6 Reasons Why Your Radio Controller Switches Don’t Work

You flip the switch on your drone controller, but nothing happens. Uh oh! Your switch is broken. Or is it?

Not so fast! There are actually several potential issues that could be causing your controller switch to stop working properly. In this post, we’ll walk through some of the most common problems and how to diagnose and fix them.

Step 1: Test the Physical Switch

First, you need to make sure the physical switch itself isn’t broken. Let’s run a simple test using the “Debug” mode on OpenTX and EdgeTX radios:

1. Press the SYS key or long press the model key to access the Tools Menu.
2. Go to the “Hardware” screen.
3. Scroll down and select the “Debug” option at the very bottom.
4. Choose “Debug Keys.”

This will display the raw switch positions that the radio is detecting, separate from any programming.

• Move the problematic switch and watch the screen.
• If the switch position doesn’t change on the debug screen, you have a hardware issue – the switch itself is likely broken.

This probably means opening up the radio and replacing the faulty switch. Sometimes the issue is with the main board instead, but start with the switch.

Key Takeaway: Use the debug mode to isolate hardware switch problems. No change on screen = physical issue.

Step 2: Check Your Mixer Settings

If the debug test shows the switch is working, the issue could be in how you’ve set up your mixes.

On the radio’s “Mixes” screen, check if you’ve created a mix for the problematic switch channel. If not, it won’t output anything!

To properly create a switch mix:

1. Select an empty mix line and click “Source.”
2. Move the desired switch – it will be automatically detected.
3. Do NOT set the “Switch” parameter to the same switch. This will limit the mix to only certain positions.
4. Test the channel positions change correctly when moving the switch.

Key Takeaway: Always set up mixes for switches directly, without using the “Switch” parameter.

Step 3: Check Your ExpressLRS Switch Mode

If using ExpressLRS, the “Switch Mode” could also be messing with your channels.

• “Hybrid Mode” limits aux channels to 6 positions max. A switch may jump between these.
• “Wide Mode” provides 64-128 positions, even for servos. Use this!

Switch to Wide Mode if available. Note channel 5 is always 2-position for arming.

Key Takeaway: ExpressLRS Wide Mode prevents quantization issues on switches.

Step 4: Verify Your Crossfire Channel Map

On Crossfire, double check your channel map under “Receiver Configuration.”

If this got switched incorrectly, your channels could output incorrectly or not at all.

Be careful re-arranging this, as it’s easy to mess up your mapping badly!

Key Takeaway: Check Crossfire channel mapping if switches not outputting properly.

Step 5: Confirm Your Switch Type

On the “Hardware” screen in OpenTX/EdgeTX, verify the switch “Type” is set correctly.

If a 3-position switch is set to 2-position, it won’t read right even if it’s not physically broken.

Key Takeaway: Make sure OpenTX/EdgeTX has the proper switch type configured.

Step 6: Skip Dedicated Switch Inputs

Finally, avoid making dedicated inputs for each switch under the radio’s “Inputs” screen.

While this isn’t wrong, it adds unnecessary complexity versus just using the switch as the mixer source directly.

Save yourself steps and skip extra inputs when setting up aux switches!

Key Takeaway: Don’t create separate inputs for switches; use them directly as mixer sources.

How to Fix Other Common Drone Switch Problems

Controller switches are complex, so issues can pop up in many ways. Here are some other tips for troubleshooting switches when they aren’t working right:

Use Debug Mode to Test Physically

The “Debug Keys” mode on OpenTX/EdgeTX radios is invaluable for physically testing switches and other controls separate from software configuration.

Always use this as the first test to determine if the issue is with the physical hardware or with your programming.

Try a Different Switch

If one switch is acting up, test it by setting the same mixer to a different switch temporarily.

If that switch works normally, you know the problem is isolated to just the original switch.

Eliminate Pre-Configurations

When programming a switch, eliminate any pre-configured settings like input curves, trim, etc.

Get it working simply first, then add complexity back one piece at a time.

Avoid Conflicting Mixers

Make sure you don’t have multiple mixers set to the same channel with overlapping switch positions.

This can cause unpredictable results as the mixers fight each other.

Reset Your Radio

When in doubt, reset your radio to factory defaults and re-input all your settings from scratch.

This clears out any gremlins that may have crept into the config.

Seek Help in Forums

The OpenTX, EdgeTX, and radio brand-specific forums are full of experts who can help diagnose switch issues.

Post details and someone will likely figure out your problem quickly!

Common Drone Controller Switch Uses

Now let’s explore some of the most common ways RC drone pilots use auxiliary switches:

Arming Switch

The most basic function is an arming switch to activate the quad before takeoff.

This is often set to a 2-position switch to easily toggle between armed and disarmed states.

Flight Mode Switch

Another common use is changing between different flight controller modes, like Acro vs. Angle vs. Horizon modes.

A 3-position switch works well here, with each position mapped to a different mode.

PID Profile Switch

Some flight controllers allow you to store multiple PID controller configurations and switch between them on the fly.

This allows you to tune PIDs specifically for different types of flying.

Rate Profile Switch

Similarly, you can set up multiple rate profiles with different stick sensitivities and swap them using a switch.

Great for quickly changing between racing rates and freestyle rates, for example.

Turtle Mode Switch

Activate turtle mode with the flip of a switch to self-right your quad if you get upside down.

Make sure to leave room for the quad to actually flip over!

LED Mode Switch

If your quad has onboard LED lighting, set up a switch to change patterns and colors on the go.

Take your light show on tour!

Camera Settings Switch

If your camera is controllable via the flight controller, switches let you change settings like exposure and white balance while flying.

No need to land and reconfigure between different lighting conditions.

VTX Band/Channel Switch

Some video transmitters can change bands and channels from the FC. Control this with a switch to find the best frequency.

Easily scan for the least interference while airborne.

Beacon Mode

Designate a switch position to activate beacon modes like beeper and LEDs.

Flip the switch if a quad goes down in tall grass or bushes to help locate it.

Creative Uses for Drone Switches

Auxiliary switches aren’t just for changing modes and settings. With some creative programming, you can do some really cool and unusual functions:

In-Flight Audio Warnings

Program audible warnings that play over your FPV headset when you perform certain stick movements.

For example, it can go “Whoa!” when you yaw or roll too quickly as a reminder to fly smoothly.

Automatic Landing Sequence

Set up a single switch to trigger an automated landing process, like retracting landing gear, slowing down, and descending.

Once flipped, just keep the quad pointed straight and it’ll bring itself down and disarm.

Camera Cable-Cam

Build a simulated cable-cam that moves your FPV camera back and forth across a scene automatically.

Control the direction and speed with a switch. Great for smooth tracking shots!

FPV Lighting Controller

Take control of programmable LED lighting panels to create custom in-flight lighting presets and effects.

Let your creativity shine!

Automatic Hyperlapse

Program a switch position to activate an automated routine to capture hyperlapse footage.

Set waypoints and camera angles, then flip the switch and enjoy the show!

Return-to-Home Beacon

Designate a switch to record your current GPS location. Then when activated again later, the drone will return to that exact home point and land.

No more losing your takeoff spot!

Tips for Selecting the Right Controller Switch

Choosing the right physical switch for your application requires some thought:

Pick Accessible Locations

Consider how often you need to activate the function and make sure the switch is in an accessible spot.

Frequently-used controls like arming switches need prime real estate.

Avoid Accidental Bumps

Don’t use a very sensitive switch that could be bumped and change something unintentionally.

Some locations are prone to accidental activation.

Match Frequency of Use

Think about how many times you’ll actually use the switch during a flight session.

A set-and-forget setting can go in an obscure spot with a firm toggle. Frequently-used controls need hair triggers.

Consider Switch Type

2-position switches are good for simple binary settings.

3-position works for multi-mode controls. Use more positions for variable settings.

Check Available Outputs

Factor in what receiver outputs you have available if your switch needs to control something externally.

Some features may require specific channels.

Review Logic Flow

Think through what switch position logic makes the most sense and design accordingly.

You want up/down or left/right selections to be intuitive.

Conclusion

The key takeaway is that drone controller switch issues can stem from many places – the physical switch itself, the mixer programming, radio configuration settings, and more.

Methodically run through checks and tests on each part of the switch chain to isolate the problem. The debug mode, different switch tests, eliminating complexity, and seeking community help are your best tools.

While switches may seem simple on the surface, their operation is nuanced. But don’t worry – with focused troubleshooting, you’ll get that switch rocking and rolling once again.

Now go flick some switches and enjoy unlocked capabilities!