Have drone pilots encountered such a situation? After flying for a while, the drone battery suddenly dropped rapidly and returned automatically, and the drone remote control displayed "unknown battery error".
This emergency situation is a test for every drone pilot. Here we will explain in detail the possible causes of "unknown battery error", emergency treatment and subsequent troubleshooting suggestions.
Why does the unknown battery error of the drone occur?
Unknown battery errors of drones often occur accidentally in the case of non-hardware errors, regardless of the drone brand. This includes signal interference interruption, battery overload or abnormality, ambient temperature difference, firmware or sensor problems, physical damage, etc.
- Communication problem: signal interference or interruption. This may be caused by electromagnetic interference at high altitude or loose contact points or line failure inside the drone body.
- Battery overload or abnormality: High-speed flight or sharp turns cause the battery to be overloaded instantly, triggering the protection mechanism. It may also be that the battery cell is aging or damaged, the voltage is unstable, and the display is abnormal.
- Environmental factors: Temperature difference changes cause the battery temperature to exceed the normal range (usually 0-40°C), causing errors. Air humidity or tiny particles entering the battery compartment can also affect the power connection with the drone.
- Firmware or sensor issues: Drone firmware bugs or battery management unit (BMU) sensor errors lead to false signal alarms. Failure to update the firmware in time causes compatibility issues.
- Physical damage: The battery is slightly swollen or damaged after falling, which is not discovered before takeoff. The battery begins to report errors under flight pressure.
An "Unknown Error" in the drone battery during flight is a more urgent situation, which may cause the drone to lose control, return home or make an emergency landing. The following is an analysis, emergency treatment and follow-up troubleshooting suggestions for this situation:
What happens when your drone battery runs out of power during flight?
Most branded drones have a protection mechanism. When they run out of power, they will trigger a low battery warning and automatically return home. If the battery is not enough to reach the return point, the drone will slowly land on the ground.
Some old models without brand protection may lose power and fall from the air.
When the drone battery runs out of power during flight, it is a dangerous situation, which may cause the drone to lose control, return home or make an emergency landing, or even worse, it will be damaged or lost.
How to deal with unknown battery errors in an emergency?
Stay calm and observe the status
Check whether the remote controller or APP displays a specific error code (such as "Battery Communication Error" or "Critical Voltage").
Pay attention to the behavior of the drone: whether it automatically returns, hovers, or loses control.
Try manual intervention
Reduce the load: Slow down the flight speed, avoid large movements, and reduce battery pressure.
Return mode: If available, manually start the RTH function immediately to let the drone automatically return to the take-off point.
Find a safe landing point: If return is not feasible, find a nearby flat area to manually land to avoid high-altitude loss of control.
Monitor power and warnings
Pay attention to the remaining battery power and voltage prompts (if still displayed) to avoid running out of power and causing a crash.
If you receive a "Low Battery" or "Critical Error" alarm, land first.
Record abnormalities
If you land safely, write down the flight time, altitude, speed, and other information when the error occurred for subsequent troubleshooting.
Troubleshooting and solutions after the drone lands
1. Preliminary inspection
Power off and restart: Turn off the drone power, remove the battery, wait 1-2 minutes, reinsert and turn on the drone to see if the error disappears.
Appearance inspection: Confirm that the battery has no swelling, deformation or burn marks, and check whether the contact points are clean.
2. Test battery status
Charging test: Connect the original charger to observe whether the battery can charge normally and display the power.
Replace the battery: If there is a spare battery, replace it for testing. If the new battery is normal, the problem may be with the original battery.
3. Firmware and log analysis
Update firmware: Open the drone App to check if there is a firmware update, and update the drone and battery firmware in time.
Check flight logs: Export flight records through the APP or software, find detailed data when the error occurs, and seek help from the drone seller/manufacturer.
4. Environment and hardware troubleshooting
Temperature recovery: Put the battery at room temperature (15-25°C) for half an hour and test it again to eliminate temporary faults caused by temperature.
Cleaning and fixing: Wipe the connection between the battery and the drone with anhydrous alcohol to ensure good contact.
5. Contact technical support
If the problem is not solved, contact the drone manufacturer's customer service for assistance. If you use an Autel drone, please provide the battery serial number, flight log file, and specific scenario description of the error to Autel support.
How do I know if my drone battery is broken?
To determine whether the drone battery is broken, you need to observe its appearance, performance and test data for comprehensive analysis.
Common signs of bad batteries will appear in abnormal appearance, charging problems, abnormal flight performance, error prompts, and odor or abnormal noise.
As the power source of drone flight, it is wise to buy spare lithium-ion batteries.
How to avoid drone battery problems?
Check before takeoff
Make sure the battery is fully charged (it is recommended to take off with more than 80%), and check the appearance and contact points.
Preheat the battery: Keep the battery at a suitable temperature before flying in a low temperature environment.
Notes during flight
Avoid long-term extreme operations (such as high speed or hovering in strong winds) to reduce the burden on the battery.
Check the battery status on the APP regularly to ensure that the voltage and temperature are normal.
Maintenance and storage
Allow the battery to cool naturally after flight and avoid charging immediately.
Keep the battery at 40-60% when not in use for a long time and store it in a dry and cool place.
Summary
Battery "unknown error" during flight may be a combination of communication, hardware or environmental factors. Prioritize safe return or landing during flight, and gradually troubleshoot through restart, firmware update and hardware inspection after landing. If the problem recurs, it may be due to battery aging or damage. It is recommended to replace the battery with a new one.
