How to Calibrate or Reset a Hoverboard

Imagine having a fancy hoverboard that’s unresponsive. That precious device stops being fun and becomes something you can’t use reliably. Resetting a hoverboard solves multiple problems in a couple of minutes. And, you do not need expert skills or complex tools to do so. In this resource, you’ll learn how to calibrate or reset a hoverboard and much more besides.

To reset a hoverboard, you need:

• A hard, flat surface such as the floor
• Your hands, eyes, and ears

Every so often, self-balancing scooters exhibit common performance issues. It’s important to know how to solve these problems at home. This post, however, focuses on one aspect of hoverboard care: resetting it.

I’ll now take you through a simple procedure for calibrating your device. It works, at least most of the time. It’s called the master reset method.

But first things first: are you sure your electric scooter actually needs resetting? If the board isn’t balancing or you’ve already re-calibrated the device and it still has issues, calibration may not be the problem.

In this case, it’s best to contact the manufacturer’s customer support and see if they might help you out.

A Step-by-step Guide to Resetting a Hoverboard

Would you rather watch a video on how to calibrate a troublesome two-wheeled balance board? Watch below.

Some hoverboards come without reset instructions in the user manual. You can easily get the model’s manual online. Alternatively, you may call or email the hoverboard manufacturer for assistance. But there’s no guarantee they’ll respond back or even help you at all.

But the best approach is to learn how to tweak the balance board yourself to re-calibrate its gyroscopes.

So, let’s get started already.

1.Make sure to charge the device before you start re-calibrating it. You don’t want to charge your device while calibrating it.

2.All hoverboards come with a silver power button on their sides.  This button is what you need to complete the task at hand fast and successfully. There’s only one method to reset either remote-controlled, Bluetooth operated, or typical hoverboards: Turning to self-balancing scooter’s on/off button.

3. Now, place the device on a flat surface. The floor is the best place for this since it’s usually perfectly level. You may also put the device on a large table or other hard flat surface.

The right and left sides of the hoverboard should align perfectly. When you look down at the board from the top, the foot pads should lie flat and flush with each other.

Do you know why the surface needs to be perfectly flat when re-calibrating a hoverboard? It’s because the hoverboard will be reset to that level once you’re done with the process.

If you’re a true-blue Virgo who wants everything neat and precise, go ahead and use a spirit level to confirm the surface’s flatness!

• With the hoverboard sitting flat on the surface, press-hold the silver power button for a few seconds. How long do I press-hold the silver button when resetting a hoverboard? About 7 to 10 seconds should be enough. Or until you hear a beeping sound (depending on the model). But the surest way to know if the device’s turned off is to watch out for a small flashing red light.
• The device is now powered off. At this point, release the power button and wait for 30 – 60 seconds. During this time, your kid’s board is calibrating in the background.
• Next, press the power button once while ensuring the hoverboard makes no movements or tilts. The power display on your hoverboard should come on.
• Give the device a few moments to turn on and voila! Your hoverboard is now reset. The power LED light stays on indicating the hoverboard’s readiness for use.
• Make a few test runs. And, if some or all previous issues prevail, repeat the process with extra caution.
• If the issues don’t resolve after repeating the process, that might be a sign the device could be having other problems that resetting can’t solve. Consider seeking expert assistance.
• You may consult the local dealer if they’re authorized. Because you don’t want to void your warranty. Or contact the manufacturer.

Why Calibrate a Hoverboard?

Nobody needs an expensive, faulty hoverboard at home. Resetting a self-balancing scooter takes care of more than 70 percent of common hoverboard problems.

A malfunctioning balance board presents potential risks to both its user and those around them. Before going out for a ride on your hoverboard, make sure that all systems are OK and working properly.

Calibrating a hoverboard’s gyroscopes gets them working properly. And when the gyroscopes are operating without issues, you can count on your board to give you safe rides full of fun. An un-calibrated board often stops staying upright, and how can you ride a board that won’t balance?

A hitch in the gyros may mean the difference between fun and a trip to the Emergency Room. So, reduce the odds of this happening with a quick reset.

The good thing is that calibrating a hoverboard isn’t a time-consuming process. It gets even better: this simple activity needs no more than basic skills. And you don’t need any kind of sophisticated tools to complete the task.

So, grab that board, calibrate it, test it out, and let’s get out there for a fun ride!

When Should You Calibrate a Hoverboard?

Your hoverboard needs a reset if it exhibits any or a combination of the following:

• The red light on the board remains on. This is the most reliable way to know if the board needs resetting. It’s often an indication of one or several board problems some of which re-calibration can easily solve.
• The hoverboard isn’t even when you step on it.
• The device turns slower to one side than it does to the other side.
• Red lights keep flashing and you can’t ride the thing.
• The thing continuously beeps every time you power it.
• After replacing certain components of the device such as the gyroscope

Problems Indicated By a Hoverboard’s Red Light

That red light on your son’s hoverboard could mean that:

• The gyroscopes are problematic and need to be replaced.
• The hoverboard’s balance sensors need resetting.
• There’s a loose connection that needs fixing.
• The hoverboard’s internal circuits aren’t working properly and need attention.
• The batteries aren’t good anymore and need to be replaced.
• One or two motors need to be replaced.

Dos and Don’ts of Hoverboard Configuration

Let’s start with the dos.

• Do calibrate the hoverboard on a flat surface.
• Do charge the device before resetting.
• Do reset only when necessary.

And now the don’ts

• Don’t move or tilt the hoverboard while resetting.
• Don’t reset using a remote device.
• Don’t reset when not sure your hoverboard’s issues originate from calibration.

When Hoverboard Calibration Fails

Once in a while, your device may fail to reset. Circuit errors or other technical failures on the hoverboard often lead to such unsuccessful attempts.

Faulty gyroscope sensors are a leading cause of failed hoverboard calibrations. LED lights on different models help you identify specific sensor problem areas.

In some cases, the best thing to do is to swap out the gyroscopes. But how do you know it’s time to replace a hoverboard’s gyroscopes? 

Change the Gyroscopes If:

• One side of the hoverboard stops working.
• The hoverboard’s light stays on, and the thing won’t move one inch; this is a clear sign that at least one of the gyroscopes isn’t functioning as it should.
• If hoverboard re-calibration fails completely, chances are that your device has faulty gyroscopes.

Note: Replacing a gyroscope on a hoverboard can be a tricky affair, especially if you’re not great at using tools and fixing things. That said, it’s something you can handle. Be sure to research the problem as well as the fix. Watching a few YT videos that show other hoverboard owners fixing problematic gyroscopes helps immensely.

How Do You Calibrate a Remote-Controlled Hoverboard?

Some hoverboards for kids and adults are remote-controlled. One mistake kids and other owners of self-balancing scooters make repeatedly is to shut down the device using the remote.

Turning off the device with a remote is pretty much like setting up the Sleep Mode. And this causes all kinds of hoverboard issues.

The best way to turn off a hoverboard is to use its on/off button. And the best way to calibrate a remote-operated hoverboard is to long-press the silver on/off button for 10 seconds. Stop when you hear a beeping sound and the lights on the device start flashing.

Wait half a minute and then press the power button on to complete the process. You reset a remote-operated electric scooter the exact same way you calibrate any other type of hoverboard.

How to Reset a Bluetooth Hoverboard

To calibrate a Bluetooth self-balancing scooter, follow the same steps you would while calibrating any other board. Charge the board and press and hold the power button for about 10 seconds. Wait 30 seconds before turning the device on to complete the reset.

Note: When resetting a Bluetooth hoverboard for your kid or yourself, keep in mind that this process might render the Bluetooth chip that supports this technology useless.

Calibrating a Bluetooth electric scooter is pretty much hit and miss. Whether you do the calibration correctly or incorrectly doesn’t really matter. It’s best not to reset a Bluetooth hoverboard unless you really have to do it. If the board uses an app, use it for the calibration exercise rather than the master reset method described above.

How to Calibrate a Hoverboard With a Smartphone App

• Charge the hoverboard.
• Turn off the hoverboard using the silver on/off button.
• Download the app the hoverboard maker’s provided.
• Connect the app to the device. Check the manual for instructions to do this. Or watch videos on how to pair up the specific hoverboard model with the app. Note that some apps may require registration, and who knows what they do with all the data?
• Place your kid’s board on a flat surface.
• Open the mobile app and head straight to “Calibrate the hoverboard” and tap on the button.
• Follow the instructions that pop up to reset the hoverboard.

Note: Calibrating a balance board with an app is no guarantee you won’t destroy its Bluetooth chip. It’s your board, and you’re definitely taking a risk. But what else can you do if the self-leveling scooter has tons of issues?

Hoverboard Calibration FAQs

My Hoverboard Calibrations Don’t Seem to Work

Solution: Check that the gyroscope is working properly. Carry out the resets on a level surface. And make sure to charge the hoverboard before resetting.

When Do I Know It’s Time to Reset My Hoverboard?

Reset your hoverboard if it’s not charging or if there is a constant beeping sound. Also, re-calibrate it if the hoverboard leans to one side, or if a red light stays on.

How Often Should I Calibrate My Hoverboard?

Carry out regular resets after continued use or when you’ve replaced important components such as the gyroscope.

Can I Calibrate My Hoverboard While Charging It?

No, you need to charge the device before resetting it.

Why Do I Need to Calibrate My Hoverboard on a Flat Surface?

Because a hoverboard resets to the surface it’s placed on during the re-calibration. If the surface isn’t even, the board won’t balance perfectly. And you won’t enjoy your board much.

Final Thoughts on Calibrating a Hoverboard

Calibrating a hoverboard helps solve a bunch of issues that detract from your riding experience. But not all problems resolve after a reset.

If you follow the simple guide above, you’ll be able to reset your device in under 10 minutes. Be sure to charge the device before attempting calibration. And definitely perform the steps above on a level surface for accurate results.

Happy hoverboarding!