Micro 2.0 Troubleshooting & Technical Updates
Service Notice
SeaLife Micro 2.0 Underwater Camera
We have become aware that certain Micro 2.0 models may contain an electrical fault with a USB contact that may cause the camera to not power on while underwater. Below are symptoms and details on affected cameras and steps to correct the problem.
Date: July 30, 2018
Applies to: Micro 2.0 cameras manufactured from May 2018 to July 2018 and serial number between E175200001 through E175200720.
Symptoms:
Camera not powering on underwater (salt water only). The gold coating on the #2 USB contact (2nd contact from tripod mount) will begin corroding after a several dives. When this contact corrodes a short circuit may occur between the #1 and #2 contacts causing the camera to lock-up and not power on while underwater. The camera may be powered on again when not underwater after drying the contacts and forcing off the camera by pushing and holding the power button for 10 seconds. The above situation only occurs in saltwater and not in fresh water.
Solution:
Return the camera to the SeaLife Service Center for warranty repair or replacement.
For USA residents, please complete the service submission form or call/email SeaLife for return authorization at the contact information at bottom of this notice.
For residents outside USA, please contact the distributor/service center in your country. The SeaLife website Dealer Locator lists all distributors by country.
Temporary Solution:
For those currently on a dive trip, there is a temporary solution that will allow the affected cameras to function properly while underwater: Apply a small piece of electrical or clear tape over the USB contacts and install the rubber USB protective cover over the tape. This will prevent the USB contacts from short circuiting underwater. Firmly press down on the tape so that it forms around the USB contacts and adheres to the plastic housing around the contacts (See photo below).
Remove the tape after your dive, rinse the camera in fresh water for 20 minutes and dry before charging, PC connection or storage. Clean the USB contacts using clean cotton cloth moistened with isopropyl alcohol after each dive to remove any tape residue or other contaminates. Apply a new piece of tape before each dive. Applying tape is not intended as a permanent solution but only as a temporary fix for those presently on a dive vacation or using the camera.
For all other product support questions, please refer to the online troubleshooting information located in the Technical Support section of the SeaLife website.
The SeaLife Micro Cam Android app update version 3.9.1 was released to Google Play on January 15, 2025. The app includes compliance updates required by Google.
If you encounter any app performance issues, please contact the USA SeaLife Service Center at service@sealife-cameras.com or contact the SeaLife distributor in your country by clicking here: http://www.sealife-cameras.com/authorized-dealer-locator
If the Micro 2.0 camera displays a “Storage I/O” error message, it means the camera has a solid state memory failure. The camera is unable to save pictures and videos to memory. It is also not possible to view or download pictures or videos saved in the camera’s memory using a computer or wirelessly through the SeaLife Micro Cam. Repair service is necessary. In most cases, your local authorized SeaLife Service Center can retrieve files from the camera’s memory.
Please contact the USA SeaLife Service Center at service@sealife-cameras.com or contact the SeaLife distributor in your country by clicking here:https://sealife.dr3.tech/dealer-locator/
The Micro 2.0 is permanently-sealed and depth tested to ensure the camera is waterproof. Here are two known causes for the camera to take on water:
a) Spray-on sunscreen damaging to reefs and plastics
It’s a known fact that many sunscreens contain chemicals harmful to reefs and marine life. These same chemicals are also damaging to some plastics, including polycarbonate commonly used to manufacture underwater camera housings and diving equipment. Test results confirm that spray-on sunscreens are particularly aggressive causing a chemical reaction that can make the material become brittle and crack.
SeaLife UW cameras/lights and some accessories are manufactured from a high-quality grade of polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is used in many products where high impact resistance and/or optical transparency is important. Such products include sports safety equipment, medical devices, automotive parts and electronic device housings, to name only a few. Despite polycarbonate’s impressive engineering characteristics and expansive presence in modern life, it is unfortunately susceptible to damage from some sunscreens.
We highly recommend using sunscreens that are advertised as safe for oceans and reefs. If you use a spray-on sunscreen, never apply it around your diving equipment or UW cameras/lights. Always wash your hands after applying sunscreen to avoid contaminating plastic material when handling it. Soak and rinse your cameras, lenses and lights for 20 minutes and allow to completely dry before storage.
b) Caution when connecting accessory to tripod mount
Do not connect any accessory to the camera’s ¼-20 tripod mount where the screw length exceeds 0.3” (7.5mm). Using a ¼-20 screw that is too long will bottom out in the tripod hole and create a high degree of stress to the camera housing material that may result in cracks and consequential flooding.
Also, never apply thread-locking compound or any chemicals to the tripod mount area. These compounds may cause chemical reaction that permanently damages the camera housing material and consequential flooding.
Here is the list of firmware versions for the Micro 2.0 camera based on the camera’s serial #:
Serial # starts with Firmware version
C V1.44
D V3.44
E V5.47
F V6.52, V6.56 or V6.58 (all versions work the same)
Note: No updates have been released for cameras with serial # starting with D, E and F. If you have a Micro 2.0 camera with serial # starting with C, please update it to V1.44.
To download latest firmware, please visit the SeaLife website. Click this link: http://www.sealife-cameras.com/firmware
Here are the most common causes and solutions for the Micro not powering on:
- Not pushing the power button long enough. Make sure to push and hold the power button for a full 2 seconds until the “Micro 2.0” startup screen is displayed on the LCD display. The camera will not powe