GPS Not Working
Holy Stone Drone
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Holy Stone GPS not working usually means the drone has not acquired enough satellites yet. Fly in an open area, wait for 6+ satellites in the HS GO+ app, and make sure the compass was calibrated at this location.
Affected Models
- Holy Stone HS720E
- Holy Stone HS360E
- Holy Stone F11S
- Holy Stone HS175D
- Holy Stone HS710E
Common Causes
- Obstructed sky view — trees, buildings, or indoors
- Compass not calibrated — GPS and compass work together
- Cold GPS start after a long period powered off
- Firmware bug causing the GPS module to not initialise
- GPS module hardware fault after a crash
How to Fix It
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Move to an open outdoor area with a clear sky view.
GPS signals are blocked by roofs, tall buildings, and dense tree cover. A flat open field or car park gives the fastest satellite acquisition.
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Wait patiently — cold starts take 60-120 seconds.
After a long period powered off or after moving to a new city, the GPS module takes longer to acquire satellites. Watch the satellite count in HS GO+ and wait until it reaches 6-10 before flying.
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Calibrate the compass before flying.
Holy Stone's GPS modes depend on an accurate compass heading. Calibrate at every new location: HS GO+ → Settings → Compass Calibration. Rotate the drone as instructed by the app.
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Update the drone firmware via the HS GO+ app.
Firmware bugs can prevent the GPS module from initialising correctly. Connect to the drone in HS GO+, navigate to Settings → Firmware Update, and install any available update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Holy Stone drone fly sideways when I release the sticks?
Drifting with sticks released usually means GPS is not locked and the drone is in ATTI mode. Wait for a full GPS fix before flying, or trim the drone carefully if GPS is unavailable in your location.
Does the Holy Stone HS720E have GPS return to home?
Yes. The HS720E has a one-key return to home function that uses GPS to fly back to the takeoff point. This requires a GPS fix before takeoff to record the home point.