Step by Step Fix DJI’s “IMU Calibration Stuck”
First-time drone owners often can’t get past the IMU calibration process, this can also happen when you switch drones because every drone has a little different process.
People usually get stuck on step 2, the reason being; not following the instructions, doing it in the wrong place, and the wrong position, and DJI go 4 apps not functioning properly.
But first, I want you to understand if it is possible or not to fly without doing IMU calibration, I see many people doing that because they weren’t able to calibrate the IMU.
Can you fly without IMU calibration?
IMU or inertial measurement unit’s job is to keep the aircraft stable while in flight.
If you don’t calibrate the imu, the drone will try to avoid obstacles by using its sensors however it will be hard to operate for the operator.
If you have seen a drone go forward or backward without getting a signal it is because the IMU needs calibration.
Some drones come with a calibrated IMU so if you are not getting a notification on your DJI go for app chances are you shouldn’t worry about it unless there is a red flashing light on the arms.
Even though there is no way to tell which is which if there are red flashing lights on the arm then that is a signal the imu or the compass needs calibration.
Any way let get to the process of calibrating the imu
Make sure you don’t miss any steps because that is how you get stuck
How to properly calibrate the IMU
IMU calibration is a very easy process, and it shouldn’t take more than three minutes if done correctly
However for a successful IMU calibration, it is crucial that you follow the steps exactly as you see on the screen, or you will get stuck on one of the steps.
1. Place your drone on a flat/level surface
If you have an iPhone open your measure app or if you have an android download bubble level app and make sure you place your drone on a level surface
2. Put the drone arms folded with its belly
This step needs no explanation, put the drone in its normal position with arms folded.
3. Put the drone on its right side
Even though it is simple, step 2 is where people get usually get stuck.
What you basically have to do is face the drone’s belly facing to the wall, and its side facing to the ceiling.
However, even when you are doing everything correctly DJI go 4 app won’t proceed to the third step for some reason
So if this is happening look for the lights on the arm of the drone
When the green lights are flashing rapidly – it means it is calibrated for that position and it now wants you to move it to the next position.
So you don’t have to wait for the app, if the lights are flashing green just proceed to the next step!
4. Rotate the drone onto its left side.
Just repeat the previous step but on the left side.
5. Finally face the camera upwards
6. Put the drone belly up
Refresh the drone’s firmware in DJI assistant 2
If the calibration process is not working, chances are there is a software issue that is supposed to get fixed.
To do that I will show you a couple of ways
Let us start by refreshing the firmware
- Power on the drone
- Download the proper DJI assistant for mavic air 2 here and so on
- Connect it to your computer using the USB cable DJI provides
- Open the software on your laptop
- Log in to the DJI Assistant 2 app and select your drone
- Next, you will see the firmware version
- Tap update and choose the latest version
- If it is already the latest version click refresh
- Repeat process with every battery you own
Downgrade firmware
If refreshing the current firmware doesn’t seem to work, you can downgrade the firmware till the next update comes out.
You can downgrade your firmware both in DJI assistant and DJI go 4.
To downgrade firmware in DJI assistant–
- Power on the drone
- Connect it to your computer using the USB cable
- Open the DJI Assistant 2 software on your laptop
- Log in to the DJI Assistant 2 app and select your drone
- Next, you will see the firmware version and older versions lined up
- Choose the version one below the current version you have
- Then click install
- Then the drone will automatically restart
To downgrade firmware in DJI go 4
Press and hold the menu icon (three horizontal lines in the top right corner) for five seconds and a special firmware menu appears. You can now select which previous firmware version you would like to downgrade to. Check it out.
Change the phone
If you are using android to calibrate the IMU and it is not working try swapping it with ios, and vice versa.
Change location
I am not sure why but DJI recommends doing IMU calibration on an open field, so if you are doing the imu calibration in a tightly enclosed space go out and try it again.
Final choice
If none of the methods fix it your drone might have some hardware problems and for that, you might have to send it to a professional
If your drone is within a year period from activation which is most likely the case because I assume the drone you are trying to calibrate is new you can get it fixed without any cost.
If not you might have to pay from fifty dollars up to hundreds of dollars depending on the situation
After you hand it to DJI it can take up to 15 days till they fix it and send it back to you, and it can take longer if you don’t live in the united states
If you are located in Armenia, you may contact the local dealer or DJI’s support via email to start a case and send the unit back.
