Tethering troubleshooting (desktop)

Troubleshooting tethering issues in Capture One

This guide provides step-by-step solutions to the most common tethering issues with desktop Capture One versions like Pro, Studio, Enterprise, and Cultural Heritage, helping you establish a reliable connection between your camera and software. Address problems like the camera not being detected, slow or unstable connections, or intermittent image transfers.

For the most stable connection, use wired tethering instead of wireless. If issues persist after trying the troubleshooting steps in this guide, consider switching to wireless tethering, provided your camera supports it. Refer to our visual instructions for connection your camera brand wirelessly in this article on How to connect your camera wirelessly (mobile).

For more info on desktop tethering, refer to Tethered capture overview, Tethering with a supported camera, Wireless Tethering.

For Capture One mobile tethering info and troubleshooting, refer to Troubleshooting connection issues (mobile), Necessary connection equipment (mobile), How to connect your camera with a cable (mobile), How to connect your camera wirelessly (mobile).

Table of contents

• FAQ
• Verify system and camera compatibility for tethering with Capture One
• Set up your desktop for tethering with Capture One
• Set up your camera settings for tethering with Capture One
• Optimize your tethering setup
• Start tethering in Capture One
• If you're still facing tethering issues in Capture One
• Camera-specific troubleshooting

FAQ

Why is Capture One not detecting my camera?

If Capture One isn’t detecting your camera, it could be due to compatibility issues, incorrect settings, or faulty connections. Verify your camera model is supported, check your physical connections, and review camera settings as outlined in this article.

How do I fix slow image transfers in Capture One?

To resolve slow transfers, use a shorter tethering cable, close unnecessary background applications, and ensure that Sessions are stored on your internal drive for faster access as outlined in this article.

What should I do if my tethering connection is unstable in Capture One?

If your connection is unstable, check for physical connection issues, test with different cables, try other USB ports, or consider using a powered USB hub as outlined in this article.

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Verify system and camera compatibility for tethering with Capture One

Check your OS and Capture One version

See Capture One system requirements and OS support and make sure your OS is supported by the Capture One version you are running.

Delay major OS updates to avoid bugs that affect your workflow. Test new systems thoroughly before using them in production environments.

Check your camera model and Capture One version

See Camera models and RAW files supported by Capture One and make sure your camera model is supported by the Capture One version you are running.

You can trial newer versions of Capture One if needed.

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Set up your desktop for tethering with Capture One

Create a new user account on your computer

Setting up a new user environment can eliminate software conflicts that affect tethering. See Add a user or group on Mac and Manage user accounts in Windows.

Close interfering software

Shut down all other background apps, they can interfere with tethering. Turn off automatic backup and sync for cloud services to avoid disruptions.

Consider uninstalling such software for improved reliability.

Remove additional accessories

Disconnect any additional accessories or devices from the computer.

Grant full access in macOS

First, reset all denied access requests by running the following command in Terminal (replace '16' with your version number):

tccutil reset All com.captureone.captureone16

Then, open Capture One and grant all access by clicking Allow. This step ensures that Capture One has all necessary permissions.

Separate Sessions for each project

Create new Capture One Sessions for your projects and store them on the internal drive of your computer to prevent slowdowns during image transfer.

Enable only the camera type you're connecting

In Capture One Settings / Preferences > Capture tab > Provider, enable only the type of camera you're connecting to prevent driver confusion and syntax errors.

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Set up your camera settings for tethering with Capture One

Set up your camera properly

Refer to your camera’s user manual to ensure it is correctly configured for tethering.

Disable USB charging and power-saving modes

Turn off these settings in your camera’s menu to prevent disruptions.

Remove or format your memory cards

Eject or regularly format your memory card, as they can sometimes cause connection problems.

Due to recent macOS updates, Mac scans the card when it is detected, which steals the camera connectivity with Capture One while that scanning process is ongoing. The connection also could get blocked due to timeout. So using a formated card per shoot is the way to go if experiencing this issue. 

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Optimize your tethering setup

Use a short tethering cable

A shorter cable can help reduce connection issues. Test with a short cable to see if it resolves the problem.

Avoid unnecessary adapters and hubs

If adapters or hubs are necessary, use powered versions to maintain a stable signal between your camera and computer.

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Start tethering in Capture One

Launch a new Session in Capture One

Begin by opening a new Session in Capture One before turning on your camera.

Power on your camera and connect

Once the Session is open, power on your camera and connect it to your computer via USB.

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If you’re still facing tethering issues in Capture One

If your camera isn’t recognized in Capture One, try removing memory cards, power cycling your camera, restarting Capture One, and reconnecting.

Ensure all cables are firmly connected, test with different USB ports, and try alternative cables if needed.

Check the USB section of your system information to verify your camera is recognized and the USB speed is correct. Try other USB ports if needed:

1. On macOS, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > More info... > System Report... > USB. On older macOS systems, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac > System Information > USB.
   On Windows, go to the Start menu > Device Manager > USB.
2. Ensure camera presence and check USB speed: USB 1.1 (12Mb/s), USB 2 (480Mb/s), USB 3 (5Gb/s). Try other USB ports if needed.

If your camera supports wireless tethering, try connecting wirelessly to see if the issue persists.

In case all the steps above didn't resolve your tethering issues, consider contacting our support team for further assistance.

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Camera-specific troubleshooting

Try these camera-specific troubleshooting steps if you still face issues after following the tethering troubleshooting steps above.

Canon tethering troubleshooting

1. Ensure Proper Camera Setup
   • Refer to your camera user manual. Usually requires no special settings.
2. Disable WiFi
   • Known to help with Canon 6D.

Nikon tethering troubleshooting

1. Ensure Proper Camera Setup
   • Refer to your camera user manual. Usually requires no special settings.
2. Use PTP Mode
   • Some older cameras may need to be in PTP mode for USB rather than Mass Storage or MTP.

Sony tethering troubleshooting

1. Ensure Proper Camera Setup
   • Refer to your camera user manual. Usually requires no special settings.
2. Use PC Remote as the USB Setting
   • Ensure the USB setting is set to PC Remote.
3. Sony-Related Driver Issues on Windows
   • In the Windows Device Manager, check for the Sony Remote Control Camera under libusbK USB Devices and uninstall it if necessary.

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