Hoverboard Guides

Hoverboards have been constantly evolving to the point where they are always adding exciting new features for users to take advantage of.

One of these new features is the addition of Bluetooth technologies that allow hoverboards to have new features with this added technology. 

In many cases, these features can be tricky to use if you are not that familiar with Bluetooth systems.

Let’s see how you can fix these Bluetooth features on your hoverboard. 

Why Do Some Hoverboards Have Bluetooth?

Many new hoverboards have come a long way from older models that just came equipped with very basic features. In some cases, people buy hoverboards with features like Bluetooth and they don’t even realize it until a later time. 

4 Ways to Fix Bluetooth Issues

Check Distance 

One of the most common issues with Bluetooth in general is that it does not often have a long range of distance. When hoverboards use Bluetooth to connect a phone to the board itself, it often has the impression that the phone is going to be with the board in a close proximity.

If you are far away from the board, try getting closer to see if the Bluetooth connection improves. 

Check Device Connections 

Just like any other speaker or headphones that use Bluetooth, most Bluetooth enabled devices can connect to multiple devices. If the board is connected to other devices that you don’t want to be paired, it could interfere with the connection you are trying to establish now.

If you want to prevent this, you will want to get the devices that are connected to the board and unpair them manually. 

Reset the Hoverboard 

Many times, Bluetooth connections can get confused and caught up with multiple connections to other devices. Hoverboards have been implementing more and more technology that can get confusing to deal with and manage if you are unaware of the inner workings of Bluetooth. 

Oftentimes, simply resetting the Bluetooth system and wiping it’s memory will make it easy to pair a new device. A reset of the hoverboard will allow the board to go back to the state it was in when you bought the board to begin with. 

Check or Charge the Battery

The last thing you can easily do to resolve Bluetooth issues is to check on the state or charge of your battery. This could be caused by the battery being on a low power mode or have an underlying issue.

You can first try charging the unit to see if the increase in power brings the Bluetooth system back to life. If you have tired charging and are not seeing the Bluetooth signal working, this could indicate that your battery has an underlying issue and could need to be replaced. 

Hoverboards have come a long way from how they were just a few years ago to become a whole new segment of mobility. 

Who are Hoverboards for?

When hoverboards came out a few years ago, they were the latest trend for people to enjoy and get a laugh out of. In current times, they have evolved into a much more substantial market that has hoverboards in all different shapes and sizes.

Hoverboards for Different Age Groups

Children 

One of the most popular age groups for hoverboard riding is going to be children. Kids love things that move and hoverboards seem like a futuristic technology to them. 

Kids are still young and developing their sense of awareness, so it is not ideal for really young children to try using hoverboards.

Most hoverboards have a minimum age requirement of 8 or 9 years.

That being said, some older children who may have experience with things like riding a bike should be able to try low power hoverboards with relative ease. 

Teenagers

While children often have the most interest in hoverboards, teenagers are often the ones who buy them most often. The timing of the hoverboard release put it on Birthday and holiday lists for nearly every teenager at one point as they were the toy to get. 

As hoverboards have evolved, so have the wants and needs of teenagers. Many teenagers look for hoverboards that have a mix of power and cool looks that will make them look cool. Most teenagers would be comfortable on any hoverboard as long as they take the time to understand how it works. 

Adults 

The last market for hoverboards is adults. Many adults think hoverboards are somewhat childish and nothing more than a toy, but many younger adults see some value in them. In particular, college students have embraced the hoverboard as a great way to get around campus instead of walking or biking. 

The hoverboard market for adults is not that large, but they often buy more expensive units. Adult riders put a higher value on quality, range, and power over things like flashy looks and features. If you do you research and know who the board is for, you can find one for nearly anyone. 

As hoverboards get more and more popular every day, more people are learning about how effective these units are for transportation.

Hoverboards are a versatile and effective way to move around that are accessible to most people. However, these little units are not invincible. 

Why Do Hoverboards Scratch So Easily?

Many people will get their new hoverboard only to see it get scratched up in a few days. While this is somewhat of an annoyance, it is not all that uncommon issue that hoverboard users face.

One of the primary reasons that hoverboards scratch easily is due to the fact they rise so low to the ground. Paired with their mostly plastic construction, this is a recipe for scratches on the board. 

Ways to Fix Hoverboard Scratches

Cleaning Supplies

The first thing you will want to try out to get rid of scratches is to simply try some basic cleaning products. Many scratches look bad initially only to look much better when you put in a little elbow grease to just clean off the dirt. Even something as simple as a damp towel could be enough to make a scratch nearly disappear. 

Sandpaper and Paint

If you really want to get rid of scratches, you can put in some time and effort into cleaning up scratches with sandpaper and new paint. Once you sand down the area with the scratch, the entire area will look the same and sit flush.

When you have the whole area sanded down to the same level of plastic, you can apply new paint to make it look like there was no scratch there in the first place. While this takes some time and effort, the results speak for themselves. 

Tape 

Depending on how bad the scratch on your hoverboard is, there is a good chance that something as simple as tape could make the scratch look invisible. Using this technique to mask a scratch will really depend on how bad the scratch is and what color tape you have on hand.

You will want to use a durable tape that isn’t likely to fall off to ensure that the tape is able to act as a barrier to prevent further scratches from occurring. 

Prevention 

Hoverboard scratches are something most riders are going to have to deal with, so don’t worry about getting them on your board. With these tips, you can now prevent getting scratches and know how to deal with them if they occur. 

Hoverboards quickly swept the world as they offered a new and fun way to get around on flat ground.

Their unusual design and way of moving people around caught the attention of many people as they bought them for friends and family. 

However, all the fun and games came to a quick halt when poorly made and dangerous hoverboards began having serious issues. Cheap models were catching on fire and having serious battery issues. 

Because of these bad hoverboards that enter the market, airlines have been very hesitant to let them on planes. 

Why Can’t you take Hoverboards on Planes?

As hoverboards became very popular, there were companies that used this hype to create unsafe and poorly made products.

As these products entered the mainstream market, they started to have issues like catching fire and exploding. When airlines caught wind of this, they could not, in good conscience, allow them on planes.

The main issue that airlines have with these boards is that the cheaper models are reporting inaccurate battery information and safety labels that aren’t accurate.

Let’s see if there are any exceptions for hoverboards that don’t blatantly break these rules. 

Are There Exceptions?

Airlines

As every airline acts as its own company, they are the ones who decide what is and is not allowed on their planes. As long as they aren’t allowing illegal objects to travel on their planes, every airline can choose what does and does not fly on their planes.

With hoverboards, nearly all major American airline companies have put a ban on hoverboards from getting on their flights. However, we will see later on that there are some ways that certain hoverboards may be able to get past the regulations. 

Batteries 

Airlines have done everything from banning certain types of batteries to even banning specific phones that had battery issues that could damage the plane. Just like certain laptops and computers aren’t allowed on planes, the FAA states that no lithium-ion batteries larger than 160 watts can be stored in carry-on luggage.

If you buy a reputable board that has a small enough battery, you may have a better chance of being allowed to fly with it. Finding a unit with either a removable or different type of battery may also allow you to fly with the board. 

Hoverboard Size

The last consideration that may affect your ability to take a hoverboard on a plane is the size of the hoverboard. Hoverboards come in all shapes and sizes and may not even be able to fit in the carry-on section if they are too big. Because of this, check with your airline before flying to see if the hoverboard will fit. 

If you have doubts about whether or not your hoverboard will fit on a particular plane, you should always reach out to see if it is allowed. Calling the airline for any questions or concerns will allow you to get the most accurate answers possible.

If you are looking into buying a hoverboard, you probably also want to think about where you are going to be riding it. Any hoverboard can handle sidewalks and other flat surfaces, but what if you want to take it somewhere else? Can you ride a hoverboard over the carpet and grass?

Well, it depends on the type of hoverboard that you choose. Standard hoverboards typically are only meant for pavement, but off road hoverboards can allow you to travel through grass, dirt, and small rocks much better than the standard.

While the standard can work on carpet (depending on how thick it is), you do need to learn to ride differently. Other types of terrain are better suited for an off-road board. 

Here is everything you need to know about hoverboards and taking them off the familiar path.

What is an Off Road Hoverboard?

An off road hoverboard, also called an all-terrain board, is made to tackle rugged terrain, rough pavement, high grass, carpet, and many other areas in the outdoors. Lately, they have been gaining in popularity, as they can also carry a lot of weight (up to 400+ pounds)- making them perfect for hiking and camping trips.

Off-road boards have a few features that make them stand out from the standard. While the standard is perfect for smooth pavement and a calmer trip,  off-road boards are designed to take more of a beating on intense travels .

These are the features that your new off road hoverboard should have and why it needs them to function properly:

Large Tires

If you are looking to take the hoverboard through the grass, dirt, or other rough terrains you are going to need a large set of quality made tires. Smaller tires work better at navigating smoother surfaces, making them best for pavement, concrete, or other areas in a city.

Large tires can handle rocks, grass, and dirt much better than small ones. They pass over the uneven surfaces easier, making travel through rough terrain possible. A large tire would need to be  at least 8.5 inches tall , although you can buy even large ones for harsher areas. To put it in perspective, standard boards normally use 6 to 6.5-inch tires.

You are also going to need tires with a deep tread. This can greatly improve traction and help keep you from slipping on uneven surfaces. These treads can be spotted by groves that go across the wheel in a deep zig-zag like shape.

These  larger tires travel easier over high grass and gravel, making them the best option  for taking your hoverboard off the pavement.

Sturdy Materials

In an off road hoverboard, you will want to have durable tires that are filled with air. This allows them to have better traction, stability, and can adjust to the surfaces they are traveling over. 

Standard boards have solid tires, without any air. This works best for the surfaces that they travel over.

Off road boards typically have thicker coverings on the bottom to protect the system from debris and water.

Can I Use my Hoverboard on a Carpet?

Yes, no matter which type of board you have, you should be able to take it on the carpet. The standard board can also handle light grass and even dirt paths- the off-road is just better at high grass and rougher paths. 

When using the board on carpet, you might notice that you need to work harder to keep your balance. After a while, it should feel more natural to you. You just need to be aware of it, so that you do not fall over.

Boards with larger wheels tend to feel better on the carpet. A standard hoverboard might feel a little more difficult to balance on, depending on how plush the carpet is.

Be Sure to Protect the Board from Water

Taking your board off the pavement means that it is more likely to get muddy or wet. You will want to take a few extra steps to be sure that it will last a long time. Always be sure that your board has a durable cover on the bottom to protect the battery and logic board from water or dirt.

You can tell if your board is  safe for all-terrain by checking its IP rating . This will let you know if it can withstand a few raindrops or is safe to steer through deep puddles.

If the battery does get wet, dry it as best you can right away.  You can even use a little bit of rubbing alcohol on it to ensure that any lingering moisture evaporates.  If the battery is wet for too long, it will ruin the performance of your board or stop working entirely. 

While replacing a battery is easy to do, you probably do not want to spend extra money when you do not have to.

Conclusion

In short, yes! You can take your hoverboard over the carpet or grass. However, its performance will depend on the type of board, what kind of tires it has, and how rough the terrain is.

If you plan on going off-road often, the sidewalks in your area are cracked and uneven, or the idea of driving it through mud is fun to you- then you will probably want to get an all-terrain hoverboard.

Standard boards are perfect for travel in cities or other leisurely travel. They can still be taken on the carpet and handle it pretty well, once you adjust to balancing differently and moving slowly. 

Riding a hoverboard allows for a fun and unique experience. But, there is also some pretty cool science behind it.  It features a gyroscope, tilt detection systems, and many different kinds of sensors. 

This technology is being further developed all the time, so maybe one day, you can take your new hoverboard somewhere that you would never have imagined in the past. 

Understanding how a self-balancing board works can help you adjust to riding one. If you know what is happening under your feet, it can be much easier for you to learn how it “feels” to ride it correctly.

So, how exactly does a hoverboard work? Keep reading to find out!

They use Pivoting Frames

Hoverboards, or self-balancing boards, are built around a frame that can pivot in the middle. They include sensors that pick up the tilted angle of the frame and interact with a gyroscope to face upwards all of the time. 

What do the Lights Mean?

You might have noticed the LED lights on the bottom of your board. They are activated by a switch under your foot and can sense when you have your feet flat, keeping the board standing upright and keeping you stabilized. 

In other words,  the lights are sensors that help keep you level with the ground . They are an essential part of the system and work with the gyroscopes to keep you standing straight on the hoverboard.

When you lean forward, the light turns off, making the wheels spin. There are two motors in the board, each controlling one wheel, allowing them to move independently from each other- this is why you would be able to make yourself spin in circles while riding one.

How the Board Stays Balanced

Those tilt sensors in the wheels let the gyroscope know which way and how far you are leaning. They use this information to determine how fast to move the motors attached to the wheels. When you lean forward farther, the motor makes the wheels spin even faster.

This way, you do not fall forward- the system keeps up with you and how far you are leaning to keep you balanced on the board. This way, you are also just controlling the speed of your hoverboard with your weight.

It is easy to learn and does not take a lot of energy to make the board move. It does not take a long time to learn to stand on the board either, since it knows how to compensate for how far you are leaning forward.

How the Gyroscope Works

The  gyroscope receives the tilt angle from the other sensors and alters the speed levels . This helps keep the system in control as you move. When you step on the board for the first time, you will need to calibrate the gyroscope to how you naturally stand.

This tells the system where “flat” is for you and lets it know when to speed up to adjust to your leaning. This gives hoverboards their unique feel and experience- not many boards make use of a gyroscope system to keep you in place and change speed.

There is a Mini Computer in Your Hoverboard

You can think of the logic board as the thought center of the hoverboard- without it, the board would be rendered useless. This is also where any remote controls for the board you have are connected and allow you to change between different modes.

Why the Battery is Opposite the Logic Board

There is a good reason why in a quality hoverboard the lithium battery is on the opposite side of the logic board. This reduces the build-up of heat between the two components. If you have heard stories about boards combusting, you can bet that the battery was right on top of the logic board.

Lesser quality hoverboards even have been known to not have a way to secure the battery into its intended place, giving it the room to slide around and wreak havoc on the board’s systems. 

Good boards have safety measures in place, so you can be sure that you are safe while riding one. 

Hoverboards are being Developed Further

Hoverboards are being developed further.  In a few years, you might have access to stronger batteries, wheels, and suspension.  With that, you could take the hoverboard further, ride it longer, and maybe even take it off-road.

You might have noticed that your hoverboard does not work outdoors well, but with the developing technology, you might soon be gliding over any terrain you can imagine!

Most of the issues in modern hoverboards come from the batteries being used. Many lesser quality boards lack a system to deal with overcharge and break when left on the charger for too long. Which is easy to do- as most take under two hours to reach 100% battery levels.  

Once this is fixed, you can expect your device to hold a longer charge- that will not cause the board to malfunction. A powerful battery will let you go more difficult to navigate places as well.

Conclusion

In short, the board works by using a gyroscope paired with a system that can sense the level of the ground as well as the angle of your tilt. This keeps you upright as the wheels adjust to your lean and change up the speed as a reaction. 

We’ve all been there. You just got a new hoverboard and you can’t wait to ride it. You go to turn it on and… It won’t stop beeping. Or maybe you’ve been using your hoverboard for a while, and all of a sudden it won’t stop beeping.

This problem can range from slightly annoying to pretty frustrating if you feel like you’ve tried everything and you can’t get it to stop. Well, don’t worry, because below you will find common fixes to turn off the beeping and restore peace.

Reasons Why Your Hoverboard Could be Beeping

There is no one reason why you might be having this problem with your hoverboard, so it can sometimes be challenging to figure out what’s causing the beeping.

The best way to do it is by looking at the context of the problem. Here are some common situations where a hoverboard could keep beeping.

Hoverboard Beeps on Uneven Surfaces

If the surface you’re riding on is uneven, your hoverboard may start beeping to warn you.  A dangerously uneven surface tilts the board by more than 15 degrees forward or backward, which can severely impact your balance.  Without proper balance, you are at a higher risk of an accident and potentially harming yourself and/or your hoverboard. You can stop this beeping by riding on a flat, even surface.

Hoverboard Beeps at Higher Speeds

If you exceed the maximum speed of your hoverboard, the board becomes dangerous to ride. That’s why they come with a safety function that’s triggered by speeds faster than the maximum. The board will start to slow down and it will beep to warn you that you’re going too fast.

Hoverboard Beeps and Flashes While Riding

When your hoverboard’s battery drops below 20%, the green light will start to blink.  If the red light is blinking, it means your battery life is critically low and it needs to be charged immediately . Stop riding your hoverboard if you see either of these lights and charge it as you normally would.

Hoverboard is Beeping and Won’t Turn Off

If this is the case, then your hoverboard likely has a defect in its motherboard. You can solve this problem with a hoverboard repair kit, which you can buy online, or by paying for a repair service on the board.

If you replace the motherboard yourself, keep in mind what type of motherboard is currently in the board and check with the retailer before you buy a new one to make sure it will be compatible.

Need a new board?

Hoverboards are evolving fast, and the price is often dropping too. Here is Hover Patrols list of the best hoverboards for 2021.

How to Stop Your Hoverboard from Beeping

If you’re not sure what the cause of the beeping is, or if there is no obvious fix, here are some common ways you can stop your hoverboard’s beeping.

Recalibrate the Hoverboard

This is the most common way to stop the beeping and it does not require an expert to do it for you. Follow these easy steps to recalibrate your hoverboard:

1. Adjust the foot pedals so that they are level with each other (the board should also be on level ground)
2. Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds until the device powers off. This should stop the beeping and activate LED lights, which should flash
3. Leave the device off for a few seconds
4. Press the power button again to turn the hoverboard back on
5. Give the board a test ride

If the board continues to beep, you may need to repeat this process to fully reset the device. It is not recommended to calibrate the board more than 5 times.

Reconnect the Wires

You may have a loose line inside your hoverboard that’s causing the non stop beeping. To check this and fix it, turn off your hoverboard and remove the screws holding it together. Open the board up to reveal its power cables.

Check the line to see if it’s loose, and also make sure the wires are all clipped in securely. If the wires aren’t clipped, you can fix this simply by pulling them out of the board and pushing them back in. If you have a loose line, you can disconnect it by using a pen or a pencil to push the clip outwards a bit. Then, reconnect the line securely. 

Solutions Based on the Number of Red Flashes

If neither calibration nor reconnecting the wires works for you, then you’ll need to note how many times the red light on your hoverboard flashes when it’s beeping. The light could be flashing anywhere from 1-9 times, and each number of flashes means something different:

• 1 Flash: There is a motherboard issue. Disconnect and reconnect all connections on the motherboard. If this doesn’t solve the problem, consider replacing the motherboard
• 2 or 3 Flashes: There is an internal circuitry issue. Purchase a circuit board replacement kit and follow instructions accordingly
• 4 or 5 Flashes: There is an internal motor issue. 4 flashes indicate a problem with the motor on the motherboard side of your device, while 5 flashes indicate a problem with the motor on the battery side. You will likely need to replace the faulty motor 
• 6 Flashes: There is a battery issue. You will likely need to replace the battery in this case
• 7 or 8 Flashes: There is a gyroscope issue. This could vary from pin deviation to an unstable socket to poor interface alignment. You can either replace the gyroscopes or the entire circuit board to fix the problem
• 9 Flashes: There is an orientation issue. Simply put, your hoverboard has been turned on while upside down, and all you need to do in this case is flip the device right-side-up to stop the beeping

If Your Hoverboard is Still Beeping

If none of the above solutions work, it may be time to replace your board. If the product is under warranty, you can contact the manufacturer for a refund or replacement.

So, your hoverboard isn’t turning on. Whether it’s brand-new or you’ve been using it for years, this problem can be frustrating. After all, if you just bought the device, it should be working just fine.

And if you’ve been using it for a while and there hasn’t been obvious damage to it, you may not know why it’s suddenly not powering on. 

We’re here to help you solve this problem without paying a lot of money for some other person to repair your hoverboard. Here are some tips you can try to fix it on your own.

What’s Wrong with my Hoverboard?

There are several issues within the device that could cause it to stop turning on. These include a  defect in the battery, where it can’t hold a charge, or the charger itself could be defective .

The charger may also be plugged in incorrectly. There could be a disconnected wire inside the board, or there could be a system error, or the motherboard could be defective.

Below, we’ll outline some ways for you to figure out what’s wrong with the board and offer common fixes for whatever issue you’re having.

Charger or Battery Defects

If you’re keeping your hoverboard charged, but it keeps running out of power before you even get a chance to use it, you could have a faulty battery or charger. It’s easier to test the charger than it is to open up the hoverboard and check out the battery, so we recommend starting there. 

Testing the Charger

Plug your charger in and notice if the light stays green or turns red. If it turns red, then the charger is working to load the battery with power as intended. If it stays green, however, it thinks the battery is fully charged even when it’s not.

A good charger should go red for at least a minute or two, even if the battery is full or close to full. So, a green light when you’ve just plugged in the charger indicates you may need to replace it.

If you can borrow a friend’s hoverboard charger, see if theirs does the same thing. If it stays green, too, then the problem is likely with your hoverboard battery or motherboard, not with the charger.

If it turns red, leave it plugged in until the light goes green. If your hoverboard turns on as it should, then the problem was with your charger.

However, some charge ports are designed with a small locator tab that makes it difficult to properly orient the charger. The tab is supposed to prevent the charger from being plugged in wrong, but if the tab is too small, it won’t work as intended.

This can happen when the manufacturer of the charger is different from the hoverboard manufacturer, resulting in a slight incompatibility between the charger and the locator tab. 

If this is the case with your hoverboard, the problem could be as simple as you have the charger turned the wrong way. If your charger is plugged in incorrectly, it won’t charge the hoverboard as it should. This could be indicated by no light at all when you plug in your charger.

Testing the Battery

If your charger is “behaving” properly and your hoverboard is still losing power too quickly, you can disassemble the board to get access to the battery. Remove the screws in the hoverboard case so you can take it apart. The battery is the largest component of the board and often has a blue cover over it, so it should be easy to locate.

Wiring and Motherboard Defects

If the problem isn’t with the charger or the battery, then there are a few other things that could be wrong with your hoverboard. Here’s how to identify and fix these common issues:

Checking the Wires

Before replacing all the screws and putting your hoverboard back together, take a look at the wiring that connects the charging port to the motherboard.  If these wires are disconnected somehow or plugged in incorrectly, it could be the cause of your problem.  You might try unplugging the wires and then reconnecting them, then try charging the device again. If it charges and turns on, then the problem was likely with the wiring.

Checking the Motherboard

If the wiring was okay, then the motherboard itself is likely at fault here.  The motherboard could be defective, or it could have a system error that’s causing it to malfunction.  If you know how, check for trouble codes in the motherboard. 

If you don’t know how to check for trouble codes, you can call customer support with your hoverboard retailer or manufacturer to get guidance. If the motherboard has a trouble code, you’ll likely need to replace the motherboard or send it in for repairs.

If you feel it is time for a new hoverboard, check out our best hoverboard reviews 2021.

Hoverboard Repairs Under Warranty

Once you’ve identified the problem with your hoverboard, check to see if the device is under warranty from the supplier.

If it is, you can most likely have the defective part repaired or replaced at no cost to you.  Check the terms and limitations of your warranty and call your supplier to confirm whether the problem with your hoverboard is covered.