Camera not detected

The Cameras page shows “Plug in a Canon camera or a webcam”, or the Dashboard shows No camera detected. Follow these steps in order: most problems are solved in the first few.

1. The basics

• The camera is turned on, and the battery isn't empty (or it's on AC power).
• The cable is plugged directly into the computer, without a hub or extension.
• Try another cable and another USB port. Poor-quality USB cables are the leading cause of problems.
• The camera is not in video mode, and its screen isn't showing a menu.

2. Another program is using the camera

A camera can only be controlled by one program at a time. Close:

• EOS Utility, Digital Photo Professional, Canon Camera Connect;
• photo import software (Windows Photos, Image Capture or Photos on macOS, which sometimes open on their own when you plug in);
• video conferencing software (for a webcam).

Then turn the camera off and back on, and click Open session on the Cameras page.

3. The camera's Wi-Fi

On some Canon cameras, having Wi-Fi turned on prevents the USB connection. Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the camera's menus.

4. Does the system see the camera?

Click System devices on the Cameras page:

• Windows: in Device Manager, the camera appears under Portable Devices or Cameras. An exclamation mark indicates a driver problem: unplug it, plug it back in, or update the computer's USB driver;
• macOS: the camera appears in System Information › USB;
• Linux: the lsusb command should list the camera.

If the system doesn't see the camera, the problem comes from the cable, the port or the camera, not from BoothX.

5. USB ports go to sleep (Windows)

Windows can cut power to an idle USB port to save energy: the camera then disappears in the middle of the evening. Turn on Settings › Power › Keep USB ports powered in BoothX.

6. Is the camera compatible?

BoothX controls the Canon EOS cameras supported by Canon's SDK, and USB webcams. Cameras from other brands can't be controlled over USB. Check your model at boothx.org/compatibility/cameras.

On ARM computers (Windows ARM64), Canon's USB SDK isn't available: use a webcam or, once it's offered, the Wi-Fi connection (see Canon camera over Wi-Fi).

7. Linux: USB permissions

Your user must have access to USB devices (plugdev group on Debian and Ubuntu), and to video devices for a webcam (video group). Log out and back in after changing groups.

8. The camera disconnects during the event

• Power the camera from AC power and turn off auto power off.
• Turn on Keep USB ports powered.
• Secure the cable so guests can't pull on it.

During the event, BoothX automatically tries to reopen the session and shows guests “Please wait, the camera is reconnecting.”

Still nothing?

Also see Camera troubleshooting (frozen preview, blurry photos), then contact support with the camera model, the BoothX version and the message shown (see Logs and support reports).