How to Update Your GoPro Hero4 Firmware (and Fix a Fail)
Reading Time: 3 minutes In this post, you’ll learn how to update the firmware on your GoPro Hero4. And how to fix a fail in case it glitches. (It did for my update.)
I bought my GoPro Hero4 Black back in June, and it shipped with v2.0. In August, a firmware update was released (v3.0), and I finally got around to updating the camera today.
In this post, you’ll learn:
- How to update GoPro Hero4 firmware (3 ways)
- How to save it from a failed update
- Tips for updating your GoPro Hero4 firmware
Here’s how to update the firmware on your GoPro Hero4, both Black and Silver editions.
Written instructions are below the video.
How To Update GoPro Hero4 Firmware
3 Ways to Update GoPro Firmware
There are three ways to update the firmware on your GoPro camera.
- Via the GoPro application on your smart device.
- Via GoPro Studio
- Manually download the file and copy it to the memory card
I updated the firmware via the app. Here’s how I did it:
- Download the GoPro app (Android or iOS) and pair your Hero4 camera to your phone or tablet.
- Inside of the app, tap on the update button (see the image below). Choose “Install” and agree to “Terms & Conditions”.
- Sit back and wait for the upgrade to complete.
- If it takes more than a few minutes, you might have a problem. My update got caught in a loop for 75 minutes. I couldn’t find a solution to the failed update, so here’s what I did: I turned off the camera and wasn’t sure what would happen. It would either restart or become a brick.
- After turning the GoPro off and then back on, it began to install the updates. I don’t know why that happened – I can’t find any explanation of this on any blog. I should mention that this may or may not work for you. Whenever a firmware install is interrupted, there is a chance of killing the whole device. So, be careful!
Within two minutes, the update had been completely installed, and I got this message:
Here are the best settings for your GoPro Hero4 camera.
The process worked properly, and my Hero4 was updated with the new firmware.
2 Tips for Your GoPro Firmware Update
- Ensure your batteries (on your phone and GoPro) are fully charged. The last thing you’ll want is one of them to die during the process.
- Be sure to download any photos on your memory card. You will likely lose all your photos/videos during the process.
Your Turn
Are you having trouble with your firmware update? Did your update get stuck in a loop? Please join the conversation below.
Learn more about using your GoPro camera.
I just recently attempted to update my Hero 4 silver and it did not end well. The update failed and now the WiFi is dead. No blue light. No wifi connection. I have tried everything the Internet and my buddy has to offer. He knows every generation of GoPro cameras in and out. He owns 8 of them. Different models and uses them For his A/V business. This camera worked flawlessly up until the 3.0 update. Contacted GoPro and with out proof of purchase they won’t do anything. It was bought 12/15 just before xmas so it is 10 months old with fairly ligh usage.
That’s too bad. This seems too common for GoPro not to know how to fix this.
Is there a next step? Or is it just a shiny paperweight?
Same thing happened to me as the person above last weekend, only owned this gopro since 8/2015 used maybe 10 times only in the house and 5 times inside a car. Never been dropped.
Used it on saturday, did an update to V4.0 then I had the white screen of death.
No video in any mode, sound only. Called Go pro went thru their steps to reinstall updates, no luck. I’ve reverted firmware back to 2.0 and 3.0 and still no luck.
They want me to send it in and then give me 20% off a new hero 5, like I want a camera that could break for no reason at anytime and then have $700 and only have 1 camera. I’m sure they will dump in a new motherboard or some cheap part then resell.
Did they identify what caused the problem? This seems to be a common glitch. I don’t know how they could justify their response – unless they are blaming you (and other users) for bricking the camera.
Any additional info you can provide would be helpful – I’m going to look into this. Maybe you can let me know your camera model (Hero4 Black or Silver), how you updated (via the app, GoPro Studio, or manually), and at what point the update failed. You can either respond to this comment or via this form.
same problem here! about 3 hours ago I updated the gopro hero4 silver via app (to v5.0) and at the end I only saw “wireless update failed” …. I had to turn it off and since then I couldn’t connect my gopro with the app. there is no more blue light any more… and I can’t see the Gopro in my mobile phones wifi-list…. Then I tried to do the update via the “quick”-programm but it was also not possible… then I did the manuell update and also there the update failed … and I can see that the gopro has now version 3.0 …. don’t know what to do now and I’m really nervous because I want to go on holiday next week and it’s a big problem that the wifi doesn’t work and I can’t connect the gopro with my mobile phone….. tomorrow I’ll call the support hotline – but as I read this comment I’m not really confident that they will help me :'((((( can you maybe help me???
Got a Hero4 Black with Version 3.0 working fine. Did an update via GoPro App ( that I also use to update my Hero4Silver and update apparently went well with no error messages. Unfortunately now my settings-button is dead/unresponsive and also I cannot use the Shutter Button while the Select Function with this button still works. Since I didi connect also a Hero4Silver with the software I am worrying that the wrong Softwarepackage was selected. I treid a manual Update with the help of an SD card adapter and macbook, while the update also went flawlessly the fault remained. Any Idea how I could solve the Problem?
sorry for the VERY bad spelling! ( was typing in a hurry)
hai, i have gopro Hero 4 silver.. just now im update the fimeware .. than the battry was low .. but still continue with charging the gopro while update ( i think ican use it whilw charging like cell phone ) . suddenly corrupted and just continue blingking red light..
anyone can help me to solve it.
thanks
Hello, my hero 4 team has been in the process of updating until I finish the battery of the Go pro. Then when changing the battery the process continues, another factor is that the screen constantly flashes red. Any idea how to solve?
I had not use my gopro for a year or more. When tried to use it again, it said SD ERROR, this procedure of updating firmware fix the problem. Very well explained , thank you very much.
I’m glad to hear it Oscar!
Which Gopro app are you referring to??? QUIK, CAPTURE or PASSENGER???
GoPro app doesn’t have the update feature like you say in the video.
My sd cards still don’t work for timelapse photos
Hi
I bought an used go pro hero 4 black. When i try to pair it with the gopro app I can’t do it, because the gopro app option doesn’t appear in the camera. When you turn on the wireless only appear the wifi rc.
When i press for two seconds the settings button to turn on the wifi nothing is happening either.
Anyone knows why?
Thanks
Thank you for the very helpful video and instructions. The update from v3.00 to v5.00 on my Hero4 Silver failed on the desktop app but was successful on the iPhone app.
I’ve tried everything. Updating from v3.0 to v.5.0 is simply not possible. I have now accepted this and will just be using my GoPro HERO4 Silver as is with V3.0. This camera has been my first experience with GoPro products and has not been positive. The battery died pretty quick as well. So will I be getting any new GoPro’s in the future… nope I certainly will not. I will be looking elsewhere for any future action cam purchases.