What the Holy Stone HS175 app camera issue means
If your Holy Stone HS175 app camera is not working, the problem is usually not the drone camera itself but the link between the drone, the mobile app, and your phone’s Wi-Fi settings.
This guide explains the most common causes, the exact checks to run, and the fastest fixes that restore live view and recording.
The HS175 uses a Wi-Fi-based video connection, which means even small setup mistakes can break the camera feed.
That makes the issue frustrating, but it also means the fix is often straightforward once you identify the weak link.
How the HS175 camera system works
The Holy Stone HS175 sends live video from the drone to your smartphone through the Holy Stone app and a direct Wi-Fi connection.
In most cases, the flight controller, camera module, and app each need to be properly paired before the image appears.
- Drone camera: captures the video signal.
- Wi-Fi transmission: sends the feed from the drone to your phone.
- Holy Stone app: displays live video and enables photo or video capture.
- Phone permissions: allow the app to use Wi-Fi, storage, and sometimes location services.
If any one of these steps fails, the camera feed can freeze, stay black, or disappear entirely.
Most common reasons the Holy Stone HS175 app camera is not working
Before changing settings one by one, it helps to know the typical causes.
The HS175 camera problem usually falls into one of these categories:
- The app is not connected to the drone’s Wi-Fi network.
- Mobile data is interrupting the local Wi-Fi connection.
- The Holy Stone app lacks required permissions.
- The wrong app version is installed.
- The drone battery is low, causing unstable video transmission.
- The camera cable or gimbal connection is loose.
- The phone is incompatible with the app or Wi-Fi band.
- Cached app data is corrupted.
These issues are common on Wi-Fi camera drones from brands such as Holy Stone, DJI, and Potensic, especially when the phone switches networks automatically.
Check the Wi-Fi connection first
The most important step is to confirm that your phone is connected to the HS175’s dedicated Wi-Fi network.
The camera feed will not work if your phone stays on your home router or jumps back to mobile data.
- Power on the HS175 and wait for its Wi-Fi signal to appear.
- Open your phone’s Wi-Fi settings and connect to the drone network.
- Disable cellular data temporarily so the phone does not leave the drone network.
- Open the Holy Stone app only after the Wi-Fi link is active.
If you are indoors near other routers, interference can also weaken the signal.
Move a few feet away from the router and try again.
Verify app permissions on your phone
Modern versions of iOS and Android often block camera apps until the right permissions are granted.
If the Holy Stone HS175 app camera not working problem started after an update, permissions are one of the first places to look.
On Android
- Allow Wi-Fi, location, and storage permissions for the Holy Stone app.
- Enable location services if the app requests them for Wi-Fi scanning.
- Turn off battery optimization for the app if it closes in the background.
On iPhone
- Allow the app to access local network devices.
- Check that Wi-Fi is enabled in Control Center, not just cellular data.
- Allow photo access if you want to save images and videos.
If the app cannot access the local network, the camera feed may load as a black screen or never connect at all.
Update or reinstall the Holy Stone app
An outdated app can create compatibility issues with newer iOS and Android versions.
If the feed used to work and suddenly stopped after a phone update, reinstalling the app is often effective.
- Delete the Holy Stone app from your phone.
- Restart the phone.
- Install the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
- Reconnect to the HS175 Wi-Fi network and test the camera again.
This step also clears temporary app errors that can block video display.
If you already have the newest version, clearing cached data on Android may help.
Inspect the drone’s camera and cable connections
When the app connects but the screen stays black, the issue may be hardware-related.
The HS175 camera assembly uses internal connectors that can loosen after transport or impact.
Look closely at the camera module and the cable leading into the drone body.
If the drone has experienced a hard landing, even a slightly displaced cable can prevent video from reaching the app.
- Check whether the camera lens is physically damaged or obstructed.
- Confirm the camera is seated properly in its mount.
- Inspect for loose wiring near the gimbal area.
- Test the drone after a full battery charge.
If the aircraft powers on normally but never shows any image in the app, hardware inspection becomes more important.
Confirm that the drone battery is fully charged
Low battery can reduce transmission quality and make the live camera feed unstable.
The HS175 may still fly briefly on a weak battery, but the Wi-Fi video stream can lag or fail before flight functions stop completely.
Charge both the drone battery and the controller fully before testing again.
If possible, test the camera immediately after a complete charge rather than during a partially depleted battery cycle.
Reduce interference and improve signal quality
Wi-Fi camera drones are sensitive to interference from routers, Bluetooth devices, thick walls, and crowded urban wireless environments.
If the app camera works in one location but not another, interference is likely part of the problem.
- Test outdoors in an open area away from Wi-Fi routers.
- Keep the phone close to the drone during setup.
- Turn off Bluetooth if you do not need it during testing.
- Avoid standing near vehicles, power lines, or large metal structures.
Short-range setup usually produces the most reliable video feed on drones that use smartphone Wi-Fi streaming.
Check phone compatibility and settings
Some phones handle Wi-Fi camera apps better than others.
Older devices, heavily customized Android skins, and aggressive power-saving settings can disrupt the HS175 camera stream.
Review these compatibility points:
- Use a supported iOS or Android version.
- Disable VPN apps during setup.
- Turn off “smart network switching” if your phone keeps leaving the drone Wi-Fi.
- Close other apps that may use camera, Wi-Fi, or storage resources.
If you are testing on a second device, try a different phone or tablet to isolate whether the problem is with the drone or the original device.
Reset the app and reconnect from scratch
If the camera worked before and now refuses to load, a clean reset can resolve hidden connection issues.
Start by forgetting the drone Wi-Fi network on your phone, then reconnect as if it were the first setup.
- Forget the HS175 Wi-Fi network in phone settings.
- Close the app completely.
- Restart the phone.
- Power cycle the drone and controller.
- Reconnect to the drone Wi-Fi.
- Open the app and test the live view.
This refreshes the connection path and removes stale session data that can block the feed.
When the camera is still not working
If you have tried the Wi-Fi, permissions, app reinstall, and hardware checks, the issue may involve a defective camera module, damaged cable, or controller-level fault.
At that point, document the behavior clearly so support can help faster.
- Note whether the app connects but shows a black screen.
- Record whether the problem happens on more than one phone.
- Check whether photos or video recording buttons respond.
- Describe any recent crash, update, or hard landing.
That information helps Holy Stone support determine whether you need a replacement part, firmware guidance, or a warranty claim.
For most users, though, the fix is usually found in network setup, app permissions, or a fresh re-pairing process.
Quick checklist to resolve the HS175 camera issue
- Connect the phone directly to the HS175 Wi-Fi network.
- Disable mobile data, VPNs, and auto-switching features.
- Grant all required app permissions.
- Reinstall or update the Holy Stone app.
- Charge the drone battery fully.
- Inspect the camera cable and mount.
- Test away from heavy Wi-Fi interference.
Working through these steps methodically is the fastest way to fix the Holy Stone HS175 app camera not working problem and restore a stable live video feed.