A DJI RS 4 or RS 4 Mini that isn't level or won't calibrate is almost always out of balance, or running Auto Tune while it's moving. Balance all axes with the camera fully set up, put the gimbal on a flat, steady surface, and press and hold the M button and trigger to run Auto Tune. If the horizon is still tilted, use Horiz Calibration in the touchscreen's system settings.
Not level or drifting
- Rebalance. Set up the camera exactly as you'll shoot (lens, cap off, zoom position, cables). Then balance in DJI's order: vertical tilt, tilt depth, roll, pan. Do it with the gimbal powered off or in sleep mode.
- Check Balance Status. Tilt the gimbal about 15° left or right and look at the status bar. DJI says green or gray is balanced, yellow is slightly off, and red is critically unbalanced.
- Run Horiz Calibration. On the touchscreen, open system settings and tap Horiz Calibration. DJI suggests trying horizontal or manual calibration when the gimbal is unlevel or an axis drifts, and repeating it until it's level.
- Check the mode. In PF mode, only pan follows; in PTF, pan and tilt follow; in FPV, all axes follow your hand. FPV will look "not level" by design.
Auto Tune not calibrating
- Steady and flat. DJI says to place it on a flat, steady surface and not move it during calibration. Shaking and sounds during Auto Tune are normal.
- Balance first. Auto Tune sets motor stiffness for the payload. It can't fix a camera that's badly out of balance.
- Run it again after changing the lens, focal length or camera. DJI recommends Auto Tune whenever the balance icon turns red or the gimbal shakes for no reason.
- Stiffness too high or low. DJI says to raise stiffness if it isn't stable enough and lower it if the gimbal starts to shake.
Not locking or not unlocking
The RS 4 and RS 4 Mini have automated axis locks. They unlock at power-on and fold and lock at power-off. Pressing the power button once enters sleep mode and locks the axes. If they don't:
- Check Auto Lock in system settings; it may be turned off.
- Make sure the camera or a cable doesn't block an axis from folding.
- On the RS 4 Pro, DJI warns to make sure the roll axis doesn't interfere with the pan axis before using Fold & Lock.
Not turning on
- Press and hold the power button (about two seconds on the RS 4). A single press with it off only shows battery level.
- First use: DJI says the RS 4 battery grip must be activated by connecting its USB-C port to power. The battery is ready when its indicator lights up.
- RS 4 Mini activation: activate it in the Ronin app. DJI allows up to five uses before activation is required.
Not charging
- RS 4: DJI quotes about 2.5 hours with an 18 W fast charger and recommends PD chargers.
- RS 4 Mini: DJI recommends a PD fast charger of 30 W or more with the included USB-C cable.
- Charge between 5° and 40° C, per DJI's battery safety notes. Swap the cable and charger before assuming the grip is bad. Both gimbals can be used while charging.
Not smooth
Raise smoothness or lower joystick speed in gimbal settings (lower smoothness values are more sensitive, per DJI), and slow the follow speed. For jitter and vibration, read DJI RS gimbal shaking.
If calibration still fails after a careful balance, check for error codes in DJI RS and Ronin error codes, then start a repair. Step-by-step balancing: how to balance the DJI RS 4. Shop the DJI RS 4 and RS 4 Mini.
Related guides
- DJI RS gimbal shaking or joystick not working: balance and calibration fixes
- DJI Mini 3 horizon not level: how to calibrate the gimbal
- DJI Mini 4 Pro horizon not level: how to calibrate the gimbal
- DJI RS 4 Mini with Canon R5, R6 Mark II, R8 and R10
- DJI RS 4 vs RS 4 Mini: which gimbal for your camera?
- DJI RS 4, RS 4 Mini and RS 4 Pro payload: which cameras fit?
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