A DJI drone gimbal usually shakes because something is touching it (the protector, a clip or packing foam), because you're flying hard in Sport mode, or because of strong wind. DJI also lists broken rubber dampers, bent propellers and cold below -10° C. Remove everything from the camera, fly in Normal or Cine mode, reset Gain & Expo, and calibrate the gimbal. If it shakes after a drop or collision, DJI recommends sending it in.
Normal: the startup buzz
DJI says a slight buzzing or small knocking sound as each gimbal arm rotates during the self-check after power-on is normal, and it stops when the check finishes. If you can still hear a distinct noise from about 40 cm away afterward, record a full power-on video and contact DJI.
Causes and fixes
DJI's checklist for a shaking gimbal:
- Remove anything touching it. Gimbal protector, gimbal clamp, vibration-absorbing foam from the box, stickers. They stop the motors working properly.
- Check the rubber dampers. These small rubber balls between the gimbal and body soak up vibration. A torn or hardened one needs DJI service.
- Check the propellers. A bent or chipped prop vibrates the whole drone. Replace it.
- Sport mode. Full stick in Sport mode easily shakes the gimbal. For smooth footage, fly in Normal or Cine mode and move the sticks gently.
- Wind. Strong wind shakes the body and the image. DJI Fly shows a strong wind alert when it's too much. See DJI strong wind warning.
- Reset Gain & Expo, then calibrate. In DJI Fly: ··· > Control > Gain & Expo Tuning > Reset Current Settings, then ··· > Control > Gimbal Calibration > Auto. On Avata models, calibrate from the goggles.
- Cold. DJI says gimbal stabilization drops below -10° C and recommends not flying then.
Shaking only in Timelapse or Hyperlapse
DJI asks you to export the affected photos or video and contact DJI Support if the gimbal shakes only during Timelapse.
Shake vs jello
A gimbal that visibly wobbles is a gimbal problem. Fine wavy lines across the image while the gimbal looks steady are jello, caused by high-frequency vibration reaching the camera. That has its own fixes: see jello and wavy lines in drone footage.
Why does my DJI drone keep vibrating?
A gimbal that hangs loose and tilts with the power off is normal, DJI says, because the motors aren't holding the camera. If the drone itself feels like it's vibrating while hovering, with no app warning, DJI points to damaged arms, damaged props or a loose arm hinge. Check each arm for play with the drone off.
When it needs repair
Send it in if the shake started after a drop, if a damper is torn, or if it continues in calm air in Normal mode after calibration. Start a repair. For the Mini 4 Pro, see Mini 4 Pro jello. Handheld RS gimbals have different fixes: read DJI RS gimbal shaking.
Related guides
- DJI "gimbal motor overloaded" error: causes and fixes
- DJI Air 3S gimbal motor overloaded or stuck: how to fix it
- DJI drone horizon tilted or gimbal not level: how to calibrate
- DJI gimbal errors 40002, 40011 and 40021 explained
- DJI Mini 4 Pro gimbal motor overloaded or stuck: how to fix it
- DJI Mini 4 Pro horizon not level: how to calibrate the gimbal
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