Turn's out that JVC Does that to protect your camcorder some do it some don't because there might not be a problem and JVC will pay a tech to unlock this mode under waranty and you can get extended waranty by calling satis fusion at 1-888-269-6432 even your item is out of waranty.

Remove the battery while the camera is at the "on" position then put it back. Press the forward or rewind button then stop. This should solve your problem. It works for me. Good Luck!!!

I have this same problem with my camera. This JVC unit is junk. It has never worked well and this stupid "drum error code" is really a bummer. I think I have forund the solution, ... if you bought a JVC camera you should imediately deposit it in the nearest landfill site you can find, ... and then immediately replace the JVC GR-DVL300 with a Sony camera. I have run out of energy for all my electronics failing. Nobody wants to build anything really well anymore, ... or if they do build it really well it makes them stick out so far that they can justify the high prices they charge. Every piece of Sony gear I have ever bought still works ... and I have a pile of gear from other manufacturers, ... like Denon, Panasonic, JVC, Electrohome, ... all junk. Get smart ... pitch that camera in the garbage where it belongs and make sure to tell all your friends how happy you were with it, ... then get a Sony and be happy. Life is too short to own a JVC camera. A few nights back, ... I had these two really hot chicks come back after the bar, ... and they were so drunk & horny they started touching each other on the couch, ... then they agreed that I should video tape them having sex, ... and this stupid E04 message came up on the camera, ... and I couldn't video the show, ... and my memory of the event is fuzzy, ... and I really really would have liked this stupid frikking camera to work. Better Days ... I'm buying a new Sony. Like I said, every single Sony product I have ever bought still works. JVC ... To the Dump, Dump, Dump.

I MIGHT HAVE THE ANSWER YOU NEED!!!!!!!!! Upon getting our usually perfect acting camcorder ready to record our family open our Christmas gifts this morning... A blue screen of death appeared. Reading: ERO4 Camera in safeguard mode, remove and replace battery... the same problem as most of you... WELL... upon getting very frustrated, and upset.. I FOUND A WAY TO FIX OURS, AND IT IS NOW WORKING PERFECTLY!!!! Right as we would turn it into M mode (manual I believe..?)... the mode where it records... anyways.. that is when we would get the error.. but RIGHT before that would happen.. it would seemingly be working for about 1 second. I thought perhaps you could try to eject the tape in this short window of time. As soon as you remove the battery (or unplug the power cord), and plug it back in, be pushing the eject button at the same time (after you've turned it to the M mode) and PRESTO.. it should eject.. we found out our problem was that it had started to eat the tape. We simply pulled it all out, popped in a new vhs-c, and BOOM: OUR CHRISTMAS CAN BE RECORDED!!!! I hope this helps you!!!! YAYYYYYY MERRY Christmas!! Please email me and let me know if this helped you!!

Hey i have the same problem with my jvc camcorder too! mine is a dvl520U and everytime i turn it on, it appears a message that says error E01, battery in safeguard mode, remove and reattach battery, but i cannot do anything! cannot even eject the tape! i've tried everything there is in this forum, but it doesnt help, can i take it to a repair center? how much would it cost?

I have a JVC GR-AXM10U. My camera works when a cassette is not in but when I put one in the E04 message comes up. I have tried everyone suggestions but nothing has worked. Can anyone help me send me a e-mail please.

I have two JVC camcorders now that are junk. The first is a Gr-DVL300 with E04 battery problems. I sent it in and they said it would be $300 to fix. So I gave them there $50 for looking and got it back. For $300 I bought a new one. Now I got a GR-D270US, it was supposed to hook strait up to my computer. It even came with a usb cord. Well they said sorry. In the direction book it did not say sorry. So they got me two times. Could some one send me the information on the law suit. I really don't think they should be allowed to say sorry and the problems/we just go away.

Hey, is there any chance at a class action suit?

I have a JVC GR-DVL505U and the famous E04 has come up. Guess what the warrenty has expired. I went to Best Buy and they had no clue. I was ready to buy another camera (NOT JVC). I thought maybe there is something on-line about this defect. I searched and found a lot people with the same problem. Here is what has worked for me. Squeeze the sides where the tape goes, just a bit and insert the tape it work for me and I hope it will last. Hope this helps. Just one last note, thanks to all who help others without you I would have bought a new camera. Johnny

I have the same error message but the code is E03. After seeing this thread, I will never buy another JVC product again. I am also very disappointed at Best Buy for selling a unit with known defects.