User profile for user: desfromllanelli
desfromllanelli Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Troubleshooting Canon 5D MkIV camera tethering with Lightroom Classic

I have a 14" laptop with M1 chip and an iMac M3. I am using Lightroom Classic on both. All software is up to date Tahoe 26-5-1. I want to 'tether Capture'. When I attach my Canon 5D MkIV to the iMac it is fine but the laptop spins its wheels attempting to find the camera. The camera shows BUSY if any function is attempted. I have been through all the recommended sequences of shut downs and erasing the plist. Also tried different cables


Any help greatly appreciated.

Des


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Camera tether with Lightroom.

MacBook Pro (M1 Pro, 2021)

Posted on Jul 2, 2026 1:54 PM

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User profile for user: kaz-k
kaz-k
User level: Level 9
51,990 points

Posted on Jul 4, 2026 2:50 AM

Hi,

To get your Canon 5D Mark IV tethering reliably to Lightroom Classic, ensure your firmware is updated, test a short 3-foot cable, and try removing the camera's memory card. For detailed step-by-step troubleshooting, follow the steps below.


1. Hardware & Cable Checks

  • Test a short cable first: Long cables (over 10 feet) often drop voltage. Use the 3-foot USB cable that came in your camera box to isolate the issue.
  • Use powered hubs: If you must use a long cable (e.g., a 15-foot Tether Tools cable), use a powered USB hub or a TetherBoost Pro controller to maintain data transfer speeds.
  • Memory Card: Try shooting with a blank, formatted SD or CF card inserted into the camera. Alternatively, remove the memory card completely, as some 5D MkIV configurations fail to tether while writing data to the card simultaneously.

2. Camera & Software Settings

  • Disable Wi-Fi/FTP: Ensure all built-in Wi-Fi and FTP settings are turned off in your 5D Mark IV menu, as they override USB connections.
  • Switch Connection Protocol: If tethering disconnects or fails, you can switch from the default Canon SDK to an older protocol. Go to Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Lightroom Classic > Preferences > General (macOS), and check Use Canon SDK for Tethering Canon Cameras.

3. macOS Security & Permissions

If your Mac is failing to recognize the camera, Lightroom might be blocked from communicating with your system.


  • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
  • Ensure Adobe Lightroom Classic is toggled on.

4. Conflicting Applications

  • Quit all instances of the Canon EOS Utility and Adobe Bridge. If open, these applications will "hijack" the camera’s USB signal, preventing Lightroom from detecting the 5D Mark IV.


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4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: kaz-k
kaz-k
User level: Level 9
51,990 points

Jul 4, 2026 2:50 AM in response to desfromllanelli

Hi,

To get your Canon 5D Mark IV tethering reliably to Lightroom Classic, ensure your firmware is updated, test a short 3-foot cable, and try removing the camera's memory card. For detailed step-by-step troubleshooting, follow the steps below.


1. Hardware & Cable Checks

  • Test a short cable first: Long cables (over 10 feet) often drop voltage. Use the 3-foot USB cable that came in your camera box to isolate the issue.
  • Use powered hubs: If you must use a long cable (e.g., a 15-foot Tether Tools cable), use a powered USB hub or a TetherBoost Pro controller to maintain data transfer speeds.
  • Memory Card: Try shooting with a blank, formatted SD or CF card inserted into the camera. Alternatively, remove the memory card completely, as some 5D MkIV configurations fail to tether while writing data to the card simultaneously.

2. Camera & Software Settings

  • Disable Wi-Fi/FTP: Ensure all built-in Wi-Fi and FTP settings are turned off in your 5D Mark IV menu, as they override USB connections.
  • Switch Connection Protocol: If tethering disconnects or fails, you can switch from the default Canon SDK to an older protocol. Go to Edit > Preferences > General (Windows) or Lightroom Classic > Preferences > General (macOS), and check Use Canon SDK for Tethering Canon Cameras.

3. macOS Security & Permissions

If your Mac is failing to recognize the camera, Lightroom might be blocked from communicating with your system.


  • Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access.
  • Ensure Adobe Lightroom Classic is toggled on.

4. Conflicting Applications

  • Quit all instances of the Canon EOS Utility and Adobe Bridge. If open, these applications will "hijack" the camera’s USB signal, preventing Lightroom from detecting the 5D Mark IV.


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User profile for user: desfromllanelli
desfromllanelli Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Jul 5, 2026 1:44 PM in response to kaz-k

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. If I take them in order then after ensuring all software is up to date..

1 Using 1 foot cable Directly plugged into usbC port on laptop. Also tried with and without a card.

2 All disabled but not a problem when left on and connecting to desktop. Tried the SDK route to no avail.

3 LR has full access

4 I don't have Canons Eos or Adobe bridge.

And all these things work fine on the desktop which is an M1


I have also deleted the pList for LR and this did not help either.


It is very frustrating. Prior to this my 5D MkIII worked well with the laptop. This 5D MkIV was purchased 'used' and I wondered if it was a camera fault but then it would not work with the iMac.


I also followed den.thed suggestion to no avail.


Once again, thanks for your reply.

Des

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Troubleshooting Canon 5D MkIV camera tethering with Lightroom Classic

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