A DJI drone that won't read its microSD card, won't record, or isn't saving photos usually has a card that's incompatible, full, damaged, or formatted in another device. DJI requires a UHS-I Speed Grade 3 (U3) card or better. Back up your files, format the card in DJI Fly under ··· > Camera > Format, and reset the camera settings. If the card still isn't recognized, try a card from DJI's recommended list. A card that fails in every device is dead; one that fails only in the drone points to the slot.
Fixes, in order
DJI's help center gives three causes for a card error: an incompatible card, a damaged card, or a damaged card slot. Work through it:
- Use the right card. DJI requires UHS-I Speed Grade 3 or above. For the Mini 4 Pro, DJI lists cards such as SanDisk Extreme PRO 32 GB V30, Lexar 1066x V30 cards from 64 GB to 512 GB, Kingston Canvas Go! Plus V30 and Samsung EVO Plus 512 GB V30. Avoid no-name or suspiciously cheap cards; fakes report the wrong size and fail.
- Seat it properly. Contacts face up on the Mini 3, Mini 4 Pro, Air 3S and Mavic 3 series; down on the Mini 4K, Flip and Mavic 4 Pro, per DJI. Push until it clicks.
- Check free space. A full card stops recording.
- Test it elsewhere. If a computer can read it, back it up and format it in the drone. If nothing can read it, replace it.
- Format in DJI Fly: ··· > Camera > Format. Formatting erases everything.
- Reset camera settings: ··· > Camera > Reset Camera Settings.
Drone stops recording on its own
DJI lists two reasons: a card problem (incompatible, faulty or full), and the drone's 30-minute limit on a single recording. Recording stops after 30 minutes by design; start a new clip.
DJI Mini 3 not recording
Without a card in the Mini 3, DJI says what happens depends on the controller. With the RC-N1 and a phone, you can still take single photos or record 720p video, saved to the phone. With the DJI RC, you can't take photos or record at all. Insert a U3 card before you fly. See Mini 3 SD card.
DJI Neo not saving photos or video
The Neo has 22 GB of internal storage and no microSD slot, per DJI. If it stops saving, the storage is probably full. Download your clips with QuickTransfer or USB, then delete them from the Neo in DJI Fly. See Neo transfer and Neo SD card and storage.
DJI Avata 2 not recording
The Avata 2 has 46 GB of internal storage plus a microSD slot. The goggles can also record their own lower-quality copy of the live view onto their own card. If the drone isn't saving, check both storage locations in the goggles' menu, and that the card is a U3 or faster card.
Photos missing after a flight
DJI says slow cards can drop files and a damaged card can lose them. Use a recommended card. If files are missing from a damaged card, Windows' CHKDSK may repair the file system, but DJI suggests a professional recovery service for important footage.
Related guides
- DJI drone camera not working: black, white or upside-down image
- DJI QuickTransfer not working: fixes
- DJI Return to Home not working: settings to check
- Best SD card for the DJI Avata 2 (and internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Mini 3 (it has no internal storage)
- Best SD card for the DJI Neo (and internal storage)
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