Drone Not Pairing [To Controller or Smartphone]: 8 Quick Tricks

If you own a drone, you may face the issue of the drone not pairing with the controller or smartphone.

Just like other devices, a drone is also vulnerable to software glitches and other technical problems. However, the pairing issue can be caused by several reasons.

Sometimes, the drone battery is not working properly. While the culprit may be the controller or smartphone. Hence, we cannot predict with certainty that your drone is faulty.

Instead, we need to apply some troubleshooting tips. This article will explain the issue in detail.

Moreover, we will learn to troubleshoot your drone that is not pairing so that you can fix it at home.

Table of Contents

1. Check the Distance

If the distance between the drone and its controller is too much, it will not pair. Maintain a proper distance while connecting and operating your drone through the controller.

Ideally, your drone should be within the line of sight. You should fly it 400 feet above ground level. Ensure a distance of 30 feet from other drones.

2. Remove Interferences

Moreover, check for interferences. Too many connections nearby can disrupt your drone. Therefore, it fails to pair with the controller.

In addition, your drone might have paired with another controller. It happens when there are some other controllers around you.

You might have lent your controller to someone else and it is still paired with the other drone. Try moving it to a different location and then pair again.

3. Ensure Enough Charging

First, check the battery of your drone. The drone cannot pair at a low battery. So, make sure its battery is fully charged. Moreover, check the batteries of your remote controller.

Replace them with fresh ones. Always purchase good-quality batteries. Use the recommended batteries for the controller. In addition, charge your drone using the original charging cable.

Because third-party or incompatible charging accessories can damage your device. Consult the user manual for proper charging instructions.

4. Pair Properly

Another reason for your drone is not pairing is the wrong method. You may have not followed the right pairing instructions.

It is better to read the user manual for the correct pairing instructions. Because there are many different models of drones.

Each brand has a slightly different connection procedure. However, as a general rule, you should turn ON the remote controller first and drone next for pairing.

Press the Link button on both devices and let them find each other. The LEDs both on the drone and controller glow solid green once they are connected successfully.

5. Update the Software

A software glitch is likely to cause the not-pairing issue. So, you should check for the latest software update. You can check it through the mobile app.

Almost all drones are supported by a smartphone app. Check the user manual and download the respective app on your phone.

Launch the app and navigate to the software update option. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Once done, reconnect your drone to the controller.

Related: Pair Drone to Controller

6. Reset Your Devices

If your drone is still not pairing, reset both the controller and the drone. Follow these steps to reset them;

To reset the drone controller, press and hold its power button for 10 seconds or until you hear a beep sound.
Turn OFF both the drone and the controller.
Press and hold the ‘Pause’, ‘Fn’, and the bottom right shoulder altogether.
Release these buttons when your drone controller starts beeping continuously.

Now, reset the drone by the following method;

Turn ON your drone by pressing its power button. Make sure all the lights on the drone are glowing green.
Wait for 30 seconds and then hold the power button for 30 seconds.
The two LEDs on the drone will start blinking red. You are supposed to hold the power button until these lights turn solid green.
Now, your drone and controller are reset. Pair them again or repeat the reset process one more time.

7. Drone Not Pairing to Smartphone

If your drone is not pairing with your phone, check for a software update on your phone. Make sure that your phone is running on the latest software version.

Further, uninstall the drone app from your phone. After a few moments, install the app again. Restart and reboot your phone.

Try connecting your drone to a different smartphone. This trick will let you know whether the drone is problematic or the phone.

Related: Pair Drone to Phone

8. Hardware Defects

If nothing works then your drone or the controller might have a hardware defect. If possible try another controller with your drone. Check other functions of your drone like charging.

Try to fly it via the mobile app, it also works as the remote controller. If the drone performs well through the app, the controller is faulty.

However, if you find your drone defective, consult the manufacturer. The hardware faults can be built-in and intricate. So, the manufacturer can better diagnose and solve the issue.

You can ask for a replacement if your drone is new and under warranty. Sometimes, the problem occurs after your drone has suffered an accident.

It can lead to hardware faults. In this case, you should contact a local drone technician.

Final Words

There are hundreds of drone brands available in the market. The pairing and troubleshooting method for each one may be a bit different.

However, this guide has told you the general method. The troubleshooting tricks mentioned here work for all drones. You must give a chance to each solution.

Try the reset method twice or thrice. Hopefully, these tips will fix your drone that is not pairing. Tell us in the comment section if you have any queries.