There are a number of possible reasons why flashes may not be behaving as expected in your booth and/or when using them with Canon/DSLR cameras in the Photo Booth Upload software. This article will take you through some basic troubleshoot steps for different scenarios which may resolve the issue.
If Your Flash Isn't Firing at All...
Check All Cables to and From the Flashes and the Hot Shoe
First, it may seem obvious, but double-check to make sure the flash is on. If it is on but being non-responsive or blinking lights, power cycling the flash typically fixes the issue.
If the problem persists, take a moment to trace the cables, one-by-one, to-and-from your flashes and the hot shoe. A loose cable or connection can cause the flash not to fire. Once you've disconnected and reconnected all of those cables to ensure a solid connection, run some tests and see if the problem persists.
If that didn't help, try swapping out any removable cables and replacing them if possible. A bad cable can have similar symptoms to that of a poor connection.
If the Flash is Firing for Some Photos and Not for Others...
Flash May Have Gone to Sleep
Flashes often have power-save settings and may go to sleep after sitting idle for a period of time. It is for this reason that we have included the "Enable Flash Reset" option in PBU. For a flash reset and other DSLR/Camera settings walk through, check out our Camera Settings Overview HERE.
Flash Power Setting May Be Too High to Recharge in Time
Most flashes (including those provided with our INFINITE and VENTURE booths) have adjustable power levels. If the flash power is turned all the way up (meaning that a certain charge is required for the flash to fire), then it may be taking too long to recharge between photos, and therefore failing to fire at the right time. In our booths, we recommend that you turn the power settings down to around 2/3-3/4 full (or "two lights" from the top) to help prevent this.
Photos May Be Triggered Too Rapidly
Even with nominal power levels in the flash, firing a series of shots in quick succession may be preventing the flash from fully recharging between firings. Try slowing down the frequency the photos are taken even just a little bit can make a big difference if this is the cause of the issue.
If All Else Fails...
Hot Shoe, Cables or Flashes May Need to be Replaced
If all other options have been exhausted, it could be that the hot shoe, the cables, or even the flashes may need to be replaced. If you are using one of our booths and you are under warranty, please let us know. If not, fortunately these items are not especially expensive. If you need advice on replacement items, please feel free to contact support and we can at least provide you with the technical specs for the hardware that we provided originally. The average flash bulb lifespan is somewhere between 1000-10,000+ flashes and, like any light bulb, they will eventually burn out and need to be replaced.
Contact Support
If you suspect your issue is unique or the cause is not covered by the suggestions listed above, please feel free to reach out to support (info below).
More questions? Check out our FAQs + Troubleshooting section!
Need more support? Here's who to contact.