DJI drone won't turn on: step-by-step fixes

A DJI drone that won't turn on almost always has a battery problem, not a broken drone. Use the right press (press once, then press again and hold for two seconds), charge the battery with the drone switched off at room temperature, and reseat it until it clicks. If a charged battery that works in another drone still won't start yours, the aircraft needs service.

1. Use the two-step press

DJI drones don't turn on with a single long hold. On the Mini, Air and Mavic series the pattern is press once, release, then press again and hold for about two seconds. One short press only lights the battery level. The controllers use the same pattern.

Some newer models add other ways: the Mavic 4 Pro powers on when you unfold its right rear arm, by default. If that doesn't work, use the button.

2. Charge the battery properly

• Hibernation. DJI batteries ship in hibernation and re-enter it when left nearly empty. The LEDs stay dark, so it looks dead. Charging wakes it.
• Drone off while charging. DJI says batteries can't charge while the aircraft is on.
• Temperature. Batteries charge between 5° and 40° C (41° and 104° F). A battery fresh from a flight or a cold car won't charge until it's back in range.
• Charger. Use a USB Power Delivery charger with enough power for your model.

Full details are in DJI battery not charging.

3. Reseat the battery

Remove the battery, check the contacts for dirt or bent pins, and push it in until it clicks. On the Mini series, DJI says LEDs 3 and 4 blinking together means the battery isn't mounted properly. All four blinking means the battery is damaged.

4. Not staying on

• Low battery. The drone may start, then shut off. Charge fully.
• Auto power-off. DJI drones and controllers power down when idle. The Mini 3's controller, for example, alerts after five minutes unused and powers off after six.
• Overheating. Fanless drones like the Mini 4 Pro enter energy-saving mode and then power off if they get too hot sitting on the ground. See Mini 4 Pro overheating.
• Fold to power off. On the Mavic 4 Pro, folding the arm can start a power-off countdown if that feature is enabled.

5. Starts but won't take off

That's not a power fault. Read the warning in DJI Fly: a GEO zone, low battery, compass or IMU errors, or an account that isn't logged in all block takeoff. On the Mini 4 Pro and Mavic 4 Pro, a slowly blinking red status light means takeoff is disabled.

6. Firmware

If the drone starts but behaves oddly, update the aircraft, controller and battery firmware in DJI Fly. DJI says updates can fail below 20% battery, if a device powers off mid-update, or if the network drops. See how to update DJI firmware.

When to get it repaired

DJI's own troubleshooting is short: check the battery has power, and if it does, contact DJI support. Before that, test with a known-good battery such as a spare Mini 4 Pro battery for that model. If the drone still won't start, or it died after a crash or water, start a repair. DJI Care Refresh covers accidental damage if you have a plan.

Related guides

• DJI Mini 4 Pro won't turn on or charge: what to do
• DJI Air 3 won't turn on or charge: what to do
• DJI Air 3S won't turn on or charge: what to do
• DJI Avata 2 won't turn on or charge: what to do
• DJI controller won't turn on or charge: fixes
• DJI drone won't land or turn off: what to do

All troubleshooting →