Speedlights Not FiringUpdated 2 hours 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 FJ80, FJ80 II, FJ80 SE and FJ100

By following these steps, you can quickly identify and resolve any challenges, helping you maintain consistent performance across your FJ Wireless Speedlights. This comprehensive guide is designed to educate and assist you with your FJ Wireless gear. 

Topics on this page:

1. Update Firmware 
2. Turn off Standby mode (STDBY)
3. Test Fire
4. Verify Mounting
5. Turn on X-Sync Mode
6. Not firing From The Host: Client Mode
7. Understanding The Heat Protection System
8. Canon RT Triggering

1. Update Firmware

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.

1. Delete any downloaded firmware on your computer
2. Restart your computer 
3. Redownload the current firmware version and follow firmware installations as instructed.
   1. Firmware and Instructions
4. Eject the connected unit before unplugging it.
5. Power on the unit

2. Turn off Standby mode (STDBY)

Standby mode disables the hot shoe on the flash. This is useful for moments when you need a quick photo with natural light and you want your camera to react as it does when a flash is not attached without actually powering off the flash or detaching it.

FJ100

In Speedlight Mode, swipe up to reveal extra settings. Including the STDBY mode.

• When enabled, "STANDBY Tap to Turn Off" will be displayed across the entire screen. Tap anywhere to disable.

FJ80II  

In Speedlight Mode, notice the STDBY button at the top right of the screen. 

• Green: The unit is in standby mode and will not fire. 
• Gray: Standby mode is disabled and flash will resume normal function.

FJ80 SE

In Speedlight Mode, If STDBY is enabled, it will be displayed under the camera manufacturer in the top left. To toggle this setting, navigate to menu 2 and press the button corresponding to STDBY.

• When in speedlight mode, CH and GR will not displayed at the top of the screen.

3. Test Fire

When the unit is on and STDBY is disabled, press the test fire button, the button with a lightning bolt icon. This button will be green when it's ready to test fire. This will test-fire the flash at the selected power output. 

If your speedlight does not test fire or if the test fire button never turns green, Contact Westcott support.

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. 

Checking The Quality of Connection

• FJ100
  • When autofocusing or metering for exposure with your camera, a little green dot should appear at the top center of the screen. This signals there is a good connection between the camera and flash.
• FJ80 & FJ80II
  • When autofocusing or metering for exposure with your camera, the manufacturer selection at the top left of the screen should be solid green. This signals there is a good connection between the camera and flash.
• FJ80II SE 
  • When autofocusing or metering for exposure with your camera, a "link" or "chain link" icon (two circles intertwined) will be displayed under the selected manufacturer in the top right. 

Positioning Tips

• Fuji: A small lip at the hot shoe may need a little extra force forward to mount fully.
• 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: 
  These issues rarely occur, 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 Properly Connecting FJ Gear to Your Camera (HSS and TTL) for more information.

5. X-Sync Mode

Some camera models, including film cameras, may not be fully compatible with the FJ Wireless system or may have conflicting camera firmware versions, causing flash misfires or connection issues. X-Sync can help improve flash firing reliability but will disable TTL, HSS, and curtain sync functions. Allowing for manual flash power control. 

• FJ100
  • Press the home button.
  • Touch the "Settings" button to enter the settings menu.
  • Swipe with your finger to scroll and find the "X-Sync" setting, turn this ON.
  • Press the Home button to exit. 
• FJ80 and FJ80II: 
  • Press the home button.
  • Touch the "Settings" button to enter the settings menu. 
  • Within the settings menu, turn X-Sync to ON. 
  • Press the home button to exit.
• FJ80 SE: 
  • Press and hold the two center buttons under the LCD screen. There is a gear icon between the two. 
  • Rotate the center control wheel until "X-Sync" is selected
  • Press the center button on the control wheel and then rotate the wheel to change X-sync from OFF to ON
  • Press the center button to confirm the selection. 
  • Press the far right button under the LCD screen corresponding with the "back" display icon to exit the menu.

After enabling X-Sync, you will notice that "X-Sync" will be displayed on the screen when in Speedlight and Host Mode. 
This will remain on and must be turned off to resume normal operation. 

6. Not firing from the Host: Client Mode

A. Client Mode

Verify that the speed light is correctly set to Client Mode. When in Client Mode, the speedlight is designed to be triggered by a host (trigger or another speedlight).

• FJ100, FJ80 II and FJ80
  • Press the Home button and select Client Mode.
• FJ80 SE 
  • Press the mode button until you enter Client mode. You will know you are in Client Mode when the camera manufacturer in the top left is replaced by the Group selection “GR” followed by the group letter.

B. Enable TTL-ALL

When TTL-ALL is enabled, the unit will be utilizing the FJ Wireless System as opposed to C-RT (Canon Radio Transmission)

Please note: Important Update on Canon RT Compatibility in the FJ Wireless Flash System

• FJ80 and FJ80 II
  In Client mode, touch the furthest top-right button to toggle between TTL-ALL and C-RT. (Firmware updates 2.0.0 and after has removed C-RT)
• FJ80 SE
  In Client mode, press the furthest left button below the LCD screen corresponding to Menu 1 to display Menu 2. When Menu 2 is displayed, press the furthest right button corresponding to TTL-ALL or C-RT until TTL-ALL is displayed. (Firmware updates 2.0.0 and after has removed C-RT)

C. Group and Channel

The speed light you desire to trigger must be on the same channel as the host unit. 

• FJ100
  • In client mode,  swipe up from the bottom to reveal extra settings, like CH (Channel)
• FJ80 and FJ80II
  • In client mode, the channel can be changed by touching the CH button at the top of the screen until the channel matches the channel on your host unit
• FJ80SE 
  • in client mode, the channel can be changed in menu 1 and pressing the 2 button from the right corresponding with CH
  • the channel number will start to blink at the top of the screen, use the wheel to change the channel until it matches the channel on your host unit. Press the center wheel button to confirm your selection

D. Check Host unit settings

• Sometimes the group that your speed light is assigned to can accidentally be set to SLP. Causing it not to fire.
• Continue to "Not triggering other FJ wireless flashes (Host Mode)" if you are using another speedlight as a Host or refer to the FJ-X Triggers article to troubleshoot triggers.

E. Wireless Communication

• If your speedlight is not receiving signals from the host trigger, try adjusting to a different channel on all units, as wireless interference might be affecting communication.
• You can use channels 5 and above to avoid interference with other wireless devices.

Distance from Host

Ensure that the speedlight is within range of the host trigger or master unit. The effective wireless range can vary depending on your shooting environment, and obstructions like walls can reduce the signal strength.

7. Understanding The Heat Protection System

After heavy use or extreme shooting conditions, flash units may overheat, enabling overheating safety modes. This slows down performance to keep the flash within safe operating temperatures. 

FJ100

The FJ100 is equipped with a self-monitoring system ensuring safe operation during continued full-power use for a short timeframe.

• Stage 1: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 201.2°F (94°C), the screen will display a yellow [OH] indicator. The recycle time will also increase to 3seconds in an effort to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 2: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 206.6°F (97°C), the screen will display a yellow [OH] indicator. The recycle time will also increase to 5seconds in an effort to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 3: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 212°F (100°C), the screen will display an orange [OH] indicator. The recycle time will also increase to 7 seconds 10in an effort to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 4: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 217.4°F (103°C),the screen will display a red [OH] indicator. The recycle time will also increase to 10 seconds in an effort to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• NOTE: The LED modeling lamp will be disabled during OH to assist in minimizing the internal temperature.

FJ80 II

The FJ80 II is equipped with a self-monitoring system ensuring safe operation during continued full-power use during a short timeframe.

• Stage 1: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 212°F (100°C), the screen will display a yellow [OH]. The recycle time will also increase by 2 seconds to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 2: Once the strobe reaches an internal operating temperature of 266°F (130°C), the screen will display a red [OH] icon. The recycle time will increase an additional 2 seconds in efforts to cool the unit while allowing for further operation. Once the unit has cooled, the yellow or red [OH] will disappear from the touchscreen, it will then be safe to continue operation.
• NOTE: The LED modeling lamp will be disabled during OH to assist in minimizing the internal temperature.

FJ80 SE

The FJ80-SE is equipped with a self-monitoring system ensuring safe operation during continued full-power use during a short timeframe.

• Stage 1: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 185°F (85°C), the screen will display [OH]. The recycle time will also increase by 3.2 seconds to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 2: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 215oF (102ºC), the screen will display [OH]. The recycle time will also increase by an additional 3 seconds to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• Stage 3: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 221oF (105ºC), the screen will display [OH]. The recycle time will also increase by an additional 8 seconds to cool the unit while allowing for continued operation.
• NOTE: The LED modeling lamp will be disabled during OH to assist in minimizing the internal temperature.  

FJ80

The FJ80 is equipped with a self-monitoring system ensuring safe operation during continued full-power use during a short timeframe. The monitoring system provides a staged automatic shutoff scenario.  

• Stage 1: Once the speedlight reaches an internal operating temperature of 131°F (55°C), the screen will display a yellow [OH]. The recycle time will also increase to 2 seconds to cool the unit while allowing for further operation. 
• Stage 2: Once the strobe reaches an internal operating temperature of 167°F (75°C), the screen will display a red [OH] icon. The unit will be inoperable for an estimated 10 minutes until an adequate internal temperature has been reached to continue operation. Once the unit has cooled, the red [OH] will disappear from the touchscreen, and it will then be safe to continue operation. 

8. Canon RT Triggering

In the event you are triggering your FJ80 via the Canon RT system, please refer to our Using FJ Triggers with Canon RT Speedlites: Setup and Tips

Important Update on Canon RT Compatibility in the FJ Wireless Flash System

Contact Westcott Support if the options above do not solve your issue.