First problem with the Matrice 4 E

Jaybro130 · Mar 21, 2025

Jaja,
I received this email this morning, so they admit it IS a problem. I also highlighted a dewarping issue with them that they are working on…

“Our senior engineer has analyzed this issue:

1. According to the analysis with R&D department, the RTK issue is caused by RTK algorithm, due to the limitation of technical solutions, it might not be possible to be solved effectively at present, and it needs to be updated and optimised in the future.

2. The dewarping issue is indeed exist, thanks for your feedback and our R&D department will solve it in the future fimware update.

3. The current menu for pre-flight checks indeed does not have an option for dewarping. This is because the pre-flight checklist is mainly for the testing of flight systems and sensory systems to ensure flight safety. I will also let R&D department know this request.”
I’m hoping they get a firmware update out soon…

AlexisFraNorge · Apr 4, 2025

Jaybro130 said:
Jaja,
I received this email this morning, so they admit it IS a problem. I also highlighted a dewarping issue with them that they are working on…

“Our senior engineer has analyzed this issue:

1. According to the analysis with R&D department, the RTK issue is caused by RTK algorithm, due to the limitation of technical solutions, it might not be possible to be solved effectively at present, and it needs to be updated and optimised in the future.

2. The dewarping issue is indeed exist, thanks for your feedback and our R&D department will solve it in the future fimware update.

3. The current menu for pre-flight checks indeed does not have an option for dewarping. This is because the pre-flight checklist is mainly for the testing of flight systems and sensory systems to ensure flight safety. I will also let R&D department know this request.”
I’m hoping they get a firmware update out soon…

Thank you for sharing this update, @Jaybro130 — much appreciated.

Just to clarify, regarding the dewarping issue mentioned in point #2: is this the same issue referenced in point #3 about the absence of a dewarping option in the pre-flight checklist? Or are they referring to two separate aspects of the same broader problem?

Before switching to the Matrice 4E, I was using the Mavic 3 Classic for mapping missions, paired with an in-house route creation tool. The RAW images from the Mavic 3 Classic also exhibited a noticeable black vignette in the corners, which is typical of uncorrected (undistorted) images straight from the sensor.

However, after applying a lens calibration profile to dewarp the images, the vignette disappeared completely — suggesting that the vignetting is intrinsic to the optical geometry and can be addressed effectively during post-processing.

AlexisFraNorge · Apr 5, 2025

jaja6009 said:
Thanks for the update.

On my end, I could not get the Matrice 4 E to go FIX today. I tried different hotspots and different mount points from my RTK provider. FLOAT only including when in the air.
I messed up and did not bring my Phantom RTK so I don't have my client's data, live and learn to always have Plan B.
I was going to make a map, model and RTK positioned video (repeatable to document progress).
I had to use my Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced for the video since it will do positioning. I will bring the Phantom RTK out and grab the map and model tomorrow.

I will open up another support case, but we now know that this is a widespread issue. I just want them to get my drone's logs and the RINEX files as I think the more information DJI has, the faster and better the firmware fix will be.

I am on the newest firmware v12.01.06.07 released on March 17, so it is possible that this new firmware is behind this. I may roll back and see if I am back in business.

Keep us updated please, and I will do the same.

Hey @jaja6009,

I just saw your post about using the M4E for repeatable progress videos — really interesting!

I recently tried something similar using RTK and the Waypoint Route feature with Live Mission Recording in DJI Pilot 2 to create a hyperlapse. But I ran into a major limitation: the app doesn't seem to record the drone’s heading or the gimbal tilt/orientation when creating waypoints. As a result, the drone just flies a straight line, and the footage doesn't include the framing I was aiming for.

I'm curious how you’ve been handling this in your progress videos. Are you flying straight paths with fixed headings, or POIs? Or have you found some other workaround to keep things repeatable?

Also, since you’re doing video too — do you find the lack of ND filters limiting at all?

Would love to hear how you're approaching it.

jaja6009 · Apr 5, 2025

AlexisFraNorge said:
Hey @jaja6009,

I just saw your post about using the M4E for repeatable progress videos — really interesting!

I recently tried something similar using RTK and the Waypoint Route feature with Live Mission Recording in DJI Pilot 2 to create a hyperlapse. But I ran into a major limitation: the app doesn't seem to record the drone’s heading or the gimbal tilt/orientation when creating waypoints. As a result, the drone just flies a straight line, and the footage doesn't include the framing I was aiming for.

I'm curious how you’ve been handling this in your progress videos. Are you flying straight paths with fixed headings, or POIs? Or have you found some other workaround to keep things repeatable?

Also, since you’re doing video too — do you find the lack of ND filters limiting at all?

Would love to hear how you're approaching it.

When doing a video I do this:

Live Mission Recording, fly how youo want the drone to proceed.

When finished there is now a problem, the drone will run the mission and not stay pointed at a POI.

Open the mission up and add the POI icon to the point of interest and save the mission. The drone will now keep the camera on target. On the videos I have done each mission's video is reasonably the same as the previous, though not perfect even with the RTK. One mission that was more windy has some changes that can be seen if you overlay the videos and look frame by frame.

While ND filters would be nice, I work with what I have.

Jaybro130 · Apr 22, 2025

For all with RTK converging issues, here is a workaround.

jaja6009 · Apr 22, 2025

Jaybro130 said:
For all with RTK converging issues, here is a workaround.

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Jaybro,

Thank you very much for sharing!

Dano · May 7, 2025

jaja6009 said:
Finally got a chance to take the replacement out for a test. It was short as it was too windy.

I tested Network RTK while receiving corrections from my paid RTK NTRIP provider and it went FIX in less than one minute.

I made a very quick map and processed and yes, the accuracy is there.

I should not of flown as the winds gusted to 35 mph!!!, but the drone performed well.

Steel city drones just posted a video on YouTube with a cool work around for this issue.

Jaybro130 · May 8, 2025

Dano said:
Steel city drones just posted a video on YouTube with a cool work around for this issue.

Awesome Jaja

Mhwa1 · 2025-05-15T16:19:12-0400

jaja6009 said:
The Matrice 4 E has been great out of the box until I hit my first problem.

I attempted today to make my first map and model. A Smart 3D flight plan using corrections on the Custom RTK Network setting.

The drone's status would not go FIX and I was unable to fly the mission. I could of turned off RTK but decided to put in a Support Ticket.

The controller did connect to my RTK service provider and did show the base location correctly. But it was stuck at Converging and FLOAT.

When viewing satellites only the GPS constellations would show with Beidou flashing 7 and then 0 repeatedly and GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS showing 0 at all times.

When I got home I placed the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced with RTK module next to the Matrice 4 and had them both Connect to Custom Network and the Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced went FIX and the Matrice was again stuck at Converging/FLOAT missing the satellites it should be seeing.
Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced with RTK module: GPS 11, Beidou 7, GLONASS 8 Galileo 7
Matrice 4 Enterprise: GPS 11, Beidou 0, GLONASS 0, Galileo 0, QZSS 0

I tried different Wifi sources and also a different Mount Point/Base with the same results.

I contacted DJI to start a Support ticket and they had me upload logs to them. The new log process is actually incredible. You choose the logs which are then uploaded to a cloud storage and generate a QR code. You send DJI the QR code to access them. Very high tech and very easy!

While this is a bit disappointing, I have no doubt that I wll be taken care of. Reading about others who have received their Matrice 4, this does not seem like a widespread issue that would be fixed with firmware since others have used the Custom Network setting. The drone is covered by both warranty and DJI Care Plus so I am not worried about getting the issue resolved. I am more worried about if it has to be replaced, with the current stock shortages.

I may just have been unlucky and received a bad unit, but this is pure speculation at this point.

I will update after DJI gets back to me with the next steps.