5D mark IV not communicating with Godox triggers

[rlaber]

Gear: 5D Mk IV, Godox X Pro C, Godox X1 for Canon (2), 430EXIII-RT (2)

X Pro C mounted to camera hot shoe, speedlights mounted to X1 hot shoes. I power up Godox units first, then speedlights, then camera.

Years ago I used this set up successfully. External flash is enabled in camera settings (flash functions perfectly when mounted to camera hot shoe). Confirmed that channel and group settings in Godox trigger and receivers is correct (channel 5, group A and B). Hot shoe surfaces are clean. Both flashes fire when tested from the Godox trigger unit mounted to camera hot shoe. Flashes DO NOT fire when activating shutter button.  Have tested with the X Pro C in TTL and in Manual modes.

Looking for help diagnosing and fixing this problem, thanks

[deebatman316]

Godox’s wireless protocols is INCOMPATIBLE with Canon’s. The only way it can work is if you have a Canon Transmitter or Speedlite mounted on the camera to fire off Canon flashes. Or use Godox’s flashes off camera and a Godox Transmitter or Speedlite on camera.

[rlaber]

Would that be a result of a Canon firmware update? Because I used to use this gear together regularly about 3 years ago.

[deebatman316]

It could be. Is this a new camera or have you been using it the whole time. If you were using it on a different camera it may have been compatible. But on a different camera it may be incompatible. Incompatibilities with 3rd Party do arise from time to time. Only Canon can ensure compatibility with their gear. Not Godox or any other 3rd Party Flash manufacturer. 

[deebatman316]

What firmware version are you running on your camera. The most up to date version is 1.4.0 currently.

[Stephen]

A firmware update to what?

Did you update the firmware on your Speedlites somehow? On the Canon USA site, there aren't any firmware updates available for the 430EX III-RT.

If you need one-on-one help, please call support at 1-800-OK-CANON (800-652-2666).

[deebatman316]

Only CanonUSA can up date the firmware. When I sent mine in for repair they updated it. The terms Master and Slave. Were replaced with Sender and Receiver. So I guess there was a firmware update at some point.

[rs-eos]

As someone else mentioned, this could just be an incompatibility issue.  Even though it worked before, it may have just been luck.

Having said that, I would recommend a divide-and-conquer approach.  First, try things with ust the Canon speedlights (mount one in the camera's hot shoe directly and have it trigger the second - note that I'm assuming that a 430EX III can be a sender here).

If that all works, then try the Godox gear by itself.

Finally, have you tried any setup where you'd be triggerring receiver flashes optically?

[deebatman316]

Welcome back Rick! Long time no see.

[Stephen]

Yep! It wasn't made publicly available, though. My point was that firmware doesn't update itself and nothing would change in the firmware while the gear was powered off for several years. Tesla lost out on the whole wireless power thing to Edison like 100 years ago. 😂