Sony A7R II Won't Turn On: Mainboard Replacement
A Sony A7R II that suddenly shows no sign of life usually has a failed mainboard. We replace it at a fixed price, with free diagnosis and a 6-month warranty.
Symptoms
- Sony A7 won't turn on
- Camera completely dead, no lights, no display
- No response even with a fully charged battery
- Sony A7R II stopped working suddenly
When a Sony A7 won't turn on at all — no display, no lights, no response — the fault on the A7R II very often sits on the mainboard. It is a serious failure, but a repairable one: we replace the board at a fixed price of €650, with free diagnosis before any work is done.
The symptoms
- The camera is completely dead: nothing happens when you flip the power switch.
- The LCD and EVF stay black and no LED lights up.
- A freshly charged battery — or a second battery — changes nothing.
- The failure is sudden: the camera worked normally one day and showed no sign of life the next.
That is exactly how it happened to one of our customers: her Sony A7R II simply stopped working from one moment to the next, with no drop and no warning.
What causes it
The mainboard is the heart of the camera — power management, processor and the connections to every other module all live there. When it fails, the camera gives no sign of life at all. Our technicians examined this A7R II and quickly confirmed that the fault was serious and located on the mainboard itself.
Can you fix it yourself?
The only things worth trying at home are the obvious ones: charge the battery fully, try a different battery, and check the battery contacts. A worn-out third-party battery that no longer holds a charge is a surprisingly common false alarm, so test with a known-good battery if you can. If the camera stays dead, do not keep cycling power sources — the fault is internal. Replacing the mainboard means opening the body, disconnecting a dozen fragile flex cables and handling static-sensitive electronics; it is not a DIY job. This is also why we always confirm the diagnosis for free before quoting: you should never pay mainboard money for a battery problem.
How we repair it
Our technicians disassembled the camera almost completely, starting from the rear cover that carries the LCD. All the electrical terminations — the flex cables and the various electrical and mechanical connections — were carefully freed, then the screws holding the PCB were removed. The damaged mainboard was replaced with a new one and the body reassembled.
Once the new mainboard was in, the camera powered on and worked correctly again. As with every body that comes through our Sony repair service, we ran a full functional check before returning it — and internal cleaning is included while the camera is open.
Price and turnaround
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Mainboard replacement | €650 (fixed) |
| Internal cleaning | Included |
| Final test & calibration | Included |
Typical turnaround is 10 working days for mainboard-level work. Return shipping within the EU is a flat €20.
Ship your camera from anywhere in the EU — diagnosis is free and the repair is covered by a 6-month warranty. See how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Why won't my Sony A7 turn on?
First rule out the basics — a charged battery, clean battery contacts, a different battery if available. If the camera still shows no sign of life, an internal electronic fault is likely, and on the A7R II the mainboard is a common culprit.
How much does it cost to fix a Sony A7R II that won't turn on?
Our fixed price for the mainboard replacement is €650, including internal cleaning and a full functional test. Diagnosis is free, so you only commit once the fault is confirmed.
Is it worth replacing the mainboard on a Sony A7R II?
If the rest of the camera is in good condition, yes — the 42 MP A7R II is still a very capable body and the repair costs far less than an equivalent replacement.
Can a firmware problem cause a Sony A7R II not to power on?
A camera that is completely dead — no display, no lights, no response — points to hardware rather than firmware. Firmware faults usually still show some sign of life.
