DJI Downward vision sensor calibration error- 4 ways to fix it

ByPromise

Downward vision sensors are the small camera lens-looking holes located beneath the drone.

They are used to stabilize the altitude of the drone and allow for a safe landing, which means that if they are not working properly, your drone will have difficulty maneuvering itself.

However, if you have this error in the first place, the software will frequently refuse to allow you to lift off, which is very frustrating.

It’s a common problem with DJI drones, but it’s relatively simple to fix.

How do you fix downward vision sensor error?

You can fix DJI drone’s downward vision sensor error by recalibrating the drone with DJI assistant software. Download DJI Assistant 2 from DJI’s website, make sure it is the version that is suitable for your drone. The software will guide you through the process of recalibrating, it can take up to 20 minutes.

That may solve your problem, but if it does not, I will discuss four other options. The first three are fairly straightforward and generic, and they will help 80% of people. The last one is a pretty ninja technique, and hopefully it will solve the remaining 20%. but first start off by recalibrating your drone.

Method 1. Recalibrate your drone in DJI Assistant 2

If you already have flown your drone, you already have calibrated your drone on the DJI assistant software, so you already know how to calibrate your drone.

Now this “downward vision sensor calibration error” which you see on your phone or the screen of your controller can be because the drone has lost the previous calibration.

So you have to recalibrate-

  1. Download DJI Assistant 2 from dji.com.
  2. Use the proper software, every DJI lineup have a different software
    1. This is for the phantom lineup
    2. This is for the FPV lineup
    3. This is for the Mavic lineup
  3. Finally, the software will guide you through the process

Now I have seen a lot of people’s calibration process getting stuck mid-calibration and some people will finish the process then it will stop after it reaches %71 of the calibration process.

so if this is happening to you this might be the problem-

  • Don’t use a curved screen.
  • Use a bigger screen
  • Uninstall the current software you have from your computer and download it again.
  • try it on different screens

If this doesn’t fix the problem it can be because you have an outdated firmware or your drone is damaged-

Method 2. update firmware

Outdated firmware can also be the issue, I have seen people use a 2019 version in 2021 which is kind of scary to be honest, anyways to update your software follow these

  1. Connect both the drone and controller to your mobile device using the supplied cable.
  2. Make sure both drone controllers are powered on and have a full battery
  3. Open DJI GO 4 or DJI Pilot.
  4. Within the app, a notification will appear letting you know if there is an update available(in the home screen, not the camera view screen)
  5. Tap Firmware Download.

After updating the firm wear to get rid of the sensor calibration error you might have to recalibrate your drone.

*Note: before firmware update make sure all your drone, controller, and phones battery are fully charged because it can take up to 30 minutes*

Method 3. Clean the vision sensor

downward sensors
  • If you had a crash and there is dirt on the lens
  • If you have flown in rain or fog or even in high humidity and there is precipitation inside
  • If there some kind of lotion grease or food particles that got transferred from your hand to the lenses

If the sensor is not squeaky clean there is a high chance it is causing the problem.

To clean the sensor you only need a soft cloth, unless there is precipitation inside, in that case the lenses must be removed and cleaned.

Also if your drone has been with DJI for a repair you should also check if there is no plastic covering on the sensor because when you send a drone to DJI to get it fixed they oftentimes send you a refurbished drone which often has plastic coverings on the sensors

Method 4. turn on the drone mid-air

So the last technique which is pretty awesome and easy to turn your drone on mid-air, so it is a very straightforward and simple process-

  1. Pick up your drone of the ground at an about 1 foot about 12 inches distance from the ground
  2. Then tun it on as you normally would
  3. Make sure you are not covering the sensors with your hand

What this does is it resets the downward vision sensors and that will hopefully fix the error.

The problem with the method is that the error might come again after some time.

Last solution

If none of these solutions work, I’m afraid you’ll have to turn it over to a professional. If your drone is still within one year of purchase or activation, there is a good chance DJI will repair it for free (except for shipping costs). If you have DJI care, the shipping will be covered as well.

If you don’t want to ship your drone you can also get it fixed in local drone stores.

What happens if you fly without calibrating your drone?

if you manage to take off the ground you probably couldn’t cause the software let you but if you did there high a high chance you will have an unsafe landing or even a crash.

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