If using alt-az mount or mode make sure your OTA is positioned on the correct side of the mount in home position. Check the manual, it should say.
Otherwise it will invert the sky and warp all of its calculations. Also, once setup on the correct side, don't rotate the scope up and over the zenith so that you are pointing "backwards".
For example, if you are using an AZ-EQ mount in alt-az mode, make sure your scope is right-hand sided on the mount when facing forward and switching on in the home position:
Not this side
Other mounts could be on the opposite, such as the mini az, so check the manual.