FJ Triggers Not Triggering Other FJ Wireless flashesUpdated 13 minutes ago
When working with the FJ Wireless system, ensuring proper functionality and connectivity is essential for a seamless shooting experience. This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps with your FJ-X3 M, FJ-X3 S, and FJ-X2 M.
By following these steps, you can quickly identify and resolve any challenges, helping you maintain consistent performance across your FJ Wireless Triggers and Speedlights. This comprehensive guide is designed to educate and assist you with your FJ Wireless gear.
Topics on this page:
- Firmware Updates
- Test Fire
- Check Wireless Connections and Group Modes
- Verify Mounting
- Distance from Host
- Alternative Triggering Methods
- Optical Triggering
- Wired Triggering
- Canon RT triggering
- Canon RT Triggering
1. Firmware Updates
Check Firmware
Ensure all your FJ Wireless gear and camera are running the latest firmware. You can check what version your equipment is on by looking at the bottom right of the screen when powering on. To download the latest firmware and follow along with detailed instructions, refer to our Firmware page.
Reinstall firmware
In some cases, firmware can be uploaded to your unit with an error causing odd issues like the screen powering on but using the touch screen to power it on does nothing.
- Delete any downloaded firmware on your computer
- Restart your computer
- Redownload the current firmware version and follow firmware installations as instructed.
- Eject the connected unit before unplugging it.
- Power on the unit
2. Test Fire
Press the "Test" button on the trigger to test-fire the other FJ Wireless flashes connected. Confirm all connected flashes are firing. If you find one of your units is not firing, press the onboard test fire button on that unit. If it is not firing via the onboard test fire button, select the FJ Wireless gear you want to troubleshoot.
If the unit is firing with the onboard test fire button but is not firing from the trigger, continue through this article.
3. Check Wireless Connections and Group Modes
Channel
Confirm what channel the units are on. This is displayed at the top of the triggers LCD screen labeled "CH". Then, confirm the other FJ Wireless flashes you wish to control are on the same channel.
- FJ-X2
- Quick press the menu button until you see "CH" as the center option of the 3 options at the bottom of the LCD screen.
- Press the center button corresponding with "CH", this will highlight the channel number at the top of the LCD screen.
- Use the control scroll wheel to change the desired channel. Press and click in the wheel to confirm your selection.
- FJ-X3
- Quick press the far left circular button labeled "CH - Lock"
- The channel number at the top of the LCD screen will be selected. Use the up and down arrows on the directional pad to change to the desired channel.
Note: We suggest using channels 5 or higher to avoid interference from other devices
Group
Once all the units you wish to control are on the same channel, notice what flashes are connected to what group (GR) or designate each flash to a group of your choice. For example, All flashes connected to group A will fire at the designated setting in group A on the FJ-X trigger. Ideally, every flash will be on a different group for individual control. If you know you want multiple flashes to fire at the same power or setting, put them in the same group.
Modes
You will be able to cycle between M, TTL, and SLP within the groups. You must put the group into M or TTL mode for a fire signal to be sent. To change this on FJ-X Triggers, press the square button next to the group to cycle through the options.
Be mindful of the mode your groups are on; certain modes prevent certain features.
- M = Manual Mode: In manual mode, the flash will fire and test fire at the designated power output. (1-9 or 1/256- 1/1) It is up to the user to balance the flash power and camera settings to get a proper exposure.
- TTL = Through The Lens: A type of "auto mode". The flash will fire at a power level it believes is appropriate in coordination with your camera settings. Aiming for mid-tone gray.
- SLP = Sleep: Different from "auto off", SLP sets all units synced to that group to sleep. This puts it in an idle state where it will not flash but will remain powered on.
4. Verify Mounting
In some instances, the manufacturing of a particular model or camera unit can result in the need for the user to pay special attention to the mounting process when attaching an FJ trigger or speed light to that camera's hot shoe.
Refer to Properly Connecting FJ Gear to Your Camera (HSS and TTL) for notes on proper pin alignment.
Checking The Quality of Connection
- Fuji Cameras
- With the trigger attached to your camera, both the camera and trigger are powered on and the trigger is set to Fuji, when autofocusing or metering with your camera you should notice a little LED light above the LCD screen flashing green. This signals you have a good connection between the trigger and your camera.
- A small lip at the hot shoe may need a little extra force forward to mount fully.
- All Other Camera Manufacturers
- With the trigger attached to your camera, both the camera and trigger are powered on and the trigger is set to your desired camera manufacturer, when autofocusing or metering with your camera you should notice a little LED light above the LCD screen is solid green. This signals you have a good connection between the trigger and your camera.
Positioning Tips
- Canon R series: added pins at the front of the hot shoe may give the impression that the FJ gear is fully mounted when in fact a small nudge forward may be needed to ensure a full mount and proper contact
- Nikon Z series: Rarely have issues, but older DSLRs may need a backward nudge before locking down.
- Sony: Align the pins at the base and the front of the hot shoe with the contacts and ensure they are clean. The Sony pins at the front of hot shoes can become dirty over time and prevent proper connections. Check that the pins are free of dirt and grime
- See Optimizing HSS and TTL on your FJ Gear for more information.
5. Distance from Host and Obstructions
Ensure that the flash you desire to trigger is within range of the host trigger or master unit and consider objects or walls that might interfere with the wireless signal. The effective wireless range can vary depending on your shooting environment, and obstructions like walls can reduce the signal strength.
6. Alternative Triggering Methods
If you have reviewed the above points and still cannot get your strobe to fire with your trigger, you may need to consider an alternative triggering method, such as Optical Triggering or Wired Triggering.
- Please refer to the Alternative Triggering Methods section found in the FJ Strobes Are Not Firing article.
- Note: FJ80 series speedlights cannot be triggered optically or via a wired connection.
7. Canon RT Triggering
In the event you are using the Canon RT system, please refer to our Using FJ Triggers with Canon RT Speedlites: Setup and Tips
Contact Westcott Support if the options above do not solve your issue.