Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Not Turning On: What the Problem Usually Means
If your Canon PowerShot SX740 HS is not turning on, the issue is usually tied to power delivery, battery contact, firmware behavior, or a camera protection fault.
The good news is that many cases are fixable without service, and the fastest solutions often involve simple checks you can do in minutes.
This guide walks through the most common causes, what each symptom means, and the practical steps that can bring the camera back to life.
It also explains when the problem points to a hardware failure that needs professional repair.
Start With the Basics: Power and Battery Checks
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS uses a rechargeable Canon NB-13L battery.
If the battery is low, inserted incorrectly, or unable to deliver enough current, the camera may show no signs of life at all.
Check the battery charge level
- Remove the battery and inspect it for swelling, corrosion, or damage.
- Charge it fully with the original Canon charger or a known-compatible charger.
- If the charger indicator never changes, the battery may be exhausted or the charger may be faulty.
Reinsert the battery correctly
Open the battery compartment door, confirm the battery orientation, and make sure the latch clicks into place.
A battery that is slightly misaligned can prevent the camera from powering on even if it appears seated.
Test with a second battery
If available, use a fully charged genuine Canon NB-13L battery.
This is one of the fastest ways to separate a dead battery from a camera body problem.
Third-party batteries can be useful, but they sometimes fail under load or trigger inconsistent behavior.
Inspect the Battery Compartment and Contacts
Dirty or bent contacts are a frequent reason a compact camera will not start.
The SX740 HS relies on clean electrical contact between the battery terminals and the camera’s internal contacts.
- Look for dust, lint, oxidation, or liquid residue inside the battery compartment.
- Check whether the metal contacts appear pushed inward or uneven.
- Use a dry microfiber cloth or a clean, lint-free swab to gently clean visible debris.
If you see corrosion, avoid using liquid cleaners unless you are confident they are safe for electronics and fully evaporate.
If the contacts are visibly bent or damaged, the camera may require repair.
Rule Out the Memory Card and Startup Lockups
Although the SD card does not provide power, a corrupted card can occasionally keep a camera from completing startup.
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS may seem dead when it is actually stuck during initialization.
Try powering on without the SD card
- Turn the camera off if possible.
- Remove the SD card.
- Insert only a fully charged battery.
- Press the power button again.
If the camera starts without the card, the issue likely involves SD card corruption, card compatibility, or file-system errors.
Reformatting the card in-camera after backing up files can often solve the problem.
Use a known-good memory card
Canon recommends using reliable SD, SDHC, or SDXC cards from established brands.
A failing card can create erratic startup problems, especially if the camera was last used while writing a file.
Look for Signs of a Frozen Camera
Sometimes the SX740 HS is on but appears off because the screen stays black or the camera becomes unresponsive.
This can happen after a crash, a low-voltage event, or a bad shutdown.
- Press and hold the power button for several seconds.
- Remove the battery for at least 60 seconds.
- Reinsert the battery and try again.
- Listen closely for lens movement, autofocus noise, or startup sounds.
If you hear brief activity but the screen stays dark, the issue may involve the LCD, the lens assembly, or a firmware fault rather than complete power failure.
Check the Lens and Mechanical Blockage
The Canon PowerShot SX740 HS has a powered zoom lens, and a mechanical obstruction can stop the startup sequence.
If the lens is jammed or unable to extend, the camera may shut down immediately or refuse to start.
Inspect the lens barrel
- Look for sand, grit, or impact damage around the lens barrel.
- Make sure nothing is pressing against the lens when you turn the camera on.
- Do not force the lens open or twist it by hand.
If the camera was dropped, the lens motor or gears may be damaged.
In that case, repeated power attempts can worsen the problem.
Use the Correct Charging and Power Method
The SX740 HS battery charges outside the camera with a compatible charger.
If the camera has not been used for a while, the battery may enter a deep discharge state and need more time on the charger before it can power the camera.
Try a full charge cycle
- Charge the battery for the full recommended period.
- Let it cool if it feels warm after charging.
- Test the camera again with the battery fully charged.
A battery that seems to charge but cannot hold voltage under load can still fail to power the camera.
This is common with older lithium-ion batteries that have lost capacity.
Reset the Camera State
A simple reset can clear temporary faults.
The goal is to eliminate residual power and return the camera to a clean startup state.
- Remove the battery and SD card.
- Wait one to two minutes.
- Press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds with no battery installed.
- Reinsert the battery only.
- Try powering on before reinserting the memory card.
This process can help if the camera is locked in an error state after a failed startup or interrupted operation.
Consider Firmware or System Settings Issues
Firmware problems are less common than battery or card issues, but they can still affect the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS.
A corrupted firmware update or unstable internal setting can cause boot problems or strange behavior at startup.
- If the camera powers on intermittently, check Canon support for the latest firmware.
- Update only with a fully charged battery.
- Do not interrupt the update process once it begins.
If the camera will not power on at all, firmware recovery is usually not possible through normal menus, but it becomes relevant once the camera can start reliably again.
When the Problem Is More Likely Hardware Failure
If you have already tested a known-good battery, charged it fully, removed the SD card, cleaned the contacts, and reset the camera, the fault may be internal hardware.
In compact cameras like the SX740 HS, the most common hardware-related causes include a damaged power board, failed lens motor, corroded contact points, or impact damage.
Warning signs of a deeper fault
- No lights, sounds, or screen activity with a known-good battery
- Intermittent power after a drop or bump
- Repeated shutdown when the lens tries to extend
- Visible liquid damage or corrosion
If liquid entered the camera, turn it off immediately, remove the battery, and avoid repeated power attempts.
Powering a wet camera can create short circuits and permanent board damage.
Best Practices to Prevent Startup Problems
Once you get the Canon PowerShot SX740 HS working again, a few habits can reduce the chance of another startup failure.
- Use genuine or high-quality NB-13L batteries.
- Store batteries partially charged if the camera will sit unused for long periods.
- Format SD cards in the camera after backing up photos.
- Keep the battery compartment and lens area free of dust and sand.
- Avoid forcing the lens if the camera seems stuck.
Travel use, pocket storage, and exposure to moisture are common ways compact cameras develop power and lens issues over time.
Careful handling goes a long way with the SX740 HS because its zoom mechanism and small battery format leave less margin for error than larger cameras.
Quick Troubleshooting Order for Canon PowerShot SX740 HS Not Turning On
- Fully charge the battery and confirm the charger works.
- Try a second known-good NB-13L battery.
- Remove the SD card and test again.
- Inspect and clean the battery contacts.
- Reset the camera by removing power for one to two minutes.
- Check the lens for blockage or impact damage.
- Look for corrosion, liquid exposure, or signs of internal failure.
Following this sequence helps isolate the cause quickly and avoids unnecessary replacement parts or repeated failed startup attempts.