Some Canon PowerShot A530/A540s Overheat

Canon is offering free repairs on PowerShot A530 and A540 digital cameras which may overheat because of a short circuit caused by a spring in the battery cover door.

Canon is offering free repairs on selected Canon PowerShot A530 and A540 digital cameras which may be susceptible to overheating if a spring inside the battery cover door extends beyond its intended position. If the spring moves and and the battery cover is closed, the extended spring can cause a short circuit which can make the bottom of the camera become extremely hot near the battery cover; the short circuit also deletes the battery very quickly.

Canon describes the number of affected cameras as “very small,” and will repair affected cameras for free regardless of warranty status. Affected cameras have serial numbers which begin with “21,” “22,” “23″, and “24,” and, even then, are only affected if the hinge spring inside the battery cover “sticks out”—Canon provided enlarged photos to show the difference between springs which stick out and springs folded back over the lip of the battery door.

If the spring on a PowerShot A5430 or A540 digital camera sticks out, Canon advises customers stop using the camera and contact Canon as soon as possible for repair.