Memory Card Write Speed Too Slow
DJI Drone
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
This warning means your microSD card cannot write data fast enough for the video bitrate you're recording at. The card is too slow — you'll get dropped frames or the recording will stop. Switch to a faster card.
Affected Models
- DJI Mini 3 Pro
- DJI Mini 4 Pro
- DJI Mavic 3
- DJI Air 2S
- DJI Air 3
- DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0
Common Causes
- microSD card speed class is too low for 4K recording
- Old or heavily used card with degraded write performance
- Card is almost full — fragmented cards write more slowly
- Using a counterfeit card that doesn't match its stated speed
- High ambient temperature reducing card performance
How to Fix It
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Use a card that meets DJI's recommended speed.
For 4K/60fps, DJI recommends a card with at least 30 MB/s write speed (UHS-I Speed Grade 3 or V30 rating). For 4K/120fps, look for V60 or V90 rated cards. Sandisk Extreme Pro, Lexar Professional, and Samsung Pro Endurance are reliable choices.
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Check your card's speed class marking.
Look for the V30, V60, or V90 logo on the card. A plain Class 10 or UHS Speed Class 1 (U1) is not fast enough for high-bitrate 4K.
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Format the card in the drone before use.
Go to DJI Fly → Camera → Storage → Format. Formatting in-camera removes fragmentation and sets the optimal file system.
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Replace the card if it's old or nearly full.
Cards degrade over time. A card that was fast when new may no longer meet spec after heavy use. Keep cards below 80% full to avoid performance degradation.
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Lower the recording bitrate if you must use the existing card.
Switching from 4K/60fps to 4K/30fps or 1080p reduces the data rate and may stop the warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which microSD card does DJI officially recommend?
DJI recommends SanDisk Extreme Pro (V30/A2), Lexar Professional 1066x, and Samsung PRO Endurance for most consumer drones. For the Mavic 3 shooting in 5.1K ProRes, a V90-rated card is required. Always check the specific model's microSD card compatibility list on dji.com.