Why is there no lights when charging or switching on?

The battery plug is loose or the battery is flat. Check the battery plug is fully in at BATTERY (step 16). Charge for 2 hours with a 5V 2A phone charger. If the power switch feels loose and the lights flicker when you touch it, contact SunFounder support.

Updated 2026-10-27

SunFounder GalaxyRVR: no lights when charging or switching on

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

Short answer

The battery plug is loose or the battery is flat. Start with this: Check the battery plug is fully in at BATTERY (step 16).

Why it happens

The battery plug is loose or the battery is flat.

How to fix it

Check the battery plug is fully in at BATTERY (step 16).
Charge for 2 hours with a 5V 2A phone charger.
If the power switch feels loose and the lights flicker when you touch it, contact SunFounder support.

Check the step it comes from

Step 16 of 49

Plug in the battery

Plug the battery wire into the port marked BATTERY on the shield.

Check: The plug clicks in at BATTERY.

Common mistake: Plugging the battery into a motor port. It goes only into BATTERY.

See this step in the full build guide

Still stuck?

Show the AI coach a photo

Open step 16 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 16 →

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

SunFounder GalaxyRVR Mars Rover Kit$129.99 at SunFounder. Every part and tool in one box.

See it at SunFounder store

Sources

Drawings by robotsforthat. SunFounder GalaxyRVR is a trademark of SunFounder. We are not affiliated with SunFounder.