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Betaflight Factory Preset RecoveryUpdated a month ago

iFlight BNF drones are delivered with tested factory Betaflight settings. In most cases, you do not need to update Betaflight firmware or change advanced settings.

This guide is mainly intended for recovery if:

  • You flashed the wrong firmware
  • Betaflight settings were reset
  • The factory configuration was lost
  • Receiver input no longer works
  • DJI, ELRS, GPS, OSD, or motors no longer work correctly after changes
  • You need to restore iFlight factory settings

Do not update or flash Betaflight unless there is a specific reason.

Important warning

Flashing Betaflight does not automatically restore iFlight factory settings.

After flashing, Betaflight may load generic defaults, not the factory configuration for your specific iFlight drone. This can cause:

  • No receiver input
  • RXLOSS
  • Wrong motor order
  • Missing OSD
  • DJI control not working
  • ELRS not working
  • GPS not working
  • Wrong UART settings
  • Incorrect motor direction
  • Drone flips on takeoff

Only use factory presets that match your exact drone model and Betaflight firmware version.

Step 1 — Decide if recovery is necessary

You may need factory recovery if the drone worked before but stopped working after:

  • Betaflight firmware update
  • Full chip erase
  • Loading wrong presets
  • Changing UART settings
  • Changing receiver protocol
  • Flashing the wrong target
  • Applying random CLI commands

If your drone is flying normally, we do not recommend changing firmware or applying presets.

Step 2 — Create a backup first

Before applying any preset or flashing firmware, save your current configuration.

In Betaflight Configurator:

  1. Connect the flight controller
  2. Open the Presets tab
  3. Click Save Backup

Also save a CLI backup:

1diff all

Copy the output and save it as a text file.

For a full backup, you may also save:

1dump

Make sure the backup file is not empty.

Step 3 — Add the iFlight Factory Recovery source

In Betaflight Configurator:

  1. Open the Presets tab
  2. Click Add New Source
  3. Add the following preset source exactly:
1iFlight Factory Recovery
2https://github.com/Jason-iFlight/firmware-presets
3iFlight
  1. Set the source to Active
  2. Refresh or reload the Presets tab

You should now see iFlight factory recovery presets.

Step 4 — Select the correct iFlight preset

Choose the preset that matches:

  • Your exact drone model
  • Your flight controller
  • Your receiver version
  • Your video system
  • Your Betaflight firmware version

The firmware version must match the preset requirements. Applying a preset made for another Betaflight version or another drone model can cause new problems.

Read the preset description carefully before applying it.

Step 5 — Apply the preset

After selecting the correct preset:

  1. Read all preset notes
  2. Select the correct options if shown
  3. Apply the preset
  4. Save and reboot

Do not apply multiple factory presets randomly.

Step 6 — Verify basic functions after recovery

After applying the preset, check the following before flying.

Receiver

Open the Receiver tab and confirm stick movement.

Common receiver protocols:

  • ELRS: CRSF
  • TBS Crossfire: CRSF
  • DJI Remote Controller: SBUS or SBUS_FAST depending on setup
  • FrSky: SBUS

Ports

Check that UARTs match your hardware:

  • Receiver
  • DJI Air Unit
  • GPS
  • VTX control
  • ESC telemetry if used

Motors

Use the Motors tab only with all propellers removed.

Check:

  • Correct motor order
  • Correct motor direction
  • Smooth motor startup

Do not test motors by arming the drone on the table and raising throttle.

OSD

Check that OSD elements appear correctly in your goggles.

GPS, if installed

Check:

  • GPS enabled
  • Correct UART
  • Satellite count
  • Home point
  • GPS Rescue settings if used

Step 7 — Firmware flashing only if needed

Only flash Betaflight firmware if:

  • iFlight support recommends it
  • The correct target is known
  • The correct Betaflight version is known
  • The required firmware build options are selected
  • A backup exists
  • The matching iFlight factory preset is available

For Betaflight 4.4 and newer, firmware is built with selected options. If important options are not selected during the build, related features may not be available after flashing.

Common required options may include receiver protocols, GPS, OSD, telemetry, or other hardware-specific features.

Step 8 — Choosing receiver protocol during firmware build

When using Betaflight 4.4 or newer, make sure the required receiver protocol is included.

Typical examples:

  • ELRS: CRSF
  • TBS Crossfire: CRSF
  • DJI Remote Controller: SBUS
  • FrSky: SBUS

Selecting the wrong protocol can cause no receiver input after flashing.

Step 9 — When not to use this guide

Do not use factory recovery presets to fix:

  • Crash damage
  • Burned ESCs
  • Broken motors
  • Soldering mistakes
  • Water damage
  • Damaged USB ports
  • Incorrectly installed hardware
  • Wrong ELRS frequency or region
  • DJI devices that are not activated or not linked

Factory presets restore configuration. They do not repair damaged hardware.

Step 10 — Before contacting support

Please collect:

  • Order number
  • Drone model
  • Flight controller model
  • Betaflight version
  • Which firmware target was flashed
  • Which preset was applied
  • Screenshot of the Presets tab
  • Screenshot of the Ports tab
  • Screenshot of the Receiver tab
  • CLI diff all output
  • Short description of what was changed

Contact our support team at:

[email protected]

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