Compass Calibration Required
Autel Robotics Drone
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Compass Calibration Required means the Autel EVO's internal compass is affected by magnetic interference and needs to be re-calibrated. This is triggered automatically when you fly in a new location. The calibration takes under two minutes.
Affected Models
- Autel EVO Nano
- Autel EVO Nano+
- Autel EVO Lite
- Autel EVO Lite+
- Autel EVO Max 4T
Common Causes
- Drone moved to a new location with different magnetic field
- Calibrated near a magnetic source — car, metal structure, power lines
- Previous calibration data corrupted by firmware update
- Flying in an area with high magnetic interference
How to Fix It
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Move to an open area away from metal structures, cars, and power lines.
Calibrate at least 10 metres from vehicles and metal fences. Magnetic interference during calibration causes a bad calibration that needs to be redone.
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Open Autel Sky and tap Calibrate Compass.
The banner at the top of the app screen shows the calibration prompt. Tap it to enter the calibration wizard.
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Rotate the drone horizontally — 360° with nose level.
Hold the drone flat (like a tray), pointing forward, and spin slowly in a full circle. The app progress indicator fills as you rotate.
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Rotate the drone vertically — 360° with nose pointing down.
Hold the drone with the nose pointing straight down and spin it in a full vertical circle. The LED will change colour or flash when calibration is complete.
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If calibration fails, move further from any metal objects and retry.
A failed calibration usually means magnetic interference nearby. Try a different spot — a grass field or open car park works well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to calibrate the compass every time I fly?
No. You only need to recalibrate when the app prompts you, or when you travel more than 50 km from your last calibration location. Calibrating unnecessarily can introduce errors.
What happens if I fly without calibrating when prompted?
The Autel EVO blocks takeoff until calibration is complete when the warning is active. Flying with a bad compass calibration can cause the drone to drift, fly in the wrong direction, or fail to return home correctly.