DJI Spark is the quietest drone from DJI ever. When I was scrolling in a DJI forum I noticed that many people have different issues with DJI Spark. So decided to write an article about DJI spark troubleshooting which would be helpful to people who are unable to find solutions for their DJI Spark problems.
In this simple article, we would be going through almost every DJI Spark problem and how to fix them. Also, I would put a link in every problem for further reading. Hopefully, this article would help you to fix issues with your DJI Spark.
Common Problems With DJI Spark.
- Problem 1: DJI Spark not charging.
- Problem 2: DJI Spark not turning on.
- Problem 3: DJI Spark not connecting to the controller.
- Problem 4: DJI Spark not showing wifi.
- Problem 5: DJI Spark not calibrating imu.
- Problem 6: DJI Spark not flying straight.
- Problem 7: DJI Spark obstacle avoidance not working.
- Problem 8: DJI Spark not recognizing sd card.
- Problem 9: DJI Spark not recording to sd card.
- Problem 10: DJI Spark not taking off.
- Problem 11: DJI Spark not connecting to GPS.
- Problem 12: DJI Spark app not working.
- Problem 13: DJI Spark not connecting to app.
- Problem 14: DJI Spark keeps disconnecting.
- Problem 15: DJI Spark remote keeps beeping.
Problem 1: DJI Spark not charging.
Usually, the DJI Spark battery won’t charge when it detects higher or lowers amperage or voltage. Outdated battery firmware, damaged battery cells, faulty chargers, improper battery temperature, and hibernation mode also cause the issue.
Solutions.
- Plug the charger into a power outlet with the required voltage and current. Usually, the DJI battery charger required input voltage is around 100 – 240 V and the amperage is 1.4 A.
- Check whether the charger is Faulty or broken.
- If the DJI Spark battery is warm, leave it for a few minutes in an airflow to cool.
- Update DJI Spark battery Firmware.
- Kick the Battery out from hibernation mode. If the DJI Spark battery LEDs flash red that means it might have gone into hibernation mode. Power on the battery and leave until the red LEDs shut down. Then connect it to the charger and leave it for a few hours.
- Replace the battery if it’s damaged, swollen, or reached 300-500 full charging cycles.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone Battery not charging and how to fix it.
Problem 2: DJI Spark not turning on.
Most of the time, DJI Spark won’t turn on due to temporary DJI intelligent battery shutdowns and battery issues. Often, the DJI Spark battery temporarily shut down when it detects harmful temperatures and environments. Other than that, damaged battery cells and outdated Spark battery firmware also could cause this.
Solutions.
- If you left the DJI Spark aircraft or battery inside a closed warm room or place take the battery out and leave it in an open area or airflow to cool. DJI battery’s proper temperature range is 71.6°F to 86°F (22°C to 30°C).
- If the battery is cold let it few minutes to warm up.
- Check whether the DJI Spark battery has gone into hibernation mode. If the battery indicator LEDs are solid red when it’s turned on might have gone into hibernation mode. To get the battery out from the hibernation mode, turn on the battery and wait until the solid red light goes out and plug the battery into the charger and let it out from the hibernation mode.
- Update the DJI Spark battery firmware. Insert the faulty battery inside the DJI Spark aircraft and upgrade the firmware.
Read Detailed Article: Why drone won’t turn on and how to fix it.
Problem 3: DJI Spark not connecting to the controller.
In many cases, DJI Spark won’t connect to the controller because of outdated firmware, insufficient battery power, and unlinked DJI Spark aircraft. Most importantly make sure to keep equal firmware versions in both aircraft and controller. Unless they wouldn’t connect or link together.
Solutions.
- If DJI Spark aircraft indicator LEDs blink yellow once it is turned on, the aircraft requires linking. Open the DJI GO app and go to the menu and “RC Settings”. Then scroll to the bottom and click the “Linking RC” button. Once the controller starts to beep get a pin or screwdriver and press the button near the LED of the drone. Wait until the pairing process is done successfully. Once the linking process is done the controller would stop beeping and aircraft indicators would flash green.
- If you replaced the DJI Spark controller or aircraft you need to pair them first.
- Charge Spark aircraft and remote controller battery to a sufficient level.
- Keep DJI Spark aircraft and controller firmware in an equal version. This fact is so important to fix this issue. Every DJI drone needs to keep the same firmware version on the aircraft and controller. Read this article to know how to update DJI drone firmware.
- Update DJI Spark Aircraft and controller Firmware. Read how to update DJI Phantom 4 firmware.
- Reset the controller.
Read Detailed Article: Why Drone not connecting to the controller and how to fix it.
Problem 4: DJI Spark wifi not showing up.
Usually, DJI Spark wifi not showing up due to issues with DJI Spark aircraft wifi settings, outdated firmware, and mobile device’s wifi settings. most of the time users face this issue because of mobile device wifi settings glitches.
Solutions.
- Turn on airplane mode and turn off it. When you turn on airplane mode, it would completely shut down the network on your device. Then when you turn on it again it would try to detect the new devices and reconnect them.
- Enable Networking and Wireless option on the mobile device.
- Reset network settings on the mobile device. Go to Settings, General and Transfer or reset iPhone. Then click on reset and choose “Reset Network Settings”. It would clear all the custom or modified network settings and back to default settings. If it doesn’t help with your issue, choose “Reset All Settings” and reset all settings instead of just resetting network settings. Because there might be other settings that affect network settings.
- Reset DJI Spark aircraft to default settings. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds to reset the Spark.
- Update DJI Spark firmware.
- Try with another device.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone Wifi not showing up and how to fix it.
Problem 5: DJI Spark not calibrating imu.
Most of the time, DJI Spark refuses to calibrate because of electromagnetic interference, insufficient battery power, outdated firmware, and improper environment.
Solutions.
- Charge the battery fully or to a sufficient level before calibration. charge the aircraft at least above 50% before calibration.
- Perform the calibration outdoors. As I mentioned before, Go to an open wide area away from any electromagnetic interferences.
- Calibrate the Aircraft on a flat surface.
- Update DJI Spark firmware to the latest version. Read this how to update DJI drone firmware article to figure out how to update DJI drone firmware properly.
- Check whether you are calibrating the drone properly. Read DJI Drone IMU & Compass Calibration article to figure out how to calibrate DJI drone in-depth.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone won’t calibrate and how to fix it.
Problem 6: DJI Spark not flying straight and not stable.
Usually, DJI Spark won’t stay still and keeps drifting because of miscalibrated Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU). Other than that, Electromagnetic interference, malfunctioning motors, and distorted propellers can unstable the Spark aircraft.
Solutions.
- Avoid Electromagnetic interference. Avoid flying in environments that surrounded powerlines and communication towers.
- Calibrate DJI Spark IMU. Read the How to Calibrate DJI Drone article.
- Check DJI Spark aircraft propellers. If you have installed propellers in the wrong pattern, the aircraft should almost flip and keeps tilting in one direction. If that’s the cases check at propeller installation pattern. Other than that if propellers are distorted after a crash or storing, replace the propeller set with new ones.
- Check whether a motor is malfunctioning.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone is not hovering one place and how to fix it.
Problem 7: DJI Spark obstacle avoidance not working.
In most cases, the DJI Spark obstacle avoidance feature won’t work because of disabling the Obstacle Avoidance feature in the DJI GO app accidentally by the user.
Solution.
- Open the DJI GO app and go to the camera view. Then click on the three dots in the right top corner and go to “Visual Navigation Settings”. Then enable Obstacle Sensing.
Problem 8: DJI Spark not recognizing SD card.
In most cases, DJI Spark refuses to recognize SD card because of incompatible SD card and invalid SD card format (different from FAT32). Besides that firmware issues, malware, and corrupted SD cards cause the same issue.
Solutions.
- Check whether the SD card you are using is compatible with the DJI Spark. Check out the DJI Spark Product Info page and check whether your SD card is compatible.
- Repair the SD card using the Windows command prompt. Use an SD card adaptor and connect the SD card to the PC. Open the command prompt and type “chkdsk” then leave a space and specify the SD card driver letter (Ex: chkdsk D). and hit enter. Once the process is done the sd card is repaired.
- Format the SD card.
- Update DJI Spark Aircraft firmware.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone not recognizing SD card and how to fix it.
Problem 9: DJI Spark not recording to SD card.
Most of the time, DJI Spark won’t record video because of invalid SD card format (different from FAT32), DJI Phantom 3 firmware issues, and Viruses & Malware.
Solutions.
- Update DJI Spark Firmware.
- Perform disk partition and file system change using MiniTool Partition Wizard. Read the Detailed article to find out how to perform disk partition and file system change using MiniTool Partition Wizard.
- Repair the SD card using Windows Command Prompt. Connect the SD card to the PC using an adaptor and open the command prompt. Then type “chkdsk” and leave a space and specify the SD card driver letter (Ex: chkdsk D). and hit enter. After that, you’ll have to wait patiently until the process is done. Once the process is finished, your SD card should be fixed and ready to go.
- Format the SD card.
- Scan the SD card using an antivirus program.
Read Detailed Article: Why drone not recording to the SD card and how to fix it
Problem 10: DJI Spark not taking off.
In most cases, DJI Spark refuses to take off because of IMU error, unpaired aircraft, DJI battery malfunction, or no-fly zones. Besides them, if the DJI Spark won’t take off even if its propellers are spinning, I’m sure you have installed propellers in an improper pattern definitely.
Solutions.
- If DJI Spark Aircraft indicators blink yellow, Link the Spark aircraft to the controller.
- Update DJI Spark Firmware.
- Calibrate DJI Spark IMU. IMU errors are one of the most common reasons why DJI Spark won’ take off. Read How to Calibrate IMU and compass.
- Install DJI Spark propellers in the correct pattern.
- Check whether you are in beginner mode and have GPS Signals. Beginner mode requires GPS and refuses to take off the aircraft with low GPS signals. You can solve the problem just by disabling beginner mode.
- Check whether you are in a Geofenced area. If the DJI Spark aircraft is in a geofenced area in a geofenced area, the DJI GO app would inform you. Also, you can take off the Spark once you gave the required information to DJI GO and unlock them.
Read Detailed Article: Why drone not taking off and how to fix it.
Problem 11: DJI Spark not connecting to GPS.
Poor internet connection, outdated DJI Spark firmware, outdated DJI GO app, and environmental interferences are the most common reasons why DJI Spark GPS not working.
Solutions.
- Update DJI Spark firmware.
- Update the DJI GO app or uninstall the application and install it again. If you have the latest DJI GO app try clearing DJI GO cache data and app data.
- Calibrate DJI Spark IMU. Read How to Calibrate DJI Spark IMU.
- Reset DJI Spark aircraft and controller. Factory resetting would erase all the current network settings and put them back to default settings. So if current network settings cause the issue, resetting the drone and controller fixes that.
- Upgrade the GPS module. If the DJI Spark GPS module is damaged or glitched you would have to send contact DJI to repair or upgrade it.
Read Detailed Article: Why drone not connecting to the GPS and how to fix it.
Problem 12: DJI Spark app not working.
In most cases, the DJI GO app not working or responding because of application problems or installing an Apk file with glitches and incompatible mobile devices.
Solutions.
- Check your smartphone is compatible with the DJI app. Your smartphone or tablet needs to satisfy the requirements to run the DJI application without any issues. The version of your device is so important for running apps. If you are an Android user, go to “Settings” > “System” and System update and check the android version of your device. Your device’s android version needs to be Android 5.0 or above to run the DJI app successfully.
- Download the original APK file from the DJI Download Center. If you are an iOS user, download the DJI app only from the Appstore. Because officially release their applications to Appstore. For android users, uninstall the current app and head DJI Downloads Center. Then download and install the latest DJI GO app to android.
Read the Detailed Article: Why DJI GO 4 app not working or responding.
Problem 13: DJI Spark not connecting to app.
In most cases, DJI Spark won’t connect to DJI GO 4 app because of wifi connection issues, DJI GO 4 mobile application issues, and outdated firmware.
Solutions.
- Reset DJI Spark wifi settings. Hold down the power button for 9 seconds until you hear three beeps. Then try reconnecting the wifi connection using the default password.
- Update DJI Spark firmware.
- Uninstall the current DJI Go app on your phone and download and install the latest DJI GO app from the DJI Download Center.
Problem 14: DJI Spark keeps disconnecting.
Usually, DJI Spark keeps disconnecting from the controller because of crowded or poor signals, high levels of electromagnetic interference, and low battery power. Other than that outdated firmware or firmware glitches also cause the DJI Spark to keep disconnecting from the controller.
Solutions.
- Avoid high levels of electromagnetic interference. Electromagnetic interference can cause losing the connection between the drone and the controller. You can expect this kind of situation when flying in urban areas where the many power lines are carried through.
- Update DJI Spark Firmware.
- Charge Mavic Mini Aircraft and controller battery to a sufficient level. Charging both the Mavic Mini aircraft and the controller would definitely certify a stronger connection. At least charge them above 50% before flying the drone.
- Change the frequency of radio signals to upper frequency. because high-frequency channels are less crowded and capable of transferring data fast. Open the DJI Fly app and go to the “Wifi Settings” section of the app. Then change the channel to about 5.8Ghz frequency.
- Factory reset the controller and drone. This would help with clearing glitched settings of the aircraft or the controller that caused this issue.
- Face sides of antennas toward the drone. This would send radio signals efficiently to the aircraft.
Read Detailed Article: Why drone keeps disconnecting from the controller and how to fix it.
Problem 15: DJI Spark remote keeps beeping.
Most of the time DJI Spark controller keeps beeping due to a faulty or low battery, the return to home feature being activated, or disconnecting from the aircraft. Also, the miscalibrated controller also causes the controller keeps beeping and many DJI Spark users are unable to figure out the cause and how to fix it. Also controller bugs also could cause the same issue.
Solutions.
- Calibrate controller joysticks. When joysticks are miscalibrated, the controller detects the error and keeps beeping. Launch the DJI GO app and connect the aircraft. Then turn off the aircraft. Go to the controller settings of the app and tap remote calibration. Once you tap it the controller would stop beeping, but we are not done yet. you will notice virtual joysticks on the screen are not centered. Tap calibration and move virtual joysticks 100% to every direction. Then click finish and turn off the controller.
- Update Firmware of the remote controller.
- Reset the remote controller.
Read the Detailed Article: Why Drone & Controller keep beeping and how to fix it.
