To see the words Battery exhausted on your Nikon Coolpix camera is disheartening, especially when half a second later, you plan to take some memorable moment pictures. The battery exhausted error appears when the camera believes it cannot power it on adequately. If your battery has expired, it's anticipated your camera will not work at all. Luckily, this is not always the case; various small situations can cause the error message to appear, including improper battery charging, dirty battery contacts, even a small issue like software hiccup that can send chills down your spine.

For any photographer, being able to deal with power issues is paramount, if you do not have a functional camera, you can't document your moments in time, and a power failure means missing the perfect scene or picture you were waiting for. The good news is, they are usually fixable without innocent (or expensive) repairs or professional help. Better yet, get back on the photo safari quicker. In this extended guide, I want to discuss the common causes of "Battery exhausted" error and show you tested solutions to resolve the problem step by step; firstly, everybody and anybody may come across this stage, I hope these tips will assist you to diagnose the situation quickly and resolve the draining battery message.

Whether you were taking thousands of previous snaps or your just casual shooter I hope these hints and tips help I must emphasize that educating yourself on the why as well as the what of the problem you see is important in dealing with the problem calmly and quickly. 

Step-by-Step Fixes for the "Battery Exhausted" Error

1. Double Check Battery Insertion

• Confirm the battery has been inserted correctly. Even being a little bit out of alignment can cause these issues. 
• Open the battery door, remove the battery, and put it back in correctly. 

2. Charge the Battery Fully

• Sometimes the battery will show as full when it is not. Use the Nikon brand charger. 
• Make sure to charge the battery at least 2 hours, or until the charger indicator turns green, or stops flashing.

3. Examine a Faulty Charger 

• A Faulty charger may not deliver power correctly. 
• If you have another charger, especially an original Nikon one, try that.

4. Check the Battery Contacts 

• Dirty contacts can interfere with a proper connection. 
• Gently clean the metal contacts on the battery and inside the camera using a microfiber cloth or a soft pencil eraser.

5. Try an Extra Battery

• If you have an extra battery, charge that and then check it.
• If your camera works with your spare battery, your original battery is likely dead.

6. Do a Power Reset

• Remove the battery and memory card.
• Press and hold the power button for around 30 seconds.
• Reinstall the battery and turn the camera back on.

7. Update the Camera Firmware

• An out-of-date firmware may result in an inaccurate battery reading.
• Go to Nikon's website and download the current firmware for your specific model of Coolpix.

8. Use Official Nikon Batteries

• Some third-party batteries may show compatibility issues.
• Use EN-EL19 (or the battery model specific to your Coolpix) directly from Nikon.

9. Don't use batteries in the cold.

• Cold weather accelerates battery discharge.
• If you are outdoors in wintery conditions, try warming the battery in your hands before putting it back in the camera.

10. Calibrate the battery (for advanced users)

• To calibrate the battery, discharge it fully by leaving the camera on until it turns off by itself.
• Then, charge the battery in a single uninterrupted session until it is completely charged.
• You may want to repeat this process once a month to help your battery maintain an accurate power reading.

Extended Tips for Long-Term Battery Health

• Keep batteries cool and dry: Heat degrades the life of a battery.
• Don’t deplete the battery, be sure to charge long before 0%.
• Label and rotate you batteries, if you use multiple batteries be sure to rotate your use of them to prolong life overall.
• Don’t keep batteries it unused cameras: This causes slow drain and potentially damage over time.
• Use a designated battery case: Protect contacts in your bag from scratches and dirt.
• Keep firmware updated: Firmware updates usually include power-management and efficiency updates.
• Don’t leave the battery in charging position for a long time: Long-term charging can reduce battery performance over time.

Troubleshooting Decision Tree

Problem: Nikon says "Battery Exhausted"

•  Did you charge the battery fully? ➔ No ➔ Charge fully and retry
•  Is the battery third-party? ➔ Yes ➔ Try an official Nikon battery
•  Are the contacts clean? ➔ No ➔ Clean with soft cloth
•  Does the issue persist with a new battery? ➔ Yes ➔ Consider firmware update or service check

Recommended Nikon-Compatible Batteries & Chargers

• Official Nikon EN-EL19 Battery (for Coolpix models like S3500, S5200)
• Nikon MH-66 Charger
• Wasabi Power Batteries for Nikon (High-Quality Third Party)

Pro Tip: If using a third-party charger, make sure it’s certified and reviews confirm compatibility.

What to Do If Your Nikon Coolpix Won’t Turn On At All

If your Nikon Coolpix will not power up, even after charging the battery, follow these key steps:

Check the Battery Orientation

• You can remove the battery and reinsert it, checking to make sure the metal contacts are connecting properly.
• For some models, you may have to push the battery in firmly to fully connect.

Try a Different Battery

• You could try a different fully charged battery, if you have one. There is a chance that a dead battery (or defective battery) may not obviously show a visual defect.

Register the LED Activity While Charging

• Plug your camera into the charger and see if the LED indicator lights up, when charging.
• If there is no light, there is still the possibility that the charger or the battery is faulty or defective, try a different charger if you are able.

Remove the Memory Card and Accessories

• Remove the SD card and any USB cords or lenses (if applicable).
• Occasionally, a faulty card or connection may result in a boot error.

Hard Reset

• Remove the battery and memory card.
• Press-and-Hold the power button for 30 seconds; this is important to drain any capacitance stored.
• Insert the battery only to try to power on the camera.

Check the Battery Door

• Many Coolpix models have a small switch in the battery door.
• If the door does not close tightly or has a damaged switch, the camera may not power on.

Try USB Charging (only for models that allow it)

• Some Coolpix models allow USB charging. Use a USB cord and try connecting the camera to a computer. Wait for a few minutes.

Check for Damage

• Check for corrosion (especially on battery contacts), wat and/or impact damage. If any is found, service will likely be needed.

Contact Nikon Support

• If nothing above works then it may be some deeper internal issue. Visit Nikon's service website or your local authorized service center.

Conclusion 

If your Nikon Coolpix is showing a "Battery Exhausted" message, do not worry. It is often an easy fix - whether you are recharging the battery properly, cleaning the contacts, or simply putting in a new battery. Consistently maintaining your camera, using official parts, and updating firmware when it is available all help with battery life, and you will avoid more frustrating situations down the road.

Always treat your batteries well. Lastly, treat your batteries right and remember: with a little prevention and care now, you won't be faced with a non-functional camera in the future. With this guide, you are prepared to diagnose the "Battery Exhausted" message like a professional and be ready for your next photo opportunity with your Nikon Coolpix. 

FAQ

Q1: My new Nikon battery is saying "Battery Exhausted" - why? 

Even new batteries need to be charged fully the first time. Also check that it is a genuine Nikon battery; if it is a third-party battery it may not operate properly with your camera. 

Q2: Do Nikon Coolpix cameras take AA batteries? 

Only some specific models such as the Coolpix L-series will take AA batteries. Most of the newer models in the Coolpix range use rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. 

Q3: How many shots does a Nikon Coolpix battery give? 

Generally, you can expect around 200-300 images per charge. Remember that battery life decreases over time - it is possible that a battery will last for only 2–3 years before you see a need to replace it.