Skydivers love them, cyclists adore them, divers use them, and even car racers put them on their vehicles. We’re describing GoPro cameras, of course, as they’re known for their tiny form factor and excellent action video footage. Yet, not everything is rainbows and sunshine with GoPro cameras. While the brand produces excellent action-oriented gadgets, they’re also known for GoPro video errors, which can be a nuisance.
Today, we’ll examine the most common GoPro video errors, discuss the culprits behind them, and provide some of the most effective solutions for fixing them. So, let’s jump right in.
The Most Common 10 GoPro Video Errors You May Encounter
Although a perfect weapon for adventures, sports, adrenaline-filled action, and outdoor activities, GoPro cameras are also known for their numerous errors. They’re widespread and annoying. Below is a list of the most common GoPro video errors people encounter with these devices.
Error 1: No SD or SD Error Message
Suppose your SD card is inside the camera, but your GoPro still displays “No SD” or “SD ERR” messages. In that case, you might need to format the SD card. At the same time, Wondershare Recoverit can help get the footage back if you haven’t backed it up.
Error 2: SD Card Is Full Error
Although you might think your SD card is genuinely full, the error is often caused by outdated GoPro camera firmware and a corrupted or lower-class SD card. Formatting the card on a PC resolves the problem in most cases, but you might need to update the device’s firmware, too.
Error 3: SD Card Suddenly Not Working
Class 10 and better SD cards are mandatory for proper video, and GoPro provides a list of recommended cards for their cameras. Lower-end cards and an SD card covered in dust often cause the issue of an SD card that’s suddenly not working. Cleaning the SD card slot and using a higher-class card can help, but you’ll likely need video repair software like Repairit and data recovery software like Recoverit.
Error 4: Broken, Jerky, or Choppy Videos
Slower and cheaper SD cards, and those that GoPro doesn’t recommend, can lead to numerous broken, corrupted, jerky, pixelated, and choppy videos. However, these issues can also be caused by outdated GPU drivers and a video player that doesn’t support the HEVC format that GoPro cameras use.
Error 5: Files Not Playing Error
Regularly caused by corrupted files, outdated GPU drivers, failed file transfers, or malware, users often encounter issues with GoPro video files not playing or displaying an error code. Transferring the video again, converting it with VLC, or repairing it with dedicated video repair software can help.
Error 6: Deleted or Missing Error
The missing files error is often associated with accidental file deletion, failed transfers from the SD card to the computer, and corrupted SD cards. Regardless of the cause, recovery software like Wondershare Recoverit can effortlessly retrieve precious footage.
Error 7: Freezing Camera
Users often mention issues with the camera’s interface, where they get stuck as it appears unresponsive or frozen. This problem is often connected to outdated software, SD cards that aren’t recommended, errors on the card, and firmware bugs.
Error 8: Update Stuck
Users with particular Hero cameras often encountered problems with updates getting stuck. While the issue has since mostly been resolved, it can still happen even today, especially with older GoPro Hero cameras. However, GoPro’s website includes instructions for such situations, and you’ll also find them below.
Error 9: GoPro No Output
The no-output GoPro video error is often a nuisance when transferring GoPro videos to a Mac or using a slower SD card. It can also indicate a corrupted video file, for which you’ll need dedicated video repair software.
Error 10: Audio Issues
Such problems are often connected to GoPro batteries, also known as BacPacs. Namely, since BacPacs came out after Hero cameras, the device firmware frequently doesn’t support them. Nevertheless, updating the firmware often resolves these audio issues.
8 Solutions to Fix GoPro Video Errors
Although GoPro video errors are widespread and numerous, they’re also relatively easy to fix. If you carefully follow the instructions below, you’ll find that you can quickly eliminate these pesky problems and regain your precious video files in a few minutes and steps.
Fix 1: Format the SD Card
Since SD card error messages are a common problem with GoPro cameras, you might be forced to delete all your video files and format the SD card. That’s often the case when using SD cards that GoPro doesn’t recommend.
There are three methods for formatting a GoPro SD card. You can, of course, do it on the device itself. Go into the camera’s settings, click the trash icon, and tap Delete All/Format. Everything on the SD card will be erased, but it’ll likely fix GoPro video errors.
Another method involves using the GoPro Quik app for iPhones and Androids, where you can go into the app’s settings and tap the Delete All Files from SD Card option.
Finally, the third method involves doing it manually on a PC. Here’s how:
Step 1: Insert the SD card into the slot on your computer.
Step 2: Navigate to File Explorer > This PC.
Step 3: Right-click the SD card and hit Format.
Step 4: Click on Restore device defaults, check the Quick Format option, and tap Start.
However, before you format the SD card, or even if you’ve already done it, it’s highly recommended to use a data recovery tool like Wondershare Recoverit to retrieve your precious video memories.
Fix 2: Update GoPro Firmware
Like many electronic devices, GoPro cameras also use basic firmware that talks to the camera’s hardware, captures videos, and displays information for the user. However, that firmware must be kept up-to-date as outdated versions can lead to various GoPro video errors.
Fortunately, updating the firmware is relatively straightforward. You can do it manually or through the GoPro Quik app for iOS and Android. However, it’s worth noting that manual firmware updating steps will depend on your camera module.
While the process always revolves around downloading the latest update for your GoPro model, unzipping the file, placing it on an SD card, and inserting the card into your GoPro camera, it would be best to visit GoPro’s website and look into model-specific instructions.
Fix 3: Clean Your GoPro
GoPro cameras are action-oriented, and people primarily use them for outdoor activities, adventures, and adrenaline-filled events. There’s a possibility that your GoPro is simply full of dust and needs to be cleaned to recognize the SD card or fix audio issues.
Carefully inspect the GoPro device and use a soft cloth to clean it. You can also use cotton swabs to get into the nooks and crannies and clean the lens, but never use a liquid to clean the GoPro. Don’t forget to take the SD card out and clean it and the slot it goes in.
When done, reinsert the SD card and check whether the GoPro video errors are gone. Test the audio, check whether SD card issues persist, and make a video to test the lens.
Fix 4: Compress GoPro Videos
Although compressing videos is rarely the best solution for fixing GoPro video errors, it can help in certain situations. Since it’s a quick and free process, it’s worth a shot, so let’s get right into it. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Step 1: Find the problematic videos and copy and paste them into a single folder.
Step 2: Select the videos, right-click on them, and click on Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder.
When the compression completes, find the folder and check whether the issues persist. If it does, you should move on to the following method, which is bound to work.
Fix 5: Reset Your GoPro Camera
“When a simple restart won’t do it, a reset will.” is a prevalent troubleshooting method in a world filled with electronic devices. Surprisingly, these two solutions are also often successful. Therefore, you should try resetting your camera to fix GoPro video issues.
Step 1: Disconnect the camera from Wi-Fi and GPS, and remove the GoPro BacPac.
Step 2: Press and hold the Mode button for 10 seconds. (Shutter button on older models.)
Step 3: Once the camera is back on, check whether you’re still experiencing GoPro video errors.
If it doesn’t do anything, consider the following solution about reinserting the battery. Then come back to reset the camera, as a battery might prevent you from resetting.
Fix 6: Reinsert the Battery
As they’re exposed to action, sudden movement, and various forces, GoPro cameras can have their batteries shift and cause errors. In some cases, adjusting the battery can resolve these pesky issues, and it’s undoubtedly worth trying as it’ll only take a few seconds. Here’s how:
Step 1: Shut down the GoPro camera.
Step 2: Disconnect the battery from it.
Step 3: Reinsert the battery in its slot and ensure it fits snugly.
Step 4: Turn the camera back on and check whether GoPro video errors remain.
Alternatively, you can try a secondary battery if you own another one.
Fix 7: Recover Videos Using GoPro SOS
Many GoPro have an SOS tool that can help in certain situations. The SOS tool can sometimes repair broken and corrupted MP4 files by copying each video frame, writing new headers to the MP4 file, and rewriting its index data.
Using device-specific instructions, users with GoPro Hero, Hero+, and Session cameras can enter the SOS mode and attempt these repairs.
While the steps usually revolve around turning the camera off, removing the SD card, turning the camera back on, and reinserting the SD, searching for particular instructions for your GoPro model might be best.
It’s worth noting that while using the abovementioned solutions will undoubtedly help with software-related issues, there’s always a chance of the problem being hardware-related. In that case, you should take your GoPro video camera to a repair shop or purchase a new one.
2 Solutions to Fix Corrupted GroPro Videos (for Saved/Downloaded Videos)
Fix 1: Use Wondershare Repairit to Fix Corrupted Videos
Seeing weird glitching or choppiness or being unable to play broken GoPro video files can be heart-wrenching, and corrupt video files can ruin your day. However, there’s nothing to fear if you’re ever in such a situation, as even corrupt video files can be fixed with the right tool in your arsenal.
Using a dedicated and trustworthy video repair application from a reputable company, users can quickly eliminate corruption, video glitches, and jerky videos. Wondershare Repairit is one such tool, as it can effortlessly repair your broken and corrupted video files and bring your precious memories back to life.
Repairit’s desktop app for Windows and Mac works wonders, as it supports 18 video formats and numerous devices from various manufacturers. It also only takes a few minutes. Using the app is incredibly straightforward, with only a few steps. Here’s how you can do that:
Step 1: Launch the Wondershare Repairit application on your computer, select Video Repair, and import the corrupted or broken videos by clicking Add.
Step 2: Click the Repair button to initiate the process.
Step 3: Tap the Preview icon to confirm you’re satisfied with the repair.
Step 4: If you like how the repaired video turned out, click Save to save the video to a safe location. Alternatively, you can click Save All to save all videos simultaneously.
That’s all there is to it, and your broken or corrupted GoPro videos will now work without issues.
Fix 2: Use VLC to Fix Videos
Although mainly a media player, VLC can also repair video files. The app includes an excellent Convert / Save feature, allowing users to convert videos from one format to another, and the process often fixes particular errors and video file corruption. It certainly doesn’t hurt to try since the app is free, so here’s how:
Step 1: Launch the VLC media player, select Media in the top left corner, and click Convert / Save.
Step 2: Click Add and select the broken GoPro videos.
Step 3: Hit Convert / Save and then select a video format under Profile.
Step 4: Choose where to save the file by clicking Browse under Destination and tap Start.
VLC will need a few minutes to convert the video. However, users shouldn’t expect miracles since VLC is not a video repair tool. Still, it’s worth a shot, as the app can fix minor GoPro video errors.
Conclusion
GoPro cameras have made life easy for numerous outdoor adventurers and adrenaline enthusiasts, but they’re not immune to problems. Users often encounter issues like SD card errors, broken and jerky videos, freezing cameras, stuck updates, no output errors, and audio issues.
Fortunately, most of these errors are quickly resolvable through a few troubleshooting steps, like cleaning the camera, updating the firmware, reinserting the battery, resetting the camera, formatting the SD card, etc.
However, some errors, especially those related to jerky, broken, and corrupted videos, require a professional video repair app, such as Wondershare Repairit, which can quickly and efficiently handle various GoPro video errors. Furthermore, it’s available as a desktop app for Windows and Mac and an online service for any device.
