Why Is My Tello Drone Not Connecting? Causes and Fixes
A Tello that won’t connect usually has one of a few problems: the battery is low or not seated, the phone isn’t on the TELLO-xxxxxx Wi-Fi network (or keeps switching back to mobile data or home Wi-Fi), a password was set earlier, the app or firmware is outdated, or there’s heavy Wi-Fi interference. Work through the checks in order: power and battery, Wi-Fi connection, phone settings, reset, then app and firmware.
By Kyle HilsonUpdated: October 20263 min read
Quick checklist
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No lights | Battery flat or not seated | Charge and reseat the battery |
| No TELLO network | Drone not ready or Wi-Fi fault | Wait for yellow blinking; restart |
| Connects then drops | Phone switching networks | Disable smart network switch, forget home Wi-Fi |
| Asks for password | Password set before | Reset Wi-Fi (hold power ~5 s with drone on) |
| App shows no video | App issue or permissions | Restart app, allow permissions, update |
| Laggy, unstable | Interference | Move away from routers and crowded Wi-Fi |
1. Power and battery
Charge the battery fully and make sure it’s pushed all the way in. Turn the drone on and wait for the status light to blink yellow quickly, which means the Wi-Fi is ready. A very low battery can prevent connection or cause drops. Charging steps are in how to charge a Tello drone.
2. Joining the right network
In your phone’s Wi-Fi settings, join the network named TELLO- plus six characters. The phone will warn there’s no internet; choose to stay connected. Then open the Tello app. How the Tello’s own Wi-Fi works is explained in how to connect a Tello to Wi-Fi.
3. Phone settings that break the link
- Turn off “switch to mobile data” or “smart network switch”.
- Turn off auto-join for nearby saved networks while flying.
- Disable VPN and private DNS.
- Allow location/local network permissions for the app.
- Close other apps using Wi-Fi heavily.
Android-specific steps are in how to connect a Tello to an Android phone.
4. Reset the Wi-Fi
If you or someone else set a Wi-Fi name or password and it’s forgotten, reset it: with the drone on, hold the power button for about five seconds until the light changes, then let it restart. The network returns to its default name without a password.
5. Update app and firmware
An old app may not work with newer phone systems. Update the Tello app, then connect and check for drone firmware updates (the app may need internet first to download them, then the drone connection to install).
6. If nothing works
- Try a different phone to rule out the phone.
- Try a different battery.
- Check the drone for crash damage near the antenna area.
- Contact support if the Wi-Fi network never appears.
Connecting from a computer
For coding with the Tello SDK, the computer joins the TELLO Wi-Fi just like a phone. Firewalls can block the drone’s video and command ports; allow the app or script through the firewall if commands time out.
FAQ
Why does my Tello keep disconnecting?
Usually the phone switches to another network; disable auto-switching.
How do I reset Tello Wi-Fi?
With the drone on, hold the power button about five seconds.
Does the Tello need internet?
No, it uses its own Wi-Fi network.
Why can’t I see the TELLO network?
The drone may not be ready, the battery may be low, or the Wi-Fi may need a reset.
More on this topic: the complete RC Drones guide covers the basics behind this article.
About 20 years in RC. Mostly boats in the NAVIGA Mini Eco Expert class, with many self-made parts; also a King Motor Baja 5B, a home-built electric plane, home-built nitro planes he has flown, and an RC helicopter. More about SwellRC
