What to check when RTK fixed does not arrive: NTRIP, satellites, antenna and field control
When RTK fixed does not arrive, troubleshoot in order: internet, mount point, corrections, sky view, antenna setup and site conditions.
Field takeaways
- Check internet and NTRIP session first.
- Satellite count alone is not enough.
- Trees, buildings and power lines can make fixed solution difficult.
- Antenna height and CRS mistakes can still ruin a fixed observation.
- MapLab Survey helps document RTK status and field conditions.
The troubleshooting order
- Does the phone have stable internet; is a VPN or operator issue blocking data?
- Are the NTRIP username, password, caster and mountpoint right?
- Has the Bluetooth or cable link to the receiver dropped?
- Can the receiver see enough open sky, or is it under trees or beside a building?
- Are the antenna height and measurement profile entered correctly?
The fault is rarely in one place
The two most common reasons a fix does not arrive are corrections that never flow and a receiver that cannot see enough sky. Do not assume corrections flow because the internet works, or that the receiver is ready because it is connected: the link, the correction stream and the satellite view are three separate checks. A wrong mountpoint is the sneakiest failure — everything looks alive and the result sits somewhere else.
When float is a risk
A float solution can inform reconnaissance, but it must be treated carefully for stake-out, boundary control, excavation levels or formal delivery. Write the solution status into the report and, when needed, re-check the same point in a clearer spot or at another time. While waiting for the fix, pull forward the work that does not need precision — that is the practical way to save the day.
After the fix arrives
A fixed status alone is not a delivery guarantee. Measure a known control point and confirm the difference sits within tolerance; verify the antenna height and the coordinate system. Two minutes of habit makes the whole day's measurements defensible.
Field discipline
The surveyor does not only produce coordinates; the surveyor documents the condition under which those coordinates were produced. Fixed status, notes, photos, layers and reports are valuable because they keep the coordinate tied to the field evidence behind it.
Try these steps on your own phone.
MapLab Survey handles RTK/GNSS point capture, drawing, area and volume calculations and coordinate conversion, then exports to DXF, KML/KMZ, GeoJSON, Shapefile, GeoPackage, NCZ or CSV. Capture, calculation and export work offline. Live NTRIP corrections and online basemaps need a connection.
Frequently asked questions
Why does RTK fixed fail?
Internet, NTRIP, satellite geometry, multipath or antenna setup can be the cause.
Can float be used?
For reconnaissance only with caution.
What happens when NTRIP drops?
The solution may degrade.
How does MapLab Survey help?
It organizes RTK observations, notes and delivery.
Technical references
The field guidance in this article is aligned with the technical and official references below.
Related: RTK NTRIP drop · Bluetooth RTK GNSS · RTK GNSS field accuracy · MapLab Survey