GoPro Won’t Turn On? 10 Things to Try (All Models) 7 Reasons

How do you fix a GoPro that won’t turn on? In this post, we’ll review 10 things to try when your GoPro won’t turn on. There are 7 reasons your GoPro camera might glitch and not respond when you try to power it up. We cover every GoPro camera model.

Why Won’t My GoPro Turn On?

Before we can fix the problem, it’s helpful to know what can cause this issue.

7 Reasons Why GoPro Won’t Power Up

Here are some of the reasons why your GoPro isn’t turning on.

Here are the most common problems that prevent a GoPro from turning on.

1. Dead (or bad) battery: I know this sounds obvious, but it’s worth checking that your battery is charged. If one battery is suspect, try your fully charged spare battery and see if that helps.
2. SD card error: Here’s how to troubleshoot SD card errors.
3. Damaged charging cable: This is easily fixed with a new cable. Here’s the cable you need for your GoPro.
4. Water damage: Here’s how to fix water damage
5. Overheated: This is a simple fix. Just let it cool down. Here’s how to keep your camera cool.
6. Voice Activation: Won’t Turn On. Make sure that voice activation is turned on. This command won’t work on Hero10 Black. The “GoPro Turn On” voice command is unique to Hero9 Black, Hero8 Black, Hero7 Black, Hero6 Black, and Remo with Hero5 Black.
7. Simple or Undefined GoPro Glitch: If you’ve checked all the other solutions and it still won’t turn on, it could be a camera glitch.

Here’s how to solve a GoPro glitch that is preventing you from turning on your camera.

Steps to Try First: New Models

Simple Glitch (4 Possible Issues): This can happen while connected to a computer or TV. Also, while charging via a USB hub or computer. The camera can kind of freeze up while connected via USB cable.

The battery and SD card might be improperly inserted. Or the door might not be fully closed. While the door doesn’t have to be closed to turn on the camera, it might reveal an improperly inserted battery or SD card.

1. Simple Glitch: Cable, Card, Battery

Here’s how to fix a simple GoPro glitch that prevents it from turning on.

1. Remove all accessories. This includes all cables, SD card, and battery.
2. Wait 5 seconds and reinsert battery. Make sure that it fits correctly and that the door closes completely.
3. Press Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.

If this works, congratulations. If not, continue to the next solution.

Here’s more about updating GoPro firmware.

2. Reset the Camera

Before trying this solution, make sure you’ve completed the previous three steps.

1. Reset your camera. Press and hold the Mode button for 10 seconds.
2. After releasing the button, wait 5 seconds. You have now reset your GoPro.
3. Press Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.

If you don’t get any sign of life, move on to the next solution.

Still need help? Check out these 5 Ways to Reset Your GoPro

3. Direct Power Your Camera

To see if the camera still has life, let’s bypass the battery.

1. Remove Battery
2. Connect your camera via USB-C cable to a wall adapter. Ideally, you’ll want a 5V 2A wall charger (but a minimum 5V 1A adapter).
3. Watch for the front LED to flash. It should display within 5 seconds. Wait 5 seconds more.
4. Press Mode button. Now try to turn on your camera, without reinserting the battery.
5. If Fail: If the camera doesn’t power up, try another USB-C cable. Your cable might be damaged. If you have another wall adapter, try that as well.
6. If Success: Drop the battery back in and watch for the same front LED to flash. You’ll want to watch for the front LED to turn on and remain on. If your battery is dead, this could take many minutes. It is a good idea to leave it connected long enough to make sure your battery has sufficient juice.
7. Remove Cable from Camera. Once the LED turns solid, you can remove the cable and press the Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.
8. If Success: Add the SD card and record a test video.
9. If Fail: Contact GoPro Customer Support.

These solutions are for Hero10 Black, Hero9 Black, Hero8 Black, Hero7 Black, Max, and Fusion.

More reading: GoPro Not Charging? Try these 7 things

Fixes for Specific GoPro Models

Hero7 White or Silver

Hero7 White or Silver: The steps for these models are the same as above, with one exception. With the Hero7 White or Silver, the battery isn’t removable.

But you can direct power them, to see if it will spark life in the camera.

Hero6 Black, Hero5 Black, Hero (2018)

Here’s how to fix a simple GoPro glitch that prevents it from turning on.

1. Remove all accessories. This includes all cables, SD card, and battery.
2. Wait 5 seconds and reinsert battery. Make sure that it fits correctly and that the door closes completely.
3. Press Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.

If you don’t get any sign of life, move on to the next steps.

1. Reset your camera. Press and hold the Mode button for 10 seconds.
2. After releasing the button, wait 5 seconds. You have now reset your GoPro.
3. Press Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.

If you don’t get any sign of life, move on to the next solution.

1. Remove Battery and connect your camera via USB-C cable to a wall adapter. Ideally, you’ll want a 5V 2A wall charger (but a minimum 5V 1A adapter).
2. Watch for the front LED to flash. It should display within 5 seconds. Wait 5 seconds more.
3. Press Mode button. Now try to turn on your camera, without reinserting the battery.
4. If Fail: If the camera doesn’t power up, try another USB-C cable. Your cable might be damaged. If you have another wall adapter, try that as well.
5. If Success: Put the battery back in and watch for the same front LED to flash. You’ll want to watch for the front LED to turn on and remain on. If your battery is dead, this could take many minutes. It is a good idea to leave it connected long enough to make sure your battery has sufficient juice.
6. Remove Cable from Camera. Once the LED turns solid, you can remove the cable and press the Mode button. Watch for camera activity: beep, lights, or screen activity.
7. If Success: Add the SD card and record a test video.
8. If Fail: Contact GoPro Customer Support.

Hero5 Session, Hero Session

The steps for these two Session models are almost the same as for the Hero6 Black and Hero5 Black (above) with 2 exceptions.

1. The battery isn’t removable, so proceed with instructions, skipping the battery-removal step.
2. Press the Info/Wireless button (back of camera) instead of the Mode button.

Hero+, Hero+ LCD, Hero (2014)

The steps for these three cameras are almost the same as for the Hero6 Black and Hero5 Black (above) with 2 exceptions.

1. The battery isn’t removable, so proceed with instructions, skipping the battery-removal step.
2. Press the Power/Mode button (front of camera) instead of the Mode button.

Hero4, Hero3+, Hero3

The technology in these older cameras is different from the newer GoPro cameras. Make sure to follow these instructions closely, according to the specific camera model.

1. Remove all accessories. This includes all cables, SD card, and battery.
2. Reinsert battery and connect your camera via Mini-USB cable to a wall adapter that outputs 5V 1A.
3. Watch for the front red LED to flash. It should display within a few minutes. If the camera doest flash a red LED, try another USB cable. Your cable might be damaged. If you have another wall adapter, try that as well.
4. After the front LED light turns red, press and release the Power button. This should turn on your camera. If this doesn’t work, try another battery.
5. If you don’t have a second battery, can can direct power the camera without a battery in it. Just remove the battery and connect your power cable to your power source (wall adapter or computer USB port). Press the Power button and see if it will power on. Note: with this setup, you won’t see a red LED.
6. If Success: Add the SD card and record a test video.
7. If Fail: Contact GoPro Customer Support.

Hero2, Hero (Original)

1. Remove all accessories. This includes all cables, SD card, and battery.
2. Connect your camera via USB cable to a wall adapter that outputs 5V 1A. This should be done with the battery removed.
3. Watch for the front red LED to flash.
4. Press the Power button and the camera should power up in a few seconds.
5. If Fail: If the camera doesn’t power up, try another USB cable and wall adapter.
6. If Success: Because your camera powered up without the battery, your battery is either completely dead or has failed. Insert a freshly charged battery and see if it will power up – while still connected to the power source.

If you’re still having trouble, maybe check GoPro support. They may have updated this page with a newly discovered issue.

Did you lose your GoPro? Here’s how to find your lost GoPro

More reading: How to Turn Off Your GoPro (All Models)

Your Turn

How did these steps work for you? Do you have a tip to share? Or a question about a specific model? Let me know and I’ll do my best to answer it.