New Z6 won't connect with BackyardNikon v2.1.2

[dnault42]

I recently purchased a Nikon Z6 and have been trying to get it to connect to BackyardNikon.  I downloaded the latest version, the SD card is empty, I tested the USB cable and the battery is at full power.  I've tried about ever sequence I can think of to try to get it to connect, but it reports that it could not find my camera every time.  Any ideas what's going on?  I'm sure I'm missing something I just can't figure out what it is.

Regards,

David

[astroman133]

Which version of BYN? This is always important to include in your posts.

Is your camera a Z6 or a Z6ii? The Z6ii is not supported yet, but the Z6 should be.

Does Windows see the camera as an imaging device? Look in the Device Manager.

If Windows sees the camera when you first connect and power it on. It should ask a question about how you want to use the camera. What do you reply?

[dnault42]

Thanks for responding Rick.  I'm using v2.1.2 premium edition.  It is the Z6.  I don't see it listed as an imaging device in the Device Manager.  I do hear Windows make the USB connection sound  when I plug it in.  I don't get ay questions pop up when I plug it on.

 

Regards,

David

[dnault42]

It does show up in the Device Manager as a Portable Device.

Regards,

David

[astroman133]

Does the SD card show up in the Windows File Explorer? If so, that could be the problem. It may be seeing the camera as a file storage device not as a camera.

[dnault42]

I have 2 cards, 1 CFEXPRESS card and another XQD card.  I see a 'Z6' listed in explorer for both of them, which isn't the volume name on either.  I took a couple snapshots on both just to be sure and I don't see any of those files or a DCIM folder, etc.  If I navigate to that 'Z6' listing it is just blank.

Regards,

David

[admin]

I tested the Z6 personally, so I know it does work. I wonder if you have another software that connects to the camera when it is first connected to the PC.  Only one software can connect to the camera at once.

[dnault42]

Yeah, I'm not sure what exactly is going on.  I just finished downloading and installing Nikon's own software and it doesn't see my Z6 either.  The laptop I'm using is quite old so it is possible something is not up to date, I've got conflicting USB drivers, or software, etc.  I'll keep digging, but at least I know it isn't a BackyardNikon problem.

Thanks,

David

[admin]

9 hours ago, dnault42 said:

Yeah, I'm not sure what exactly is going on.  I just finished downloading and installing Nikon's own software and it doesn't see my Z6 either.  The laptop I'm using is quite old so it is possible something is not up to date, I've got conflicting USB drivers, or software, etc.  I'll keep digging, but at least I know it isn't a BackyardNikon problem.

Thanks,

David

That was a good test.  Keep us posted.

[CabbageMS]

Was there ever a positive outcome to this? I am also having issues getting my Nikon Z6 II to connect and wondered if there's something I missed. Version 2.1.2 and have no problems connecting and using my D7000 with it. 

[CabbageMS]

Please ignore above comment. It seemed to be the cable I was using. 

[dnault42]

I had to completely wipe and re-install everything.  After that it worked ok.  Took me a long time to get to that point as I couldn't wipe the laptop right away.

Regards,

David

[astroman133]

Wipe and re-install was likely unnecessary. It may be that you only need to add a Microsoft C++ Run-time Library that is required by the Nikon SDKs.

At least you are up and running.

Thanks for letting us know.

[dnault42]

I had the Microsoft C++ run-time library installed.  I tried updating libraries, all software, drivers, clearing registry data, different USB cables, different USB ports, etc. The best I could determine is that when I initially plugged in the camera there was a pop-up for 'what to do with this device' that I likely selected incorrectly.  I could not find an answer on how to clear that setting.  I'm assuming it is in the registry somewhere but I could not get an answer from Nikon or anywhere else I tried.  Wiping the laptop was definitely the brute force way to do this, but it worked and actually took significantly less time than what I already spent trying everything else.

Regards,
David