My DJI Drone Fell In Water: Here’s What To Do

DJI Drone fell in water? Don’t worry, luckily, you can still recover it from the damage. But you need to dry it out quickly. Here’s what to do when your DJI drone falls in water:

Immediately power it off and remove the battery to minimize the risk of a short circuit. Then, dry off the drone as much as you can with a towel, and place it in a container filled with rice or silica gel packets for 24-48 hours to absorb internal moisture.

Keep reading till the end to find out more on what exactly needs to be done to save DJI drone from water damage.

What Should I Do If My DJI Drone Fell In Water?

Steps to Take After Retrieval:

1. Power Off: The first thing you need to do is turn off the drone immediately. This minimizes the risk of a short circuit.
2. Remove Battery: Get the battery out as quickly as possible. If water reaches the battery, it can damage the drone even more.
3. Dry Off: Use a towel to dry the exterior as much as you can. Shake out any excess water.
4. Disassemble: If you’re comfortable, remove the propellers and any other removable parts.
5. Absorb Moisture: Place the drone in a bag of rice or use silica gel packets to help draw out the moisture. Let it sit for at least 24-48 hours.
6. Check for Damage: Before turning it back on, make sure it looks dry and free of corrosion.

The most effective and easy approach to dry out a DJI drone that fell in water is to completely immerse the drone inside the rice. You can also keep it in a container containing silica gel packets.

Why Rice or Silica Gel Helps in Drone Recovery?

Both rice and silica gel are desiccants (hygroscopic substance/drying agents), meaning they excel at absorbing moisture from their surroundings.

When you encase your wet drone in a bag of rice or a container full of silica gel packets, these materials start working their magic by pulling moisture away from the drone. The success rate of this method is almost 90%-95%.

However, to be extra sure, you can use a hair dryer on a low heat setting for about half an hour to completely dry the internal parts of the drone. But be careful, don’t put excessive heat to the circuit board. And this should completely fix the issue.

Are DJI Drones Waterproof?

DJI drones are not waterproof. They might handle a little mist or light rain for a short time, but they’re not made to go underwater.

DJI doesn’t make consumer drones that are fully waterproof. They do make a few commercial drones that show some level of water resistance, like the DJI Agras or DJI Matrics.

Water-resistant means that a device can handle a little bit of moisture or light rain for a short amount of time, but it’s not built to be submerged in water.

Water-resistant features could include protective coatings or seals that shield sensitive parts from getting wet. But these protections have their limits.

But most of all DJI drones like DJI Mavic Mini are not waterproof. So it’s important to dry off your drone immediately to avoid any sort circuit or corrosion issues.

What Are The Signs That My DJI Drone Is Water Damaged?

Physical Clues

• Water Droplets: This is the most obvious sign. If you see water inside or on the surface of your drone, act fast to minimize damage.
• Discoloration: Sometimes water damage can cause color changes on your drone, usually around electrical components.
• Corrosion: Look closely for any signs of rust or corrosion on metal parts.

Performance Issues

• Unresponsive Controls: If you notice the controls are sluggish or not responding, this could be due to water affecting the drone’s circuits.
• Erratic Behavior: Weird turns, unsteady flying, or uncontrolled movements are telltale signs something’s off.
• Power Issues: Trouble turning the drone on, or it turns off randomly? These can be symptoms of water damage.

Remember that connecting issues can also be a problem after water damage. If you own a Mavic Pro and find that your DJI Mavic Pro won’t connect to the controller, this is a problem that needs immediate attention

Camera and Gimbal

• Foggy Lens: If the camera lens is fogged up, that’s a strong indicator of moisture inside the camera assembly.
• Gimbal Errors: If the gimbal doesn’t move smoothly or shows an error, water damage could be the culprit.

Audible Issues

• Weird Noises: Listen for any strange sounds like crackling or buzzing when the drone is powered on. These can hint at electrical issues due to water damage.

What to Do Next

• Dry It Off: If you’ve just retrieved your drone from water, dry it off as quickly and thoroughly as possible.
• Don’t Power It On: Resist the urge to check if it’s working. Turning it on can make things worse.

Is My DJI Drone Still Under Warranty If It Falls In Water?

If you opted for DJI Care Refresh when you bought your drone, you’re in luck. DJI Care Refresh Service plan does cover accidental damages including water damage. So you’ll likely be able to get your drone repaired or replaced.

So go ahead, reach out to them to use the warranty service. However, all these procedures can be time consuming. If you’re looking to avoid the wait and the back-and-forth, fixing the drone yourself might be a quicker way to get it back in the air.

Can I Fly My DJI Drone After It Fell In Water?

The moment your drone hits the water, its electronic components are at risk. Even a splash can mess with the internal circuitry.

If you try to fly it right away, you could cause a short circuit, and that’s pretty much game over for your drone.

If you try to fly a water-damaged drone, you could completely fry its internals, and that’s a risk you might not want to take.

Why shouldn’t you power on your water damaged drone?

When your drone is wet, there’s water in places it definitely shouldn’t be, like near the electrical components. If you power it on, the electrical current can flow through the water, leading to a short circuit. This could cause even more damage than the water itself.

Are There Any Ways To Prevent My DJI Drone From Falling In Water?

Pre-Flight Checklist

• Update Software: Always make sure your drone’s firmware is up to date. Outdated software can lead to glitches and unpredictable behavior.
• Battery Check: Ensure the battery is fully charged and securely locked in place. A low or loose battery can result in a forced landing—possibly in water.
• Calibration: Calibrate the drone’s compass and gyroscope before every flight to make sure it flies true.

If your drone still isn’t working correctly after drying out, you may want to connect it to the DJI Assistant 2 for further diagnosis (it helps in updating firmware and also in calibrating the sensors).

However, if you find that the DJI Assistant 2 does not recognize your drone, there could be underlying issues that require more specialized troubleshooting.

Choose Your Location Wisely

• Avoid Water Hazards: Sounds obvious, but try to steer clear of bodies of water when deciding where to fly.
• Check Maps: Use maps to plan your flight path, keeping a safe distance from lakes, rivers, and other water bodies.

During Flight

• Stay in Sight: Always keep your drone within your line of sight. If you can’t see it, you can’t control it.
• Low Battery: If your drone alerts you of low battery, don’t risk it—bring it back immediately.
• Height Matters: Fly at a safe height. 

Now, as you get your drone back in the air, keep an eye on your mobile app. If you notice that the DJI App keeps crashing, there could be a separate set of issues altogether which would need further diagnosis.

Use Safety Features And Practice

• Return to Home: Familiarize yourself with the “Return to Home” function. If you lose control, this feature can guide your drone back to a safe landing spot.
• Practice: The more experienced you are, the less likely you’ll make a mistake. Practice flying in safe, open areas before taking any risks.
• Read the Manual: Know your drone’s capabilities and limitations. The more you know, the better you can control it.

While we’re on the subject of drone safety and issues, it’s also crucial to understand the DJI Remote ID system. It acts as a license plate information for drones.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! If your DJI drone takes an accidental plunge, don’t lose hope. Quick action and the right steps can save your drone from water damage.

Just remember to act fast, dry it out, and check for signs of damage. If you have DJI Care Refresh, take advantage of it for water damage coverage.

And lastly, make sure you’re aware of your surroundings to avoid any future accidents. Happy drone flying!