My drone drifts sideways: 9 reasons why, and how to fix each one

A drone that drifts sideways when you have not asked it to is frustrating, and in some situations dangerous. There are several reasons a drone drifts, and fortunately most of them have straightforward fixes. Below are nine common causes and what to do about each one.

Calibrating the drone properly for stable flight

One of the main reasons a drone drifts is poor calibration. A badly calibrated aircraft will fly sideways or erratically. If you happen to fly a Parrot, you can calibrate it with FreeFlight Pro:

• Open the app and select Parrot Disco Pro AG.
• Tap “calibration”.
• Follow the on-screen steps to balance the aircraft.
• Once calibration finishes, it is ready to fly.

Accurate calibration keeps all the aircraft’s sensors in agreement with each other, which is what gives you stable flight.

Bear in mind that every brand — and often every model — has its own calibration procedure, set out in the manufacturer’s manual.

Why taking off from a level surface matters

Taking off from a level surface is essential. If the aircraft lifts off from an uneven one, the start of the flight will be erratic and the drone will struggle to stabilise.

To avoid the problem, make sure the drone takes off from flat ground. If you have no level surface available, consider hand-launching it, holding it carefully in a horizontal position.

We cover how to fly a drone elsewhere on the blog, with beginner tips for getting the aircraft off the ground cleanly.

Spotting and fixing motor faults

Motors are among the most important parts of a drone. A failing motor will pull the aircraft to one side. If you suspect one is on its way out:

• Stop flying immediately to avoid worse damage.
• Inspect the motor in question and replace it if needed.
• Replacing a faulty motor is not complicated and it makes a noticeable difference to stability.

At UMILES University we run a full professional drone assembly and maintenance course, so that repairs and component swaps stop being something you send away.

Checking the propellers

Propellers are central to how stable the aircraft is, and propeller problems are another common reason a drone drifts. The usual ones:

• Wrong rotation: a propeller turning the wrong way will upset the flight.
• Loose propeller: causes an unbalanced flight.
• Wrong propeller: using propellers that are not right for the aircraft hurts performance.

To rule these out, check that every propeller is firmly seated and is the correct one for your model.

Software problems

Software faults can affect performance and are another reason a drone drifts. Follow the software’s setup instructions and, above all, keep the firmware up to date.

Improving the link between drone and transmitter

A poor link between the aircraft and the controller causes control problems. To improve it:

• Fly in areas free of interference.
• Try different locations to gauge signal quality.
• If the problem persists, reinstall the transmitter’s software.

Adjusting the centre of gravity

Another cause of drift is a badly set centre of gravity. To correct it, distribute the batteries and any accessories evenly. Check with the manufacturer if you need more detail.

Getting the centre of gravity right makes a substantial difference to stability, and it is also one of the main reasons a drone will not take off at all.

Weather, and how to work around it

Adverse weather affects the flight. Avoid flying on days with strong wind, rain or storms and pick calm conditions instead. Before each flight, check the airspace for any NOTAM or restriction in force. For the forecast, use reliable sources — in Spain that is AEMET, the state meteorological agency — or a dedicated aviation weather app.

We also answer the obvious follow-up elsewhere: whether you can fly a drone in the rain.

Electromagnetic interference

Electromagnetic interference can cost you control of the aircraft. To avoid it, stay out of areas with heavy interference and fly in open ground, away from metal structures and powerful electronic equipment. That alone removes a whole class of problem.