Lens not zooming

[Natalie]

I just recently tried to use my Sony a6000 with my 16-50 mm lense and it when trying to zoom in it zooms but then goes back to the picture having no zoom. So the zooming function doesn't work at all. Does anyone know how to fix this problem? 

[LiveShots]

Sounds like what happens when you manually focus the lens , the image zooms in to help with manual focus then snaps back when you stop moving the focus ring. So, are you turning the focus ring and not the zoom ring ?

[Thad E Ginathom]

The 16-50 power-zoom kit lens has only one ring. I almost never use this lens, but with a quick look to remind myself...

In autofocus modes, the ring zooms. The rocker switch also zooms

In manual focus modes, the ring focuses. The rocker switch has to be used for zooming.

Indeed, the looks-like-it-zoomed symptom sounds like the focus-assist function.