DJI Air 3 vision sensor error: calibration and fixes

A vision sensor error on the DJI Air 3 means one or more of its obstacle-sensing cameras, or the infrared sensor underneath, is not giving the flight controller usable data. Dirt, glare, darkness or a recent knock are the common causes. Clean the sensors, restart in good light and update firmware first. If DJI Fly asks for calibration, the Air 3 runs it automatically.

Air 3 sensor error fixes — Most Air 3 vision errors clear after cleaning, a restart in good light and a firmware update. A sensor damaged in a crash needs DJI service.

Where the Air 3 sensors are

The Air 3 has four omnidirectional vision cameras (at the front and rear, covering forward, backward, sideways and up), two downward vision cameras, and a 3D infrared sensor on the bottom. When any of them reports bad data, DJI Fly can show a vision sensor or sensing system warning, and obstacle avoidance or low-altitude positioning may be disabled.

Fixes to try

Clean every sensor. Use a soft, dry cloth on all six vision lenses and the infrared window. DJI says not to use cleaners that contain alcohol. Remove any sticker or film.
Restart in good conditions. Power on outdoors in daylight, on open ground, away from reflective surfaces. A drone started in a dark room, on a glass table or on a single-color surface can throw warnings that clear outside.
Check for obstructions. A loose propeller guard, strap or bag edge near a sensor can block it.
Update firmware. Install the latest aircraft firmware in DJI Fly. If DJI Fly can't update, use DJI Assistant 2 (Consumer Drones Series) on a computer.
Let calibration run. DJI's Air 3 manual says the vision cameras may need calibration after long storage, and that DJI Fly shows a prompt and calibrates them automatically. Follow the prompt and keep the drone still.
Check the other sensors. In DJI Fly, go to Safety > Sensors to see IMU and compass status and calibrate them if needed. A bad IMU reading can show up alongside vision warnings.

About "vision sensor calibration software"

Older DJI drones let you calibrate vision sensors yourself in DJI Assistant 2 using a screen pattern. For the Air 3, DJI's manual describes automatic calibration through DJI Fly instead. If you can't find a manual vision calibration option for the Air 3 in DJI Assistant 2, that's expected. Don't install third-party calibration tools.

When it needs repair

Contact DJI support or start a repair if:

The error returns after cleaning, a firmware update and a restart in daylight
A sensor lens is cracked or scratched (DJI asks you to contact support for any damaged lens)
The warning started after a crash
The drone drifts badly or refuses to take off with a sensor warning

Crash damage to a sensor is covered by DJI Care Refresh if you have it.

Until it's fixed, fly as if obstacle avoidance is off, and see Air 3 obstacle avoidance not working for what the sensors can and can't see. The general guide to DJI vision sensor errors covers other models.