GalaxyRVR troubleshooting: fixes for every common problem

No camera picture in the app

Why it happens: The ESP32 CAM is in its adapter the wrong way, its ribbon is loose, or the camera is not getting power.

1. Turn the rover off. Pull the ESP32 CAM straight out and check it faces the same way as the drawing in step 38.
2. Open the little latch on the ESP32 CAM, push the camera ribbon fully in and close the latch (step 37).
3. Check the 5 pin wire is fully in at CAMERA on the board (step 35).
4. Turn on, press Reset and reconnect the app.

Comes from step 38: Plug in the ESP32 CAM. See the full fix with the drawing.

The GalaxyRVR Wi-Fi does not show up

Why it happens: The rover is in upload mode, the battery is flat, or the camera board is not powered. The camera board makes the Wi-Fi.

1. Check the battery lights. If both are off, charge it.
2. Slide the mode switch to the left (Run), not Upload.
3. Press Reset on the board and wait 20 seconds.
4. Check the ESP32 CAM is fully pushed into its adapter. If its small light stays off, it has no power.

Comes from step 45: Switch it on. See the full fix with the drawing.

The app keeps disconnecting

Why it happens: Your phone leaves the rover's Wi-Fi because it has no internet, or another network on the same channel interferes.

1. When your phone says No internet, tap Stay connected.
2. Turn off Wi-Fi assist on iPhone or smart network switch on Android.
3. Change the rover's Wi-Fi channel: join GalaxyRVR, open 192.168.4.1 in a browser, pick a new channel on the AP page (try 3, then 5), then tap Reboot on the Base page.

Comes from step 47: Join the rover's Wi-Fi. See the full fix with the drawing.

The app sees the Wi-Fi but will not connect

Why it happens: Custom code uploaded to the board replaced the rover's own program, or the camera board firmware is old.

1. Slide the mode switch to the left (Run) and press Reset.
2. If you uploaded your own Arduino code, reinstall the official GalaxyRVR firmware with SunFounder's web flasher.
3. Update the ESP32 CAM firmware from SunFounder's docs.

Comes from step 46: Get the app. See the full fix with the drawing.

A wheel spins the wrong way

Why it happens: Two motor plugs are swapped.

1. Left motors go in A, B and C. Right motors go in D, E and F.
2. Swap the plug of the wrong wheel with its neighbour and test again.

Comes from step 18: Plug in the left motors. See the full fix with the drawing.

One wheel does not turn

Why it happens: Its plug is not fully in, or its wire got caught and snapped.

1. Push that motor's plug fully into its port.
2. Follow the wire from motor to board. Look for a cut or pinch near the wheel.
3. Tie loose wires to the frame so the wheels cannot catch them (step 20).

Comes from step 20: Tie the motor wires. See the full fix with the drawing.

No lights when charging or switching on

Why it happens: The battery plug is loose or the battery is flat.

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

Comes from step 16: Plug in the battery. See the full fix with the drawing.

The battery runs out very fast

Why it happens: The battery was not fully charged, or a loose power connection keeps cutting in and out.

1. Charge fully for about 2 hours before driving.
2. Check the battery plug and the shield are firmly seated.
3. About 90 minutes of driving per charge is normal.

Comes from step 44: Charge it fully. See the full fix with the drawing.

It bumps into walls in Avoid mode

Why it happens: The infrared sensors are not tuned for your room.

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

Comes from step 49: Let it drive itself. See the full fix with the drawing.

The camera points up, down or sideways

Why it happens: The servo arm went on before the servo centered itself.

1. Undo the tiny screw and pull the servo arm off.
2. Power on with the servo plugged into pin 6 so it centers (step 31).
3. Push the arm back on pointing straight and fix it again (step 32).

Comes from step 32: Fit the servo arm, then power off. See the full fix with the drawing.

The rover tips over or gets stuck on bumps

Why it happens: The leg joints are too tight to swing.

1. Loosen each leg joint nut a quarter turn with the cross wrench.
2. The legs should swing freely when you lift the body (step 11).

Comes from step 11: Check: the legs swing freely. See the full fix with the drawing.

A part is missing from the box

Why it happens: Rare, but it happens.

1. Check the spare bags first. Screws come with extras.
2. Email [email protected] with a photo of your parts. They send replacements.

Comes from step 2: Check nothing is missing. See the full fix with the drawing.