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FMX for Windows: Camera Not Firing During Take Photo

Updated Today · 3 min read

If FMX for Windows starts the preset but gets stuck on the Take Photo step, the camera does not take a picture, the flash does not fire, or the screen stays black, the root issue is often that the camera is not completing the capture.

The flash depends on the camera shutter or sync trigger. If the camera does not fire, the flash will usually not fire either.

1. Check the Camera Connection to the Computer

  1. Make sure the camera is powered on.
  2. Confirm the USB cable is connected firmly to the camera and the computer.
  3. Connect the camera directly to the mini PC or booth computer. Do not use a USB hub.
  4. Try a different USB port on the computer.
  5. Try a different USB cable if the camera disconnects or does not appear.
  6. Close other apps that may be using the camera, such as Windows Camera, Zoom, Canon EOS Utility, Nikon Transfer, or Sony Imaging Edge.

2. Confirm Windows Recognizes the Camera

Before troubleshooting FMX, confirm the computer can see the camera.

  1. Turn the camera off.
  2. Close FMX completely.
  3. Turn the camera back on.
  4. Reconnect the USB cable.
  5. Wait a few seconds for Windows to recognize the camera.
  6. Open Device Manager and check whether the camera appears without a warning icon.
  7. Reopen FMX and go to Global Settings > Camera.
  8. Click Refresh and select the camera.

If Windows does not recognize the camera, FMX will not be able to trigger it.

3. Test the Camera Outside FMX

Try taking a photo directly from the camera body.

  • If the camera takes a photo from the camera body, continue to the FMX checks.
  • If the camera does not take a photo from the camera body, the issue is with the camera settings, power, lens, memory card, or camera hardware.

4. Check the Camera Settings

Set or confirm these camera settings:

  • Camera dial: M / Manual mode
  • Auto Power Off: Off / Disabled
  • Shutter speed: around 1/125
  • Aperture: around f/7.1
  • ISO: around 400
  • White balance: AWB or Flash
  • Image quality: JPEG or JPEG-compatible setting

If the camera still does not fire, clear/reset the camera settings from the camera menu, then apply the recommended booth settings again.

5. Check the Flash Separately

Press the flash Test button.

  • If the flash does not fire from the Test button, check flash power, outlet, bulb, and fuse.
  • If the flash fires from the Test button, the flash has power. The issue is likely camera triggering, hot shoe, sync cable, or camera settings.

6. Check the Hot Shoe and Sync Cable

If the camera takes photos but the flash does not fire:

  1. Make sure the hot shoe is fully seated on the camera.
  2. Make sure the sync cord is connected firmly on both ends.
  3. Disconnect and reconnect the sync cord and hot shoe.
  4. Make sure the flash is not in Slave mode.
  5. Replace the sync cord or hot shoe if the connection is loose or unreliable.

7. Restart the Camera and FMX

After checking the camera and flash:

  1. Close FMX completely.
  2. Turn the camera off.
  3. Unplug the camera USB cable.
  4. Wait 10 seconds.
  5. Turn the camera back on.
  6. Reconnect the USB cable.
  7. Reopen FMX.
  8. Go to Global Settings > Camera, click Refresh, and select the camera.
  9. Start the preset and test Take Photo again.

When to Contact Support

Contact support if:

  • The camera does not appear in Windows or FMX.
  • The camera cannot take a photo directly from the camera body.
  • The flash test button works, but the flash does not fire when the camera takes a photo.
  • FMX still gets stuck on Take Photo after restarting the camera and FMX.

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