Is there anything more annoying that a drone that beeps for no reason? It’ll drive you mad…
If your drone is beeping, it could be an indication of a low battery, a problem with the GPS signal, or a warning of a potential collision. If the beeping continues or is accompanied by flashing lights, it’s best to land the drone immediately.
The most common reason a drone or the controller will start beeping is to indicate that it is low on battery power, and needs to be recharged.
It may also beep if it has encountered an obstacle, is out of signal range, or if the control signal from the remote controller has been lost. Additionally, some drones are programmed to sound a distinct tone when they reach maximum altitude or distance so that you know where the boundaries are.
Finally, newer models of drones have sensors which can detect when other objects—like birds or people—are too close, and will beep as a warning sign to stay away.
I have found that my drone beeps as an important way of communicating various messages and providing warnings that help keep me safe while flying it so it is important to work out why your drone may be beeping.
Is it the drone or the DJI controller beeping?
When you hear a beeping sound, it can be frustrating to figure out if you need to do something on the drone or with the drone controller to stop the beeping.
Most of the time the beeping noise will come from the drone controller. As a drone pilot you’ll be using the controller to keep in intimate contact with the drone and using all the noises it makes to ensure you can fly safely. Never ignore persistent beeping noises.
Most of the time you can stop the beeping by doing something on the drone remote controller.
Make sure that both the drone and the remote control are within range of each other so they can communicate without any issues. Your drone will likely return home if there are any connection issues anyway – that is, at least, my experience.
What is that beeping sound?
Here are the common reasons your drone may be beeping:
Return to home feature activated on remote controller
The Return to Home feature on your drone is an incredibly useful tool that can save you from getting lost in the air or losing control of your device.
When activated, it will allow the drone to autonomously fly back to its launch point and land safely.
This feature is especially helpful for novice pilots who may not have a good sense of direction yet, as well as more experienced flyers who might just want some extra assurance in case something goes wrong.
By engaging the Return to Home feature, you can be sure that your drone will always make its way back home after a long flight.
Whether it’s because of technical issues or low battery power, the Return to Home feature ensures that your drone will return before it runs out of juice or needs to be manually operated back to safety.
Low battery on drone and controller
One of the most common reasons for a beeping drone is a low battery.
Many drones will emit a warning beep or series of beeps when the battery is running low, indicating that the drone needs to be landed or charged as soon as possible.
This is an important safety feature that helps prevent the drone from crashing or becoming lost due to a dead battery.
I always carry at least two batteries when I fly my drone can so that I can be assured of a decent amount of time in the air.
To resolve this particular issue, simply land the drone and charge the battery as instructed in the drone’s manual.
Drone malfunctions, errors and warnings (time to calibrate?)
Another common reason for a beeping drone is a malfunction or error.
Some drones are equipped with sensors and systems that can detect malfunctions or errors and will emit a beep or series of beeps to alert the user of the problem.
These issues can range from something as simple as a low signal strength on the remote control to more complex issues such as a malfunctioning sensor or motor.
DJI drones are equipped with a variety of warning systems.
Some of the most common warnings include alerts about yellow zones, updating batteries and props, and power plants or airports nearby. The most warnings that may be accompanied with a beeping sound are:
- Low Battery: Indicates that the drone’s battery level is running low and it should be landed soon.
- No GPS: Indicates that the drone is not able to obtain a GPS signal, which can affect its ability to hover and fly in a stable manner.
- Return to Home (RTH) Activated: Indicates that the drone’s RTH function has been activated, usually because the control signal has been lost or the battery is low.
- Obstacle Avoidance: Indicates that the drone’s obstacle avoidance sensors have detected an obstacle in its flight path.
- Vision Positioning System (VPS) Error: Indicates that the drone’s VPS is not functioning properly, which can affect its ability to hover and fly indoors or in low-light conditions.
- IMU Error: Indicates that there is an error with the drone’s Inertial Measurement Unit, which can affect its ability to fly and navigate.
- Motor Error: Indicates that there is an error with one or more of the drone’s motors, which can affect its ability to fly.
No fly zones
Another possible reason for a beeping drone is that it is approaching a no-fly zone.
Many drones are equipped with GPS systems that can detect when the drone is approaching a restricted area, such as an airport, security sensitive area (such as a jail) or military base.
In these situations, the drone will emit a warning beep or series of beeps to alert the user to the potential danger, and may even automatically fly away from the restricted area. In my experience, the drone has simply stopped at the GPS geo-fence.
To resolve this issue, simply fly the drone away from the restricted area and ensure that you are following all laws and regulations regarding drone use in your area.
How to stop the drone from beeping
If you have a drone that keeps beeping, there are several steps you can take to stop it.
· First, check the instruction manual of your drone to see if there are any specific instructions on how to silence the alarm. If so, follow those instructions. If not, look for a switch or button that could be used to disable the alert sound.
· Additionally, you may want to make sure all batteries are properly installed and connected as this could potentially cause the beeping noise.
· Lastly, if the drone is still making a beeping sound after following these steps, contact the manufacturer for further assistance. With proper care and maintenance of your drone, you should be able to stop it from beeping in no time.
Here are the common fixes if my drone makes an annoying beeping sound:
Always fly with a full battery (drone and controller)
Always fly your drone with a full battery. It is important to make sure that you have enough charge before taking off.
Flying with a low or depleted battery can be dangerous, as the drone may not have sufficient power to return safely to its starting point.
Not only does this put your expensive drone at risk, but it also puts other people and property in danger too.
Make sure that you check the battery level before each flight and charge the drone up accordingly.
I also recommended that you bring spare batteries with you on longer flights in case the battery runs out mid-flight.
Fly your drone away from obstructions
If you fly too close to buildings, trees, power lines, or other obstructions, it can cause a crash or even damage property.
Additionally, local laws may prohibit the use of drones in certain areas.
To ensure a safe flight experience and stay within the law, make sure to always fly your drone away from any potential hazards.
When you start out with a new drone, always familiarize yourself with the area before taking off so that you are aware of any obstacles in your path.
Additionally, try to always keep track of where your drone is flying and how far away it is from any obstacles. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your drone flights are not only safe but also legal and enjoyable!
Reset your DJI controller
If you’re having trouble with your DJI controller, resetting it could be the solution.
Resetting your controller can help to restore all of its settings back to their factory defaults.
To reset your controller:
- first power it off and then press and hold the button located on the rear of the device for at least 10 seconds until you hear a beep.
- Once complete, power on the controller again and it should be restored to its original settings.
It’s important to note that any customizations or settings will be lost in the process, so make sure you have them backed up before proceeding.
Additionally, some DJI controllers may require additional steps such as pairing with your drone again or updating firmware so make sure you consult user manuals if necessary.
Wrapping up
In conclusion, a beeping drone can be caused by a variety of issues such as low battery, malfunctions or errors, no-fly zones and other features.
By understanding the possible causes of a beeping drone, and how to troubleshoot and resolve these issues, you can ensure that your drone remains safe and functional at all times.
It’s always a good idea to keep your drone manual handy and check for any troubleshooting guides available for your specific drone model online. I always download a copy to my phone so that it is easy to find if I have issues in the field.
If all else fails, consult with the manufacturer or a drone expert for further assistance.
