DJI Mini 3 Pro Gimbal Failure (How to Fix It)

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The DJI Mini 3 Pro has a wide range of features that make it the best mini drone.

These include the 4K resolution at 60 fps, 30 minutes of flight time, lightweight, a wider field of view, and room for gimbal movement than its predecessor, the DJI Mini 2.

It also has vertical shooting, which is one of my favorites.

However, there have been several complaints about the DJI Mini 3 Pro gimbal failing, preventing the users from enjoying all the features it has to offer.

So, what causes the DJI Mini 3 Pro to fail, and how can you fix it?

Gimbal failure in the DJI Mini 3 Pro is often caused by physical damage, obstructions, firmware issues, or too much weight on the gimbal.

Please keep reading to learn more about what to do when you experience gimbal failure.

DJI Gimbal Failure – What is it? #

Like in any other drone, the gimbal on the DJI Mini 3 Pro helps stabilize its footage.

If you have flown FPV, you have seen all the shakiness in such footage caused by the drone’s movement. Such footage wouldn’t be usable for cinematography.

As a result, a drone needs a gimbal that will cancel out all that movement, giving you smooth footage regardless of the drone’s movement.

The gimbal also helps you expand the area you can cover without yawing the drone.

As I mentioned above, the DJI Mini 3 Pro gimbal allows you to easily switch from landscape to portrait shooting at the click of a button, allowing you to create social media content that you can share right from the drone without having to crop it.

The most common error people are getting is the 40002 Gimbal Stuck Error. Others have tried to calibrate it, but the calibration stopped at some percentage and refused to complete.

A few users have also had cases where they still get shaky footage even when not in FPV mode. If you are experiencing these or any other issues related to the gimbal, please keep reading for causes and ways to fix them.

Read More: DJI Mini 2 Gimbal Failure (How to Fix It)

DJI Gimbal Failure – How to fix it #

Below are the leading causes of gimbal failure and how to solve them.

Calibration #

Before you conclude that your gimbal could be facing serious issues, first make sure the gimbal is calibrated correctly, especially if you are experiencing shaky footage or an uneven horizon.

Below is how you do it:

Switch on the drone, then switch on the controller.
Make sure there are no metallic objects or objects that could cause magnetic interference.
Place the drone on a level surface.
Access settings in the top right.
Go to Control, then scroll down to Gimbal Calibration.
Initiate the calibration process and wait for it to complete.
AUTO calibration should work fine unless you want to do it manually.

Physical damage #

This is the most common cause of gimbal failure. It may have been caused by crashing, too much impact, or poor storage when traveling with the drone.

Gimbals are pretty delicate, and no matter how small the crash or impact was, it could be enough to cause a crack or other internal damage that may prevent your gimbal from working.

One user reached out to DJI with this issue, only to realize the gimbal had a crack after it crashed into furniture when they were flying indoors.

Another user did not see any exterior damage, but after dismantling the gimbal, they found one wire had been disconnected. That’s why it’s always important to inspect a drone before taking off to ensure no physical damage.

This time it may be the gimbal, which the drone could fly without, but the next time it could be a damaged propeller. And if you take off with a damaged propeller, the drone could end up in an even more fatal crash.

If you are experiencing gimbal failure because of physical damage, the best solution would be to take it to a DJI-approved technician or even send the drone back to DJI if you have DJI Care Refresh.

If the crash occurred due to an issue beyond your control, and you are within the warranty, DJI may help you with the repairs.

» Read More: DJI Inspire 2 Gimbal Failure (And How to Fix It)

Extra weight #

Another reason you may be experiencing gimbal failure is that you have added too much weight to the gimbal.

This often happens when you have filters on the gimbal or don’t remove all the wrappings used to secure the drone for shipping.

If you just got your drone, ensure you have removed all the wrappings.

If you’ll use any filter, ensure they are not too heavy. Also, get approved filters, such as those from DJI, PolarPro, or FreeWell, since these are designed not to alter the gimbal’s balance.

If you’ve tried all filters and you’re still getting the error, you can also opt to film when conditions are ideal and where you don’t have to use the filters.

Obstructions #

Gimbal failure can also result from blockages and obstructions caused by sand, dust, debris, or by the ground if you are trying to take off from areas without enough clearance for the gimbal to complete the booting process.

In such a case, you can hold the drone in your hand during the booting process and place it on the ground when you are ready for take-off.

On the other hand, check the gimbal mechanism for sand or debris and gently clean it off. You can also aid the gimbal during the booting process to know where exactly the debris is lodged.

To prevent this from happening in the future, ensure the area you are taking off from is free from obstacles, dust, debris, cut grass, or any other objects the drone may pick up during take-off.

A landing pad can also help shield your drone from such objects during take-off and landing.

» More: DJI Mavic 3 Gimbal Failure (How to Fix It)

Software issues #

Software issues could also cause gimbal failure.

You could be using outdated software, a new software update may have a bug causing gimbal issues, or the software may have picked up corrupt files, preventing it from functioning as it should.

In such a case, below are some fixes you can try:

Upgrade the drone to the latest firmware – This often fixes most issues you may be facing with your drone.DJI may also have taken note of the issues people have been having with the DJI Mini 3 Pro and rolled out possible solutions in a firmware update.
Factory reset – If a firmware update did not fix the DJI Mini 3 Pro gimbal failure, try resetting the drone to default settings.This will help clear out any changes you may have made to the drone or any issues that may have been caused by the previous or current software.
Format the SD card – Your SD card may also carry corrupt files that interfere with the drone’s firmware. If you have essential footage on the SD card, transfer it, then format the card.When you use your SD card in your smartphone, especially Android smartphones, it will automatically create Android files, which may not work well with your drone, so avoid that too.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro – How to Factory Reset (Step-by-Step Guide)