How to Fix Tiny Whoop Motors that Won’t Spin When Armed

If your Tiny Whoop’s motors refuse to spin or only twitch when arming the quad, the issue is often related to ESC settings. Specifically, the motors may not be receiving enough startup power. Fortunately, this problem can be easily resolved. In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through a quick fix using the Bluejay ESC Configurator.

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For optimal Bluejay settings for Tiny Whoops, check out this guide: https://oscarliang.com/bluejay-blheli-s/#Best-Settings

Diagnosing Motor Issues

Before making any changes, confirm the issue by testing your Tiny Whoop.

Here’s a quick check:

1. Connect the Battery: Plug in the LiPo battery to power your quad.
2. Test in Betaflight:
   • Go to the Motor tab in Betaflight Configurator.
   • Use the sliders to spin the motors.
   • If one or more motors don’t spin up, you have a more serious problem, i.e. hardware issue (e.g., a faulty ESC or motor). You might have to replace them.
   • If all motors spin fine using the sliders, but don’t spin when you arm the quad, the issue is likely related to ESC settings. Keep reading!
3. Arm the Quad: Unplug the USB cable and flip the arm switch on your transmitter.
4. Observe the Motors: If the motors only twitch or fail to spin up smoothly, they may not be receiving enough startup power.

Connecting to ESC Configurator

Once you’ve identified the issue, let’s fix it by adjusting the ESC startup power in Bluejay.

Steps to Connect:

1. Plug in the USB Cable: Connect your Tiny Whoop to your computer.
2. Connect the Battery: Plug in the LiPo battery to power the quad.
3. Open the ESC Configurator: Go to https://esc-configurator.com/ in your browser. This tool allows you to make changes to Bluejay ESC settings.

Adjusting Startup Power

Now that you’re connected to the ESC Configurator, adjust the “Minimum Startup Power” to resolve the issue.

Steps to Adjust:

1. Locate the Minimum Startup Power setting in the configurator. This parameter controls the initial power sent to the motors upon arming.
2. Increase Minimum Startup Power: Set it to 1100 – in my experience, this should work on most tiny whoop setups. Click Save Settings, and then disconnect.
3. Test the Quad: Unplug the USB, arm the quad, and see if the motors spin properly.

If the issue is resolved, you can fine-tune the settings:

• Avoid leaving Minimum Startup Power too high, because it could actually damage your motors if they are obstructed. It’s best to set it to the lowest possible value.
• To do that, gradually reduce the Minimum Startup Power by 10 points at a time until the motors no longer spin, then go back.
• Now set the Maximum Startup Power 20 points higher than the Minimum (suggested by Bluejay documentation), and you should be good to go.

Final Thoughts

Adjusting the minimum startup power on your Tiny Whoop can often resolve motor twitching or non-responsive motors upon arming. It’s a quick fix that any pilot can perform with minimal tools and experience, making it an invaluable troubleshooting technique. Now, your Tiny Whoop should be up and running smoothly, allowing you to get back to what matters most—flying!

By regularly checking and fine-tuning these settings, you can avoid downtime and keep your quad in optimal condition.