Are you struggling to turn ON your GoPro?
GoPro is an exceptionally well made action camera with promising quality and durability. But, some users face this issue sometimes… This could be due to various reasons.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to fix this and another technical problems with your GoPro!
How to Turn ON Your GoPro
To turn on your GoPro, simply press the Power/Mode button on the front/side of the camera (depending on the model). The status light will flash three times. When the camera status displays information, the camera is on.
Find more information on GoPro buttons in the our comprehensive guide: How to Turn ON / OFF GoPro Cameras [Buttons Explained].
7 Easy Ways to Turn On Your Camera
You may encounter situations when no matter what you do the camera won’t turn on. It may be due to low charge, dead battery or some other issue. Let us have a look at some of the common reasons and easy fixes:
Reset the Camera
Your first step should be Resetting the camera, it resets the settings back to factory default but does not wipe out the SD card data.
- Power off the camera and remove any additional accessories connected to it.
- Make sure there’s a battery inserted or the camera is connected to an external power source.
- Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds and then release.
Low Charge or Dead Battery
All GoPro users must be aware of the fact that the battery life of GoPro is one flaw which has not been improved over time. The battery drains out quickly. On an average between 1.5 – 2 hours. If the above step doesn’t work, Connect a USB cable and make sure that the charging LED on the outside of the camera lights up. Don’t attempt to power on the camera while it’s charging. Click here to know about the tricks to extend battery life of your GoPro.
Camera won’t charge
Now, there can also be a case where the camera is not turning on though you have attached it to a charging point but there is no sign of charging to be seen on the camera. It could be due to a faulty charger or one of the connectors may be damaged. Try using/buying a new charger. Another reason could be, the battery is completely dead. In that case, you need to replace it. You may also use a spare battery if any.
The Battery is not inserted properly
Sometimes the camera does not turn on when the battery is not properly inserted in the GoPro. This can be an issue in all GoPro models with removable battery. Remove the battery and reinsert it properly. Then try turning on the camera. You may also consider replacing it with a spare battery.
SD card is not inserted properly
SD card is an important accessory of the camera. If the card isn’t inserted properly, it may cause a problem. Make sure your SD card is compatible with the GoPro camera. If you have another microSD card handy, try that.
SD cards can sometimes be faulty, preventing the camera to turn on. In such cases, you should prefer replacing/buying a new SD card. Formatting the SD card to remove the unwanted bug can also solve the problem. For this follow below steps :
- Attach the card to your computer using a card reader and go to Start > Computer or My documents, or Windows Explorer.
- From the list of storage devices, right click on it and choose format your SD card under “removable storage”.
- Once the SD card has been formatted, insert it back into the action camera and try turning it on.
Note : Formatting will delete all contents of your SD card, so you may transfer your files before if required.
Bad Charging Port or Blocked Slot
You may notice that even after checking the battery and the SD card, inserted properly and in good condition, the cam still may not turn on. It could be due to a blocked slot. In that case, clean the card slot properly using little compressed air used for cleaning electronics. Once the slot is clean and dry, reinsert the SD card and try switching on the camera.
There may be another case where the charging port is broken or dysfunctional or it could be that your circuit board is broken or isn’t connected properly. In such cases you can try replacing the port and plugging in some other board.
Contact GoPro support service
If you have tried all the above solutions to turn On your GoPro and are still unable to fix your camera then there is a good possibility that your camera has some serious fault which will require repair or replacement. You should immediately contact the GoPro support service or customer care. GoPro has a good replacement policy and you shouldn’t worry at all if your action camera is still under warranty. If not, you may still receive support and required steps that need to be taken to fix the issue immediately.
Check out the below video. It explains all the mentioned fixes in a simple yet interesting way..
It is easy to turn ON/OFF your GoPro and you may do it in several ways depending on the model you are using. Also, there are various ways to extend the battery life, change modes or switch on/off the cam with just a few taps on the basic buttons. To know more click here.
How Do I Force Restart My GoPro?
To force restart your GoPro, you can follow these steps:
- Remove the battery from the camera.
- Press and hold down the power button on the camera for about 15 seconds.
- Release the power button.
- Reinsert the battery into the camera.
The camera should now turn on and function normally. If the camera still does not turn on, you may need to try charging the battery or contacting GoPro support for further assistance.
Why Doesn’t My GoPro Show Up When I Plug It In?
There are several reasons why your GoPro may not show up when you plug it in:
- Check if your GoPro is turned on and in the correct mode for file transfer. Make sure that your camera is in “USB mode” and not “PC mode.”
- Ensure that you are using a compatible USB cable. Make sure that the USB cable you are using is in good condition and that it is compatible with your camera.
- Check if your computer recognizes other USB devices. If other USB devices are not being recognized on your computer, then there may be an issue with your computer’s USB ports or drivers.
- Try connecting your GoPro to another USB port. Sometimes, the USB port you are using may not be working properly.
- Update your camera firmware and software. GoPro releases regular updates that improve camera performance and connectivity with other devices.
If none of these solutions work, then you may need to contact GoPro support for further assistance.
How To Revive a Dead GoPro Battery
There are several ways to revive a dead GoPro battery:
- Charge the battery fully: If the battery is completely drained, charge it using a compatible charger. Allow the battery to charge fully and then try turning on the camera.
- Warm up the battery: Sometimes, if the battery is too cold, it may not function properly. Warm up the battery by holding it in your hand or placing it in a warm environment for a few minutes before using it.
- Clean the battery contacts: Dirty battery contacts can prevent the battery from charging properly. Clean the contacts using a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Reset the camera: If the battery is not responding, try resetting the camera by removing the battery, waiting for a few seconds, and then reinserting the battery.
- Replace the battery: If the battery is damaged or too old, it may need to be replaced. Contact GoPro support or purchase a new battery online or from a store.
If none of these solutions work, then the issue may be with the camera itself, and you may need to contact GoPro support for further assistance.
Conclusion
GoPro is a true companion when it comes to recording amazing footage on your various outdoor adventures. It is easy to operate and the multiple features makes it super appealing.
The few basic hacks above will surely help you get through the minor issues on occasions when GoPro decides to rest a little more (won’t turn on!). The fixes above work almost every time you may get stuck but in scenarios when even these don’t work, you may need to contact the GoPro support desk directly.
Thanks for reading!
I hope this guide helped you learn about what to do when GoPro won’t turn on 🙂
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