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What happens when a drone loses signal?

Short answer

A well-configured GPS camera drone will usually pause, return home, land or hover according to its failsafe setting. The response is model- and configuration-dependent.

Why

Signal can be blocked by terrain, buildings, interference or poor antenna orientation. A control-link loss is different from a video-link freeze. The aircraft may still accept inputs even when the image stalls.

What to do next

  1. 01Before flight, verify the signal-loss action and RTH altitude.
  2. 02Keep visual line of sight; do not chase an advertised transmission range.
  3. 03Point the broad face of controller antennas toward the aircraft as instructed.
  4. 04If the feed freezes, stop moving, check telemetry, climb only if safe and legal, and prepare for failsafe.

Important exceptions

  • Without GPS, a drone may drift rather than hold position.
  • Over water or under obstacles, automatic landing may create extra risk.
  • Custom FPV failsafes must be configured and tested without propellers first.
Safety note: Aircraft behaviour varies by model, firmware and configuration. For legal or safety-critical decisions, use the current manual and official aviation authority guidance.