Ultimax external flash not working on EOS Rebel T7

[sh7]

Hi I recently got this camera (canon rebel t7) and it came with a flash in the kit set to connect to the camera but it's not working with it. When I press the test option on the external flash it works but when I go into flash control on the camera it says, "Menu not available. Flash is off or unsupported, or an accessory is attached". Also when I change from manual to any other mode the flash works fine just not in manual it seems. Please help 😭 

[Waddizzle]

Welcome to the forums.

In order to better assist you, we need to know what manufacturer and the exact model number on the strobe that you have.  If you do not have a Canon brand strobe, then it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of your strobe to guarantee compatibility with Canon gear.  

Did you purchase a bundle?  It is possible the strobe is not compatible, too.

[sh7]

Hi the brand is Ultimax "universal digital slave flash" and on the box it says its compatible with canon dslr cameras.

[MikeSowsun · Accepted solution]

The Ultimax "universal digital slave flash" is not really compatible with Canon Cameras. It will slide into the hotshoe but that is about as far as the compatibility goes. 

That Ultimax is really designed to be used as a slave flash for cameras that don’t have a hot shoe. The built in flash on the camera is then used to trigger the slave flash. The error message you are getting ("Menu not available. Flash is off or unsupported, or an accessory is attached") is because the flash is not compatible with Canon’s menu system.  

Most Canon T7 cameras don’t have a Center pin in the hotshoe, and only Canon ETTL flash units will work, although some 3rd party ETTL flash units will also work. Canon has changed production and some newer T7 cameras now include a Center pin. 

If your T7 has a center pin you could use the Ultimax in the hotshoe, but with a Guide Number of 14m, it is not anymore powerful than the T7 built-in flash, so there really is no point to using it.

[sh7]

Okay thank you so much for your help!

[normadel]

This flash appears to be included in numerous camera "kit" packages sold on Amazon, Wal-Mart, and the like designed to make it look to the uninformed like they are getting a wonderful bunch of stuff for a great price. Sorry you went for it. You get a collection, including the Ultimax, that isn't worth much, or has no real usefulness.