Drone Not Flying / Won't Power On Repair in Charlotte, NC
A drone that won't fly can be anything from a dead battery to a failed motor, ESC or flight controller; the shop tests each system, repairs the failed part and recalibrates the aircraft.
A drone that won't fly or power on can be a battery, a motor, an ESC, a sensor or the flight controller. The diagnostic is free, and we test each system to find the real fault. The exact price for your model is on this page. Most repairs take 3 to 7 days, and every drone is recalibrated and test-flown, with a 90-day warranty on the repair.
Signs you need this repair
Nothing happens when you press the power button, or it powers up but never appears in the app.
One motor stays still or stutters during startup. That's the motor, its wiring or its speed controller (ESC).
It rises a few inches and tips over. Props on the wrong motors, a weak motor or a sensor fault can cause this.
It sinks, climbs or drifts on its own. That usually comes from the IMU, the barometer or the vision sensors.
The app shows a motor error, ESC error or IMU warning and won't let you take off.
The battery won't charge, won't turn on, drains instantly or shows a cell error.
What usually causes it
Intelligent flight batteries protect themselves when they're deeply drained or a cell is weak. That can stop the drone powering on.
Motors wear out, and ESCs can burn out after a crash or overload. Either stops a motor from spinning.
IMU, compass or vision sensor damage from a crash can stop it from taking off or cause unstable flight.
Water, a short or a bad crash can damage the main board, which prevents power-up or causes erratic behavior.
An interrupted update can leave the drone unable to start up or link with the controller.
How we fix it
- 1Test the battery
We check the flight battery's cell voltages and charge behavior. A battery fault is the simplest fix and the first thing we rule out.
- 2Power from the bench
We power the drone from a bench supply to see how much current it draws. A short shows up immediately, as does a board that isn't starting up.
- 3Read errors and logs
Connecting to DJI's software lets us read error codes and firmware state, which point to the failed system.
- 4Test each motor and ESC
Each motor is spun under power and checked for noise, heat and resistance. ESCs are tested at board level.
- 5Repair the failed part
We replace motors, repair ESC circuits and board faults, and fix any related crash or water damage.
- 6Calibrate and test fly
We calibrate the IMU and compass, then do a controlled test flight to confirm stable hover and normal behavior.
Common fixes
Most won't-fly problems come down to a few parts. We quote what the testing finds.
If the battery has a dead cell or won't wake up, replacing it is the fix.
For motors that won't spin, grind or overheat.
For burnt speed controllers or shorted board components, done at component level.
IMU, compass or vision sensor repair or replacement after a crash.
How long it takes
Most won't-fly repairs take 3 to 7 days. A battery or firmware fix is quick. Motor and ESC repairs, board-level work and ordered parts take longer. We give you the window with your quote.
Models we repair
What customers say
I have been brining my family’s devices here for years now and it is always a pleasure. Mike & Gus are very knowledgeable and are able to communicate device issues honestly and in layman terms. Pricing is always fair and reasonable as well. Could not recommend them more to anyone in search of tech repair.Nathan Chadbourne · Repair · Google review
Michael is a total hero! Seriously, everyone on this team is amazing. They work absolute miracles every single day on our most complicated devices, from phones to computers. Best of all, they handle everything with incredible kindness and precision. They are exactly who you want in your corner when tech disasters strike out of nowhere. I also ended up replacing my laptop with one in their store. They gave me a great price too!Lynn N. · Repair · Yelp review
Very fast and reliable service! Very professional and they get the job done right the first time!! My device is like new!! Would definitely recommend!Ron Stoppable · Repair · Google review
Real customer reviews from Google and Yelp, quoted word for word. … marks where a longer review was shortened.
Before you bring it in
- Charge the flight battery and try it once, and tell us what happened.
- Bring the controller, the batteries and the charger.
- Screenshot any error messages in the app.
- Tell us about any crash, water or recent firmware update.
- Don't try repeatedly to take off if it flips or stutters.
Repair or replace?
Most won't-fly problems are a single failed part, like a battery, a motor or an ESC, and repair is much cheaper than a new drone. If the main board is badly damaged on an older model and parts are hard to get, we'll tell you whether it's worth fixing.
Thinking of fixing it yourself?
You can try a few things safely: charge the battery fully, try another battery if you have one, update the firmware, recalibrate the IMU and compass in the app, and check that the props are on the correct motors. If it still won't fly, it's probably hardware. Opening the drone risks the gimbal ribbon and antenna cables, and motors and ESCs usually need soldering.
After your repair
- Store batteries at about half charge if you won't fly for a while.
- Check that props are on the right motors after every change.
- Let firmware updates finish fully before turning anything off.
- Replace swollen or damaged batteries right away.
Questions people ask
My DJI drone won't take off. What's wrong?
It could be an error in the app, a battery problem, a motor or ESC failure, or a sensor issue. We test each system to find out which.
The drone powers on but flips over on takeoff. Can you fix it?
Yes. Check first that the props are on the right motors. If they are, a weak motor, an ESC or a sensor is likely, and we diagnose it for free.
Could a bad battery be why my drone won't fly?
Yes, it's one of the most common causes. A battery with a weak cell can refuse to power on or shut down in flight. We test it first.
How much does a won't fly repair cost?
Check this page for your model's price. Your quote comes after the diagnostic.
How long does the repair take?
Most take 3 to 7 days. Battery and firmware fixes are faster, and board work or ordered parts take longer.
What does an ESC error mean?
The ESC controls the speed of each motor. An error means it has failed or can't talk to the motor, often after a crash or water damage.
My drone won't turn on at all. Is it dead?
Not necessarily. Often it's the battery. If not, the board may have a short we can repair. Bring the drone and battery in.
Do you test fly drones after the repair?
Yes. Every drone is calibrated and test-flown before it goes back to you.
Related repairs
Mail-in repair from anywhere in the U.S.
Free diagnostic when it arrives. Free insured shipping back.
- 1Tell us your model and the problem
- 2Ship it insured. We diagnose it within a day
- 3Approve the price. Fixed and back in 7–10 days