Sounds like the flash capacitor is not charging. Usually the cause is a blown fuse. This is a hardware problem, not software, and the only solution is to take it apart and replace the fuse (it's a SMD fuse and it has to be soldered). Sometimes the problem is with the flash board. I'm afraid you will have to give it to a camera technician. I could help you with the repair, but I'm in Germany.
Tom
SOURCE: CANON A640 Flash problem
I took it to a canon dealer who was going to charge me £70 just to diagnose the problem and then charge further for parts and labour. I decided to see if I can fix it myself. I've come accross the problem of the flash not working once or twice before when the batteries were getting flat. This problem was previously fixed when I used recharged batteries. The A640 uses AA batteries and I bought some rechargeable 2700mAh ones (give very good battery life). Recharged batteries didn't fix the problem this time though. I then decided to use a set of precision screw drivers which I'd bought from a £ shop and undid the screws on the bottom of the camera. I noticed that two of them were rather loose anyway. I then screwed them back in rather tightly. PROBLEM FIXED! My camera worked as it did before and the flash was working fine. It might have been a fluke but I have been screwing my camera into a tripod rather tightly hence the bottom of the camera may have come loose. Tightening the screws fixed the problem.
SOURCE: I can't figure out how to use the self timer on
turn to self timer, choose time, press top button and wait for picture
SOURCE: I have a canon powershot A640 when you press the on button it wil
Your problem may be due to corrosion on the battery contacts inside the camera which can prevent the full power of the batteries from flowing into the camera. Try this free fix before you do anything else: remove the batteries and wipe the camera contacts firmly with a dry cloth (heavy corrosion may require cleaning with a wire brush, steel wool, or sandpaper). Remove any residue that may have fallen into the battery compartment during cleaning, then wipe both ends of the batteries and place them back in the camera. This cleaning clears the problem about 90% of the time. If it doesn't work for you, chances are that your camera may have a problem that requires professional repair.
SOURCE: My canon powershot a640's flash isnt flashing.
i had the same problem and was not interested in paying more than a new camera would cost. i did what jonathan222 did above (but without the shocking part) and now my flash works. i didn't even do much of anything besides taking the side and top off and poking around.
one quick edit to his post: after loosening the screws inside the battery compartment (i agree, don't take them completely out) you have to remove one screw in the AV/OUT compartment in order to release the top piece.
good luck, i hope this works for somebody else.
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