topic My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer? in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:11:25 GMT

This is a sudden problem. Everything has worked well until today when I tried to send new pictures to my computer. There are communication problems. I tried a new cable, that did not work.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

Tiffany — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 01:42:05 GMT

Hi Meow!

So that the Community can help you better, we will need to know what Computer Operating System you're using. (Windows XP/Vista/7/8 or Mac 10.x)

Any other details you'd like to give will only help the Community better understand your issue!

If this is an urgent support need, please CLICK HERE to reach our friendly Technical Support Team by phone or email.

Thanks and have a great day!

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Tue, 16 Dec 2014 03:32:03 GMT

Windows 7 premium.......I have always been able to connect the camera to the laptop without problem. Today I was not able to get a connection registered so I could transfer photos. I tried reinstalling the software but the camera could not be recognized by the computer as being connected.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

Mykolas — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 13:24:16 GMT

meow,

If you have another computer and/or USB cable you can use, try making the connection with those. I am curious to see if other computers will recognize the camera or if there is a problem with that specific USB cable.

1. Does the camera connect with other computers?

2. Does the camera connect to your laptop with other USB cables?

3. Do you have any devices connected to your laptop other than the camera, wired or wireless?

4. Does your computer make any "beeps" or noises when you connect the camera?

If this is a time sensitive-matter, additional support options are available at Contact Us.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 14:35:08 GMT

I tried 2 other cables, one new and never used before. I unplugged my printer (which connects to the computer and works) and tried that conncetion.....the camer did not connect. The camera message says there are communication problems. I don't have another computer to try although I'm beginning to think it is the camera and not the computer that has the problem. There are not beeps or any indication that there is a contact being made at all. The message appears on my camera screen, not the computer. When I manually go into the Cannon program and try to connect, the computer says there is no connection, try again.

After reading the manual several times I came across a list of things that might be wrong and saw a possible explanation for my problem. It might be that my camera chip has too many pictures stored to communicate? I keep all my chips as backup so I don't want to delete any pictures and this one is not nearly full yet but already has almost 3000 pictures stored on it. So, for the time being, I will put the chip in the computer to transfer my pictures (which works by the way) and see what happens when I get a new chip. If this is the problem I will buy ones with lesser storage capabilities.

Otherwise, I LOVE this camera and it still takes fantastic pictures. Any input as to the cable transfer problem is appreciated.

Thank you!

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 14:11:12 GMT

I'm sorry, I can't mark anything as an accepted solution because the problem has not been resolved. Nor has there been a definitive reason for this problem offered by someone who knows more about technology than myself. I am still open to a response that solves the problem or offers a logical reason for its cause. Thank you.

Meow

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

Mykolas — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:35:25 GMT

meow,

If you get the opportunity to connect the camera to another computer, that would be a good way to determine what needs to happen from this point. If the other computer still does not recognize the camera, then something indeed may be wrong with the camera itself and the camera will need to be repaired.

If repair becomes necessary, you'll need to complete a Repair Request on our website. Alternatively, you may continue to use a card reader to download the images from the SD card.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 21:22:37 GMT

For anyone else who has experienced this problem I want to tell you how I solved my own question. I read in the camera manuel that if the storage card had too many photos stored this problem would occur. I bought a new SD card (this time 16GB instead of 32) and installed it in the camera. Photos now transfer to the computer via the provided cable again. Problem solved! Hope this helps anyone else who experiences the same issue. Don't buy cards with huge amounts of storage if you want to transfer photos via the cable.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

jabeita — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 20:35:32 GMT

This solution did not work for me. I've lost connection between my camera and the computer. I've tried two different data cables with identical results. I've tried two different computers with identical results. I've tried two different PC operating system with identical results. I've reformatted my SD card, and I've reset the camera to factory settings. All to no avail. I am able to read files from my SD card just fine, when I remove it from the camera. I'm starting to wonder if the camera's output USB port has suddenly gone bad.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

Tim — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 21:48:44 GMT

Hello jabeita,

Given the troubleshooting that you've already undertaken I would recommend sending the camera into Canon to have us evaluate the camera.

You can set up service here directly on Canon's web site.

(https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/service-repair)

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 15:12:34 GMT

Have you tried taking pictures on a new unused SD card and then connecting the camera to your computer? Too many pictures on the card for cable transfer turned out to be my problem. I could also transfer the photos directly from the removed card inserted into the computer. It has happened to me again with my 16GB card but at least I now know what the problem is. A new blank card will solve my problem, maybe it will solve yours?

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 15:22:56 GMT

Hello Jabeita,

May I suggest you buy a new SD card, take some pictures and then try connecting your camera and computer with the cable to see if they will transfer. This is the solution that worked for me. I have encountered the same problem again with my 16GB card but at least I know what the problem is. Too many pictures on the card. And yes, I can transfer pictures directly from the card inserted into the computer. I just need a new, fresh card. Please try that before you send your camera to be repaired.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 15:39:46 GMT

Hello jabeita,

May I suggest installing a brand nee SD card in your camera, take some pictures and connect the camera to your computer with a cable as usual. Please try this before going to the expense of sending your camera for service. Too many photos on the card will keep the transfer from completing via the cable.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 22:12:39 GMT

To Jabeita:

Before I sent my camera in to be repaired I would try using a NEW blank SD card. Take some new pictures and see if these transfer from the camera. The NEW card is what worked for me; hope it works for you. Too many pictures stored on the card is what keeps them from transferring via the cable. This is explained in the manual for the camera which I discovered after much searching.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

david62311 — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 17:18:35 GMT

Thanks for the info meow. I used about 26gbs of my 32gb sd card. In the last couple of months, everything was woring fine but, I shot video after which took up some space. I took the SD Card out and inserted it into my laptop and backed up everything first onto my external drive and then I removed 2.6gbs of videos from a couple of months ago which I had already backed up. I put the 32 GB SD Card back in and then turned the camera on and plugged it into the PC and ba-doop, it connected. Thanks again for the info! I think I will just backup and remove the videos which takes up the most space and the 32gb SD card should be good for a while after I do that.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

meow — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:59:03 GMT

So glad to hear my information was helpful. I remember how frustrating it was when the cable transfer suddenly did not work. I tried everything I could think of for hours on end and then, there was the answer in the instruction manuel online.

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

GinaThomas3010 — Mon, 12 Oct 2020 21:06:23 GMT

Greetings all!

This is my first time here. I have windows 10 Pro, and an HP probook.

I have had three canon cameras in my life, all powershots or some version, my latest is a Powershot 420 SX i20

anyway, it is not the newest but I like it and the zoom.

The same exact thing happene to me -- my camera suddenly stopped being recognized by my notebook. This is a fairly new notebook, I've been using it for perhaps a month. So, the first time I connected the camera to the cable, it wanted to load something lke 4,000 photos (I don't recall the exact number but you get the idea.) Of course I did not, so I had to take a few photos at a time the new ones and copy them to my photo folder.

Well, one day last week it just stopped working. I could see NO camera shown in my notebook. At all.

I tried everything even asking if anyone in the microsoft community could help (NOT).

I have been transferring photos by taking the SD card and putting int in my computer. I have a 32 sized card, and nobody who has never used the cable knows how frustrating it is. Those folks at Microsoft are clueless.

I did not know there was a form here.

I want to say that I DID try to see if it worked in my older notebook, the same kind, a probook but different model. That did not recognize my camera, either which leads me to believe maybe it is NOT the SD card but a bad cable?

By the way, my SD card is 3/4 full, which is a lot. But most of those photos have already been transferred into my older notebook. Anyway, I don't know if cables go bad, but I read that canon says to use its specific cable, it is proprietary. Is that so? I am not certain but thought it was. I do have the handbook, just haven't gotten around to it.

Anyway, after I read this I ordered a new SD card, 32 FAT, my old one I was using is 16. Maybe I should have gotten a smaller sized one but these days you can't find an SD card or thumbdrive that doesn't hold a Gig of stuff.

Someone suggested using another USB cable. Is that safe to do? What kind of USB cable? The ony other one I have is my phone. I am not comfortable with that. Can one buy a USB cable and what would you look for? Does canon sell new cables to its customers?

Last, I wish that canon camera owners (especially those of us who register our products) could ask a question of their techs. How hard could it be to say oh that is because of ......?

I also have tried everything for what seems like forever, including re-downloading software from the site for my 420. When it failed to work in my old notebook, I knew something was wrong with the camera or cable.

thanks to all for your help and to any who have other suggestions.

Gina T.

Tampa

Re: My Canon sx260 is not communicating to my computer?

GinaThomas3010 — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 10:19:29 GMT

I don't know if this is still an active question, but I got a new sd card, and shot a few photos and then connected it via cable to my computer and that took care of the problem. I'm so glad. What an annoyance, and nobody could seem to figure it out.

Thanks to the person who discovered what the problem was.

Gina