Fixing a DJI Phantom 4 Remote not charging

[@stephanshelton4038]

My son's remote would not charge - I watched the video above and HEATED the enite board as decribed. After the third time heating it (after allowing the board to cool) ......it worked and I could not believe it. Thanks!!

[@kpboix99]

I’m glad I could help to make it work! 😄

[@fondoo]

Thank you for the video. I just bought a used GL300E for my P4Pv1 and the battery was hosed. I was able to pick another new battery off amazon and your video helped me disassemble it and install the new battery in the controller.

[@kpboix99]

Glad I could help.

[@wasanthawimaladharm]

Believe me this error you can correct without open the remote by keeping remote in under strong sun light for1 or 2 days (This error is due to increase humidity within remote mainly affecting this small IC which is heating here (due to handling remote with wet hands at last few times you use it)it’s better if you put remote under sun in a zip bag( or air tight clear polytene bag) with some rice in it If you fly at a aquatic area better to keep remote under sun for fe hours before storing in DJI packing bag (better in a air tight dry polytene bag) Or wrap the remote with tissue papers (not a thick layer) and put in rice container This may also correct this error Please give your feedback

[@kpboix99]

Really, rice and a bag to absorb humidity, I’ll have to try that.

[@bennn82]

You sure mate?

[@tri-amconsultingcivilengin8988]

Thank you for showing us how to self-fix this problem friend. God Bless !

[@kpboix99]

Your welcome

[@nor_cal_trailrides9990]

I think I may have a sort of solution. I've suspected that it really isn't the solder since I see people using heat guns and hair dryers to fix this. Since the problem always returns in a few weeks to months I suspect it's moisture that is the problem. To test this I have been storing my controller in a ziplock bag with a bag of desiccate for several months. I don't use my phantom 4 very much but pulled it out today after sitting for a long time, plugged it in and it charged all the way to 96%

[@kpboix99]

That may help, I’ll store my controller in an air tight bag also.

[@bennn82]

Hi mate - did you have this charging issue prior to testing your theory? I’m wondering because I’ve had this issue for several months now - I have tried leaving it on charge overnight and the most I can get is flashing 3rd light. What is strange though is that whilst camping I left it on charge in my hot car overnight and the next morning it had fully charged. I suspect there is some validity in your theory???

[@JimHerman-o3q]

So what does reflowing the solder to to change things ?

[@kpboix99]

It reconnects the circuits.

[@JimHerman-o3q]

@@kpboix99 I can understand that.....but why is it an issue in the first place ? Why does it take just so long before theres a problem ?

[@kpboix99]

I think it's just how they designed it. The newer and lightweight models don't have that same design. DJI eliminated the phantom series all together maybe for this very reason.@@JimHerman-o3q

[@JimHerman-o3q]

@@kpboix99 Designed it ? You mean to fail ..........from solder connections at a certain time ? You may be right......but seem odd to me !

[@kpboix99]

@@JimHerman-o3q when the unit is not used for a long time, the battery seems to lose connection with the solder. I let the transmitter sit for a long time and the solder didn’t connect to the circuit. I ended up buying a new transmitter on Facebook marketplace. With this one, I fired it up at least once a month or two. Hopefully I don’t experience any problems.

[@ial2103]

I tried this lsstnight but I think I applied to mu h heat as the clip that connects the battery melted off. And only got 2 lights at the end of it all lol. Buying a used controller from ebay

[@kpboix99]

Oops! I hope your next controller last longer.

[@berndm9743]

Good info, thanks. Unfortunately quite a bit of the close up details of what you were doing was blocked from view by your hands. The camera should have been positioned to provide a top view so we could see all the connections better.

[@kpboix99]

Thank you, I tried to get the angles right. There are a few other videos out there that show it also.

[@adamscott310]

Useful vid. But help me understand HOW heating up this part revolves the issue? What characteristics are changing by applying precision heat? How was this method determined as the fix? Cheers

[@kpboix99]

The metal glue that holds the circuits gets melted which gives it more battery reach.

[@mikes3747]

We need to start a class action lawsuit against DJI for this, this is an obvious flaw that they continued to push out all while pretending it doesn't exist. I have (2) remotes. One I modified and another I kept as a spare which was NEVER even turned on. My modded remote was having issues so I pulled out the original stock one and wham first time on wont charge until I did this mod.

[@kpboix99]

Something has got to change with their design. I am wondering if the phantom 4 pros face the same problem. Reading on the forums, this is an all too reoccurring occurrence.

[@tommiberg4455]

Did this today. Helped for now.

[@kpboix99]

I hope the fix holds up.

[@FreeNation4145]

Thanks for the tips I fallow all the steps in this video and it works. Thanks the help...

[@kpboix99]

Your welcome, glad it fixed it.

[@JimHerman-o3q]

I tried this.........but so far its not working. Ill try a few more times. In the mean time where can you buy the remote itself ....or can you buy just the board itself ? And if so....where to buy it ?

[@kpboix99]

I hope it works, I bought mine on Facebook marketplace.

[@BestForexBroker2024]

I did this fix and it worked 2 years ago and then left it unused for about an year and now it happen again but this time I cannot get it to work. I heat it at 300 C for 30 sec, then 350 C for 40 sec, then at 400 for 30 sec and later for 1 minute, I even heat it at 450 C for 50 sec and later for 100 sec, tried 2 different flux paste and all leds are lighting a few times and the stop, at another try 1 light once then all a few times then stopped, now 4 out of 5 are lighting a few times then they stop. I also heated were you plug the power cable. I tried the remote reset before attempting this but I don t hear any confirmation sound. Do you have any idea what else should I try ?

[@kpboix99]

Time to buy a used one from Facebook marketplace. I ended up doing just that.

[@BestForexBroker2024]

@@kpboix99 if I do that and not ise it again it will happen the same. I can try to take it to a gsm shop and ask then to solder the IC again under a microscope.

[@nor_cal_trailrides9990]

I've done this procedure repeatedly over the last few years. This really isn't the right heat gun to use. Look for a surface mount device reflow station. It gets hot enough to get the solder to flow but without cooking every thing else. It isn't permanent. Lasts about 6 months. I found the battery is full. The chip that is responsible for measuring the voltage is faulty

[@kpboix99]

I got sick of having to reflow it and ended up buying a used one from someone on Facebook marketplace. I hope this one holds up longer.

[@Johncollins219]

If you’re already in there isn’t it easier to just replace the battery?

[@kpboix99]

If only it were that easy to get a replacement battery.

[@BuzzJones]

Did this repair hold up, mine did for 1 day after and back to no charging and 2 lights and beeping ???

[@kpboix99]

Mine only held up for a day also. Unfortunately my right stick is also facing problems moving forward and backwards.

[@BuzzJones]

@@kpboix99 STOP;;;;; I just spoke to a actual Tech this time at the Company "Drone Nerds" and they said the P4 Controller Battery charge issue is only a $129 Repair. It consists of removing the Charging Chip and Replacing the Battery..

[@kpboix99]

@@BuzzJones really? Ok then that sounds like it would be worth sending in.

[@BuzzJones]

@@kpboix99 Yep I got my RMA # and boxing it up. Odd that I sat this down for 2 months in disgust until today. lol

[@kpboix99]

@@BuzzJones so just contact DJI care and they helped you set that all up? I’ve got to get my controller working back to normal too.

[@dirtywhitecountryboy4404]

I'm trying to figure out how to splice in wires and use an external LiPo charger to bypass this board completely since the rest of it works fine. And then just have an external plug to charge it with. I've not found a battery charger that has the two red and two black wire 4 Pin connector that works to charge this battery. These batteries are balance charged and I'm not familiar with how this works but if I figure it out I'll update the post. From what I understand even if you replace the board the problem will rear it's ugly head again later so I think the best solution is to have a charger wire hanging out of the remote and then connect it up to the battery bypassing the pain in the ass onboard charger.

[@kpboix99]

If you could figure that setup out, it would be a good fix for the battery.

[@deanonickless5941]

Fixed the charging issue now I have no video connection to the drone the controller is connected to the drone though

[@kpboix99]

I had to connect the video through the TV

[@cheddar937]

I had this problem but managed to fix it just by disconnecting the battery and re connecting it. Now my tablet won't connect to the RC - I just get the message "Disconnected".

[@kpboix99]

Wow that’s a much more simple fix than for me. In the end I bought a used controller on Facebook marketplace because shortly after, the battery didn’t change up again.

[@tomwolf7732]

Thanks,with Your video I fixed it ;)

[@kpboix99]

Glad it worked for you! Your welcome.

[@Woodsbobby1]

Have done this many times once the remote looses charge from sitting you will have to re do it again.

[@kpboix99]

I plan to not keep it at full charge for long. Having it sit like that for over a month is what caused it.

[@BuzzJones]

Yea I heated up the proper area as well on my P4 and it showed all 4# lights went on after but 3 days later when I used it for the first time it's only 1/2 charged again. It's like how do you know these used Controllers For Sale online didn't or don't have the same issues and thats why there For Sale, it's hard to tell if the Drone itself was damaged or the Controller had this same issue .?

[@kpboix99]

@@BuzzJones my drone just went back to the same problem. I’m in the situation Lookong for a used one on facebook marketplace. It’s not easy to find one that maybe the seller has fixed them self.

[@BuzzJones]

@@kpboix99 This Sux, DJI Sux, this Recall should still be good. Yea buying a used one is taking a Gamble, its almost like instead of paying $100 or $150 for a Used one you might be better off paying $200 for a Permanent Repair. ? I cant find DJI's Repair Information on how and where to send it, do you know ? Thanks Mate

[@kpboix99]

@@BuzzJones I have never signed up for DJI care, but that is something that maybe possible.

[@albertofranco8868]

Can I send you mine so you can fix it for me?

[@kpboix99]

I do not do repairs.

[@quilicodrones949]

It works for a time, but then problem persists.

[@kpboix99]

Really? That is a flaw in the remote design from DJI then. I wonder if any of their other models experience this such as the DJI Mavik.

[@winterburden]

I am *ready* to fix my transmitter by heating up the insides of it.

[@kpboix99]

Right on, I don’t fix it unless it’s broken.

[@Sco1t19]

this is not normally a permanent fix.

[@kpboix99]

It really isn’t permanent, lasted temporarily for me. I went and just bought a used one off of Facebook marketplace.

[@billyandriam]

21 minutes for this. This is a drag! Too many unnecessary details.

[@kpboix99]

Fixing the controller is a process for sure.