Why is there it bumps into walls in Avoid mode?

The infrared sensors are not tuned for your room. Put a box 20 cm in front of one IR sensor. Turn the sensor's small screw until its light just comes on. Repeat for the other sensor. Light, flat floors work best.

Updated 2026-10-27

SunFounder GalaxyRVR: it bumps into walls in Avoid mode

Researched by Riley Hart · based on SunFounder GalaxyRVR build guide and docs · we may earn a commission

Short answer

The infrared sensors are not tuned for your room. Start with this: Put a box 20 cm in front of one IR sensor.

Why it happens

The infrared sensors are not tuned for your room.

How to fix it

Put a box 20 cm in front of one IR sensor.
Turn the sensor's small screw until its light just comes on.
Repeat for the other sensor. Light, flat floors work best.

Check the step it comes from

Step 49 of 49

Let it drive itself

In the app pick Avoid mode, put it on the floor and watch it steer around walls. Then try Follow.

Tip: Bumps into walls? Put a box 20 cm in front of each IR sensor and turn its small screw until its light comes on.

Check: It turns before hitting a wall.

Common mistake: Testing Avoid mode on a dark rug. The IR sensors work best on light, flat floors.

See this step in the full build guide

Still stuck?

Show the AI coach a photo

Open step 49 in the free build tool, tap Stuck and take a photo. The coach checks it against that exact step and tells you what to change. 3 free questions per kit.

Open step 49 →

Other GalaxyRVR problems

No camera picture in the appThe ESP32 CAM is in its adapter the wrong way, its ribbon is loose, or the camera is not getting power.The GalaxyRVR Wi-Fi does not show upThe rover is in upload mode, the battery is flat, or the camera board is not powered. The camera board makes the Wi-Fi.The app keeps disconnectingYour phone leaves the rover's Wi-Fi because it has no internet, or another network on the same channel interferes.The app sees the Wi-Fi but will not connectCustom code uploaded to the board replaced the rover's own program, or the camera board firmware is old.A wheel spins the wrong wayTwo motor plugs are swapped.One wheel does not turnIts plug is not fully in, or its wire got caught and snapped.

All 12 GalaxyRVR problems and fixes · The full build guide

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Sources

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