A DJI drone that won't connect to its controller usually isn't linked to that controller, is on mismatched firmware, or the controller isn't compatible with that drone. Power both on, keep them within 0.5 m, then in DJI Fly tap Control > Re-pair to Aircraft and press and hold the drone's power button for about four seconds until it beeps. The controller beeps twice when it's linked.
Re-pair (link) the drone and controller
DJI drones bought in a combo come linked. A replacement or second controller has to be linked by hand. From DJI's manuals:
- Power on the drone and the controller.
- Open DJI Fly (on your phone for RC-N controllers, or on the DJI RC 2 screen).
- In camera view, tap the settings icon, then Control > Re-pair to Aircraft. The controller beeps.
- Press and hold the drone's power button for more than four seconds. It beeps and its battery LEDs blink in sequence.
- The controller beeps twice. On the RC 2, the status LED turns solid green.
Keep the two within 0.5 m during linking. DJI notes that linking a new controller unlinks the previous one from that drone.
What the RC 2's status light means
From DJI's RC 2 manual:
- Solid red: disconnected from the drone
- Blinking blue: linking
- Solid green: connected
- Blinking cyan: control sticks not centered
- Solid yellow: firmware update failed
Common reasons it still won't connect
- Not compatible. Each drone works with specific controllers. For example, the DJI RC 2 and RC-N3 work with newer O4 drones, but older drones need older controllers. Check your drone's compatibility list on its DJI FAQ page before you buy a controller. See DJI RC 2 compatibility.
- Firmware mismatch. DJI's manuals note you can't update firmware unless the controller is linked. Link first, then update both in DJI Fly. If linking fails, update each device separately with DJI Assistant 2 (Consumer Drones Series) on a computer.
- Controller not activated. The RC 2 must be activated over Wi-Fi with a DJI account before first use.
- Interference. Strong Wi-Fi or other radios nearby can make linking fail. Move away from routers and try again.
- Drone still connected to a phone. Drones like the Neo and Flip can fly from a phone over Wi-Fi. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on that phone first.
- Low battery on either device.
Phone won't connect to an RC-N controller
If the RC-N3 or RC-N2 is linked but DJI Fly shows no video, the problem is between the phone and the controller, not the drone. See RC not connected to mobile device.
Model-specific guides
The Mini 5 Pro and Neo have their own pages, as do the Flip, Air 3 and Avata 2.
Still not linking
If the drone never beeps into linking mode, or the controller can't link to any drone, start a repair. A replacement DJI RC-N3 or DJI RC 2 links using the steps above.
Related guides
- Why won't my DJI Flip connect to the controller or phone?
- Why won't my DJI Neo connect to the controller or phone?
- DJI controller won't turn on or charge: fixes
- DJI drone won't connect to your phone: fixing "RC not connected to mobile device"
- Why won't my DJI Air 3 connect to the controller or phone?
- Why won't my DJI Avata 2 connect to the controller or phone?
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