DJI Avata Not Pairing / Connecting (Why & How to Fix It)

Since the DJI Avata’s release, we have all now had a chance to get to know it a little better. Much like any new relationship or friendship, there’s a getting-to-know-you period. We’ve been through that now, and yeah, it looks like the Avata is going to fit in just fine.

That’s not to say there won’t be some road bumps along the way, but yeah, fitting in just fine. One of those road bumps, though, is quite the doozy, and that’s when you just can’t seem to get everything Paired together.

Some of the most common reasons that your DJI Avata may be failing to link/bind are:

• Out-of-date firmware
• Low battery power
• Distance
• Hardware failure

Nothing is worse than getting everything out and ready. Goggles, controller, the aircraft itself. Then having an issue with everything Pairing/Binding together.

It’s frustrating, it’s irritating, and worst, of all, it’s keeping you from capturing that moment you wanted to until you correct it. You’re grounded!

How is the Avata different? #

The DJI Avata is a bit different from your usual GPS drone system as it is a combination of a GPS system and FPV, for those of you donning the goggles for the first time.

Usually, with a system like the DJI Mavic 3, you have a bound controller that comes with the aircraft, and getting in the air is as easy as pushing the power buttons and letting everything boot up.

Not to say you won’t ever have to rebind the controller and aircraft together, but it is rare.

The DJI Avata and its bigger brother, the DJI FPV, have an added component – the Goggles. So instead of just the two-part system, controller to aircraft, we now have three – controller, aircraft, goggles.

With the DJI Avata, we have also complicated that a bit more with the addition of multiple controllers. The Motion controller and the FPV 2 controller will both bind and work with the aircraft and goggles.

What all this means is that you will find yourself having to link or bind the components together more often than you’re used to.

For you FPV pilots out there, you’re already used to this process. Linking/Binding, having to rebind, and such. You’ve had to bind to different aircraft and controllers more often than someone just getting started in FPV.

You have always had to contend with this and so you are more comfortable with the processes of doing such.

What if everything doesn’t link? #

Assuming you have already exhausted the normal methods of linking/binding the DJI Avata and you’ve gotten nowhere, there are a few things you may want to check before a lengthy wait on hold for customer service at DJI.

Some of the most common reasons for a linking/binding failure would be:

• Out-of-date firmware
• Low battery power
• Distance
• Hardware failure

Outdated DJI FPV Controller Firmware #

One of the most common reasons for linking/binding to fail is out-of-date firmware. Now, this is where these multiple parts can really have an effect.

There is separate firmware for all of the components. The goggles, the controller, the aircraft, the batteries, don’t forget the batteries.

If even one of these components’ firmware is not up to date, it makes it possible for that component to no longer recognize the rest, and result in a binding failure.

As a new drone system, it will receive many firmware updates as things are discovered and have to be corrected. In order to verify the firmware you have, and if it is up to date, you can follow the steps below.

Update DJI Avata Firmware using DJI Assistant 2 App #

To update the DJI Controller 2, follow these steps.

• Download and install the DJI Assistant 2 (DJI FPV Series) application to the PC.
• Then launch the DJI Assistant 2 on the PC.
• Power on the DJI FPV remote controller and connect it to the PC using a USB-C cable. Once it is connected, the DJI Assistant 2 app will detect the controller and show it on the application as an option.
• Click on the icon that appeared once the Controller 2 has been detected.
• By default, the DJI Assistant 2 app will open the “Firmware Update” tab of the remote controller. Here you’ll find all the latest and previous firmware versions of the controller.
• You will also see an “Upgrade” button with the new firmware version. This version supports the DJI Avata. If you do already have the latest firmware version, you will see a “Refresh” button with the new firmware. This is because it’s already updated to the latest firmware. If you haven’t updated the firmware to the latest, you would see the “Upgrade” blue button with the new firmware.
• Click that button. If you also see the “Refresh” option with the latest firmware, click on the “Refresh” button. Even if you do indeed have the latest firmware version, there is no harm in refreshing it. It could still be a solution to your linking issue.
• Click “Start Update” or “Refresh,” whichever option presents itself, and wait until the firmware is downloaded and installed.
• Once the firmware is updated, you can move to the next step, which is binding and connecting the DJI Avata to the DJI FPV controller.

Update DJI Avata using the DJI Fly app #

If you are using the FPV Remote Controller 2 from your DJI FPV drone, you can always update the FPV controller’s firmware by using DJI Fly app. Here’s how:

• Power on the goggles and connect the phone to the goggles using the OTG cable.
• Then power on the DJI FPV aircraft and remote controller.
• Launch the DJI fly app and connect to the DJI Fly app.
• Once the DJI FPV is connected to the DJI Fly app, it will prompt a message on the top left side of the screen informing you of “New DJI FPV firmware available.”
• Select this option, and the latest firmware will download and install.

Due to the amount of time it may take to download and install the firmware (which depends on your location and connection), whenever doing firmware updates, it is recommended that you have a good, solid, and steady internet connection and batteries that are at least 50% charged, if not fully.

Low battery power #

Another common issue for the linking/binding process to fail is a low battery. I know that seems weird, right? It’s not. It is actually intentional. DJI has designed the devices to not link if the power level is below a certain point.

If the DJI Avata or the other components has too low battery power, they won’t be able to pair or connect to each other. You will want to be sure to have a minimum of 50% battery to link/bind components together, as this ensures you’ll be over that threshold.

Another way to be sure to not have an issue with a battery error keeping you from linking is to make sure you have the battery pushed well into the slot on the Avata so the connection is good.

It does take a bit of effort to get the battery fully plugged into the power slot on the DJI Avata, as they want it to be well connected during flight with no risk of becoming disconnected.

If not pushed fully in, the vibration could possibly lead to a bad intermittent connection.

So, to be sure it’s not a low battery, or power issue, be sure to have a battery with at least 50% charge and that it is fully plugged into the Avata.

Distance #

When looking to link the three components together, it shouldn’t surprise you that being in close proximity will allow the devices to link better.

The cause of any linking issue could be as simple as not being close enough together for that process to complete.

DJI recommends when linking the components that they should be no more than 0.5m from each other.

This does allow for any possible linking errors to be due to the distance the components are apart. This can easily be fixed by moving the components closer to one another.

Hardware Failure #

Is it possible that your new DJI Avata may have a bad part? DJI is known for its quality, and it is reflected in every one of its products. That’s not to say they can’t have a problem that slips through here and there, as it can and does happen.

I was one of those who had to have a Mavic 3 replaced out of the box due to a hardware issue with the camera. So yes, it is possible.

Are there defective DJI Avatas out there? There very well could be. It’s not really likely, but there could always be some. Although it is not likely that your DJI Avata may have some interior hardware failure, it does happen and could be a cause for your components not linking.

Before you reach this as the final conclusion for any issue you may be having, be sure to run through the list above, as it will help you determine if this is the likely cause.

If it is a hardware issue, well, you’ll have a bit of a wait on the phone for customer service, but DJI does have some good customer service and will do its best to remedy the issue.

Now I know not everyone has had good experiences with DJI and its customer service department. I myself can say it is hit or miss sometimes. It’s that way for any large company, though, and the biggest issue is getting to a person that knows what you’re talking about.

DJI is no different and sometimes getting to that person is just as challenging as launching a rocket into space. Once you get there, DJI does a great job of backing its products and does its best to get things sorted out as quickly as they are able.

Here you can do yourself a favor by having DJI’s Care Refresh program. As it allows for a replacement to be sent out once the damaged unit is received. Something to think about.

» MORE: Is DJI Care Refresh Worth It? Here’s My Opinion

Fly Safe. Fly Always, Always Fly Safe!