Your self-balancing scooter has for some reason stopped staying upright, making it impossible for you to ride it. Or your hoverboard has formed the bad and annoying habit of pulling either to the right or to the left. The rest of the time, your self-leveling scooter vibrates uncontrollably. Most likely the gyroscope needs to be recalibrated, which is why it’s important to learn how to calibrate a hoverboard.
So, let’s talk about how you can correctly reset your hoverboard so it can resume functioning the way it should.
Why Has My Hoverboard Become Unrideable?
So your hoverboard has become useless, a grossly expensive piece of crap. When you step on the footpads, all the damned board wants to do is throw you off.
And when your little modern transportation vehicle lets you ride it, extremely bad vibrations happen. The thing shakes too much, making you feel like stepping off the board and tossing it somewhere for good.
It might seem like your hoverboard is broken. But it’s possible your unit is perfectly OK, except you need to calibrate it. It could be that the gyroscopes need to be reset.
Incorrectly calibrated gyroscopes keep relaying inaccurate data from your hoverboard’s tilt sensors to its logic board. By the way, the tilt sensors are located in the wheels. And that has the board acting up some of the time or the whole time.
To get the most out of your self-balancing scooter, try resetting the gyroscopes before you try any other remedies. Fortunately, it’s a straightforward process and you need zero tools to complete it.
Also, the gyroscopes themselves could be defective for whatever reason. And the only sensible solution for faulty gyroscopes is to replace them with brand-new ones.
You may also want to read: How Do Hoverboards Work?
How to Reset a Hoverboard from Any Brand (without Bluetooth)
Here’s how to reset your misbehaving self-balancing scooter and get it working smoothly again. Note that this hoverboard calibration guide only applies to self-balancing scooters without Bluetooth from all brands
Step 1: Turn Your Hoverboard Off
The first step toward a properly calibrated self-leveling scooter is to shut off your machine.
Now, you can use your remote control to power off your board, right? Wrong. Using a remote isn’t an effective way to turn off a hoverboard.
So, make sure to turn off your self-balancing scooter through its on/off button/power button.
Step 2: Place Your Hoverboard on a Level Surface
Hoverboards stay level during rides. That’s why you should calibrate your board for a flat surface. You want the left side of the board to be even with the right side. So, how about resetting your two-wheeled self-balancing scooter on the flat hard floor of your garage?
Step 3: Long-press the Power Button
At this point in the hoverboard calibration process, you need to long-press the on/off button. How long should I press the power button?
Keep your index finger on that button until your self-balancing scooter produces a beeping sound. In my experience, that takes about 5 seconds — more or less. There’s another sign to be on the lookout for: the lights. Immediately your hoverboard beeps, its lights should flash.
Step 4: Give Your Hoverboard Time to Reset
Everything takes time. So, give your hoverboard enough time to process the instructions you’ve given it. It takes about half a minute (30 seconds) for a hoverboard to calibrate to the surface you’ve put it on.
As the calibration process goes on, you shouldn’t move your board at all. Nor should you push the power button. Be patient, OK?
Step 5: Lock in the Calibration
After 30 seconds have passed, make sure to lock in the calibration so your device can start functioning properly. But how do you make sure the calibration sticks?
It’s easy. Just press the power button to turn the board on. And, you’re done! It was easy, huh?
Resetting your hoverboard should be a part of regular hoverboard maintenance. Next time your Bluetooth-less self-leveling scooter starts pulling to one side or refuses to balance, reset it. Most of the time, performing the 5 easy hoverboard calibration steps described above solves the problem.
Read Your Hoverboard’s User Manual First, Though
Even though the calibration procedure outlined above almost always works, I suggest that you read the product’s user manual first. There could be a small deviation as regards your specific hoverboard model from the process I’ve presented here.
Maybe you misplaced the instructions manual. In that case, visit the hoverboard manufacturer’s website and see if you can the manual. If you still can’t find the manual, ask Google. This mighty search engine almost always surfaces specific information.
How to Reset a Bluetooth-Enabled Hoverboard
First off, you must know that in most cases, it’s not a good idea to calibrate a Bluetooth-enabled self-balancing scooter. Resetting a hoverboard that features Bluetooth technology isn’t recommended as it’s easy to kill the Bluetooth chip.
Most Bluetooth-enabled self-balancing scooters require you to download a specific mobile app to access this feature. If that’s the case for your hoverboard and you understand the risks involved, go ahead and reset it.
A 5-Step Guide to Calibrating a Hoverboard Using a Smartphone App
Now, to reset a mobile app-operated hoverboard, follow the calibration process outlined below:
Step 1: Install the relevant Smartphone App
Find the recommended app for operating your hoverboard, download it, and install it on your smartphone. In most cases, you should be able to find the app you need on Google Play or Apple Store.
Step 2: Pair up Your Hoverboard with App
Each hoverboard maker provides instructions on how to link the hoverboard to the user’s smartphone app. So, make sure to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to pair up your board with your phone.
Step3: Find a Level, Even Surface
Execute this step as you would for a self-balancing scooter without Bluetooth connectivity. No need to repeat myself here, huh?
Step 4: Visit the App’s Calibration Area
Every app features an area with instructions on how to calibrate your hoverboard. Most of the apps I’ve seen label the calibration area “Calibrate the Unit.” Check your app to see if that’s how it names the calibration corner. I bet you’ll find either the phrase “Calibrate the Unit” or its equivalent.
Step 4: Follow the Hoverboard Reset Instructions Keenly
As mentioned above, there’s no ironclad guarantee that resetting a Bluetooth-enabled self-balancing scooter will work as desired. It’s not uncommon for hoverboard owners to try resetting their device only to end up with a fried Bluetooth chip.
Whether you follow every step with the concentration of a neurosurgeon, it’s still possible to ruin the Bluetooth chip. But it’s highly recommended that you follow the instructions laid out in the app with utmost care.
When you click on the “Calibrate the Unit” button, instructions on how to reset your dev
Step 5:Turn Your Hoverboard On
Now, power your device on and step on it to test whether it’s working right. If there are no red-flashing lights, you likely did the calibration correctly.
Give Your Calibrated Hoverboard a Test Ride
The only way to know whether your hoverboard functions as intended is to ride it for some time. I take it that no red-flashing lights came on when you cranked up your machine.
So, hop right on the board and lean forward. If it’s working alright, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Then, lean backward a little and notice whether you can reverse the board without problems.
Next, test whether your hoverboard turns smoothly as before. The right side shouldn’t be moving faster than the left side, and vice versa.
Also, test whether your board still climbs hills as it used to before it started acting up. Most importantly, see whether the self-balancing scooter stays upright and balanced at all times.
What if Calibrating Doesn’t Solve the Problems?
Sometimes, none of the tricks you try will work. And that can feel super frustrating. If your hoverboard doesn’t seem to respond positively to calibration, it’s possible that the gyroscopes need to be replaced. You can find good YouTube videos on how to swap out bad gyros and swap in new gyros.
But if you’re afraid you might make mistakes, request a technical pair of hands to help replace the gyros. It’s a good idea to pay someone to do it for you especially if your hoverboard cost you an arm and a leg.
How to Calibrate Your Hoverboard: Final Word
Reset a misbehaving hoverboard isn’t too technical that you need to pay someone to do it for you. It’s an easy 5-step process that pretty much anyone can handle.
Calibrating a board without Bluetooth technology is almost similar to resetting a unit without this feature. But in this case, you have to follow the instructions provided in the manufacturer-recommended app.
In cases where calibrating your hoverboard fails completely, consider replacing the gyroscopes. If you lack the confidence to do it yourself, have someone else with the technical know-how to handle it.
Finally, give your self-balancing scooter a test spin to see if resetting it solved the problem. Oh, and remember to wear a good helmet (a certified helmet) and some high-quality knee pads.
