DJI drones use the same status light code across most models. Blinking green slowly is normal: the drone has satellite positioning. Slow yellow means no GPS and no vision positioning (ATTI mode), and fast yellow means the controller signal is lost. Slow red means low battery or takeoff disabled, fast red is critically low battery, solid red is a critical error, and red and yellow alternating means calibrate the compass.
Normal patterns
From DJI's help center table for current drones:
| Light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red, green and yellow alternating | Powering on and self-testing |
| Yellow, four blinks | Warming up |
| Green, slow | GNSS positioning working |
| Green, two blinks repeating | Vision systems positioning |
| Green, fast | Emergency braking (most models) |
A blinking green DJI Mini is healthy and ready.
Warning patterns
| Light | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow, slow | No GNSS or vision: ATTI mode | Move to open sky; land if flying |
| Yellow, fast | Controller signal lost | Turn on or re-link the controller |
| Red, slow | Low battery, or takeoff disabled | Check DJI Fly for the reason |
| Red, fast | Critically low battery | Land now |
| Red, periodic | Not level or sensor error | Restart level; calibrate IMU |
| Solid red | Critical error | Don't fly; read DJI Fly |
| Red and yellow alternating | Compass calibration needed | Calibrate away from metal |
DJI's manuals add that if the drone won't take off while blinking red slowly, the reason is shown in DJI Fly.
Why is my drone flashing red?
Most often it's the battery: slow red is low, fast red is critical. On newer models slow red can also mean takeoff is blocked for another reason, so read the warning in the app. Periodic red points to a sensor problem: on the Mini 3, DJI lists it as an IMU error. See DJI IMU error. Solid red is a critical error: don't fly, and contact DJI if it doesn't clear after a restart.
DJI Mini yellow light
Fast yellow on the ground almost always means the controller is off or not linked. Slow yellow means the drone has no position fix. Model pages: Mini 3 flashing yellow and Mini 4 Pro flashing yellow.
DJI Neo lights
The Neo's status light sits on top. DJI's Neo manual lists: red, yellow and green alternating at power-on; four yellow blinks while warming up; slow green when positioning works; slow red when takeoff is disabled, for example by low battery; fast red for critically low battery; solid red for a critical error; and red and yellow alternating for compass calibration. The Neo also has separate mode indicators for its shooting modes. See Neo lights.
Model-specific colors
- Blue (Mini 3): QuickTransfer Wi-Fi mode. Solid blue is connected; fast blue is downloading.
- Purple, slow (Avata 2): the drone is in Manual mode.
- Red, slow during Find My Drone (Mini 3): the motors are beeping so you can find it.
Lights are a quick check. The full message is always in DJI Fly or the goggles. If a light pattern comes with an error code, see the DJI drone troubleshooting guide.
Related guides
- DJI Mic 2 and Mic Mini lights explained (green, blue, yellow, red)
- Why is my DJI Mini 3 flashing yellow?
- Why is my DJI Mini 4 Pro flashing yellow?
- DJI Mini 3 lights: status LEDs, strobes and Spotlight mode
- DJI Mini 4 Pro lights: auxiliary light, status LEDs and strobes
- DJI QuickTransfer not working: fixes
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
