How to fix the ESC error on the DJI Mini 4 Pro

An ESC error on the DJI Mini 4 Pro means the flight controller found a fault in, or lost contact with, the electronic speed controllers that drive the motors. A one-off glitch sometimes clears with a restart. If it comes back, treat it as a hardware fault and don't fly until it's fixed: a motor that stops in the air brings the drone down.

Mini 4 Pro ESC error: safe to fly? — A one-time ESC error that clears may be a glitch, but test with a short hover first. Anything that repeats or follows damage needs DJI service.

What the ESC does

The ESC takes power from the battery and drives each of the four motors at the speed the flight controller asks for. On the Mini 4 Pro it lives on a board inside the body, so a search for "Mini 4 Pro ESC board" usually ends in a repair. DJI's manual asks you to make sure the ESCs sound normal when the drone powers on: the short chirp at startup.

Common causes of an ESC error:

Grit, sand or grass in a motor after landing on dirt
A bent motor shaft or damaged motor after a crash
Moisture from rain, fog or a water landing
A battery not fully seated, or dirty contacts
Firmware left half-updated

Fixes to try, in order

Restart cleanly. Power off, remove the battery, check the contacts and click it back in. DJI says if battery LEDs 3 and 4 blink together, the battery isn't seated properly.
Spin each motor by hand. With the drone off, turn each motor slowly. It should be smooth, with no grinding or tight spots. DJI says to land immediately if a motor is stuck and can't rotate freely. Clear grit with a hand blower.
Check the propellers. Before each flight, DJI says to look for cracks, wear, warping and loose screws. Replace damaged blades with their screws using the included screwdriver, marked props on marked motors. See Mini 4 Pro propellers.
Dry it out. If it got wet, stop powering it on. Read what to do when a drone gets wet.
Update firmware. Update the aircraft, controller and battery in DJI Fly. DJI lists the causes of failed updates: below 20% battery, powering off mid-update, a dropped network, or switching apps during the download.
Note the flight record. If the error appeared mid-flight, DJI support can read it from the log.

When it needs repair

Send it in if the error returns after a restart, cleaning and an update, if one motor stutters, runs hot or won't spin, if it started after a crash or water, or if the motors make odd sounds at power-on. The fix is usually a new motor or internal board, done by DJI. DJI Care Refresh covers crash and water damage if you have a plan. Our repair page explains how we open the case with DJI for you, and Mini 4 Pro repair covers costs and options.

For this error on other drones, read DJI ESC error and motor not spinning. More about the drone is in the Mini 4 Pro guide.