Why does my Polaroid keep blinking?

One of the most popular Instant film cameras from Fujifilm is the Instax Mini 11. Even though they are great cameras, it’s possible you have run into problems taking using it to take images.

The most common problems with the Instax Mini 11 are it not taking an image, not turning on, the images are too bright or dark, or the lights are blinking. Blinking or flashing lights on the Instax Mini 11 mean either the flash is charging or the batteries need to be replaced. Too bright or dark photos could mean the sensors on the camera are covered while taking an image.

So there are the two most common problems people have with the Instax Mini 11 camera. Below we’ll cover the six most common issues with the Instax Mini 11 and how to fix them. But there’s much more to know. Whether you’re new to instant photography or an experienced user, these tips will help you get the most out of your camera.

Common Problems with Your Instax Mini 11 Camera

If you’re a fan of instant photography, the Instax Mini 11 camera is a great option. However, like any camera, you may run into issues. Here are six of the most common issues with the Mini 11 and offer solutions on how to fix them. Let’s get started!

1. Why Is My Instax Mini 11 Printing White?

What Does White Instax Film Look Like?

The instax film is completely white and there is no trace of an image on the film.

The Cause of White Instax Film?

There are two possible causes for this:

• The 2 small, parallel holes / sensors on the front or on lens of your Instax Mini 11 are covered. Both the AE Light and Flash Light sensors on the camera body and the lens are designed to measure light in the environment so the camera captures the right amount of light when you press the shutter button. When these sensors are covered, your Instax thinks there needs to more light than it actually needs.

• Your film was exposed to light while loading the film into the camera or the film door was opened while there was film in the camera.

• The film was store incorrectly and/or is expired

How To Fix White Instax Film?

The good news is this is preventable in the future. Follow these guidelines to prevent Instax film from being turned white from covered sensors or exposed film.

Sensors Were Covered

If you think the light sensors where covered and this it the reason your film is white, be careful when taking an image and don’t cover them.

Film Was Exposed

If you think your film was exposed while placing it into the camera or before, then in the future make sure to no load your instant film in direct sunlight (such as a dark shadow or a low-light environment).

Once the film has been loaded, you should avoid opening the film compartment at all since instant film is light-sensitive once the dark slide has been ejected from the camera.

Keep in mind if you exposed your film by accident while loading it into the camera or by opening the film door while film was in the camera, the other first few film sheets will be exposed but the others in the compartment should have been protected from the light by the other film sheets and still be usable. However, this will depends on how much and long your film was previously exposed to light.

The film was store incorrectly and/or is expired

If your film is printing completely white It is also possible that your has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film processes itself, sometimes the chemicals in the film become expired or lose their potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight. If it isn’t stored correctly, meaning it got too hot or too cold, it can cause poor performance from the film like being all white.

2. Why Are My Instax Mini 11 Pictures Overexposed?

What Does Overexposed Instax Film Look Like?

The instax film is bright and the colors are not vibrant with few image details. The image may also be slightly blurry.

The Cause of Overexposed Instax Film?

There are 4 possible causes for why your Instax film is overexposed:

• The 2 small, parallel holes / sensors on your Instax Mini 11’s front covered so the camera thought it needed more light for a correct exposure. Both the AE Light and Flash Light sensors on the camera body are designed to measure light in the environment so the camera captures the right amount of light when you press the shutter button. When these sensors are covered, your Instax thinks it needs more light than it actually needs

• You were too close to your subject (less than 11.8 inches / 0.3 m) so the flash was too bright for your subject and also blurry

• You were taking images outside and in bright sunlight.

• The film compartment door wasn’t fully closed

• The film was stored incorrectly and/or expired

How To Fix Overexposed Instax Film?

The good news is having overexposed images is fixable for the future by following the each suggestion below:

Sensors Were Covered

If you think the reason for your instax images are overexposed it because your light sensors where covered, then this is an easy fix. Just be careful in the future not to cover the sensors with your hands fingers when taking an image.

Too Close To Subject

If you think there reason for your image being overexposed is because you were too close to your subject, make sure to be within the effective flash range for the camera which is 11.8 inches – 8.8 ft (0.3 to 2.7 m) which is also how

Taking Images Outside in Bright Sunlight

Your image may also be overexposed on the Instax Mini 11 because you were taking images outdoor in bright sunlight. The Instax Mini 11 has automatic exposure which measures the light in the environment. Unfortunately, on the Instax Mini 11 the automatic exposure setting cannot be changed (like it can on the Instax Mini 9). Since the flash always fires and cannot be turned off, the camera tends to overexpose images outdoors in bright sunlight.

For this reason, I recommend either not shooting in direct sunlight on sunny days or shoot with the light behind you. Another recommendation is to put something in front of the flash like opaque tape (like duct tape or black electrical tape), your finger, or one of the lenses of your sunglasses to tone down the flash.

The film compartment door wasn’t fully closed

Another reason why your Instax Mini 11 images might be overexposed is the film door on the Instax Mini 11 wasn’t completely shut and got exposed to light. In the future, make sure the film compartment door is completely shut when install a new pack of film in the camera.

The film was stored incorrectly and/or expired

If your film if overexposed it is possible that your has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film processes itself, sometimes the chemicals in the film become expired or lose their potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight. If it isn’t stored correctly, meaning it got too hot or too cold, it can cause poor performance from the film like being overexposed.

3. Why Are My Instax Mini 11 Pictures Coming Out Black?

What Does Black Instax Mini 11 Picture Look Like?

The instax film is completely dark with no image on the film at all.

The Cause of Instax Mini 11 Film Coming Out Black?

There are 4 possible causes for why your instax image is black:

• The lens wasn’t fully extended when you turned the camera on so the shutter wasn’t able to fire correctly. The image is dark because no light was able to hit the image.

• Your Instax film is expired or wasn’t stored correctly

• You are taking an image at night or in a dark environment and the subject is too far away at night or the flash was covered

• The camera miscalculated the exposure or has malfunctioned and needs to be reset

How To Fix Your Instax Mini 11 Coming Out Black?

The good news is having black images can be fixable for the future by following the each suggestion below:

Lens Wasn’t Fully Extended When Taking An Image

The lens wasn’t fully extended when you turned the camera on so the shutter wasn’t able to fire correctly. In the future, make sure that your lens clicks into place before taking an image while using either the normal mode or selfie mode.

Instax Film Is Expired And/Or Was Not Stored Correctly.

One reason why the film is all black is your film has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film processes itself, sometimes the chemicals in the film become expired or lose their potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight. If it isn’t stored correctly, meaning it got too hot or too cold, it can cause poor performance from the film like being all black.

Too Far Away from Subject At Night Or Flash Was Covered

Another cause for your Instax image is dark is because you are too far away (farther than 8.8 ft or 2.7m) from your subject while taking an image at night. This is because the flash wasn’t strong enough to reach your subject to light it up since the effective flash range of the Instax Mini 11 is 11.8 inches – 8.8 ft (0.3 to 2.7 m).

It could also be that you covered up the flash with your hand or finger when taking an image at night so no light was able to illuminate your subject.

The Camera Needs to Be Reset

Your Instax may not have calculated the exposure properly due to a problem with the microcomputer that controls the exposure setting in your computer. To fix this you need to reset your camera by taking out the batteries and inserting them or replacing them with 2 new Alkaline double AA batteries. If this doesn’t work, then you may need to take the batteries out with the lens fully extended and then reinsert the batteries to fully reset the camera.

4. Why Are My instax Mini 11 Pictures Blurry?

What Does Blurry Instax Mini 11 Pictures Look Like?

The image on the Instax Mini film is blurry and not in focus.

What Causes Your Instax Mini 11 Image to Be Blurry?

Like any other camera, photos taken with the Instax Mini 11 can sometimes be blurry despite the advanced technology. Here 5 reasons that might cause Instax Mini 11 images to be blurry:

• The lens is dirty and needs to be cleaned.

• Flash on your Instax camera is not going off and the camera needs to be reset

• The shutter is not fast enough in low-light environment or the camera wasn’t held still while taking an image

• Too close or too far away from the subject when taking a picture

• Your film wasn’t stored correctly or has expired

How To Fix Blurry Pictures from an Instax Mini 11?

The good news is having dark images can be fixable for the future by following the each suggestion below:

The Camera Lens is Dirty

The easiest fix for all of these causes for having a blurry image using an Instax Mini 11, is your lens is simply dirty and/or smudged. To fix this issue use a lint-free or microfiber cloth made for glasses or camera lenses to clean the lens. Depending on how bad the issue is, you may need to also use a liquid cleaner made for glasses.

I don’t recommend using a t-shirt since the cloth could scratch camera’s plastic lens and cause permanent damage.

The Flash On Your Instax Mini 11 Is Not Going Off

If your Instax Mini 11’s flash isn’t firing, you could try resetting the microcomputer inside your camera that calculates the exposure in the camera by removing the 2 AA alkaline batteries and inserting new ones. If that doesn’t help, try removing and reinserting the batteries while the len’s of the camera is fully extended.

The Shutter Was Open Too Long or Not Holding the Camera Securely While Taking An Image

Since the aperture on the Instax Mini 11 is a constant f/12.7 and Instax Mini film is rated at ISO 800, this leaves the camera with just the shutter speed and the flash to control exposure. The Instax Mini 11 will choose a shutter speed around 1/60th at night to take an image with the flash to allow light in and this shutter speed is too slow to capture fast moving action.

It’s also possible that you didn’t hold the camera steady enough while shooting in a low-light environment. To fix this issue in the future, steady the camera up against a wall or hold the camera with both hands. You can also brace both arms by pressing your elbows against your body while taking an image to keep the Instax Mini 11 steady when taking an image.

The Shutter Is Not Fast Enough In Low-Light Environment Or The Camera Wasn’t Held Still While Taking An Image

Another reason that your images from the Instax Mini 11 is blurry because you are too close or far away from your subject while in normal mode (10.8 ft – Infinity or 0.3m – Infinity) or either too close or far away from your subject while in selfie mode (10.8 inches – 1.6 ft or 0.3m to 0.5m). It is important to keep your subject within the focus range for each camera mode (normal mode or selfie mode) so your image will be in focus.

Your Film Wasn’t Stored Correctly Or Has Expired

Lastly, it’s possible that your film has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film develops, sometimes the chemicals in the film become expired or lose their potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight. If it isn’t stored correctly, it can cause poor performance from the film.

5. Why is the Light On my Instax Mini 11 Blinking?

What Does The Light On My Instax Mini 11 Blinking Look Like?

The small light on the front of the Instax Mini 11 (the flash charging lamp) will blink to communicate different functions. Depending on if the light is steady lit, flashing slowly, or flashing quickly communicated different states on the camera.

What Causes The Light On Your Instax Mini 11 to Blink?

Seeing the light above the lens on the front of your Instax Mini 11 blinking is a normal part of the camera’s normal operation (like when the flash is charging) but there are some times that you may need to take action when you see the light blinking. Here are 3 reasons why the light might be blinking:

• The flash cannot charge because there the batteries are dead and need to be replaced

• The film in the camera is jammed

How To Fix the Light Blinking on Instax Mini 11?

The good news is the light blinking on the front of your Instax Mini 11 is fixable by following the each suggestion below:

The Flash is Charging (Light Blinking Slowly)

One of the main reasons the light above the lens on the front of your Instax Mini 11 is blinking slowly is because the flash is charging. Since the flash always fires when the camera take an image and cannot be turned off, you will see the light slowly flash the most. Keep in mind it takes 3 – 10 seconds for the flash to fully charge that you cannot press the shutter button completely until the camera’s flash is fully charged. Once the flash has enough power, the light will stop blinking and stay lit to indicate your Instax Mini 11 is ready to take an image.

The Batteries Are Dead and Need to be Replaced (Light Blinking Quickly)

Another reason why the light above the lens on your Instax Mini 11 is flashing quickly is because the 2 AA batteries in your camera are dead or losing power and need to be replaced. When this happens the light will blink quickly and you won’t be able to take an image since the flash has be fully charged before you can take an image.

Keep in mind that Fujifilm recommends that you only use Alkaline batteries in Instax cameras (not rechargeable batteries). Keep in mind you cannot take an image until the camera’s flash is fully charged. If the light still continues to blink after you replaced the batteries, you may also need to remove the batteries and insert new ones while the lens is fully extended to reset the camera and stop the light from blinking.

The Film In the Camera Is Jammed (Light Blinking Quickly)

Another reason why the light above the lens on the front the Instax Mini 11 is flashing quickly is because the film is jammed inside the camera. You’ll want to check the ejection slot on the top of the camera. Fujifilm recommends not to pull on the film to eject it since you may damage the internal mechanisms. In order to unjam the camera, remove the batteries and insert new ones while the lens is fully extended.

6: Why My Instax Mini 11 Won’t Take Photos?

Keep reading below to see what causes your Instax Mini 11 from taking photos and how to fix it.

What Causes Your Instax Mini 11 To Not Take Photos?

It can be frustrating when are ready to take an image and your Instax Mini 11 won’t take an image in the moment. Here are 4 main reasons why your Instax Mini 11 won’t take photos:

• There is not more film in the camera

How To Fix Your Instax Mini 11 When It Won’t Take Photos?

The good news is the light blinking on the front of your Instax Mini 11 is fixable by following the each suggestion below:

No More Film In the Camera

To start with, it could simply mean that the film is used up and you need to replace it with a new pack. To check and see if this is the issue, look at the film counter on the back of the camera at the bottom counting from 10 to 0. When it reaches 0, you need to replace the film. See this article for how to replace the film in an Instax Mini 11.

The Flash is Charging

Another possible reason that your camera won’t take photos is because the flash is currently charging. Since the flash fires automatically with each shot, the camera won’t take a picture if the flash is not fully charged. The camera indicates that the flash is fully charged when the flash charging light is lit up and not blinking.

The Batteries are Dead

If you are sure you have film in your camera and your Instax Mini 11 won’t take photos, then it may just be that the batteries in the camera are dead and need to be replaced. Dead batteries are also indicated the light above the lens on the front of your camera will be quickly blinking to indicate the batteries need to be replaced. Remember to only use 2 AA Alkaline batteries in Instax cameras since any others batteries (such as rechargeable / NiMH, Zinc Carbon, or NiCd) won’t work.

Need to Reset the Camera

If you’ve tried replacing the old batteries with a new set of 2 AA alkaline batteries for the Instax Mini 11 and it still won’t work. Try resetting the microcomputer in the camera by removing and reinstalling the fresh batteries while the lens is fully extended. Depending the camera, you may have to wait 2 hours before reinstalling the batteries.

Conclusion

Although we’ve outlined some of the most common problems with the Instax Mini 11 and how to fix them, you should remember that some issues can’t be resolved so easily. If you continue to experience problems with your Instax Mini 11 camera, or if any of the solutions listed here don’t work for you, reach out to a Fujifilm repair center. You will find a list of Fujifilm repair centers at this website here.

To conclude this guide, we hope that you were able to fix your Instax issue and that you’re getting ready to take a cool images and selfies again!

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One of the most popular Instant film cameras of the last few years has been the Instax Mini 9 by Fujifilm. There are a few, common problems that users of the Instax Mini 9 can run into but the good news is most problems with the Instax Mini 9 can be fixed quickly and easily.

The most common problems with the Instax Mini 9 are it not turning on, not taking an image, prints are all white or black, and the camera lights blink. Images coming out white or black can mean the right exposure mode wasn’t selected or the sensors were covered when taking an image. Blinking lights on the Mini 9 can mean the flash is charging or the batteries need replacing.

So there are the two most common problems people have with the Instax Mini 9 camera. Below we’ll cover the six most common issues with the Instax Mini 9 and how to fix them. But there’s much more to know. Whether you’re new to instant photography or an experienced user, these tips will help you get the most out of your camera.

7 Common Problems with Your Instax Mini 9 Camera

If you’re a fan of instant photography, the Instax Mini 9 camera is a fantastic option. However, like any camera, you may run into issues when taking images. Here are six of the most common issues with the Instax Mini 9 and solutions on how to fix them. Let’s get started!

1. Why Does My Instax Mini 9 Not Turn On?

What Does the Instax Mini 9 Not Turning on Look Like?

Usually, to turn on the Instax Mini 9 you press the large button below to the right of the lens on the front of the camera. The lens of the camera will extend with a pop once the button has been pressed and the flash will should begin charging. A red light to the left of the viewfinder on the back of the camera will begin flashing to indicate the camera is charging. The camera is fully charged once the red light to the left of the viewfinder stops blinking, turns off, and the an orange light appears on the brightness indicator on the front of the camera is completely lit.

If there is no blinking light next to the viewfinder or the brightness indicators around the lens barrel on the front of the camera do not light up after you pressed the on button on the bottom right of the front of the Instax Mini 9, then the camera is not turning on.

What is the Cause of the Instax Mini 9 Not Turning On?

Most likely the reason that your Instax Mini 9 is not turning on when you press the on button on the front of the camera is that the batteries are dead and need to be replaced or you need to use Alkaline batteries.

Another possible reason the Instax Mini 9 camera won’t take an image is because the batteries are not loaded correctly.

If you have installed fresh alkaline batteries or replaced old ones, and your camera is still not turning on after being dropped on a hard surface or being dropped in a swimming pool, an ocean, or used in the rain it is possible it has suffered some kind of internal damage. The Instax Mini 9 is not waterproof and the camera has electronics on the inside which can be ruined by water.

How to Fix an Instax Mini 9 Not Turning on?

If you believe main reason for you Instax Mini 9 not turning on is because the batteries are dead, you will need to replace the old batteries with 2 fresh AA Alkaline batteries. Fujifilm film Instax camera are calibrated to be used with Alkaline batteries for best exposures and results with their cameras.

Also, make sure to load the batteries in the correct orientation by matching the “+” and “-” symbols on the batteries to those on the camera. See this article more more information about how to load batteries into the Instax Mini 9.

If you suspect the reason your camera won’t turn on is because it was dropped on a hard surface or has water damage, the only fix is to reach out to a Fujifilm repair center to get your camera working again. You will find a list of Fujifilm repair centers at this website.

2. Why is My Instax Mini 9 Blinking Orange?

What Does the Instax Mini 9 Blinking Orange Look Like?

All of the brightness indicators on the front of the Instax Mini 9 are blinking orange.

What Causes the Light on your Instax Mini 9 to Blink Orange?

Normally, one of the brightness indicators will light up orange to show the flash is fully charged or to indicate which brightness mode to choose for your lighting situation. However, if all of the brightness indicators on the front of your camera blink orange at the same time, this could mean either the batteries in the camera are too low and need to be replaced, the film was not loaded correctly, or there is a paper jam inside of the camera.

How to Fix an Instax Mini 9 Blinking Orange?

To fix the blinking orange lights on the Instax Mini 9 depends on the cause.

The Batteries Are Dead and Need to be Replaced

If you believe the batteries are low then you will need to replace the batteries in the camera. Fujifilm instax cameras are calibrated to Alkaline batteries and therefore, 2 AA Alkaline batteries are recommended for use in the camera.

NOTE: Remember to replace the batteries only while the power is turned on or the lens is extended. If you replace the batteries while the power is turned off (the lens is fully in the camera) the lamps on the brightness adjustment dial will blink after turning on the power even with new batteries.

Film Not Loaded Correctly

If all of the lights on the front of the camera all flash it may be the film pack is faulty or the film pack was not loaded into the camera correctly. In most cases it is because the film pack was not loaded correctly into the camera. To check, look into the film window on the back of the camera next to the viewfinder and see if there is a large yellow mark on the film packet. If you don’t see a large yellow mark in the window the film may be loaded in upside down.

You can also see this article about how to use the Instax Mini 9 for how to load film properly into the camera.

The Film In the Camera Is Jammed

If the brightness indicators continue to blink orange after inserting fresh 2 AA alkaline batteries, then there is possibly a paper jam. To fix the paper jam remove the batteries, reinsert them, and press the shutter button once the camera is turned on – this should eject the stuck film.

If you’ve tried replacing the old batteries with a new set of 2 AA alkaline batteries and the camera is still blinking orange and won’t take an image after pressing the shutter, try resetting camera by removing and reinstalling the fresh batteries while the lens is extended (or the camera is turned on).

If you have tried all all of the above and lights on the front of your camera continues blinking orange, you may need to contact a Fujifilm repair center to fix your camera. You will find a list of Fujifilm repair centers at this website.

3. Why is My Instax Mini 9 Blinking Red?

What Does the Instax Mini 9 Blinking Red Look Like?

The small light to the left of the viewfinder (the flash charging lamp) on the back of the Instax Mini 9 will sometimes blink or stay red. You also won’t be able to take an image when you press the shutter button on the camera.

What Causes the Light on Your Instax Mini 9 to Blink Red?

Normally, the light to the left of the viewfinder (called the flash charging lamp) on the back of the Instax Mini 9 will blink orange to indicate that the flash on the camera is charging. However, sometimes it will blink or stay red to indicate that the batteries are too low to charge the flash. Keep in mind that the camera won’t take a picture unless the flash is fully charged.

How to Fix an Instax Mini 9 Blinking Red?

Since the red light next to the viewfinder on the Instax Mini 9 is blinking or lit means the batteries are too low to charge the flash, in order to fix this issue you will need to replace the dead batteries with 2 new AA Alkaline batteries in order fix the red light and to take an image.

NOTE: Remember to replace the batteries only while the power is turned on or the lens is extended. If you replace the batteries while the power is turned off (the lens is fully in the camera) the lamps on the brightness adjustment dial will blink after turning on the power even with new batteries.

4. What Does It Mean If All the Lights Are Flashing on my Instax Mini 9?

What Does All the Lights are Flashing on My Instax Mini 9 Look lLike?

All of the brightness indicator lights on the Instax Mini 9 continue to flash orange and won’t stop.

What Causes All the Lights Flashing on my Instax Mini 9?

There are 3 reasons why all the lights flashing on the front of the Instax Mini 9 are flashing. The first is because the batteries in the camera are too low to charge the flash. However, remember to only replace the batteries in the Instax Mini 9 while the power is turned on or when the lens is extended. The second reason is the film wasn’t loaded correctly in the camera. The third reason is because there may be a paper jam inside the camera.

How to Fix All the Lights are Flashing on my Instax Mini 9?

There are 3 reasons why the lights are flashing on your Mini Instax Mini 9 – the batteries are low, the film was not loaded correctly, or there is a paper jam inside the camera.

Batteries Are Low

If the batteries are low, the red light next to the viewfinder on the back of the camera lights up. If all the lights blink on the camera, you may need to replace the batteries while the lens is extended and while the camera is turned on.

NOTE: Remember to replace the batteries only while the power is turned on or the lens is extended. If you replace the batteries while the power is turned off (the lens is fully in the camera) the lamps on the brightness adjustment dial will blink after turning on the power even with new batteries.

Film Not Loaded Correctly

If all of the lights on the front of the camera all flash it may be the film pack is faulty or the film pack was not loaded into the camera correctly. In most cases it is because the film pack was improperly loaded into the camera. To check, look into the film window on the back of the camera next to the viewfinder and see if there is a large yellow mark on the film packet. If you don’t see a large yellow mark in the window the film may be loaded in upside down.

If the package was loaded incorrectly, you should try again. It’s worth noting the right order to load the cartridge:

• As soon as you open the package keep it away fro direct light while inserting it into the camera – the film is light-sensitive and could be damaged by sunlight.
• Do not open the back door until you’ve shot all the film to keep the film from turning all white.
• When loading the film, ensure the yellow mark on the film aligns with the yellow mark on the camera.

If you decided to continue to use the same film from the camera, go to a dark room out that is out of direct sunlight to remove the film pack, rotate the film pack to line up the yellow marks on it and the camera correctly to reload it back into the camera.

There is a paper jam inside the camera

If the brightness indicators continue to blink orange after inserting fresh 2 AA alkaline batteries, then there is possibly a paper jam. To reset the camera and fix the paper jam, remove the batteries, reinsert them, and press the shutter button once the camera is turned on – this should eject the stuck film.

If you have tried all all of the above and lights on the front of your camera continues blinking orange, you may need to contact a Fujifilm repair center to fix your camera. You will find a list of Fujifilm repair centers at this website.

5. Why is my Instax Mini 9 printing white?

What Does White Instax Film Look Like from Instax Mini 9?

The instax film is completely white and there is no image on the film.

What Causes White Instax Film in Instax Mini 9?

There are several possible causes for this:

• The 2 small, parallel holes / sensors on the front of your Instax Mini 9 are covered. Both the AE Light and Flash Light sensors on the camera body and the lens are designed to measure light in the environment so the camera captures the right amount of light when you press the shutter button. When these sensors are covered, your Instax thinks there needs to more light than it actually needs.
• Wrong brightness setting was selected
• Your film was exposed to light while loading the film into the camera or the film door was opened while there was film still in the camera.
• The film was stored incorrectly and/or is expired
• The temperature of the environment is too low (below +5°C/+41°F).

How To Fix White Instax Film from Instax Mini 9?

The good news is having all white film is generally preventable in the future. Follow these steps to prevent your Instax Mini 9 from taking completely white images.

Light Sensors Were Covered When Taking an Image

If you think the light sensors where covered and this it the reason your film is white, be careful where you are holding the camera so you don’t cover them when taking an image.

Wrong Brightness Setting Was Selected

The most likely reason why your photos are coming out all white from the Instax Mini 9 is you chose the wrong brightness setting. While the instant camera suggests the ideal setting based on the environment around it using an orange light around the lens barrel on the front of the camera, you may not have chosen the best one.

These are the different brightness settings on the Instax Mini 9 in order of bright sun to indoors:

• Very Sunny and bright: aperture of f/32 (little light goes in)
• Sunny, slightly cloudy: aperture of f/22 (some light goes in)
• Cloudy, Shade: aperture of f/16 (more light goes in)
• Indoors, Night: aperture of f/12.7 (a lot of light is allowed in, ideal for darker surroundings)
• High Key Setting: The ideal setting for a very dark environment. Note – you must choose this setting because the camera won’t choose it itself. See this article I wrote for more details on when and how to properly use the High Key setting on Instax Mini 9.

If the brightness setting indicated by the camera was not chosen when the image was taken, it is possible the image will come out very white because the camera thought it needed more light, for example when the background is too dark compared to the subject. It is also possible that your subject is too bright, make the print all white (for instance, a white car in bright sun). To fix this issue, just select the next darker brightness setting on the camera.

Film Was Exposed When Loading Into Camera or While In Camera

If you think your film was exposed while placing it into the camera or before, then in the future make sure to not load your instant film in direct sunlight (such as a dark shadow, dark room or a low-light environment).

Once the film has been loaded, you should avoid opening the film compartment at all since instant film is light-sensitive once the dark slide has been ejected from the camera. Keep in mind if you exposed your film by accident while loading it into the camera or by opening the film door while film was in the camera, the other first few film sheets will be exposed but the others in the compartment should have been protected from the light by the other film sheets and still be usable. However, this will depends on how much and long your film was previously exposed to light.

The Film Was Stored Incorrectly and/or is Expired

If your film is printing completely white It is also possible that your has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film processes itself, sometimes the chemicals in the film become expired or lose their potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight. If it isn’t stored correctly, meaning it got too hot or too cold, it can cause poor performance from the film like being all white.

The Temperature of the Environment is Too Low

While Fujifilm Instax film works well in a wide range of temperatures, you will get the best results with Instax film when used when the ambient temperature is around 41 – 104 F (or 5 – 40 C). If you are using your Instax Mini 9 and film in an environment where the ambient temperature is below 41 F (or 5 C), then your Instax print will not be able to develop correctly and turn out completely white.

6. Why Are My Instax Mini 9 Photos Black?

What Does Black Instax Mini 9 Photo Look Like?

The instax film is completely black with no image on the film at all.

What Causes Instax Mini 9 Photos Coming Out Black?

There are 5 possible causes for why your instax image is completely black:

• The lens wasn’t fully extended when you turned the camera on or the lens barrel was held when the image was taken so the shutter wasn’t able to fire correctly. The image is too dark because no light was able to hit the image.
• Your Instax film is expired or wasn’t stored correctly
• You are taking an image at night or in a dark environment and the subject is too far away at night or the flash was covered
• Brightness adjustment dial setting is incorrect.
• The camera miscalculated the exposure or has malfunctioned and needs to be reset
• The temperature of the environment is Too Low

How To Fix Your Instax Mini 9 Photos Coming Out Black?

The good news is having black images can be fixable for the future by following the each suggestion below:

Lens Wasn’t Fully Extended or The Lens Barrel Was Held When Taking An Image

The lens wasn’t fully extended when you turned the camera on so the shutter wasn’t able to fire correctly. In the future, make sure that your lens clicks into place before taking an image while using either the normal mode or selfie mode. It could also be that you held the lens barrel when taking an image so the shutter did not work properly.

Instax Film Is Expired And/Or Was Not Stored Correctly.

One reason why the film is all black is your film has expired or has something wrong with it. Because of the way Instax Instant film processes itself, sometimes the chemicals in the film it can lose its potency. This can happen if the Instax film is expired or if the Instax film was not stored correctly.

Instax film can be used up to 2 to 3 years after the production date, but for the best results, it should be used 1 year after production and you can see the expiry date on the package or the aluminum foil. Also, instax film should be stored in cool environment and out of heat and direct sunlight left inside of the foil pouch.

Taking an Image at Night or Too Far Away from Subject Or The Flash Was Covered

Another cause for your Instax image being too dark or black is because the subject was too far away (farther than 8.8 ft or 2.7m) from your subject while taking an image at night, which is outside of the effective flash range of the camera and wasn’t strong enough to fully light your subject. Remember that the effective flash range of the Instax Mini 9 is 23.6 inches – 8.8 ft (0.6 to 2.7 m).

Also be careful when holding your camera not to cover the flash on the front of the camera with your finger or hand when taking an image. This will block light from the flash hitting the subject and cause a dark or black image.

Brightness Adjustment Dial Setting is Incorrect.

One of the most likely reasons why your photos are coming out all black from the Instax Mini 9 is you chose the wrong brightness setting. While the instant camera suggests the ideal setting based on the environment around it using an orange light around the lens barrel on the front of the camera, you may not have chosen the best one.

These are the different brightness settings on the Instax Mini 9 in order of bright sun to indoors, which for the darkest setting:

• Very Sunny and bright: aperture of f/32 (little light goes in)
• Sunny, slightly cloudy: aperture of f/22 (some light goes in)
• Cloudy, Shade: aperture of f/16 (more light goes in)
• Indoors, Night: aperture of f/12.7 (a lot of light is allowed in, ideal for darker surroundings)
• High Key Setting: The ideal setting for a very dark environment. Note – you must choose this setting because the camera won’t choose it itself. See this article I wrote for more details on when and how to properly use the High Key setting on Instax Mini 9.

If the brightness setting indicated by the camera was not chosen when the image was taken, it is possible the image will come out completely dark because the camera thought it had enough light, for example when the background is too bright compared to the subject. To fix this issue, just select the next brighter brightness setting on the camera or use the Hi Key camera setting to lighten up the image. On the other hand, when shooting outside on a bright day, Sunny or Very Sunny are the ideal settings.

The Camera Miscalculated the Exposure or Has Malfunctioned and Needs to be Reset

It is possible that the microcomputer in your camera miscalculated the light in your environment and gave you the wrong brightness settings. To fix this you need to reset your camera by taking out the batteries and inserting them or replacing them with 2 new Alkaline double AA batteries. If this doesn’t work, then you may need to take the batteries out with the lens fully extended and reinsert them.

The Temperature of the Environment is Too Low

While Fujifilm Instax film works well in a wide range of temperatures, you will get the best results with Instax film when used when the ambient temperature is around 41 – 104 F (or 5 – 40 C). If you are using your Instax Mini 9 and film in an environment where the ambient temperature is above 104 F (or 40 C), then your Instax print will not be able to develop correctly and be dark or completely black.

7. Why Won’t My Instax Mini 9 Take Pictures or Photos?

What Does It Look Like When Your Instax Mini 9 is Not Taking Photos?

The Instax Mini 9 camera won’t take an image despite pressing the shutter button.

What Causes My Instax Mini 9 to Not Take Photos?

The most common cause for your camera not taking photos is that the camera batteries are too low or dead. This is because the camera won’t take an image if there isn’t enough power to fully charge the flash. However, there are some other reasons such as:

• The Flash is Charging
• The batteries are not loaded correctly
• Camera is not turned on
• Camera has remained idle for roughly 5 minutes with the power turned on
• Film pack not loaded correctly
• No more film in the camera

How To Fix Your Instax Mini 9 When It Won’t Take Photos?

The good news is it should be easy to fix why your Instax Mini 9 is not taking photos by following one of the suggestions below:

The Camera Flash Is Charging

The Instax Mini 9, like almost all Instax Mini cameras, won’t take a picture until the flash is fully charged. So, if there is a flashing red light to the left of the viewfinder on the Instax Mini 9, this means the flash is charging and the camera won’t take an image until the red light goes out and an orange light on the front of the camera indicating the correct brightness setting is lit up.

Batteries Are Low or Dead

If you are sure you have film in your camera and your Instax Mini 9 still won’t take photos, then it may just be that the batteries in the camera are dead and need to be replaced. Dead batteries are indicated on the Instax Mini 9 if the red light to the left of the viewfinder keeps blinking or stays lit. Another indicator that the batteries need to be replaced is all of the brightness indicator lights on the front of the camera flash. Remember to only use 2 AA Alkaline batteries in Instax cameras since any others batteries (such as rechargeable / NiMH, Zinc Carbon, or NiCd) won’t give optimum results.

Also, remember to replace the batteries only while the power is turned on or the lens is extended in the Instax Mini 9. If you replace the batteries while the power is turned off (the lens is fully in the camera) the lamps on the brightness adjustment dial will blink after turning on the power even with new batteries.

The Batteries Are Not Loaded Correctly

Another possible reason the Instax Mini 9 camera won’t take an image is because the batteries are not loaded correctly. When loading in the 2 AA alkaline batteries into your camera, make sure to match up the “+” and “-” symbols on the batteries to those on your camera.

Camera is Not Turned On

It is possible that the camera has not been properly turned on and, therefore, won’t take any images. Turn the camera by pressing the large button on the bottom right of the front of the camera below the camera lens. When this button is pressed, the camera lens will pop out and extend.

Camera has Remained Idle for Roughly 5 Minutes With the Power Turned On

If the camera has been turned on and sat idle for about 5 mins, the camera will turn itself off to save battery power. To turn the camera back on, press the shutter button halfway down or press the lens back into the camera and press the shutter button to turn the camera back on.

Film Pack Not Loaded Correctly

If the film pack was not loaded correctly in your camera, the camera will not take an image. To check to see if the film was correctly loaded, look into the film window on the back of the camera next to the viewfinder and see if there is a large yellow mark on the film packet. If you don’t see a large yellow mark in the window the film may be loaded upside down or backward. See this article I wrote for more information about how to properly load film into an Instax Mini 9.

If you decide to continue to use the same film from the camera, go to a dark room out that is out of direct sunlight to remove the film pack, rotate the film pack to line up the yellow marks on it and the camera to reload it back into the camera correctly.

Need to Reset the Camera

If you’ve tried replacing the old batteries with a new set of 2 AA alkaline batteries for the Instax Mini 11 and it still won’t work. Try resetting the microcomputer in the camera by removing and reinstalling the fresh batteries while the lens is fully extended. Depending the camera, you may have to wait 2 hours before reinstalling the batteries.

No More Film In the Camera

One reason why your camera won’t take any more images is because the film pack in the camera is spent. To check and see if this is the issue, look at the film counter on the back of the camera at the bottom counting from 10 to 0. When it reaches 0, you need to replace the film. See this article for how to replace the Instax film in an Instax Mini 9

Where can I fix my Instax Mini 9?

If you’re still having trouble, you may have a bad camera and it might be best to take your Instax Mini 9 to a camera specialist or a Fujifilm repair center. If there are no repair centers near your location, Fujifilm has an evaluation process to follow, and you will have to send your camera over to them by mail. You will find a list of Fujifilm repair centers at this website here.