Many people have complained about a flashing orange light on the Instax Mini 11. Everyone wants to know why it flashes orange and what the orange light indicates.
In this article, you are about to understand why the light flashes and no what troubleshooting tips and tricks to utilize when the light begins to flash.
Why is My Instax Mini 11 Flashing Orange
1. Your Flash Is Charging
There are a lot of devices out here that have a light mechanism that flashes whenever the product is charging.
The Instax Mini 11 is one of those products. When you plug the device into its source to charge, the light will flash orange.
Some people tend to get this confused with a technical issue. However, when your device is charging, the same button that will flash when there is an issue or an error it’s the same button that will flash when it’s charging.
Fix – Wait For It to Finish Charging So the Light Goes Away
Typically, when you see the flashing orange light after plugging the device into its; charging source, the best thing for you to do at the moment is to wait until the charging has completed.
If the charge on the battery is low, the time frame for the camera to charge fully can take between two to three hours to charge completely.
While the camera is charging, it’s best not to manipulate any buttons and wires while the device is charged.
Meddling with any output sources while the camera is charging will result in further issues with the camera in the future.
So, if you see an orange light flashing when you plug the device into its charging ports, the camera is charging, and you may need to wait a while until it’s ready to use. When the charging has completed, the light will stop flashing.
As stated earlier, when the device is charging, the same light that flashes when there is an internal issue with the Instax Mini 11 will be the same as when your device is charging.
So, you may have to wait until your Instax camera has been fully rejuvenated and ready to use. If you continue to experience this issue, proceed to the next alternative to investigate further to see what can be done about the flashing orange light.
2. Weak or Failing Batteries
Since most devices for the 21st century don’t require batteries for their operation, there are still some products that we use for the new era that do require batteries. The Instax Mini 11 is one of those devices.
Remember when the CD player was popular in the 1990s and the early 2000s? Also, do you remember the CD player operating off of batteries?
And finally, do you recall having to change your batteries whenever the device was not working correctly?
Well, that also goes for your Instax Mini 11. If you are getting a flashing orange light, this could indicate that the batteries you currently have in the camera are either dying or they are not strong enough.
There are two things to consider when it comes to battery life for your Instax Mini 11; the first instance is how often you change your batteries, and the second is what type of batteries are compatible with your Instax Mini 11.
If you are getting the orange flashing error, you may want to consider replacing your batteries.
Fix – Replace the Batteries (view on Amazon)
The battery compartment would be on the side of the shutter. To open the door for the compartment, you will need to push the button of the door inward and pull it down simultaneously.
After the door slides down, you will be able to see the two batteries that are in the compartment. The batteries that go in the compartment should be two AA batteries.
So, you will remove the wheat batteries from the apartment and replace them with a new set of batteries that haven’t been used.
When putting the batteries in the compartment, ensure that the plus sign on the left faces downward when you put the left battery into the compartment. And when putting in the battery for the right side, ensure the plus sign is facing upward.
After the batteries are firmly and securely placed in the compartment, you will take the small sliding door and place it back onto the device, closing the compartment.
After the compartment is closed, you can then turn the camera on to ensure the lights will come on.
If the lights come on and they are not flashing, the issue appears to be the previous set of batteries that were in the compartment. Obviously, the previous set of batteries was dying or weak.
Once the batteries are replaced with a new set that has not been used, this should resolve the issue right away.
This means the orange flashing light should disappear right away. However, if the light does not go away immediately, go ahead and proceed to the next alternative to see if that will resolve the issue.
3. Instax Film is Jammed
Having a jam in your camera is something that can happen unexpectedly. You could be in the middle of taking some amazing shots and then notice you can’t take any more pictures even though you have a full reel.
Although this is something that can drive you completely insane, there is a way for you to resolve this issue on your Instax camera. The best thing for you to do in this scenario is to hold the film out of the injection slot on your camera.
Although this product is a device of the 21st century, you have to handle this camera’s manipulation as if it were developed in the 1990s and early 2000s.
All of the millennials out there would understand what this means. Whether you’re changing batteries or removing a jam, the product must be handled with care to prevent any further issues. Let’s dive into the steps on how you can do this.
Fix – Pull Out Film From Ejection Slot
The operation of this camera is not similar to that of a camera developed for high definition.
This means that just like a Polaroid camera from back then, this camera is prone to jams happening. So, to clear out a jam, you have to pull out the film from the ejection slot located at the back of the camera.
To follow through with these steps, you must:
1. First, you will need to open the film door located at the back of the camera.
2. When you attempt to open the door in the back of the camera, the light may continue to flash orange.
3. Once the back of the camera is open all the way, you will proceed to take out the jammed film.
4. Once you have lifted the film from the back of the camera, you should see the unexposed film and the film that is jammed inside the camera.
5. From here, you will proceed to remove the jammed film from the back of the camera.
When you are removing the partially developed film that is stuck inside of the camera, it may be hard to remove. So you must be extremely careful when removing the jammed film to avoid any further damage to the camera.
If you do find yourself having to remove the film forcefully, take your time when doing so. This will cause you to lose patience and make you very anxious to have the film removed.
Based on the manual for the Instax Mini 11, it will not be wise to pull out the film in any way forcibly. Also, removing and reinserting any batteries while the power is operable on the camera may enable the film to be ejected.
After the jammed film has been removed, turn the camera off and back on if the camera is turned on. If you are still getting the error with the orange flashing light, you may want to proceed to the next alternative.
4. There’s A Bug With the App
Many people think, “I am getting sick and tired of hearing that bug word!” Everyone hates a naggy bug.
Although bugs are super aggravating, it is something to take into consideration why you are getting the era of the flashing orange light on your Instax Mini 11 camera. There may be something internal going on.
So, it’s worth looking into to weigh out any deeper issues possibly taking place.
Bugs tend to happen when it’s least expected. You could be having a great day taking many amazing pictures with your new Instax Mini 11, and suddenly, the orange light starts flashing, and your device stops working.
That can be a major mood killer, especially if this is a product that you really love.
Although tech bugs can be sneaky and nasty little critters, there’s always a way to take them out and exterminate them once and for all.
There are a few quick fixes and resolutions to resolve these buggy situations. Let’s go over one resolution: reset your Instax Mini 11.
Before continuing with these steps, it is important to ensure that you are handling the product with care.
You don’t want to accidentally remove a compartment or any part of the device incorrectly. Incorrect manipulation of the product will result in further damage.
So, to avoid any headache or spending extra cash, it is best to follow through with the steps accordingly, and importantly, take your time!
Fix – Reset Instax Mini 11
To reset your Instax Mini 11:
1. First, you must ensure that the Instax camera is turned completely off.
2. Next, proceed to open the battery compartment located on the side of your camera.
3. After the compartment is open on the side of the camera, please press and hold the photo button for a total of three seconds.
4. Close the compartment of the battery door back on your camera and proceed to turn your camera back on.
5. From here, to ensure that the camera is working properly, proceed to take a test photo. Doing this will give you full confirmation that everything is back working properly.
6. If nothing has changed or there is no progress after using these steps, attempt the steps once again.
Typically, when you perform a reset on this product, it will flush out any internal current that is not serving the device in any way.
If there is a bug, most likely happens when you have been using a product for a long time without a consecutive break in between.
So, the next time that you are taking that vacation in the Bahamas, and you have been taking pictures from the day you arrived to the day you got back on the plane, you may want to consider giving your device a break for a little bit.
However, if you want to continue using your camera without any issues, you can perform a reset at any time.
Overall, performing a reset on your Instax Mini 11 should result in the flashing orange light disappearing.
Best Instax Mini 11 Batteries
One thing to consider when it comes to the device’s battery life is that many batteries are available and compatible with the Instax Mini 11.
As it was stated earlier in this article, when you are replacing batteries or purchasing batteries for your Instax, it is important to do your research to know what batteries are compatible.
Not every battery is going to cooperate correctly with the Instax. So, below are a list of batteries that are popular brands and are compatible with the Instax Mini 11.
You can take a look at the different brands available to see what type of batteries you want to have on standby, just in case you may need a re-up.
Energizer AA Batteries, Max Double A Battery Alkaline, 20 Count
The Energizer (view on Amazon) brand has been a famous battery brand for quite some time.
This brand of battery is compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
You can always contact Instax support if you need further assistance choosing the right batteries. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in.
After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region. On the page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
Rayovac AA Batteries, Double A Battery Alkaline, 12 Count
Rayovac AA Batteries (view on Amazon) are compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
If you must need further assistance with choosing the right batteries, you can always reach out to Instax support. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in.
After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region. On that support page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page.
You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
Duracell AA Alkaline Batteries 1.5v (2 Pack) MN1500 (LR6)
Duracell AA Alkaline Batteries (view on Amazon) is compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
If you also need any further assistance with choosing the right batteries, you can always reach out to Instax support. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in.
After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region. On that page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
Energizer AA Batteries, Max Double A Battery Alkaline, 20 Count
This brand of battery is compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
However, if you must need any further assistance with choosing the right batteries, you can always reach out to Instax support. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in.
After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region. On that page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
IMPECCABLE AA Batteries 16 Pack Alkaline High Performance, Long Lasting, and Leak Resistant AA Battery, LR6, Platinum Series
This brand of battery is compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
If you need any further assistance with choosing the right batteries, you can always reach out to Instax support. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in. After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region.
On that page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
Kodak AA Batteries – Alkaline Batteries, 1.5V Mignon LR06 MN1500 AM3 Battery Pack (60 Count) (Qty 60.)
This brand of battery is compatible with the Instax Mini 11. When purchasing this brand, it is important to ensure the level of the batteries is double A batteries. No other level type, such as AAA batteries, will work for your Instax Mini 11.
If you need any further assistance with choosing the right batteries, you can always reach out to Instax support. You can contact support via instax.com/support/index.html.
When you are on the Instax support page, at the top of the home screen, there will be a row of tabs. Scroll over until you see the tab that says Your Country Sites.
Tap on the section for Your Country Sites. After tapping on this section, you will select the region you are located in. After selecting your reason, you will be redirected to a page based on services for your region.
On that page, scroll down to the very bottom of the page. You will see a tab that says Contact Us, located underneath the Help column. Select Contact Us.
On the following page, you will have the option to submit an inquiry if you have any questions based on Instax Mini 11 battery information.
Final Thoughts
Getting the flashing orange light on your Instax Mini 11 camera can cause you to be alarmed in many ways.
Although seeing the orange flashing error on your camera can be alarming and annoying, there are some ways for you to resolve this issue to get to the root cause of why you see the light.
Sometimes, if you see the flashing orange light after you have plugged the camera into its charging ports, the light may be flashing because the device is charging.
There’s nothing to fear if you see the orange light when your device is charging. This just means that the device is working as it should. You just have to give it time.
In other instances, you may be getting the flashing era due to weak batteries. Typically, when there is an issue due to weak batteries, the best alternative is to replace the batteries immediately with a fresh set.
Also, the flashing orange era could be because there is a jam with your camera or there is a bug. Whatever or however the case may be, you don’t have to fear the flashing orange light of death. There are many explanations and many resolutions to fix this.