If your drone does not take off, it is likely because you are not following the instructions correctly. If this sounds like you, then read on to learn how to troubleshoot and fix the problem with your drone.
There are two main reasons that drones don’t fly: pilot error or a mechanical issue with the aircraft itself. With a little knowledge and preparation, most problems can be fixed quickly and easily in no time!
Why does my drone not take off?
One of the most common reasons that drones fail to take flight is because they are not calibrated correctly. If you have a drone with altitude hold, it needs to be set on high before taking off and low after landing. Otherwise, if your aircraft has GPS capability turn it off so that it does not rely on satellites for positioning. At times pilots do forget these small details which lead them to believe their equipment might need servicing when in reality all they needed was some simple instructions!
The other reason why there could be an issue with takeoff would be mechanical problems such as loose parts or issues with propellers. It never hurts to double-check by doing a quick inspection of each component of your quadcopter before attempting another take-off.
Pilot error causing Drone Take-off Issues
Pilot error is an extremely common factor that causes drones to not take off. One of the easiest ways for a drone pilot to check whether they are in fact following instructions correctly is by checking their takeoff point; if it’s too high or low, then there might be some issues with calibration. However, if there are no issues with takeoff, then pilots must make sure that they have not forgotten to activate their GPS or Flight Mode.
Another way for drone pilots to troubleshoot take-off is by checking the condition of propellers and other components on a quadcopter. The most common problem would be loose screws which means it’s time to tighten them back up!
Alternatively, the pilot might be having problems with their batteries. If the quadcopter is not getting enough power it will shut down and may be hard to start again. One of the easiest ways for pilots to solve this problem is by simply putting a fresh battery in or going through some troubleshooting steps such as charging the battery and then restarting it.
If none of these steps help, pilots should contact their manufacturer for further assistance on how to troubleshoot the problem with a drone that will not take off. If you are unsure about who your manufacturer is, don’t fear! Just do some internet research or refer back to the owner’s manual that came with your drone.
Now that you know how to troubleshoot a takeoff issue, go ahead and give it another try! If the problem still persists contact customer service for further assistance.
Mechanical issues with the Aircraft causing Takeoff Issues in Drones
The second reason why drones might not take off is mechanical problems with the aircraft itself. One of the most common reasons for this would be loose screws, which can cause a drone to crash and malfunction. Loose parts such as propellers are also possible culprits when it comes to taking flight; pilots should always check that each part on their quadcopter is tight before takeoff.
Another possible cause of a drone not taking off is an issue with the battery. If it’s not getting enough power, then this will show up on the quadcopter as a warning and make take-off difficult if not impossible.
If none of these steps help, pilots should contact customer service for further assistance on how to troubleshoot the problem with a drone that will not take off.
Troubleshooting for beginners – what to do if your drone doesn’t fly
– Drones may not take off due to calibration issues or mechanical problems
– Pilot error is a common factor that causes drones to fail at takeoff
– Check your takeoff point, make sure you’ve activated GPS/Flight Mode and check for loose screws. If none of these steps help contact the manufacturer for assistance
– Mechanical issues with aircraft also cause drone takeoffs to fail
– Loose screws and loose parts are common causes of failure, batteries also cause problems with takeoff if not operating correctly. Contact customer service for assistance if none of these steps help .
What to do if there is a mechanical issue with the aircraft itself, such as loose propellers or broken motors
If your drone has mechanical issues, it is crucial that you keep your cool. A quick fix for these problems can be to do a hard landing and make adjustments from there.
If something seems wrong with the drone, the first thing you should do is check if all the propellers are moving properly. If they are not, then try to take off again while slowly adjusting them one by one with your fingers so that you don’t lose control of the drone. In case of a crash landing, just make sure you land as softly as possible and adjust your propellers from there.
There are some mechanical issues that you cannot fix in-house, but there are a few fixes that you can carry out to make sure your drone is safe.
1. Make sure propellers are securely fastened and not loose.
2. Make sure the battery is charged and fully-functional
3. Perform a quick check for any signs of wear, like cracks or damage to the frame or body
How can I fix this problem myself and save money on repairs/replacement parts?
If you’re dealing with a drone that is refusing to take off, there are some basic troubleshooting steps you can do. Try shutting it down and restarting the motors by removing the battery for 20-30 seconds before putting it back in. If your flight controller won’t start up or if all of its functions seem to be malfunctioning, the problem may be with your battery. In this case, try using a different one and see if it solves the issue.
If you’re having trouble determining what’s wrong, then refer back to the owner’s manual that came with your drone or do some internet research for help on fixing takeoff issues.
Case by Case Troubleshooting for Drones that won’t take off
The majority of the troubleshooting was done using DJI drones. The Phantom, Spark, Mavic pro, and many others. In most cases, however, the same solution is applicable to all types drones.
My research has shown that DJI drones don’t fly because of poor propeller placement. Let’s look at how we can solve this first.
Case 1: Drone takes off, but leans to one side and nearly flips over
Do you find this scenario familiar? If so, your propellers may not be on the correct motor.
Here are some ways to fix this problem:
- GENTLY LIFT OFF THE DRONE You can lift your drone and observe which side stays on the ground.
- SWOP PROPELLERS THAT STAY ON THE GROUNDThe propellers that are still on the ground should be swept. If your drone’s left side is stuck on the ground when you try to take off, swap the propellers.
- FLY. Now your drone should be able to fly smoothly.
It seems so simple! It is simple! This issue has stumped thousands of novices. You can fix it in just a few minutes.
This is the second most common problem we see today with drones.
Case 2: Drone is connected and on, but will not take off from the ground
Your drone’s battery has been charged, the live stream is available and the drone is glowing. It’s not crashed in recent times, the propellers may even be spinning, but the drone just won’t lift off the ground.
These are five common errors that can lead to this.
1. Your propellers don’t fit tight enough
This is usually because the lock nuts don’t fit tight enough. The propellers slip onto the motor shaft.
This is the solution::
- By tightening the locknuts, ensure that your propellers are in a tight position. Do not tighten the locknuts too much. This could cause damage to the threads of the lock nuts.
- Lift off.
Try the next step if it doesn’t work.
2. Are your drones registered in the country/county where you are trying to fly them?
Another problem is that many people fly their drones to far away places and forget to register them.
This issue can be fixed in two steps
- Register your drone in the country where you plan to fly it.
- Register at least one day before the registration process takes effect.
If this is not the problem, it could be a geofence issue.
3. Are you located in a geo-fence area?
Many drone companies use geo-fencing software to program areas around the drone’s flight path. These areas are sensitive or prohibited by FAA drone laws.
These areas include but are not limited to:
- Power plants
- Schools
- Military bases
- Airports
- Events of national security
- Large crowds
- Tourist and historical destinations
How can you determine if geo-fencing is an issue for you?
Use airmap.com. Their mapping tool allows you to check if your area is subject to geo-fences and banned drone flight zones. You can even get real-time updates to the map that provide information about wildfires, large events gatherings, and national security events.
4. Is your drone still heating up?
Many drones, like the Phantom, will send you a message that says specifically that the “drone’s still heating up”.
Check your app or controller to verify that this message is being displayed. Although the warming process shouldn’t take long, it can take longer in colder areas.
5. Have you calibrated the compass on your drone?
The majority of smart drones will automatically calibrate their compass. It’s worth doing this again. Particularly if your drone is being flown in a new area.
Sometimes, when you fly your drone in a different location, your drone’s compass is lost.
INSIDER TIP: Make sure to take out all jewelry and watches when calibrating your drone. Even your Apply watch. This can affect the calibration.
Case 3: Drone won’t turn on at all
There are three possible reasons your drone won’t turn on: it doesn’t connect with the app or controller, it doesn’t record video, etc.
1.Ensure that your batteries are fully charged
Although it may seem obvious, this is actually quite common. Many people assume that the batteries will be fully charged when they receive their drone. We recommend that you fully charge your drone batteries before taking off.
2. Make sure the batteries aren’t damaged
You’ve had your drone for some time now. Perhaps your drone has been crashed multiple times. This could be the problem. Try a new battery to see if it fixes the problem.
3. Check that your drone is not damaged in the internal compartments
This is the last thing you want. You will need to send your drone back to the manufacturer in order to have it repaired or have a technician take a look. Before you send your drone back to the manufacturer, be sure to try out all of the other options in this guide.
Case 4: Drone won’t take off after a crash
Even if you have owned your drone for just a few days, it is likely that you will experience crashing at least once in your life. I don’t know how many times my drone has crashed and I remember holding my breath every time I tried to take it off again. It’s terrifying!
These are the problems you need to solve after your drone crashes.
1. Propellers spin but don’t take off
First, check your propellers. This could indicate a problem. It’s easy to fix. Replace them and then try again.
Even if the propellers are in good shape, it is possible that the crash may have caused damage to your motors and shafts. There is not much you can do except send the drone back to its manufacturer.
2. Drone flew again but crashed down after only a few seconds.
It’s not likely to be your motors. Your battery latches are more likely to be the culprit. It could also happen that the battery latches break and the battery is dislodged.
You can tape it with duct tape but it is not recommended that you do so. Instead, contact the manufacturer to have it repaired.
Case 5: No crash, drone connected and on, propeller does not spin at all
This is a common problem with DJI drones. The DJI remote control software may cause the software to switch between mode 2 and 1, or vice versa, depending on the reason. Sometimes, the modes could not be selected at all.
This is because the modes were automatically switched, so chances are that you’re not using the correct control stick to lift off.
It’s easy to fix this: reselect which mode you are most comfortable with. Here’s how it works:
- Connect your drone to the DJI Go app
- Get the app
- Go into remote control settings
- Choose the control stick mode that you are happy with
- Click on Apply
- This should resolve the problem for most drones.
- This might be happening with a different drone. Make sure to check the settings. Although the layout may look different than the one shown above, the general area should be the same. You might also see other drones experiencing the exact same problems.
