is in quiet shutter-release mode ( 070), or movie is being 
recorded ( 0155).
• MF  or  AF-C  is selected as the focus mode or subject moves when  AF-A is 
selected ( 074).
Smudges appear in photographs : Clean front and rear lens elements.
 If 
problem persists, perform image sensor cleaning ( 0314).
Date is not imprinted on photos : An NEF (RAW ) option is selected for image 
quality ( 086, 254).
Sound is not recorded with movies : Microphone off  is selected for Movie 
settings  > Microphone  (0 158).
Flicker or banding appears during live view or movie recording : Choose an option 
for  Flicker reduction  that matches the frequency of the local AC power 
supply ( 0241).
Menu item can not be selected : Some options are not available in all modes. 
						

							
333
Technical Notes
Shooting (
P, S, A, M
)
Shutter-release disabled :
• Non-CPU lens is attached: rotate camera mode dial to  M (0 292).
• Mode dial rotated to  S after shutter speed of “Bulb” or “Time” selected 
in mode  M: choose new shutter speed ( 0104).
Full range of shutter speeds not available :
• Flash in use ( 093).
• When  On is selected for  Movie settings  > Manual movie settings  in 
the shooting menu, the range of avai lable shutter speed varies with the 
frame rate ( 0159).
Can not select desired aperture : Range of available apertures varies with lens 
used.
Colors are unnatural :
• Adjust white balance to match light source ( 0124).
• Adjust  Set Picture Control  settings (0135).
Can not measure white balance : Subject is too dark or too bright ( 0131).Image can not be selected as so urce for preset white balance
: Image was not 
created with D3300 (
0133).
Effects of Picture Control differ from image to image : A  (auto) is selected for 
sharpening, contrast, or saturation.
 For consistent results over a series of 
photos, choose another setting ( 0140).
Metering can not be changed : Autoexposure lock is in effect ( 0116).
Exposure compensation can not be used : Choose mode P,  S, or  A ( 0 100, 119).
Noise (reddish areas or other artifa cts) appears in long time-exposures : Turn noise 
reduction on ( 0226). 
						

							
334Technical Notes
PlaybackNEF (RAW) image is not played back : Photo was taken at image quality of NEF 
(RAW )+JPEG ( 086).
Some pictures are not displayed during playback : Select All for  Playback folder .
 
Note that Current is automatically selected after photograph is taken 
( 0 220).
“Tall” (portrait) orientation photos are di splayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation :
• Select  On for  Rotate tall  (0 221).
• Photo was taken with  Off selected for  Auto image rotation  (0 243).
• Photo is displayed in image review ( 0221).
• Camera was pointed up or down when photo was taken ( 0243).
Can not delete picture :
• Picture is protected: remove protection ( 0184).
• Memory card is locked ( 023).
Can not retouch picture : Photo can not be further edited with this camera 
( 0 264).
Can not change print order :
• Memory card is full: delete pictures ( 0192, 338).
• Memory card is locked ( 023).
Can not select photo for printing : Photo is in NEF (RAW ) format.
 Create JPEG 
copy using  NEF (RAW) processing  or transfer to computer and print 
using supplied software or Capture NX 2 ( 0204, 275, 307). 
						

							
335
Technical Notes
MiscellaneousPicture is not displayed on TV :
• Choose correct video mode ( 0260) or output resolution ( 0218).
• A/V ( 0215) or HDMI ( 0217) cable is not correctly connected.
Camera does not respond to remote  control for HDMI-CEC television:
• Select  On for  HDMI  > Device control  in the setup menu ( 0218).
• Adjust HDMI-CEC settings for the television as described in 
documentation provided with the device.
Can not transfer photos to computer : OS not compatible with camera or 
transfer software.
 Use card reader to copy photos to computer ( 0203).
Photos are not displayed in Capture NX 2 : Update to latest version (0307).
Image Dust Off option in Capture NX 2 does not have desired effect : Image sensor 
cleaning changes the position  of dust on the image sensor.
 Image Dust 
Off reference data recorded before image sensor cleaning is performed 
can not be used with photographs ta ken after image sensor cleaning is 
performed.
 Image Dust Off reference data recorded after image sensor 
cleaning is performed can not be used with photographs taken before 
image sensor cleaning is performed ( 0239).
Date of recording is not correct : Set camera clock (018, 242).
Menu item can not be selected : Some options are not available at certain 
combinations of settings or when no memory card is inserted ( 015, 
263, 326). 
						

							
336Technical Notes This section lists the indicators and error messages that appear 
in the viewfinder and monitor.
Error MessagesAWarning Icons
A flashing  d in the monitor or  s in the viewfinder indicates that a 
warning or error message can be disp layed in the monitor by pressing 
the  W (Q ) button.
Indicator
Solution
0
Monitor
Viewfinder
Lock lens aperture ring 
at minimum aperture 
(largest f/-number). B
 
(flashes) Set lens aperture ring to 
minimum aperture (highest 
f-number).
291
Lens not attached F
/s  
(flashes) •
Attach non-IX NIKKOR lens. 290
• If non-CPU lens is attached, 
select mode  M. 108
Before taking photos, 
rotate the zoom ring to 
extend the lens. F
(flashes) A lens with a retractable lens 
barrel button is attached with the 
lens barrel retracted. Press the 
retractable lens barrel button 
and rotate the zoom ring to 
extend the lens.
17
Shutter release 
disabled. Recharge 
battery. d
/s  
(flashes) Turn camera off and recharge or 
replace battery.
14, 17
This battery cannot be 
used. Choose battery 
designated for use in 
this camera. d
(flashes) Use Nikon-approved battery.
306 
						

							
337
Technical Notes
Initialization error. 
Turn camera off and 
then on again. d
/
k  
(flashes) Turn camera off, remove and 
replace battery, and then turn 
camera on again.
15, 17
Battery level is low. 
Complete operation 
and turn camera off 
immediately. —
End cleaning and turn camera off 
and recharge or replace battery. 319
Clock not set — Set camera clock. 18, 242
No memory card 
inserted S
/s  
(flashes) Turn camera off and confirm that 
card is correctly inserted.
15
Memory card is locked.
Slide lock to “write” 
position. (
 
(flashes) Memory card is locked (write 
protected).
 Slide card write-
protect switch to “write” position. 23
This memory card 
cannot be used. Card 
may be damaged. 
Insert another card. (
/k  
(flashes) •
Use approved card. 310
• Format card. If problem 
persists, card may be damaged.
 
Contact Nikon-authorized 
service representative. 234
• Error creating new folder.
 
Delete files or insert new 
memory card. 15, 192
• Insert new memory card. 15
• Eye-Fi card is still emitting 
wireless signal after  Disable has 
been selected for  Eye-Fi 
upload .
 To terminate wireless 
transmission, turn the camera 
off and remove the card. 261
Indicator
Solution
0
Monitor
Viewfinder 
						

							
338Technical Notes
Not available if Eye-Fi 
card is locked. (
/k  
(flashes) Eye-Fi card is locked (write 
protected).
 Slide card write-
protect switch to “write” position. 23
This card is not 
formatted. 
Format the card. T
 
(flashes) Format card or turn camera off 
and insert new memory card.
15, 234
Card is full j
/A /s  
(flashes) •
Reduce quality or size. 85
• Delete photographs. 192
• Insert new memory card. 15
— ●
 
(flashes) Camera can not focus using 
autofocus. Change composition 
or focus manually. 27, 76, 
83
Subject is too bright s 
(flashes) •
Use a lower ISO sensitivity. 95
• Use commercial ND filter. 306
• In mode:
S Increase shutter speed 105
A Choose a smaller aperture 
(higher f-number) 107
% Choose another shooting 
mode 4
Subject is too dark •
Use a higher ISO sensitivity. 95
• Use flash. 89
• In mode:
S Lower shutter speed 105
A Choose a larger aperture 
(lower f-number) 107
Indicator
Solution
0
Monitor
Viewfinder 
						

							
339
Technical Notes
No “Bulb” in S mode A
 
(flashes) Change shutter speed or select 
mode M. 105, 
108
No “Time” in S mode &
 
(flashes)
Press the live-view 
button when you are 
ready to start a 
panorama. q
(flashes) /
B Press the 
a button to start live 
view before recording a 
panorama. 63
Cannot shoot 
panorama with lens of 
this focal length. —Use a lens with a focal length of 
55 mm or less to shoot 
panoramas. If you are using a 
zoom lens, choose a focal length 
of 55 mm or less. 63
— N
(flashes) Flash has fired at full power.
 
Check photo in monitor; if 
underexposed, adjust settings 
and try again.
—
— N
/s  
(flashes) •
Use the flash. 89
• Change distance to subject, 
aperture, flash range, or ISO 
sensitivity. 94, 95, 
107
• Lens focal length is less than 
18 mm: use a longer focal 
length. —
• Optional SB-400 or SB-300 flash 
unit attached: flash is in bounce 
position or focus distance is 
very short.
 Continue shooting; 
if necessary, increase focus 
distance to prevent shadows 
from appearing in photograph. —
Indicator
Solution
0
Monitor
Viewfinder 
						

							
340Technical Notes
Flash error s
 
(flashes) Error occurred updating firmware 
for optional flash unit.
 Contact 
Nikon-authorized service 
representative. —
Error. Press shutter 
release button again. O 
(flashes) Release shutter.
 If error persists 
or appears frequently, consult 
Nikon-authorized service 
representative. —
Start-up error. Contact 
a Nikon-authorized 
service representative. Consult Nikon-authorized service 
representative.
—
Metering error
Unable to start live 
view. 
Please wait for camera 
to cool. —
Wait for the internal circuits to 
cool before resuming live view or 
movie recording. 152, 
157
Folder contains no 
images. —Folder selected for playback 
contains no images (note that 
this message will be displayed if 
memory card is inserted after 
Current
 is selected for  Playback 
folder  in playback menu and 
playback started before any 
pictures are taken). Insert 
another memory card or select 
All  for  Playback folder .15, 220
Indicator
Solution
0
Monitor
Viewfinder