Condensation Operation Paused, Please wait!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?

I wonder if was the "Patrick" that asked that question 16 years ago.....i thought i'd see if there was a solution since i posted it and found the one from 2008 by Jim. Unplugging the white plug must have reset the sensor because it worked for me too. Now i can use my camcorder to convert my tapes onto my computer!

Pat
February 2022

Can confirm Jim's method works. Jim November 2008, thank you so much! This has uncovered a whole bunch of memories for me!

Laura
October 2021

Thanks again to Jim from 2008 - the legacy lives on! Worked a treat - wish I'd found this post in 2009!!

Digger
August 2017

i had exactly the same issue with mine...even though it was a slightly different model to the enquiry ,but followed jim from 2008s solution to the letter and it worked straight away fantastic bro..your genuis ..i can happily go on my hols in a few months with a full working camcorder...

thanks again JIM from 2008

john w
August 2017

Thank you Jim, you are a genius!!! It really worked

Marco Cordero
November 2016

I followed the detailed directions that were given by Jim in November 2008. I took out the screws unplugged the plug, put it back together, and it works. Only took about 15 minutes, but I confess I waited months to attempt it, because I thought I would ruin the camera. Considering it hasn't worked for years what did I have to lose? It was easy and it worked. Now I can view hours of video of the family from years ago. Just follow his directions!!

Silas Speaks
September 2015

The condensation error is caused by a small dew sensor at the top left side of the cassette deck wrapped around the loading motor. I cut mine and placed a 390 ohm smd resistor in its place. All fixed and as a good a new, you do need to completely remove the cassette deck by removing all the screws. It's a big job, prob best to let a qualified engineer to do it. Part was only 5pence.

Bp
December 2014

Thank you, PD MONEY, worked fine for me!!!

Cornelius
May 2013

Same problem condensation error, camera not used for ages, which seem a shame . So I thought I'd check for any fixes. Tried cleaning the condensation sensor no joy. Followed instructions on taking camera apart. and there you have it as good as new again. Many Thanks

Brian Platt
January 2013

Thank you, PD MONEY!!!! Your long but thorough directions worked like a charm. I just use this camera for rough work and for tape rewinds and I really didn't want to throw the camcorder away. The white ribbon cable was also loose in the case and I snapped it back in place. Your advice is much appreciated.

Barry DiLibero
December 2012

I had the same condensation problem. I tried the clean the black sensor and leaving the camera open to dry, but it never lasted very long. The condensation problem would come back with a couple of hours.

I finally took a deep breathe and took the camera apart as listed in the 13 screws solution. If you are nervous about doing this, I suggest you take photos as you go. When I had it apart there was a flat cable inside that has a latch to keep pressure on the cable and keep it from coming loose. The latch was up and not engaged. I removed the cable, then re-inserted it and pushed the latch down. Put the camera back together again and it has been working for over a year without any problems.

Apparently the cable just was not making good connection when the camera was in the upright position for filming.

Thanks for the fix!!!

Sherry
February 2012

Literally awesome. Jim's solution worked first time. I'm guessing the disconnection of the cable has some kind of reset function invocation?

Also previously tried charging, cotton swapping and drying, to no avail.

I love the internet.

Jim Beam
February 2012

Hi, I followed the guidance of this posting from earlier on my JVC. For the past 4 weeks it has been working fine.....Remove power from the camera. I remove the battery as well. In the back of where the tapes go, on the left side is a silver component. It's just behind a metal roller that hangs down from a plastic piece over the head. If you look behind the roller diagonally across where the tape goes, you can see a black square on the right side of the silver component. Clean this (gently!) with a moist cotton swab. The swap should get a bit of black gunk off. I'd recommend cleaning it with a dry swab next to remove any moisture. Wait a minute or so to be sure it's dry. Then re-apply power. You should not see a false consensation message for a long time.

Trev W
October 2011

I cannot beleive it actually works!! Only wish I would've come here last year before going and buying a new camcorder. Oh well, at least I can watch all my old tapes now, Thanks Jim (Nov 2008)!!!! Only thing I did different was blow dry it with cold air for about 3 minutes after I had it apart, just to be sure. Works Great!!

Marty from Michigan
August 2011

Just tried Jim's 13 screws option and it seems to have worked. Thanks Jim.

(GR-D60E)

John, The Netherlands
July 2011

Taking the battery out
Open the tape loader
Take out the tape and leave the side door open
Allow it to dry out
It worked for me.

Jon A
June 2011

Jim's fix totally worked on a GR-D30U.

mppl
May 2011

I NEEEDDDD HELLLPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did what the 13 steps but when i opened it up on the inside to pull the plug the one big white strip came off .. cant remember which way it has to go.. Please someone let me know.. I need my camera for tonight

Julie
May 2011

salut , m-am chinuit cu camera pana cand am luat hotararea sa o desfac . urmati instructiiunile lui Jim din 2008 si va garantez ca o sa mearga , daca aveti neclaritati lasatimi un mesaj pe ,,cristisecu ..yahoo.com,, si poate reusesc sa va ajut
thanks ,,Jim,,

cristi
March 2011

Jim
i see you posted this almost 3 years ago. my camera has been setting in a closet for 2 1/2 years with this problem. i was clearing closets and almost tossed this camera. your solution worked awsome.
thanks dude
you rock

reggiebones
February 2011

Followed Jim's directions for my JVC GR-D70U and it is back working correctly. Just to think, I was thinking about tossing this camcorder in the trash.

Erik
January 2011

used jims info worked great tks jan- 8- 2011

ED
January 2011

Just tried the fix posted by Jim in November 2008 and it worked like a dream. Thanks Jim!

Colin
September 2010

Hi Guys, I am a video grapher for our church, two days before our annual multicultural day service my camera got the same condesation problem. My pastor and I tried every possible means but it was still showing. Fortunately for me I went on the internet to look for solution which is actually my usual place for most of my technical problems. I read so many suggestions and I finally follow exactly the 13 step listed by Jim, it worked perfectly for me. My camera is working perfectely now. Thanks Jim.

Steven
September 2010

Hi Henk Rignsberg ,
TY, i tried yr method of cleaning that black thing with a moist swab & then a dry one & amazingly it worked...now no message let me see till when it stays like that....nyways ty again

Rakesh India
August 2010

Hello, we have JVC GR-D30E. There was problem with condensation operation paused. I read this forum and the fix, but it was very difficult. So my friend was remember, how they repair their old cassete player.

The fix is very simple, take off the battery, open the tape holder and put camera into the freezer (not frige, tempature must be under 0°C, cooler is better). After one hour in freezer, you can put it out and slowly defrost. When camera will have room tempature, you can plug in the bettery and try how it works.

Our camera now works without any problem for a week. Its very simple solution. Good luck

Michal Lenc
August 2010

Very dissappointed in JVC and reading so much on this recurring FALSE condensation issue across many models. I too sent the unit to the factory, three times in 2007 "while it was under warranty" and they claimed they could not recreate the error. I now disbelieve them and believe there is a JVC-KNOWN prevelent issue they refuse to fix likely due to cost. We have the GR-D22U. We have also lost out on recording precious life events and have not been able to view memories successfully recorded. Shame on JVC!!!!

Lynn
July 2010

did the same as Jim with GR-D30AS. it works, thanks.

MURAT
June 2010

My GRD50EK has not worked in nearly a year and I found this web site just as I was about to give up and dump it. I had the Operatiuon paused condensation error. I followed Jims instructions from 2008 and while it was open clened the roller inside the tape area. We left it open with the leads out for about half an hour and when put back together it worked perfectly. I have been able to see my holiday video from last year for the first time. Thank you Jim

Ann
May 2010

See "Jim's" response from Nov 2008. This absolutely works. Thanks Jim! You're the siznitobam-snip-snap-sak!

Kelli
April 2010

Tried everything DIY and I sent it away to an official JVC repair centre. it took 5 weeks, and I paid over £100 to have it repaired. It Worked Once, ( about 6 months ago). Got it out today, and guess what, the same condensation error. I give up !! JVC camcorders must have a fundamental problem, never experienced anthing like this with any other brand I've had Canon and Panasonic.

I am just going to put it in the bin, I've wasted enough time and energy - Never going to buy anything made by JVC ever again.

Trev
March 2010

works great thanks alot....

Dortoh
March 2010

Well-done.
Thank's a lot to JIM and Sekura !!!

Michael
February 2010

craig kinsman - well done - worked perfectly on my JVC GR-D 50E. Thank you!

Roy A. Jenssen
February 2010

I purchased this camcorder used with the condesation error, it arrived in the mail yesterday, I researched the fix and without loosing any screws got it fixed. Here is what I did.

I plugged in the power cord, turned it to auto with the display screen open, the condensation error was blinking, I left it on for about 30 mins to one hour {didn't keep a tab as I was watching my favorite Tv show.} When I checked back the "condensation" error was gone.I then placed it on "off /charge" to charge the battery.

This is the next day and it hasn't return. It is almost unbelievable, the previous owner sold it just because of the error and I hardly did anything much to fix it. I am so happy.

Pecinno on Ebay
January 2010

The light bulb from Eugenio worked. My house is a little on the cold side (older and a little drafty). The cleaning soulution did not work. Camera must have been cold.

D Gilmore
December 2009

I have had this problem for 3 days now and after searching high and low for a fix on the internet was astonished that this worked. The camera which has not been used for some time and was now required for the arrival of a new member to the family (Puppy)!...I stripped it down after reading many an article of the internet and on reassembly to my horror found the camera still to be reading the condensation error!!!!!...ready to throw out the window into the yard for my new arrival to do his stuff all over it! I noticed the battery required recharging so left it on to charge before I was going to completely give up. The weird thing is...I forgot it was on charge and on return found the error message to be no where in sight...I simply did not turn the camera off, I left it on charge whilst on...did exactly what the error message was saying (Condensation, please wait) and it rectified itself. I have tried my camera several times and everything appears to be working fine...fingers crossed. I must stipulate the video camera was left for the best part of the day, worth trying and keep returning to see if the error message has gone as I did so, costs you nothing and you surely won`t cause anymore damage than what appears to be damaged anyway!

Big D
November 2009

I did it the way JIM said - If I knew who you were and you were right next to me, I would kiss you right now and i dont care if that sounds gay or not but you have just help me fix a problem thats worse than trying to find kryptonite!!!!

ps: For those reading this - I actually took out 14 screws
14. Where you have the "Batt Release" knob there is a screw where the actual arrow is pointing to - I removed that one as well cause i couldnt budge the camera in half...

HOPE THIS HELPS OTHERS!!!
THANK YOU JIM! YOU'RE THE MAN

frankwallace36 (Youtube as well)
October 2009

I've got a JVC GR-D60E with the same problem of condensation. At the end I have decided to unassembled the unit as described below. I personally recommend taking some photos of the camera numbering the screws and writing down on the figures the screw numbers.
It seems to be allright and the condensation problem has despaired. We will see in a few days. Thank you very much.

José Alberto de la Torre
October 2009

My JVC had the same annoying problem of condensation. I once had it returned to the JVC Technical Service and it worked good for awhile but then the condensation issue came back again. So this time I opened my GR-D60 and followed the instructions as indicated above. After disconnecting the plug and waiting a few minutes, i resembled the camera and voila! Problem gone. Thank you very much. Hopfully the problem will not return any time soon.

Edwin
August 2009

I have a JVC GRD-50EK which has had this condensation error appearing for a couple of years. The last 12 months I haven't been able to use it really because it works for 10 minutes and then gives the error. I've tried taking it apart as described by Jim, left it half an hour and reassembled it, and it seems to be working ok now. I'd given it up as a bad job and was planning to buy another camcorder so hopefully it may have given it a new lease of life. Thanks for the tip Jim :)

AndyC
May 2009

I have the GR-D30U and the condensation problem would not go away. Tried the light bulb idea first but did not work. Then I removed all the screws, opened up the camera, and detached the thin wide white "cable" from one side (the tiny brown bar pops up if you pull up on it with tiny screwdriver). I kept it off for 5 minutes, put it back under bar and snapped it shut, put the camera back together, put the screws back on, and THE CAMERA FINALLY WORKED AGAIN!

Warning: make sure you make a careful diagram for each screw you remove, and when putting them back be careful none fall back into camera, as there are a few holes. (That happened to me, had to open camera back up to retrieve.)

Thank you for that advice!

Sharyn Fuller
May 2009

I have the same fault in my GR-D50,it shows up every time I plug in a firewire cable.If I leave it for about an hour, it works fine again, but it means I can't download to my PC, which rather defeats the object of having the thing!
I suspect JVC will condemn the mainboard, so ,sadly I think it will end up in the bin!
This from a camera that has only done about 4 hours of work since I bought it.
Hows that for planned obsolescence?
Sorry I may not have spelled that right , but I'm sure know what I mean.

mike
January 2009

the above solution worked...take it apart and disconnect the sensor for 5 minutes, reassemble.. took about 30 minutes

pdmoney
December 2008

OK this does fix it all right. I am copying below the exact screws to remove (from another chat). All you need is keep them in the order you remove them and follow the instructions backwards after you put the two halves back together.

13 Screws Total:
1. Very Top Screw of the Camera (when looking at the camera with a birds
eye view/lens pointing away)
2. Top of camera Screw next to the W/T zoom knob (when looking at the
camera with a birds eye view/ lens pointing away)
3. Inside the battery slot Top Left corner screw (long screw)
4. Inside the battery slot Top Right corner screw (long screw)
5. Inside the battery slot Middle Left screw.
6. Screw next to the Firewire port (inside the LCD area)
7. Screw under the ?Battery Release? Knob (when look at the bottom of the
camera lens facing down)
8. Screw to the Right of the SD Card Slot (when look at the bottom of the
camera lens facing down)
9. Above the Tri Pod hole LEFT Screw closer to the LCD (when look at the
bottom of the camera lens facing down)
10. Below the Tri Pod hole and Below that small black hole.. Screw to the left
closer to the LCD (when look at the bottom of the camera lens facing down)
11. Below the Tri Pod hole and Below that small black hole.. Screw closest to
the edge and closest to the speaker (when look at the bottom of the camera
lens facing down)
12. Inside the battery slot Lower Left screw.
13. Below the Tri Pod hole and Below that small black hole.. (when look at the bottom of the camera lens facing down) one more there
Total: 13 Screws.

After removing the Screws?
1. First remove the grey plastic piece on the very top of the camera. (Above the
eye piece)
2. Carefully separate the camera in half.
4. Look for the big White plug closest to the battery slot. (It is located on
the circuit board and it has a bunch of wires coming out of it)
5. Unplug it and wait for a few minuets. Then re-plug it. (At this point I
personally tried to put the battery in and turn the camera on to see if it
had worked. (i don't know this may be dangerous so be careful!!!)
6. Carefully bring the 2 camera sides back together and make sure you get a snug
fit. (The section by the speaker should snap in properly)
7. Put the grey piece back in its proper place.
8. Put the screws back into their proper places.

Took me about 10 minutes including the waiting time so I guess it is not so bad if you like tiny screws...THANKS A BUNCH

Jim
November 2008

HENK RIJNSBURG, your awnser did work for me with the JVC GR-D30E

I got 2 half camera's and created one working so I did not really care if it would work or not.

The biggest problem I encountered was the fact I could not reach the "sensor" from the outside and I dissassembled the complete tape unit from the housing. (I WOULD STRONGLY ADVICE YOU NOT TO DO SO YOURSELF UNLESS FORMILURE WITH MICROTECHNOLOGIE!!!)

After cleaning this sensor, the camera worked fine again.

p.s. only problem I have to fix now is within the lens unit, autofocus is not working.. :-)

Sander, the Netherlands

Sander
September 2008

Eugenio Melendez - Well done - worked a treat on my gr-d50ek... thanks!

Rishi Patel
June 2008

Eugenio Melendez - Well done - worked a treat on my gr-d50ek... thanks!

Rishi Patel
June 2008

please please please...if u got a solution, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send it to me buddy. i finally got it fix thru JVC for that lens cap problem, i was thinking, "now i have my camera again!!" yeah right, a day later? that damn Condensation message..how frustrating! hope you get the answer bud..

Ralf
May 2008

Hey folks
I did it like Sekura posted. It was very successfull.
Thanks to Sekura
Martin

Martin Senn
May 2008

I also have a JVC GR-D30U and had the same problem, reading this and cheking on the internet found a better answer, some of you said something about opeining it and unplugging and more stuff, some others say drying it with a hair dryer, but the bad this about a hairdryer it's that you might get some dust inside that's why i tried somethink like that but better and i think that would be the best answer:

1- Turn off the cammera.

2- Unplug the AC/DC Cable from the wall

3- Take off the Battery

4- Open the Tape holder.

5- Hold a portable light bulb around 60Wats (turned on of course) nearby the tape holder like for 10 or 15 min. to warm it up.

PS: If you play any tape and the picture looks like damaged, it might be because it's not dry enough, so repeat the step 5 to finish.

Eugenio Melendez
December 2007

Remove power from the camera. I remove the battery as well. In the back of where the tapes go, on the left side is a silver component. It's just behind a metal roller that hangs down from a plastic piece over the head. If you look behind the roller diagonally across where the tape goes, you can see a black square on the right side of the silver component. Clean this (gently!) with a moist cotton swab. The swap should get a bit of black gunk off. I'd recommend cleaning it with a dry swab next to remove any moisture. Wait a minute or so to be sure it's dry. Then re-apply power. You should not see a false consensation message for a long time.

HENK RIJNSBURG THE NETHERLANDS
June 2007

I have a gr-d90u. It does the "condensation warning" thing. I took it in for service, and the tech said the problem is the microprocessor, and to fix would cost $600 for a new main board! Ridiculous!!!!!!!!!! I imagine the same problem would be traced to the main board on the d30u, as it is in the same family/line as the d90u. For what its worth.........

craig kinsman
September 2006

What you have to do:

1. Take of the battery and take all of the screws out of the exterior and also behind the LCD. I recommend drawing a sketch of each view of the cam on a pice of paper(top,side,bottom,back) and place every screw it its rightful place, cause they're different sizes and you're shure to mix them up if you're not careful

2. Carefuly pull the two sections of the camera apart (left and right). You will notice a connector linking the two parts (mine is a thin and wide white "cable" -or whatever it's called)

3. Disconnect the connector from one side. I think you can disconect it only from one side, you have to pull up on a strapping mechanism. Careful not to force it. Figure it out patiently.
Wait about 5-6 minutes (thats how long i've waited) and re-connect it. This kinda resets the whole camera.

4. Put it back together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It worked for me, at least till now (i've finnished a couple of hours ago). If anybody tries it, please post and leave your feedback

ps: i have the JVC GR-D40 model. I've gotten this trick from another person who has GRD-90U. So it should work on any jvc...

Sekura
July 2006