You set up the perfect shot. The framing looks great, the lighting hits just right, and then—your gimbal starts shaking. Instead of smooth cinematic motion, you get jittery, unstable footage that ruins the entire take.
A shaky gimbal defeats its purpose. Whether you’re filming a travel vlog, a commercial shoot, or a short film, camera shake makes the footage look amateur. Viewers notice it, and clients won’t be happy with shaky shots.
The good news? You can fix it. Most gimbal shakes come from simple issues—imbalanced weight, loose screws, outdated firmware, or incorrect settings.
You don’t need a new gimbal. You need to diagnose the problem and make a few adjustments.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to stabilize your gimbal. By the end, you’ll know what causes shakes and how to fix them—so every shot comes out steady and professional.
Table of Contents
Understanding Why Gimbals Shake
Gimbal shakes happen for a reason. Identifying the cause makes troubleshooting easier.
Common Causes of Gimbal Shake and How to Fix Them
▶️ 1. Incorrect Balancing
Why it happens: If the camera isn’t balanced correctly, the motors work harder to compensate. This creates vibrations and instability.
How to fix it:
- Remove unnecessary accessories that add weight.
- Adjust tilt, roll, and pan axes until the camera stays level without motor assistance.
- Use your gimbal’s balance test feature (if available) to check for proper alignment.
▶️ 2. Loose Connections
Why it happens: A loose quick-release plate, weak mounting points, or unsecured screws create small movements that lead to shaking.
How to fix it:
- Tighten the quick-release plate until it’s firmly locked.
- Check all screws and fasteners on the gimbal arms.
- Inspect the mounting plate for wear or misalignment.
▶️ 3. Calibration Issues
Why it happens: If the gimbal sensors aren’t calibrated correctly, they misinterpret movements, causing instability.
How to fix it:
- Use the manufacturer’s app to perform a full IMU calibration.
- Reset the horizon level if the footage tilts unnaturally.
- If the gimbal has an auto-tune feature, run it to recalibrate motor strength.
▶️ 4. Excessive Payload
Why it happens: Every gimbal has a weight limit. Overloading it with a heavy camera, lens, or accessories strains the motors.
How to fix it:
- Check your gimbal’s weight limit in the user manual.
- Remove unnecessary accessories like heavy microphone setups or external monitors.
- If your setup is too heavy, use counterweights or consider a stronger gimbal model.
▶️ 5. Firmware Bugs
Why it happens: Outdated or buggy firmware can cause erratic motor behavior.
How to fix it:
- Connect your gimbal to its companion app.
- Check for firmware updates and install the latest version.
- If an update introduces issues, roll back to a previous version or reset to factory settings.
▶️ 6. Environmental Factors
Why it happens: Strong winds, rapid movement, or vibrations from walking can cause shakes, even if the gimbal is balanced.
How to fix it:
- Walk with soft, controlled steps (use the “ninja walk” technique).
- Avoid filming in high-wind conditions without stabilizing accessories.
- Use a gimbal with better dampening features for high-motion shots.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing a Shaky Gimbal
A shaky gimbal can turn smooth shots into an unusable mess. The problem usually comes from incorrect balancing, loose components, calibration errors, outdated firmware, or improper settings.
Fixing it takes a few simple adjustments. Follow these steps to get your gimbal working correctly again.
Step 1: Check and Rebalance Your Camera
A well-balanced gimbal reduces motor strain and prevents unnecessary shaking. If the camera isn’t balanced properly, the motors work harder, leading to instability.
- Remove extra accessories – Take off unnecessary gear like heavy filters, battery grips, external monitors, or microphones. Extra weight shifts the center of gravity, making it harder for the gimbal to stabilize.
- Adjust tilt, roll, and pan axes – Start by placing the camera on the gimbal. Test each axis by letting go briefly. If the camera moves in any direction, it needs fine-tuning. Adjust the sliding arms until the camera stays in place without drifting.
- Use the gimbal’s auto-tune feature – Many gimbals have an auto-tune function that adjusts motor power based on weight distribution. Run this feature after balancing to fine-tune stabilization.
Step 2: Tighten All Screws and Mounting Points
Loose screws, mounts, or plates create micro-movements that disrupt stabilization. Check every connection before shooting.
- Secure the quick-release plate – If the plate isn’t locked in place, the camera shifts slightly, throwing off the balance. Tighten the mounting screw until there’s no movement.
- Inspect motor arms and screws – Feel for any loose bolts around the gimbal’s arms and base. Use a screwdriver or hex key to tighten them if needed.
- Check cables and accessories – If you’re using external accessories, make sure cables aren’t pulling on the camera. Strain from wires can add uneven tension, affecting balance.
Step 3: Calibrate the Gimbal Sensors
Gimbals rely on sensors to maintain stability. If they aren’t calibrated correctly, the motors won’t respond accurately to movement.
- Use the manufacturer’s app for recalibration – Most gimbal brands (DJI, Zhiyun, Moza, etc.) have an app with built-in calibration tools. Open the app and follow the steps to reset sensors.
- Perform an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) calibration – The IMU keeps track of motion and positioning. If your gimbal shakes or drifts, recalibrate the IMU in the settings.
- Reset the horizon level – If your camera tilts slightly to one side, adjust the roll axis manually or use the auto-horizon correction in the app.
Step 4: Update or Reset the Firmware
Outdated or buggy firmware can cause stability issues.
- Check for firmware updates – Connect your gimbal to the brand’s app and look for updates. Installing the latest version often fixes performance problems.
- Reset to factory settings if shaking continues – If an update doesn’t help, reset the gimbal’s settings. This clears out any problematic configurations and restores default stabilization.
Step 5: Adjust Gimbal Settings
Fine-tuning the settings can stop minor shakes and make camera movements smoother.
- Lower motor sensitivity – If the gimbal overcorrects every small movement, reduce motor strength in the app. This prevents jerky movements.
- Increase deadband settings – Deadband controls how much movement is needed before the gimbal reacts. Increasing it helps reduce micro-jitters.
- Adjust follow speed – A high follow speed makes the gimbal respond aggressively to movement. Lower it for more fluid, cinematic motion.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
| Problem | Solution |
| Shaking when walking | Use the ninja walk—bend your knees slightly and step heel-to-toe for smoother movement. |
| Jittery follow mode | Lower the follow speed and increase smoothness in the app. |
| Gimbal drifts to one side | Run auto-calibration or manually adjust the horizon level. |
| Motors overheating | Reduce payload and let the gimbal rest if it gets too hot. |
Useful Tools and Accessories for Better Gimbal Performance
Even the best gimbals struggle without the right support. If your setup feels unbalanced or your footage still has micro-shakes, add these tools to your gear.
✅ Counterweights – Balance Heavier Setups
If your camera is too front-heavy or back-heavy, the gimbal motors work harder to stabilize it. That extra strain leads to vibrations.
Attach counterweights to the gimbal arm to offset the weight and balance the system properly.
Most brands offer dedicated counterweights, but generic options with adjustable weights also work.
Pro Tip: If you’re using a heavy lens, place a small counterweight at the back of the camera or on the tilt arm to redistribute the load.
✅ Vibration Dampeners – Reduce Micro-Shakes
Even with proper balancing, small vibrations from footsteps or vehicle movement can still show up in footage. A vibration dampener absorbs those subtle shakes before they reach the gimbal.
Mount one between the gimbal and your rig or tripod for better stability during motion shots.
When to Use: If you’re filming while walking, running, or shooting from a moving vehicle, a dampener helps smooth out minor shakes.
✅ Gimbal Stands – Support Rebalancing and Setup
Rebalancing a gimbal on the fly gets frustrating when you don’t have a stable surface.
A gimbal stand holds the rig upright, giving you both hands free to make adjustments. Most fold down for easy transport, making them perfect for on-location shoots.
Why You Need One: Setting your gimbal on the ground or a wobbly surface risks misalignment. A stand keeps everything steady.
✅ Firmware Apps – Keep Your Gimbal Running Smoothly
Manufacturers release firmware updates to fix stability issues and improve motor performance. If your gimbal shakes unexpectedly, check the app for updates.
Top Apps for Gimbal Tuning:
- DJI Ronin App – Adjust motor parameters, recalibrate, and update firmware.
- Zhiyun Assistant – Fine-tune motor strength and fix tilt drift.
- Moza Master – Calibrate, auto-tune, and troubleshoot connection issues.
Quick Fix: If your gimbal starts acting up mid-shoot, reset motor parameters in the app before trying manual fixes.
▶️ – Related Topic: Glidecam vs Gimbal
▶️ – Related Topic: How to Balance DJI Ronin-S
▶️ – Related Topic: Best DSLR Gimbal
Wrap Up
A shaky gimbal ruins the shot, but the fix is almost always within reach. Start by balancing your camera properly, tightening every screw, and running a calibration.
If the problem persists, tweak motor settings, update the firmware, or add accessories like counterweights and dampeners. Small adjustments make a big difference in stability.
Got a stubborn shake that won’t go away? Share your experience in the comments, and let’s troubleshoot together. Looking to improve your gimbal skills?
Check out more tips on cinematic movement and gimbal techniques to take your footage to the next level.