IMU Error
Ryze Tello Drone
Severity: ModerateWhat it means
IMU Error means the Tello's internal motion sensor (accelerometer and gyroscope) has a fault or needs calibration.
The drone will refuse to fly.
Calibrating the IMU usually fixes this.
Affected Models
- Ryze Tello
- Ryze Tello EDU
Common Causes
- IMU not calibrated — common on new Tello drones out of the box
- Drone powered on at an angle or on a vibrating surface
- Firmware update resetting calibration data
- Rare: IMU hardware fault
How to Fix It
-
Place the Tello on a flat, level surface.
A kitchen counter or table is ideal.
Do not try to calibrate on carpet or a soft surface. -
Open the Tello app and go to Settings → IMU Calibration.
Follow the on-screen steps.
The Tello app walks you through placing the drone in different orientations. -
Power cycle after calibration.
Turn the Tello off and back on after completing the calibration.
Check the app to confirm the IMU error has cleared. -
Update the Tello firmware.
In the Tello app: Settings → More → Firmware.
An outdated firmware can cause persistent IMU errors. -
If IMU Error persists after calibration, contact Ryze/DJI support.
A hardware IMU fault is rare but possible after a crash or water exposure.
Contact support at dji.com/tello.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Tello get IMU errors so often?
The Tello's IMU is consumer-grade and relatively sensitive to being powered on at an angle.
Always power on the Tello placed flat on a hard surface for best results.