LEDs Meaning

This topic explains how to interpret the colours and flash sequence of the main and/or external LED(s), if the NTF_LED_OVERRIDE parameter is set to its standard default setting. Some of the LED patterns have associated sound/tone patterns as listed in Sounds (Pixhawk).

Boards with 2 Notify LEDS

These boards have two leds on the board: LED A and LED B, normally, but not always, green and blue, respectively.

After boot, LED A usually shows system status, while LED B shows GPS status. Each sequence of flashes shown below repeats every second. So, LED A will flash with a 50% duty cycle at 4Hz , alternating with LED B, when the autopilot is in ESC calibration mode.

The states and events are shown in order of precedence. For example, LED A will flash the battery failsafe sequence even if RC is in failsafe also.

STATE

LED A

LED B

Initializing (calibrating gyros,etc.)

init

Save Trim or ESC Calibration

savetrima

savetrimb

Compass Calibration

compcala

compcalb

AUTOTUNE:
Completed
Failed

atc
atf
ARMED:
Battery failsafe
RC or GCS failsafe
Readytofly

battfs
fs
armed
DISARMED:
pre-arm checks failing
ready to arm

prearm
ready
GPS:
No lock or No GPS
Lock (flashs = # sats/2)

not lit
gps 8sats

RGB LEDS

The states and events are shown in order of precedence.

STATE

LED

Initializing (calibrating gyros,etc.)

rgbinit

Save Trim or ESC Calibration

rgbsavetrim

Leak failsafe
EKF failsafe
GPS glitch
Radio/GCS/Batt failsafe
rgbleakfs
rgbekffs
rgbgpsglitch
rgbcontrolfs
ARMED:
3Dfix
No valid GPS fix

rgbarmed
rgbarmednogps
DISARMED:
pre-arm checks failing
good DGPS fix
good GPS fix
bad GPS fix

rgbprearm
rgbready1
rgbready2
rgbbadgps

Video Overview

LED/Buzzer Meanings

Flashing red and blue: Initializing gyroscopes. Hold the vehicle still and level while it initializes the sensors.

Flashing blue: Disarmed, no GPS lock found. Autopilot, loiter and return-to-launch modes require GPS lock.

Solid blue: Armed with no GPS lock

Flashing green: Disarmed (ready to arm), GPS lock acquired. Quick double tone when disarming from the armed state.

Fast Flashing green: Same as above but GPS is using SBAS (so should have better position estimate).

Solid green - with single long tone at time of arming: Armed, GPS lock acquired. Ready to fly!

Double flashing yellow: Failing pre-arm checks (system refuses to arm).

Single Flashing yellow: Radio failsafe activated

Flashing yellow - with quick beeping tone: Battery failsafe activated

Flashing yellow and blue - with high-high-high-low tone sequence (dah-dah-dah-doh): GPS glitch or GPS failsafe activated

Flashing red and yellow - with rising tone: EKF or Inertial Nav failure

Flashing Red, Blue and Green: Copter ESC Calibration mode entered. See Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) Calibration

SOS tone sequence : SD Card missing (or other SD error like bad format etc.)