You're on set, the client is in the room, and the software says No Camera Detected. I've been there. Nine times out of ten it's one of the first three fixes below. Do them in order.
1. Check the camera's USB mode
- Sony: tap Remote Shooting when the USB prompt appears, or set USB Connection to PC Remote. Mass Storage and MTP won't tether.
- Canon: PTP. Turn off the camera's WiFi if it's paired to something else.
- Nikon: Setup → USB → MTP/PTP. Power-cycle after changing.
- Fujifilm: Connection Setting → USB Mode → USB Tether Shooting Auto. Card Reader and RAW CONV modes won't work.
- Panasonic: PC(Tether), not PC(Storage).
2. Swap the cable
Charge-only cables look identical to data cables. Use a USB-C to USB-C data cable straight into the Mac, no hub or dock, 3 feet or shorter unless it's an active tethering cable. If the camera charges but never shows up, it's the cable.
3. Stop macOS from stealing the camera
macOS runs ptpcamerad, which claims any camera you plug in so Photos can offer to import. While it holds the camera, nothing else can talk to it.
- Open Image Capture → select the camera → "Connecting this camera opens" → No application.
- Terminal: killall PTPCamera ptpcamerad, then reconnect.
4. Quit every other camera app
Only one app can talk to a camera at a time. EOS Utility, Imaging Edge, NX Tether, Lightroom, Capture One, Photos, Preview and Bridge can all hold it. Quit them fully (Cmd+Q, and check Activity Monitor for background helpers), wait 5 seconds, then connect.
5. Check macOS permissions
System Settings → Privacy & Security. Allow your tethering app under Camera and Files and Folders, and Local Network for WiFi cameras. Restart the app after any change. After a macOS update these sometimes reset. See tethering stopped working after a macOS update.
6. Detected but won't fire?
- Camera in movie mode. Switch to stills.
- AF can't lock. Try manual focus.
- Card full or locked.
- Newer Sony bodies use Mode 300. Older software sees the camera but can't fire it. See Sony tethering on Mac.
Still nothing?
Try the camera in a different app. If it connects there, the problem is your software, not your setup. TETHER STUDIO has a free 7-day trial, and the support page has 77 camera-specific fixes plus a direct ticket form.
Frequently asked
Why does Lightroom say no camera detected?
Most often the camera is in the wrong USB mode, the cable is charge-only, or macOS ptpcamerad or another app (EOS Utility, Image Capture, Photos) is holding the camera. Fix the USB mode, swap the cable, quit other apps and run killall PTPCamera ptpcamerad. Also confirm your camera is on Adobe's supported list for your Lightroom Classic version.
What is ptpcamerad on Mac?
ptpcamerad is a macOS background process that claims cameras when they are plugged in so Photos and Image Capture can import. It can block tethering apps. Run killall PTPCamera ptpcamerad in Terminal and set Image Capture to open No application.
Why does my camera charge but not connect to my Mac?
You are probably using a charge-only USB cable. Use a USB-C data cable directly into the Mac.
My camera connects in Capture One but not in another app. Why?
Only one app can control a camera at a time. Quit Capture One completely, including background processes, wait 5 seconds, then connect in the other app.