How to Clean a DJI Mini 5 Pro Drone and Controller

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Power down and remove the battery

Land, stop recording, turn off the aircraft and controller, and remove the Intelligent Flight Battery. Let motors and electronics cool before folding or handling the drone. Remove accessories that block inspection, following their releases. Never clean while powered, charge a damp battery, or let the gimbal start its self-check while a cloth or finger is nearby.

Step 2: Inspect before touching optical surfaces

Under bright diffuse light, look for sand, mud, insect residue, moisture, cracks, and bent parts. Use a lens blower to remove loose grit before wiping so it cannot scratch the camera, LiDAR, or vision-sensor windows. Do not use an air compressor or canned air at close range; high pressure can spin motors or push debris behind seals.

Step 3: Clean the camera lens and gimbal

Blow loose dust from the camera, then wipe the lens or installed filter gently with a clean dry lens cloth. Use a soft brush around the gimbal arms and pivots without forcing an axis. Remove an ND or wide-angle accessory through DJI's procedure and clean it separately. Do not spray lens fluid onto the camera or rotate the gimbal beyond its normal travel.

Step 4: Wipe LiDAR and vision sensors

DJI says the forward LiDAR must remain clean for accurate obstacle sensing. Use a fresh dry lens cloth on that window and every forward, backward, lateral, and downward vision sensor identified in the manual. One greasy cloth can transfer a film from the body to all sensors, so change surfaces frequently. Do not polish with alcohol unless DJI specifically approves it.

Step 5: Inspect and clean the propellers

Hold each motor bell still and wipe propeller blades with a soft dry cloth from hub toward tip. Remove insect residue without flexing the blade. Before every flight, DJI calls for checking cracks, wear, warping, corrosion, and loose hardware. Replace damaged propellers using the exact marked and unmarked positions and new specified screws; cleaning cannot restore a deformed blade.

Step 6: Remove debris from motors and arm joints

With the battery out, turn each motor gently by hand and listen for grit. Use a blower and soft brush to lift dust outward from motor gaps. Do not add oil, rinse motors, use magnetic metal picks, or deliberately spin them at high speed with air. Brush folding-arm hinges and landing surfaces dry without forcing an arm past its stop.

Step 7: Clean battery bay and contacts

Inspect the removed battery and aircraft bay for dust, swelling, moisture, bent contacts, or corrosion. Use a clean dry swab on accessible plastic and a dry lint-free cloth on contacts. Do not scrape contact plating, add contact cleaner, or insert a damaged battery. Make sure the bay and battery are dry before installation or charging.

Step 8: Clean vents and the aircraft shell

Brush ventilation openings and body seams outward. Wipe the shell with a soft dry cloth, using no free liquid near sensors, motors, or seams. The Mini 5 Pro is not waterproof. If it becomes wet, DJI advises landing promptly and waiting until the aircraft is fully dry inside and out before using it again; routine cleaning should not imitate a rinse.

Step 9: Clean the DJI RC 2 or RC-N3

Power off the controller and disconnect charging. Use a soft dry cloth on the screen, sticks, buttons, antennas, and shell. Brush port edges and speaker grilles dry without inserting a tool. Remove control sticks only through their storage method. Do not spray screen cleaner or let moisture collect around the USB-C port.

Step 10: Reassemble and complete a preflight check

Reinstall dry accessories and battery, unfold the drone, and power on in a clear area. Check the live camera image, gimbal movement, LiDAR and vision warnings, satellite status, battery seating, and propeller mounting. Run calibration only when DJI Fly requests it. Perform a brief low hover before relying on obstacle sensing or beginning a long flight.