Possible "No Signal" FIX! Try this!

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 4, 2015

First off, Thank you all for resolving issues for us. This is definitely a great site to learn from the experienced!

Have had my Phantom3 Advance since the first week of August. About three weeks ago I took her on my longest flight yet of about 3k feet. Simply far enough to maximize my own record and learn not to wet myself. After returning home the following day. I to began to receive the "No signal" problem. Almost losing my aircraft due to video lag, which led to overcompensating in my control of the aircraft. From that point on, I to have had worry of losing my investment.

Viewing posts here since that time, I realized it was not an issue with just myself. It continued to get worse at times from 10ft to 1000ft. "No signal" would simply appear without reason. Then the "remote update" appeared and I hoped it would resolve the issue. However, I of course wanted to wait and see how the updated worked for others before I did it. Realizing the issue "No signal" seems to continue, or start for most people. I haven't updated my IPad to 9, nor my controller with the new update.

So I began to debug daily with flights, to try and resolve the matter. To make the long story shorter. I now have fixed my issue, and hope to help some experiencing similar issues.

If you have an issue with "No signal", try the following.
1. Always reboot your device before any flight!
2.Ensure to have maximum Free Space available on your device.
3.Change your in app video back to 1080p!

Changing my video from 2.7k back to 1080p. Stopped all of my "No signal" issues. I now have no lag in control or video. Several flights now and working great. Like it did in August! Hope this info will help some of you...

klawtrax · Nov 4, 2015

Can't wait to try this.

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 4, 2015

Hope it helps! Please update us all.

B- Scene Films · Nov 5, 2015

Cyber, you on iOS or Android?

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 5, 2015

IOS. As I stated above. I have not updated to version 9 as of yet either. Also have not updated the DJI GO app. Was trying to resolve the issues of "No signal" that suddenly began. As I started removing videos and such to free up a lot of space on my device. Also rebooting my device. The problem seemed to not be as bad. But still continued. So I then tried going back to the 1080p. Now I'm back in the air with now problems now. Hope that helps...

Dome · Nov 5, 2015

I realize that my no-signal error was caused by microSD card (2 month ago). The original Lexar had some issue with P3A to keep up with writing speed. I changed it with a Sandisk Extreme Pro and no issue any more.

lotusteve · Nov 5, 2015

how do i do this ?.. i have a ipad mini 2..
3.Change your in app video back to 1080p!

B- Scene Films · Nov 5, 2015

Dome said:
I realize that my no-signal error was caused by microSD card (2 month ago). The original Lexar had some issue with P3A to keep up with writing speed. I changed it with a Sandisk Extreme Pro and no issue any more.

Is this a common issue or was your SD card defective?

Dome · Nov 5, 2015

lotusteve said:
how do i do this ?.. i have a ipad mini 2..
3.Change your in app video back to 1080p!

I think he means to set video footage to 1080 not to 2.7K.

B- Scene Films said:
Is this a common issue or was your SD card defective?

This was a specific Lexar SD card problem on this P3A. Also switching same original Lexar from P3P it doesn't work on P3A. My P3A hates Lexar for some reason.
Anyway wrong or defective SD card can create a lot of problems to P3 in general, and in this forum are lot of thread about that.
For example I format MC (flight logs) SD Card after 10-15 flight, it can help.

B- Scene Films · Nov 5, 2015

Due to the way that SD cards manage storage, I never delete clips. I always format before use. Fragmentation and performance issues can occur with file deletion. Format is a safe way to go.

Oso · Nov 5, 2015

Dome said:
I think he means to set video footage to 1080 not to 2.7K.

I also think that is what he meant. When 2.7k was first added to the P3A, many reported issues with FPV that went away immediately when they switched back to 1080.

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 5, 2015

To all, sorry for any misunderstanding. Yes I meant to change it from 2.7k to the 1080p. It is an in app setting.

However before I got it to work. I was ensuring to format the SD as needed. Im using a 64gig SD. But after even the formats, I continued to have issues. So I began trying everything. The big improvement was freeing up space on the device. I originally had about 6gigs free. But removed any useless photos or videos. Leaving me now with 18gigs free. But that only helped "delay" no signal till mid-flight.

Considering the work the app does. Its a busy app, needing almost all of the devices speed/power. I ensured to also disable background work from other apps. Like "notifications". I didnt want my device working for other apps while im in flight. That got rid of about 75% of the no signal. But it was still there. So thats what led me to recall the 2.7k update. I changed that back to 1080p. Resulting in a total resolution.

I also had this issue when I first started flying. But I was using a NOTE3. Soon realized, the background apps was appearing to cause the "No signal" at that time. Simply was a very "busy" device that didnt totaly focus on the app. I couldn't resolve the issues with that device. That led me to the Ipad Air. Works great...

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 5, 2015

Also on IOS in SETTINGS/PRIVACY/DIAGNOSTIC & USAGE. There are errors from the app that appear during the "No Signal" issue. They may be relevant to this problem.

Some may also want to disable "Auto clear video cache" in the DJI app. To help with less background work on the device. Simply clear everything manually.

I have now completed several more flights without further issue...

PilotHal · Nov 20, 2015

I just started getting this problem but I have a Phantom3 Pro - not the Advanced. So I have no 2.7K setting. So disappointing.

CYBERPIL0T · Nov 21, 2015

@PilotHal
I'm not familiar with the PRO. But is there a lower resolution you can try? Such as the 1080p or something lower than the 4k. Perhaps that may help. Hope it does and good luck.

alokbhargava · Nov 21, 2015

I have P3A with DJI Go App on iPad mini 2 with all latest SW. My setting is 2.7k and I get no issues. This is the setting from after Sep 7 update.

I have noticed that there are issues with updates. The best way to get the new update is to delete the previous DJI app, reboot and download and reinstall the latest App. That will solve many issues. Key is in delete and reboot.

maqeelr · Nov 22, 2015

I have P3A with all latest firmware updates for bird, controller and app. Using it with Sony C5 Ultra (android). Start getting issues (no signal) from last night during middle of flight and glade to find above threat. will try it and update all of you the result. I already free some space in my phone by deleting junk files and video cache and I will reduce the video to 1080p but don't know if it will effect the original video being recorded in bird's sd card.

alokbhargava · Nov 22, 2015

maqeelr said:
I have P3A with all latest firmware updates for bird, controller and app. Using it with Sony C5 Ultra (android). Start getting issues (no signal) from last night during middle of flight and glade to find above threat. will try it and update all of you the result. I already free some space in my phone by deleting junk files and video cache and I will reduce the video to 1080p but don't know if it will effect the original video being recorded in bird's sd card.

Yes reducing from 2.7k to 1080 p will record at 1080p on sd card, it has nothing to do with video streaming. Video streaming is always in 1080p format.

maqeelr · Nov 22, 2015

alokbhargava said:
Yes reducing from 2.7k to 1080 p will record at 1080p on sd card, it has nothing to do with video streaming. Video streaming is always in 1080p format.

Thanks alokbhargava. I got it.

And all, the solution works like a charm, I completed a successful flight using both of my batteries up to the limit without any issues. Further tweaks which I experienced can be useful for all of us and worthy to share:

a) use an app to clean your phone from junk frequently
b) Turn flight mode on for your phone so non of the app or phone call will be able to disturb your flight experience and it will also help to close some of the running services to free some ram on your phone which will improve the lag issue of video feed (if you are facing any because of low ram)
c) Use a shorter cable between controller and phone, if you do not have one, get one for yourself. Believe me its worth it.
d) If you like to keep your video feed for 2.7k (on P3A) then clean you phone cache before every third flight (or less).

I hope above will help you guys. For me, currently I am keeping 2.7k but I am cleaning video cache after completing flights with both of my batteries.