HomeDiscover WindowsProducts
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
ShopDownloadsHelp & How-to
Windows 7Windows VistaWindows XPInternet ExplorerWindows LiveWindows Phone
Windows Community
Windows Vista Help homeTop solutionsUsing Windows VistaCommunity & forumsContact support

Applies to all editions of Windows Vista.

Compare editions

Troubleshoot camera connection problems

Here are solutions to some common problems with connecting a camera to a computer.

Show all

 How do I get pictures from my camera to my computer?

If you need help connecting your camera to your computer, see How do I get pictures from my camera to my computer?

 When I connect my camera to the computer, nothing happens.

There are several possible solutions to this problem:

  • Make sure that your camera is turned on, and if it has a special connection mode, be sure to switch to that setting.

  • If that does not solve the problem, and this is the first time you’ve tried to copy pictures from the camera to the computer, it’s possible that your camera needs a special driver to copy pictures. You can usually find the driver on the camera manufacturer’s website or on a disc that came with your camera. Install the driver and try again.

  • If you have successfully copied pictures from the camera before, your computer’s USB port might have stopped working. Try connecting the camera to a different USB port. If that doesn't work, restart your computer and try again.

 My camera connects just fine, but Windows cannot find any pictures on my camera.

There are several possible solutions to this problem:

  • Make sure that the flash memory card is in the camera.

  • If your camera can store pictures in more than one location (such as both a CompactFlash and a Secure Digital (SD) card), make sure the camera is set to read pictures from the location that actually contains the pictures.

  • It’s possible that the memory card was accidentally erased or has become damaged. There are programs available that are designed to recover lost pictures from digital cameras.

  • You might need to install software provided by your camera’s manufacturer, especially if the camera is several years old. Check the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver software.

 I can’t find the pictures I copied to my computer.

By default, Windows copies pictures to the Pictures folder. But the easiest way to find your new pictures is to open Windows Photo Gallery and then, in the Navigation pane, click Recently Imported. This view displays all the pictures that you have copied to your computer in the last several weeks. To get started, see Open Windows Photo Gallery.

 When I plug in a camera, AutoPlay automatically opens a program I don’t want to use.

Follow these steps:

  1. Open AutoPlay by clicking the Start button Picture of the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound, and then clicking AutoPlay.

  2. To never see the AutoPlay dialog box, select Take no action next to the device or disc. To choose an action each time you plug in a device or insert a disc, select Ask me every time. To have a program open automatically each time, select the program.

Tip

Tip

If your camera uses a flash memory card such as Secure Digital (SD) or CompactFlash, consider plugging a memory card reader into your computer. When you insert a memory card into the reader, you can copy pictures to the computer without draining your camera’s battery, dealing with connection cables, or installing additional software.

Was this helpful?
Thank you.
Do you want to add anything else?
Thank you. Your feedback helps us to continually improve our content.
1200 400 How can we make this more helpful for you? Submit Skip this Do you want to add anything else? Submit No thanks