DJI Maintenance Program: A Comprehensive Guide

In the dynamic world of UAS, maintaining the operational integrity of your drones is essential. At Advexure, we understand the role that regular maintenance plays in the lifecycle of your drone, ensuring its performance, safety, and reliability.

Given the number of questions we've received regarding the DJI Maintenance Plan, it's clear that there's a need for some clarity. This article aims to demystify some of the nuances of the DJI Maintenance Program, covering essential information such as supported products, plan coverage, the application process, as well as turnaround times.

DJI Maintenance Program vs Repair Requests

When it comes to keeping your DJI drone in tip-top shape, understanding what's included in DJI's Maintenance Plan—and what's not—is key. This plan is all about maintenance, which means it's focused on the regular upkeep required to keep your drone flying smoothly. It's not the same as a repair service for fixing damage from crashes or other accidents.

So, what does the maintenance plan cover? It's all about preventive care: deep cleaning to get rid of dust and sand that can wear down parts, thorough inspections of your drone's systems and components, and updates and calibrations to ensure everything is working as it should. This is about catching small issues before they become big problems that could ground your drone.

But remember, if your drone has taken a hard hit and needs more than just a tune-up, that's a different story. Repairs for major damage aren't covered under this plan. Think of the DJI Maintenance Plan as your drone's regular health check-up, not a trip to the emergency room.

DJI Maintenance Plan Coverage

DJI offers three tiers of maintenance plans: Basic Service, Standard Service, and Premium Service. Each plan includes services designed to keep your drone operating at peak performance. Here's what's included in each plan:

Service Category	Basic	Standard	Premium
Deep Clean	✔️	✔️	✔️
Parts Inspection	✔️	✔️	✔️
Update & Calibration	✔️	✔️	✔️
Easily Worn Parts Replacement	❌	✔️	✔️
Core Components Replacement	❌	❌	✔️

Service Definitions

Deep Clean: This service involves a thorough cleaning of your drone to remove dust, sand, and other particles that can affect its performance. Key metal parts are also treated with rust preventive oil to protect against the effects of humidity and weather.
Parts Inspection: This comprehensive check includes:

App Self-Check Inspection
Visual Inspection
Propulsion System Inspection
Flight Controller and Image Transmission System Inspection
Obstacle Avoidance System Inspection
Gimbal Inspection
Remote Controller Inspection
Battery Inspection

Update & Calibration: To ensure your drone operates with the latest features and optimal performance, this service includes:

IMU Calibration
Compass Calibration
Vision System Calibration
Gimbal Calibration
Remote Controller Firmware Update
Aircraft Firmware Update
RTK System Update (if applicable)

Easily Worn Parts Replacement (Standard & Premium Service only): This includes replacing parts that are prone to wear and tear, such as Propellers, Gimbal Cover, Gimbal Rubber Damper, and Screws and Bolts.

Core Components Replacement (Premium Service only): For drones that require more extensive care, this service covers the replacement of core parts like Motors, Arm Modules, Upper Shell Modules, Motor Base Lower Cover, Landing Gear Modules, and Antenna Base Modules.

Supported Models

The DJI Maintenance Plan caters to a variety of drones, ensuring a wide range of models can benefit from professional upkeep. Here's a quick breakdown:

Included Free with DJI Care Enterprise (Standard Maintenance Only):

Mavic 3 Thermal
Mavic 3 Enterprise
Mavic 3 Multispectral
Matrice 30
Matrice 30T

Note: Premium maintenance for these models is an additional cost.

Models Requiring Paid Maintenance Plan::

Phantom 4 RTK
P4 Multispectral
Matrice 300
Mavic 2 Enterprise
Mavic 2 Zoom
Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual
Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced
Mavic 2 Pro
Matrice 350

Note: These models do not come with free standard maintenance coverage and require a separate maintenance plan purchase.

If you need to purchase a DJI Maintenance plan, click here.

The DJI Maintenance Request Process

Getting your drone serviced through DJI's Maintenance Program is a simple, streamlined process. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure you know exactly what to do:

Obtain your Maintenance Service Activation Code: This code is crucial for the process. If you haven't received one yet, please get in touch with us at Advexure, or your original dealer, with your drone's Serial Number at hand. This code will determine whether you need standard or premium maintenance.
Start the Maintenance Request: Visit the DJI Online Maintenance Service Request page to begin. This is your first step towards ensuring your drone gets the professional care it needs.
Select Your Drone: You have two options here. If your drone is already registered to your DJI account, simply select it from the list. If not, no worries—just click on “Select the Product Model” and manually enter the name of your drone model.
Complete the Form: DJI will ask for some information to process your maintenance request. Make sure you complete all the fields accurately to avoid any delays.
Shipping Label and Case Number: After submitting your request, DJI will provide you with a CAS number and send a prepaid UPS shipping label directly to your email. Print this label along with the case document that includes a barcode—this needs to go into your shipment box.
Packing Your Drone: When preparing your drone for shipment, include the aircraft itself, any payloads, and batteries (provided they're not damaged). Remember to remove personal items like SD cards to prevent loss. For the safety of your drone and to comply with shipping regulations, ensure your drone is packed securely.
Maintenance Completion and Return: Once DJI receives your drone, they'll perform the necessary maintenance tasks. After completion, your drone will be shipped back to you, accompanied by a printed maintenance report detailing the work done. Please note, digital versions of this report are currently unavailable.

What Do I Send to DJI?

When you're getting ready to send your drone in for maintenance, make sure to include:

The Aircraft: The main component that needs the service.
Payloads: Any cameras or other equipment attached to your drone.
Batteries: Include these if they are not damaged, as they can be checked as part of the maintenance.

Important Reminders:

Remove Personal Items: Take out any SD cards or personal accessories from your drone. DJI and Advexure are not responsible for lost personal items, so it's best to keep them safe with you.
Non-DJI Accessories: If your drone has third-party propellers, stickers, QR codes, or other non-DJI products attached, please remove them before sending. This helps avoid any confusion or loss during the maintenance process.

Turnaround Time

Maintenance Timeline: Once DJI receives your drone, maintenance work usually takes between 3 to 5 days. This timeframe is efficient enough to ensure minimal downtime for your operations.
Potential Additional Time for Repairs: If during the inspection, DJI identifies parts that need replacement beyond what's covered by the standard maintenance, they will reach out with a quote for repairs. This could add an additional 2 days to the process.
Overall Timeline: Considering shipping times to and from DJI's Enterprise Cerritos, CA location, the total process could take up to 2 weeks. However, this depends largely on transit times and the specifics of the maintenance required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to perform maintenance immediately when prompted?
A: If you're operating under FAA Part 107 regulations, it's advisable to follow the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines to ensure compliance and safety. Prompt attention to maintenance notifications helps maintain the operational integrity of your drone.
Q: How long do I have to send in my product after receiving the maintenance code?
A: To ensure a smooth maintenance process, we recommend sending in your drone within 7 days of receiving the maintenance code. This helps in minimizing any potential downtime and ensures your drone gets back to you as quickly as possible.
Q: Can I purchase a maintenance plan from a different dealer than where I bought my drone?
A: Yes, you're not restricted to purchasing a maintenance plan from the original dealer. You can choose any authorized dealer to purchase your maintenance plan, providing flexibility and convenience.
Q: What exactly is included in the maintenance service?
A: The DJI Maintenance Service is a comprehensive program that includes basic inspections, firmware updates and calibrations, deep cleaning, and replacements for easily worn parts (Standard and Premium Service) and core components (Premium Service only). It's designed to ensure your drone operates at its best, prolonging its lifespan and reliability.
Q: How do I purchase a maintenance service or obtain the maintenance code?
A: For certain models, DJI Care users may be eligible for one free maintenance in the first year. To utilize this or to purchase additional maintenance services, you can apply through the DJI Care Factory Maintenance Service Application or contact an authorized dealer.
Q: How long does the maintenance service take?
A: The maintenance service is typically completed within 3-5 working days after DJI receives your product. You will be notified via email once the maintenance is complete and your product is shipped back to you.
Q: What conditions must be met to receive maintenance service?
A: Your product must be free of unauthorized modifications, disassembly, or water damage to qualify for maintenance service. It's essential that the product is sent back in a condition that adheres to DJI's service terms.
Q: What components should I ship to the DJI Service Center?
A: It's recommended to send the complete set of your product for a comprehensive service. This includes the aircraft body, remote controller, battery, charger, and any other relevant accessories.
Q: How do I find my product's serial number?
A: You can locate your product's serial number by referring to the guide available at: DJI Serial Number Guide.
Q: How should I ship my product for maintenance?
A: After applying for the maintenance service, DJI will send a shipping label to your registered email address. Print and attach this label to your package and bring it to the courier. If you prefer to send the product on your own, please use a reputable express company and select cash on delivery, ensuring the product is sent within 7 calendar days of your application.
Q: Will I receive an invoice for the maintenance service?
A: DJI does not provide an invoice for the maintenance service itself. If an invoice is required, please contact the authorized dealer from whom you purchased the service. For any paid parts replaced beyond the scope of maintenance, DJI can provide an invoice for those specific components upon request.

Need Additional Help?

Understanding the DJI Maintenance Program is essential for keeping your drones in top condition. We've outlined the key points to help you navigate the process with ease. If you have any questions or need further assistance, the Advexure support team is here to help. Regular maintenance ensures your drones are always ready for action, so don't hesitate to reach out for support to keep your operations flying smoothly.