DJI battery error, "non-DJI battery" and battery warnings

A DJI battery error usually means the drone and battery can't talk to each other properly: the battery isn't fully seated, its firmware doesn't match the drone, it's too cold or hot, or it isn't a genuine DJI battery. Reseat the battery until it clicks, update firmware in DJI Fly, and let the battery reach room temperature. If the error survives that, swap in another battery to find out whether the battery or the drone is at fault.

DJI battery LED error patterns — Battery LED patterns from DJI's help center and the Mini 4 Pro manual. Most battery errors come from seating, firmware or temperature, not a dead cell.

Common battery messages

"Battery error" or a communication warning in DJI Fly. The flight controller can't read the battery's data. DJI's help center lists this as a battery communication error and suggests testing the battery in another drone, and another battery in this drone, to isolate the fault.
"Inconsistent firmware found." DJI says this, together with LED 2 and LED 3 staying lit, means the battery's firmware update failed. Connect to DJI Fly and accept the update prompt. If no prompt appears, update with DJI Assistant 2 on a computer.
Low temperature warnings. DJI batteries can't be used below -10° C (14° F), and capacity drops sharply between -10° and 5° C. DJI Fly may block takeoff until the battery warms up.
Non-DJI battery. DJI's manuals say to use only genuine DJI parts, and warn that unauthorized parts can cause system malfunctions. Third-party or counterfeit packs may not communicate correctly with the flight controller, so the drone can refuse them or report errors. Use the battery made for your model.

Fixes to try, in order

Reseat it. Remove the battery, check the metal contacts for dirt or bent pins, and push it back in until both clips lock. On the Mini series, LEDs 3 and 4 blinking together means the battery isn't mounted correctly.
Warm it up or cool it down. After a flight the pack is hot. In winter, keep batteries in a warm pocket and take off once DJI Fly says the battery is warmed up. See flying in cold weather.
Update all firmware. Connect the drone, controller and battery in DJI Fly. A battery bought separately often needs an update the first time you use it. DJI asks for more than 75% charge before retrying a failed battery update. See how to update DJI firmware.
Cross-test. Try a second battery in the drone, and this battery in a second drone if you can. That tells you which part is faulty.
Charge it fully with the DJI charger or a USB Power Delivery charger. A battery that won't charge has its own fixes: see DJI battery not charging.

Battery warning lights while charging

DJI's help center decodes these single-LED patterns during charging:

LED pattern	Meaning
LED 2 blinks twice per second	Overcurrent: use the standard charger and cable
LED 2 blinks three times per second	Short circuit or internal communication error
LED 3 blinks twice per second	Overcharged: discharge in the drone, then charge
LED 3 blinks three times per second	Charger voltage too high: try another charger
LED 4 blinks twice / three times per second	Too cold / too hot to charge

Avata 2 and FPV battery errors

FPV drones pull more current, so a weak or cold pack trips warnings sooner. On the Avata 2, DJI says to end the flight as soon as the goggles show a low battery voltage warning in the cold. The same reseat, firmware and cross-test steps apply.

When to replace it

Stop using a battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, or hot while sitting unused, or one with all four LEDs blinking together. Read swollen drone battery for safe disposal. If the battery is damaged, a new genuine pack such as the Mini 4 Pro Intelligent Flight Battery or the Air 3S Intelligent Flight Battery fixes it. If two good batteries both throw the error, the drone needs a repair. For in-flight warnings, see DJI low battery warning.