In this article
Losing the image, losing the controller connection and losing satellite positioning are different problems. If the drone is in the air, the priority is to end the flight safely, keeping it in sight and away from people. Do not restart the controller or close the app as your first attempt to resolve the problem.
Automatic responses depend on the model, firmware, configuration and flight conditions. Learn about them on the ground. This article helps distinguish between alerts; there is no sequence of buttons that resolves every scenario.
Which signal was lost?
| Alert or symptom | What to check |
|---|---|
| Frozen image or weak transmission | Whether telemetry is still updating and whether the controls respond |
| Controller connection lost | Response to connection loss set before flight |
| Weak or unavailable GPS | Positioning status, alerts and ability to hold position |
A position on the map may be the last position received. A frozen image also does not show what is happening now. Use direct observation of the drone and the available indicators, without treating old data as confirmation that it is stationary.
If the image fails but control is still available
Stop the planned filming and prepare to return or land safely. Orient the antennas according to the controller manual and avoid placing your body or a structure between the controller and the drone. Do not chase the aircraft while looking only at the screen: stay in a safe position and keep the drone in sight.
The DJI flight safety guide covers antenna positioning when transmission is weak. The correct configuration varies between controllers with external and internal antennas. Pointing the tip of an antenna indiscriminately at the drone is not a general rule.
If you confirm that the controls respond and the route is clear, end the flight without continuing to look for the perfect image. Investigate afterwards whether the problem was with transmission or the recorded files, using the guide to diagnosing stuttering video.
If the controller connection disappears
Do not assume that the drone will always return. DJI’s RTH documentation describes conditions and behaviour that vary by equipment. The return point, configuration and availability of positioning are all part of that assessment.
Observe the aircraft and try to restore an unobstructed connection without entering a road, approaching a cliff or leaving the control location hastily. When the connection returns, check the current status and manoeuvre in progress before changing the controls. Do not cancel an automatic return just because the image has reappeared.
Before the next flight, review the RTH configuration, including the landing location. Do not deliberately switch off the controller in mid-air to test signal loss.
If the alert concerns GPS or positioning
DJI explains in its guide to weak or lost GPS that, when vision systems are unavailable and positioning or the compass fails, certain equipment may enter ATTI mode. In that situation, automatic position holding and braking may no longer be available, and the drone may drift.
End the flight in a safe location as soon as possible. Do not rely on RTH to compensate for unavailable positioning, and do not climb near trees, cables or buildings just to look for satellites. If the alert appears before take-off, change the preparation location and resolve the issue on the ground.
What to save after landing
Note the time, location, alerts, battery level, nearby obstacles and whether control was lost or only the image. Save the flight logs and screenshots before clearing the app. Share exact coordinates and serial numbers only with support or entities that need this information.
If the problem recurs in an unobstructed location or appeared after a fall, suspend flights and request a diagnosis. Pre-flight preparation should include an alternative landing location and reading the alerts, not just the battery percentage.
Official sources consulted on 10 October 2026. Illustrative image. Follow the manual and the emergency procedures specific to your equipment.
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