EOS R5 Mark II Trouble focusing with Godox flash attached

[ElaTatiana]

Hi everyone,
I’m hoping to get some advice regarding an issue I’m experiencing with my Canon R5 Mark II and a Godox flash.
When shooting with both the camera and flash set to manual, the camera seems to struggle with focusing, and the flash fires multiple times. I’ve tried switching shutter modes, but the problem still persists. 
I’m also running into a second issue in low-light situations. When I mount the flash on the hot shoe, the screen becomes almost completely dark, making it difficult to see what I’m shooting. If I take the shot anyway, it often ends up out of focus.
The camera is very new, so I’m unsure whether this could be a fault with the body, a compatibility issue with the flash, or simply incorrect settings on my part. I’ve the older R5 body and with the same setting working totally fine 
If anyone has experienced something similar or can point me in the right direction, I’d really appreciate your help. Thank you in advance!

[deebatman316]

Hi @ElaTatiana what lens (and mount adapter if adapting older EF lenses) are you using and what focus mode are you using. When the camera is set to One Shot or AI Focus and the camera cannot achieve focus. The camera body can project an orange LED AF Assist. When using a Canon Speedlite the speedlite will fire an Intermittent Flash Burst (Intermittent Flash Firing Mode) to help the camera focus in low light. 3rd Party speedlites such as Godox fail to understand this command from the camera. Thus causing the camera to lock up with Error 70. AF Assist Beam Projection by the camera body or Speedlite is based on the AMBIENT LIGHTING. As far as the screen going dark with the flash mounted. You need to turn off Display Simulation. 

[vakil83006]

Update Godox firmware first—the R5 Mark II's new hot shoe protocol requires it. Then, turn Exposure Simulation OFF in menu to fix the dark screen and focus lock issue. 

[Waddizzle]

“ Update Godox firmware first—the R5 Mark II's new hot shoe protocol requires it. Then, turn Exposure Simulation OFF in menu to fix the dark screen and focus lock issue. “

Good advice. Definitely disable ExpSIM. Not sure how you would go about checking or updating firmware. Check with Godox.

what is the model number of the flash you are using?  Are your using the Canon hit shoe adapter?

You should mount the flash when the camera is switched off. Turn on the flash before you turn on the camera. Wait for the flash it initialize before switching the camera on.  This is best practice with any flash or hit shoe device. And any Canon camera.