Error message: "Turn off Camera and turn back on"

[Gus]

I have a Sony a7R5.  I use it nearly every day.  Recently (cold weather) I turn it on and within a few seconds it goes blank and gives me an error message to turn off the camera and turn it back on. I have to go through a number of iterations before it stays on and functions correctly.  I've tried live chat and they want me to send it in for repairs.  This could be a pretty large bill even if it is fixable. Has anyone run across this error message?  if so, what did you do to resolve?

[Cameratose]

Does it do it indoors when it's warm? Sounds almost like a battery having trouble with cold temps. Have you tried a different one?

[Gus]

Thx, Cameratose. Good suggestion. Ill check it out.

[Gus]

On 2/17/2025 at 2:25 PM, Cameratose said:

Does it do it indoors when it's warm? Sounds almost like a battery having trouble with cold temps. Have you tried a different one?

Batteries seem to be ok.  placed them in the frig for several hours and tried each one (4).  They all powered up just fine.  Next Ill try the camera in the fridge and see what happens there.

[Cameratose]

Not sure how cold your weather got, but refrigerator cold and outdoor winter cold can be significantly different. For instance, it was 1℉ here yesterday, a refrigerator doesn't even reach freezing. The colder the temps, the shorter the life, especially with a weak battery. You'd probably need to replicate the same conditions for a true test. 

Also, remove the battery that you were using when you had trouble from the testing. If you can't make it happen again, then put that battery back in. Or, any method you can devise to keep them separate, which is critical for process of elimination. 

[Gus]

On 2/19/2025 at 9:42 AM, Cameratose said:

Not sure how cold your weather got, but refrigerator cold and outdoor winter cold can be significantly different. For instance, it was 1℉ here yesterday, a refrigerator doesn't even reach freezing. The colder the temps, the shorter the life, especially with a weak battery. You'd probably need to replicate the same conditions for a true test. 

Also, remove the battery that you were using when you had trouble from the testing. If you can't make it happen again, then put that battery back in. Or, any method you can devise to keep them separate, which is critical for process of elimination. 

I repeated the battery check, this time using the freezer.  all four worked right away.  I'm leaning towards the camera body.  I may place it in the refrigerator to see if it does it again.  

[Cameratose]

Sorry to hear that, was hoping for an easy fix. Wishing the best for you.