DJI Firmware Update Failed — What It Means & How to Fix It

What it means

Firmware Update Failed means the update to the drone or controller software did not complete successfully.
An incomplete firmware update can leave the drone in a state where it cannot fly.
Do not power off — retry the update with a strong internet connection and full battery.

Affected Models

DJI Mini 3 Pro
DJI Mavic 3
DJI Air 2S
DJI Mini 4 Pro
DJI RC-N1 Controller
DJI RC2 Controller

Common Causes

Internet connection dropped during the download
Battery ran low during the update process
DJI server timed out during the update
DJI Fly app crashed mid-update
Phone storage full preventing update file download

How to Fix It

Do not power off the drone or controller after a failed update.

Powering off mid-update can corrupt the firmware.
If the app is still responsive, attempt to retry the update.
Ensure the drone battery is above 50% before retrying.

Updates require battery throughout the process.
Start with a full or nearly full battery.
Connect to a strong and stable Wi-Fi network.

A weak or intermittent connection is the most common cause of failed updates.
Use home Wi-Fi, not mobile data.
Retry the update from the DJI Fly app.

Go to the drone status page and tap the update prompt.
The app will re-download and reinstall.
Use DJI Assistant 2 on a computer as an alternative update method.

DJI Assistant 2 (free download from DJI website) can update firmware via USB, bypassing app update issues.

When to Call a Professional

A failed firmware update can usually be retried immediately.
No professional help is needed in most cases.
Contact DJI if the drone is stuck in an unresponsive state after a failed update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fly after a failed firmware update?

If the update failed but the previous firmware is intact, you may be able to fly normally.
Check the firmware version in the DJI Fly app — if it shows the previous version correctly, the drone should function.
However, retry the update as soon as possible to get the latest features and fixes.

My drone is completely unresponsive after a failed update — what do I do?

A bricked drone from a failed update requires DJI Assistant 2 recovery.
Connect the drone to a computer via USB, open DJI Assistant 2, and select the firmware recovery option.
If this fails, contact DJI support — this may qualify for warranty repair.

How long does a DJI firmware update take?

Download takes 2-10 minutes depending on your internet speed and the update size.
Installation takes 5-15 minutes while the drone reboots and applies the update.
Do not interrupt the process — wait for the DJI Fly app to confirm completion.