Answer
Jul 11, 2025 - 11:58 AM
When a Sony HDR-SR12 shuts down mid-file recovery and won’t power back on, it usually means the firmware or internal HDD got tripped up hard.
Here’s what you can try:
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Hard reset – Disconnect the battery, unplug AC, and hold down the power button for 15–20 seconds. Sometimes this clears a stuck power state.
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Try powering with just AC or just battery – If one source got shorted or tripped, the other might still work.
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Check for activity – Plug it into your computer via USB. If the hard drive still spins or mounts (even if the screen stays black), you might be able to recover data or reinitialize it.
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Firmware crash or corrupted file system – If the recovery software messed with the HDD and the camcorder was writing when it cut off, it might not boot until it’s reflashed or the drive is reformatted (which sadly risks data loss).
In any case, the service manual includes full power circuit diagnostics, disassembly instructions, and troubleshooting flowcharts — including how to test the main board, HDD, and backup battery.
If the unit’s completely dead, that’ll help you check whether it's a blown fuse, voltage regulator, or logic board lock-up.
Good luck!
