Autofocus on Nikkor 18-55mm lens doesn't work

When the camera is set to autofocus, let the camera do the focusing. If you want to focus manually, turn off the autofocus so you can turn the focusing ring.

That's the focal range of a zoom lens. Unlike a single focal-length lens (or a "prime" lens) a zoom lens lets you adjust the focal range. "55-200mm" specifies the lens's focal range from 55mm at the low end to 200mm at the long end.

You can read a general description of zoom lenses at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoom_lens

Nikon current has two different 55-200mm lenses:
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/
2156/AF-S-DX-Zoom-NIKKOR-55-200mm-f%252F4-5.6G-ED.html
and
http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Camera-Lenses/
2156/AF-S-DX-Zoom-NIKKOR-55-200mm-f%252F4-5.6G-ED.html

If you're asking about the L110, it has a permanently-affixed lens and will not use either of the above lenses.

That lens will work with the D3100, except for the autofocusing. In order to autofocus with the D3100, you need AF-S lenses, such as the AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED or the
AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR.

Try it with another lens on the body and try the lens on another body to see which one is faulty

I fix these all the time for this problem, The focus motor is bad, Tony

Hi,
Sorry to hear about your lens. If you are able to autofocus and take pictures with any other lens, then it means that your problem lies with the kit lens. If you can take picture in manual mode, but not in autofocus mode, then the AF motor in the lens in not functioning. I had the same thing happen to my 50mm 1.4 lens.
Depending on your location, there are Nikon repair centers in Melville, NY and Torrance, CA.
Hope this helps,
Andrew

Seems as if you're snapping the shutter before the lens has focused. Have you tried manual focus or single-server auto focus?

You might like to check if the A/M slider switch on the lens by the Nikon label is set to A.
It sometimes gets moved accidently.
Set to M the lens will not autofocus.

d40

I just had the same exact problem! However, in my case I was finishing up a photo shoot at work, went to switch lenses, and when I picked up my 55-200mm zoom lens, the tip of it fell off!! I was able to put it back into the end of the lens, but now I am having the same autofocus problem and sound effect. I think it is because it is off track inside the lens. But I have only had mine for 5 months! I'm preparing to send it to Nikon for warrenty repair.