New firmware practically "bricked" my Phantom 4 – “thank you” DJI…

[Riker]

Yesterday I flew the drone with downgraded firmware and everything was perfectly fine. So I can confirm – downgrade definitely helps. As I red many other confirmed that way resolved these issues. So everyone whit these problems – you can do it as well – of course on your own responsibility (this is not official way to do).

Here’s the procedure for your P4:
How to downgrade from failware 02.00.0106 to v01.02.0602

For maximum safety please create backup your current drone firmware (between steps 2 and 3).
Good luck!

And to end I’ll show you what DJI “specialists” wrote to me before, as I asked for help in downgrade (below I post two messages received from tech support):

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From the expert: It does not help. So he confirmed that and it could only be done via Firmware update in the future. And there is no way you could downgrade anymore...
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Why downgrade could not help: Because from the technician such Problems have showed up in older Firmware Versions already. So it is not because this latest Firmware. but mostly it happens after the Firmware update, because the Firmware of the gimbal is refreshed during that process. So in your case it happened just coincidentally after the Firmware update of the latest Firmware. And it could be unfortunately not fixed if you downgrade it.
About the date I dont know. the technicians are working hard to find out the reason and will get it fixed as soon as possible.
We are very sorry for the Problems and inconveniences caused by our product.
---------

There are only two options: Either they are f*****g liars or incompetent fools. I don’t know which is worse …

 

[ThomaStoopendaal]

I also downgraded the firmware, worked fine. Only the obstacle avoidance didn't work. That bothered me a bit so I thought I just update to the newest firmware and wait for DJI to fix it. After I updated all of the problems were gone! I can switch between PAL and NTSC without the drone rebooting! I will make a test flight tomorrow and see if it work in flight. But looks promising

 

[Goof]

I also downgraded the firmware, worked fine. Only the obstacle avoidance didn't work. That bothered me a bit so I thought I just update to the newest firmware and wait for DJI to fix it. After I updated all of the problems were gone! I can switch between PAL and NTSC without the drone rebooting! I will make a test flight tomorrow and see if it work in flight. But looks promising

Either flash 1.02.0602 twice or downgrade to the 503 firmware, then upgrade to the 602 firmware to fix the obstacle avoidance problem. If you like decent battery life and a stable drone I'd highly recommend you go back to 602 if you can, but it's up to you...

 

[Bullhorn1976]

.

I'm going through the same identical problems with my p4p.. when will DJI listen!!

 

[Leadfootlambert]

I updated my P4 on Monday the 24th July the day before I was filming the movement of the "Loch Ness" Wellington Bomber at Brooklands Museum. I got exactly what everyone else has experienced and had to keep restarting the recording. Unable to see in the downlink what was happening I had to guess where the camera was pointing.

With much editing I managed to get enough usable footage to go with the ground filming someone else had done for me, the result is at

Moral of the story is NEVER update your DJI equipment the day before an important job!

REPLY

 

[JCJMC]

For when DJI is going to correct the failures of the new firmware? Sorry for the service you are giving.

 

[Merald]

I had exact same issue, and it's caused by a firmware missmatch between transmitter and drone. Fighted with it a whole day.

First i had a nexus 7 pad with android 6 updating the phantom 4 firmware, then i tried the pc software to update it, but still drone had new firmware and transmitter old (something that is not obvious but I understood that later).

When I finally connected my Samsung galaxy s6 phone with android 7 to the transmitter with go app and started drone it suddenly found that firmware update is needed again and updated my Transmitter. Suddenly all works ok.

Not sure 100% what did it, but I know by experience DJI software is sensitive to operating system versions. Thats why I have the nexus 7 2nd ed. in the first place new reseted and not updated. After new android app came it works on newer operating system versions and I suspect they develop on android 7 now and not testing any other versions. Hope this helps someone.

 

[femo]

Hello Guys,

unfortunately the thread has been removed by dji. Anyone printed the instructions ? Or is there an alternative link with the downgrade instructions ?

Please help....me sitting here on holidays with a useless P4 .....

Thanks for your help

Cheers
Chris

 

[Riker]

Below I post original screenshot from this page
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/pe6jdh62ql4awmr/p4_downgrade.jpg

For your convenience, the direct link from "step 1"
DJI Phantom 4 Firmware.zip

 

[Riker]

DJI really forcing new firmware because “the old” has interesting features such as: possibility to bypass 500m height restrictions, NFZ etc. Check this out:

This instruction above is for Mavic Pro and P4 Pro but some features also work with regular P4. I did (for test purposes only) turn off height restriction by changing only this one:

g_config_flying_limit_height_limit_enabled = 2

DJI is fighting now in a hurry to prevent this for obvious reasons. But it is pity that the users have been without any support to the present moment.

 

[Merald]

Nice for help and convenience, but heads up for downloading firmware from unofficial place without any checksums, could be anything. Thats how you really could brick it. The new firmware is a pain but don't stop trying and it will work in the end.

Nothing wrong with firmware, problem is that in many cases only one of the firmwares of drone or transmitter gets updated and therefore not working good together anymore. Both transmitter and drone need to have same level of firmware to work. I had the same issue last time i updated.

 

[John1960]

I dont think that answers going to wash with many owners,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, DJI has sent another untested piece off feked up firmware out again and spinning the same old lies

 

[Riker]

Nice for help and convenience, but heads up for downloading firmware from unofficial place without any checksums, could be anything. Thats how you really could brick it. The new firmware is a pain but don't stop trying and it will work in the end.

Nothing wrong with firmware, problem is that in many cases only one of the firmwares of drone or transmitter gets updated and therefore not working good together anymore. Both transmitter and drone need to have same level of firmware to work. I had the same issue last time i updated.

Go to Google and search for:
"How to downgrade from failware 02.00.0106 to v01.02.0602"
The first link, click on the green arrow, then click "Cached".
Find yourself all the people (by nicknames) who fix their drones and ask them (private message) if they have any problems with this...

Believe, I tried everything, including what you wrote above (#47). The only thing that helped was getting back to the old and stable firmware. Let everyone decide what is good for them. Waiting for DJI action or do it by yourself.

 

[holenderski]

i did a down grade now the app go4 not tell to upgrade ???? Dji change this??

 

[frugo21]

At my downgrade software update message appears only sometimes. I do not know what it depends on. DjiGo App internet connection is available all the time. Ipad Air 2 IOS 10.3.3

 

[femo]

@Riker Thank you very much, with your Info I was able to roll my P4 back to the old Firmware. With the result, that at least flying is now safe again, as all the issues with the P4 Flight are under control now.

Now the issue i am still stuck with, is the Problems filming. I get often distorted images when filming purple and green distortions. Also is the transmition very weak and cutting off all the time. Also the recording stops on its own.....

Can it be, that the Problem is the firmware on the remote ? Can that be downgraded aswell ?
Or is it the DJI GO4 App on my Iphone and Ipad ? Any chance to get an older version back ?

BTW i tried re-linking the remote several times, i also tried IMU and gimbal calibration several times - no improvement.

Taking pictures luckily works, as i am on holidays here until tomorrow you can understand my frustration.

Presently:

App 4.1.5
Aircraft V01.02.602
Remote Controller 1.9.2
App Database 01.00.01.04

Cheers
Chris

 

[Riker]

It’s very strange. Did you downgraded in correct order – first downgrade to v 01.02.0503, than upgrade to v 01.02.603? Some people had problems when skipped 503.

In order to downgrade remote you have to:
1. In DJI GO main screen click icon (three bar) located in top right corner, and hold it for 5 sec, then release.
2. The window will appear, here you can downgrade remote firmware, chose version 1.6.0 (if I remember correctly) and run.

Additionally, I suggest you remove app from your ipad and install it once again.

It’s possible to install previous version of DJI GO, but unfortuneatly AFAIK on iDevices It’s really complex procedure.

Good luck!

 

[MathewPajc]

Hi,
I have been a little suspicious to downgrade to a FW randomly downloaded from the internet, but that discusting gimbal error pushed me.
So I downgraded without any issue. (Just the bird - from v02.00.0106 to V01.02.602).
Had my first flight this morning and everything seems OK. No gimbal poweroff. Phantom seemed stable, everything working just fine. The camera seems a tiny bit tilted to one side horizontally, but it has been kinda windy and I haven't calibrated after the downgrade so I shall try that.
Anyway BIG thanks for the great work and sharing your solution.

 

[Riker]

Hello,
I'm glad you fixed your dron.
I do not know who originally wrote this program and extract previous firmware version to files, big thanks for them. I just only spread a good word
DJI deletes threads (on his own forum) that touch this topic but they do nothing to fix the issues, f* joke...

Restore your P4 to factory default and do the calibration (step 10 and 11). You can always correct the tilt in air - directly from app.

 

[dwallersv]

There are only two options: Either they are f*****g liars or incompetent fools. I don’t know which is worse …

Both. And that's what it is.