Troubleshooting Guide

Troubleshoot Speedlite issues as described in this section. If the problem persists, contact a Canon Service Center.

Normal flash photography

The power does not turn on.

  • Make sure the batteries are inserted facing the right direction ().
  • Make sure the battery compartment cover is closed ().
  • Replace the batteries with new ones.

The Speedlite does not fire.

  • Insert the mounting foot all the way into the camera hot shoe and slide the lock lever right to secure the Speedlite to the camera ().
  • If CHARGE remains displayed even after approx. 15 sec., replace the batteries ().
  • Blow off any foreign material on the contacts between the Speedlite and camera with a commercially available blower or similar tool.
  • If the contacts between the Speedlite and camera () get wet, turn off the Speedlite and allow it to dry.
  • The firing interval becomes longer () after continuous firing over a short period, which will cause the flash head temperature to rise and restrict flash firing.

The power turns off by itself.

  • The Speedlite's auto power off has been activated (). Press the shutter button halfway, or press the test flash button ().

Pictures are under or overexposed.

  • If the main subject looks very dark or very bright, set flash exposure compensation ().
  • If there are highly reflective objects in the picture, use FE lock ().
  • With high-speed sync, the faster the shutter speed, the lower the guide number. Move closer to the subject ().

The bottom of the picture looks dark.

  • Shoot at least 0.5 m / 1.6 ft. away from the subject.
  • Remove any attached lens hoods.

The picture periphery looks dark.

  • Set the flash coverage to A (Auto) ().
  • When manually setting the flash coverage, set a flash coverage wider than the shooting angle of view ().
  • Make sure C.Fn-21 is not set to [1] ().

Pictures are very blurry.

  • Shooting in Aperture-priority AE aperture-priority AE mode under low light automatically activates slow-sync shooting, which results in slower shutter speeds. Use a tripod, or set the shooting mode to Program AE program AE or fully automatic mode (). Note that you can also set the flash sync speed in the camera setting [Flash sync. speed in Av mode] ().

Flash coverage is not set automatically.

  • Set the flash coverage to A (Auto) ().
  • Insert the mounting foot all the way into the camera hot shoe and slide the lock lever right to secure the Speedlite to the camera ().

Flash coverage cannot be set manually.

  • Remove the bounce adapter ().
  • Retract the wide panel ().

Functions cannot be set.

  • Set the camera's shooting mode to Flexible-priority AE, Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Manual exposure, or Bulb (Bulb) (Creative Zone).
  • Set the Speedlite's power switch to Power ON instead of LOCK ().

Radio transmission wireless flash photography

Receivers do not fire or unexpectedly fire at full output.

  • Set the sender to Radio transmission wirelessSENDER and receivers to Radio transmission wirelessRECEIVER ().
  • Use the same settings for transmission channels and wireless radio IDs on the sender and receivers ().
  • Make sure receivers are within transmission range of the sender ().
  • Run a transmission channel scan and set the channel with the strongest signal ().
  • To the extent possible, position receivers within a direct line of sight of the sender.
  • Make sure receivers are facing the sender.
  • The camera's built-in flash cannot be used as a sender in radio transmission wireless flash photography.

Pictures are overexposed.

  • When using autoflash with three firing groups (A–C), do not fire with firing group C pointing toward the main subject ().
  • When shooting with each firing group set to its own flash mode, do not fire multiple firing groups in ETTL mode that are all pointing toward the main subject ().

Synchronization speed warning is displayed.

  • Set the shutter speed one step slower than the maximum flash sync shutter speed ().

LCD panel illumination turns on and off.

  • The sender LCD panel turns on or off based on receiver (firing group) recharge status. See LCD Panel Illumination.

Linked shooting

Standard exposure is not provided, or exposure is uneven.

  • Firing multiple Speedlites together in linked shooting may prevent suitable exposure or cause uneven exposure. Consider firing only one Speedlite or using a self-timer to fire multiple units at different times.