Connecting to computers via Wi-Fi

What Wi-Fi can do for you

Connect using the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi to upload selected pictures to a computer.

The Wireless Transmitter Utility

Before you will be able to upload images via Wi-Fi, you will need to pair the camera with the computer using Nikon’s Wireless Transmitter Utility software.

  • Once the devices are paired, you will be able to connect to the computer from the camera.
  • The Wireless Transmitter Utility is available for download from the Nikon Download Center. Be sure to download the latest version after reading the release notes and system requirements.
    https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/

Infrastructure and access-point modes

Either of the following two methods can be used to establish wireless connections between the camera and a computer.

Direct wireless connection (access-point mode)

The camera and computer connect via direct wireless link. The camera acts as a wireless LAN access point, letting you connect when working outdoors and in other situations in which the computer is not already connected to a wireless network and eliminating the need for complicated adjustments to settings. The computer cannot connect to the Internet while connected to the camera.

  • To create a new host profile, select [Direct connection to computer] in the connection wizard.

Infrastructure mode

The camera connects to a computer on an existing network (including home networks) via a wireless router. The computer can still connect to the Internet while connected to the camera.

  • To create a new network profile, select [Search for Wi-Fi network] in the connection wizard.

Infrastructure mode

  • This guide assumes you are connecting via an existing wireless network.
  • Connection to computers beyond the local area network is not supported. You can connect only to computers on the same network.

Connecting in access-point mode

  1. Select [Connect to computer] in the camera setup menu, then highlight [Network settings] and press 2.
  2. Highlight [Create profile] and press J.
  3. Highlight [Direct connection to computer] and press J.

    The camera SSID and encryption key will be displayed.


  4. Establish a connection to the camera.
    Windows:
    • Click the wireless LAN icon in the taskbar.
    • Select the SSID displayed by the camera in Step 3.
    • When prompted to enter the network security key, enter the encryption key displayed by the camera in Step 3. The computer will initiate a connection to the camera.
    macOS:
    • Click the wireless LAN icon in the menu bar.
    • Select the SSID displayed by the camera in Step 3.
    • When prompted to enter the network security key, enter the encryption key displayed by the camera in Step 3. The computer will initiate a connection to the camera.
  5. Start pairing.

    When prompted, launch the Wireless Transmitter Utility on the computer.
  6. Select the camera in the Wireless Transmitter Utility.

    Select the name displayed by the camera in Step 5 and click [Next].
  7. In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, enter the authentication code displayed by the camera.

    • The camera will display an authentication code.
    • Enter the authentication code in the dialog displayed by the Wireless Transmitter Utility and click [Next].
  8. Complete the pairing process.

    • When the camera displays a message stating that pairing is complete, press J.
    • In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, click [Next]; you will be prompted to choose a destination folder. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
    • A wireless connection will be established between the camera and computer when pairing is complete.
  9. Check the connection.

    When a connection is established, the network SSID will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
    • If the camera SSID is not displayed in green, connect to the camera via the wireless network list on your computer.

A wireless connection has now been established between the camera and the computer.

Pictures taken with the camera can be uploaded to the computer as described in “Uploading pictures” (Uploading pictures).

Connecting in infrastructure mode

  1. Select [Connect to computer] in the camera setup menu, then highlight [Network settings] and press 2.
  2. Highlight [Create profile] and press J.
  3. Highlight [Search for Wi-Fi network] and press J.

    The camera will search for networks currently active in the vicinity and list them by name (SSID).

    [Easy Connect]

    • To connect without entering an SSID or encryption key, press X in Step 3. Next, press J and choose from the following options:
      OptionDescription
      [Push-button WPS]For routers that support push-button WPS. Press the WPS button on the router and then press the camera J button to connect.
      [PIN-entry WPS]The camera will display a PIN. Using a computer, enter the PIN on the router. For more information, see the documentation provided with the router.
    • After connecting, proceed to Step 6.
  4. Choose a network.
    • Highlight a network SSID and press J.
    • Encrypted networks are indicated by a h icon. If the selected network is encrypted (h), you will be prompted to enter the encryption key. If the network is not encrypted, proceed to Step 6.
    • If the desired network is not displayed, press X to search again.

    Hidden SSIDs

    Networks with hidden SSIDs are indicated by blank entries in the network list.

    • To connect to a network with a hidden SSID, highlight a blank entry and press J. Next, press J; the camera will prompt you to provide an SSID.
    • Enter the network name and press X. Press X again; the camera will now prompt you to enter the encryption key.
  5. Enter the encryption key.
    • Press J and enter the encryption key for the wireless router.
    • For more information, see the documentation for the wireless router.
    • Press X when entry is complete.
    • Press X again to initiate the connection. A message will be displayed for a few seconds when the connection is established.
  6. Obtain or select an IP address.
    • Highlight one of the following options and press J.
      OptionDescription
      [Obtain automatically]Select this option if the network is configured to supply the IP address automatically. A “configuration complete” message will be displayed once an IP address has been assigned.
      [Enter manually]Enter the IP address and sub-net mask manually.
      • Rotate the main command dial to highlight segments.
      • Press 4 or 2 to change the highlighted segment and press J to save changes.
      • Next, press X; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed. Press X again to display the sub-net mask.
      • Press 1 or 3 to edit the sub-net mask and press J; a “configuration complete” message will be displayed.
    • Press J to proceed when the “configuration complete” message is displayed.
  7. Start pairing.

    When prompted, launch the Wireless Transmitter Utility on the computer.
  8. Select the camera in the Wireless Transmitter Utility.

    Select the name displayed by the camera in Step 7 and click [Next].
  9. In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, enter the authentication code displayed by the camera.

    • The camera will display an authentication code.
    • Enter the authentication code in the dialog displayed by the Wireless Transmitter Utility and click [Next].
  10. Complete the pairing process.

    • When the camera displays a message stating that pairing is complete, press J.
    • In the Wireless Transmitter Utility, click [Next]; you will be prompted to choose a destination folder. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.
    • A wireless connection will be established between the camera and computer when pairing is complete.
  11. Check the connection.

    When a connection is established, the network SSID will be displayed in green in the camera [Connect to computer] menu.
    • If the camera SSID is not displayed in green, connect to the camera via the wireless network list on your computer.

A wireless connection has now been established between the camera and the computer.

Pictures taken with the camera can be uploaded to the computer as described in “Uploading pictures” (Uploading pictures).

Uploading pictures

Pictures can be selected for upload during playback. They can also be uploaded automatically as they are taken.

Destination folders

By default, images are uploaded to the following folders:

  • Windows: \Users\(user name)\Pictures\Wireless Transmitter Utility
  • macOS: /Users/(user name)/Pictures/Wireless Transmitter Utility

The destination folder can be selected using the Wireless Transmitter Utility. For more information, see online help for the Wireless Transmitter Utility.

Access point mode

Computers cannot access the Internet while connected to the camera in access point mode. To access the Internet, terminate the connection to the camera and then reconnect to a network with Internet access.

Selecting pictures for upload

  1. Press the K button on the camera and select full-frame or thumbnail playback.
  2. Select a picture and press the i button.
  3. Highlight [Select for upload to computer] and press J.
    • A white “upload” icon will appear on the picture. If the camera is currently connected to a network, upload will begin immediately and the icon will turn green.
    • Otherwise, upload will begin when a connection is established.
    • Repeat Steps 2–3 to upload additional pictures.

Removing upload marking

  • Repeat Steps 2–3 to remove transfer marking from selected images.
  • To remove transfer marking from all pictures, select [Connect to computer] > [Options] > [Deselect all?] in the setup menu.

Uploading photos as they are taken

To upload new photos as they are taken, select [On] for [Connect to computer] > [Options] > [Auto upload] in the setup menu.

  • Upload begins only after the photo has been recorded to the memory card. Be sure a memory card is inserted in the camera.
  • Videos and photos taken during video mode are not uploaded automatically when recording is complete. They must instead be uploaded from the playback display.

The transfer icon

Upload status is indicated by the transfer icon.

W (white): Send
The picture has been selected for automatic upload but upload has not yet begun.

X (green): Sending
Upload in progress.

Y (blue): Sent
Upload complete.

The status display

The [Connect to computer] display shows the following:

1Status: The status of the connection to the host. The host name is displayed in green when a connection is established.
While files are being transferred, the status display shows “Now sending” preceded by the name of the file being sent. Errors are also displayed here.
2Signal strength: Wireless signal strength.
3Pictures/time remaining: The number of pictures remaining and the time needed to send them. The time remaining is an estimate only.

Loss of signal

Wireless transmission may be interrupted if the signal is lost. Upload of pictures with “send” marking can be resumed by turning the camera off and then on again once the signal has been re-established.

Disconnecting and reconnecting

Disconnecting

You can end the connection by:

  • turning the camera off,
  • selecting [Disable] for [Connect to computer] > [Wi-Fi connection] in the setup menu,
  • selecting [Enable] for [Airplane mode] in the setup menu,
  • selecting [Wi-Fi connection] > [Close Wi-Fi connection] in the photo-mode i menu, or
  • connecting to a smart device via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Access-point mode

An error will occur if the computer’s wireless connection is disabled before the camera’s. Disable camera Wi-Fi first.

Reconnecting

To reconnect to an existing network:

  • select [Enable] for [Connect to computer] > [Wi-Fi connection] in the setup menu, or
  • select [Wi-Fi connection] > [Establish Wi-Fi connection with computer] in the photo-mode i menu.

Access-point mode

Enable camera Wi-Fi before connecting.

Multiple network profiles

If the camera has profiles for more than one network, it will reconnect to the last network used. Other networks can be selected using the [Connect to computer] > [Network settings] option in the setup menu.