17 Apr Why Your GoPro Won’t Turn On: 7 Causes and Proven Fixes That Work

Few things are more frustrating than pressing the power button on your GoPro—right before the perfect shot—and getting absolutely nothing. No beep. No screen. No blinking light. Whether you’re about to record a once-in-a-lifetime adventure or just capturing weekend fun, a camera that won’t turn on can stop everything in its tracks. The good news? In most cases, the fix is simpler than you think.

TLDR: If your GoPro won’t turn on, the most common causes are a drained or faulty battery, corrupted SD card, firmware issues, or internal hardware glitches. Start by charging the battery fully, testing a different battery, removing the SD card, and performing a manual reset. Updating or reinstalling firmware often solves deeper software problems. If none of these work, your device may require professional repair.

Let’s break down the 7 most common reasons your GoPro won’t power up, along with proven solutions that actually work.

1. The Battery Is Fully Drained

This sounds obvious—but it’s the most common culprit. GoPros can appear completely dead when the battery is drained, especially if it has been stored for a while.

Why it happens:

• You stored the camera without charging it.
• The battery drained during cold weather.
• A faulty cable prevented proper charging.

How to fix it:

• Use a wall charger instead of a USB port on a computer.
• Charge the battery for at least 1–2 hours before testing again.
• Look for the red charging LED indicator.
• If possible, try charging with a different USB-C cable.

Pro Tip: Cold temperatures can drain batteries quickly. Warm the battery in your hands before reinserting it.

2. The Battery Is Faulty or Dead

GoPro batteries don’t last forever. If your camera still refuses to turn on after charging, the battery itself may be the issue.

Signs of a dead battery:

• No charging light appears.
• Camera briefly powers on, then shuts off.
• Battery drains unusually fast.

Fix:

• Test the camera with a new or known working battery.
• Inspect battery contacts for dirt or damage.

If the camera powers on with a different battery, you’ve found your solution.

3. The SD Card Is Corrupted

Believe it or not, a bad SD card can prevent your GoPro from starting. If the card is corrupted or incompatible, the camera may freeze during boot.

Common causes:

• Removing the SD card while recording.
• Using a low-quality or incompatible SD card.
• File system corruption.

Fix:

• Remove the SD card completely.
• Attempt to power on the GoPro without the card inserted.
• If it turns on, format the SD card or replace it.

Important: Always use SD cards listed on GoPro’s recommended compatibility list. Cheap cards cause many startup issues.

4. Firmware Crash or Software Glitch

Like any smart device, GoPros run firmware—and firmware can crash. A failed update or sudden shutdown may leave the camera unresponsive.

Typical symptoms:

• Frozen screen
• No response to power button
• Black display but faint beeping sounds

Proven Fix: Perform a Manual Reset

• Remove the battery.
• Wait at least 30 seconds.
• Hold down the power button for 10 seconds.
• Reinsert battery and try again.

If that doesn’t work, reinstall the firmware manually through GoPro’s website.

5. Charging Port or Cable Issues

Sometimes the problem isn’t the camera—it’s how you’re charging it.

What goes wrong:

• Damaged USB-C cable
• Dirty charging port
• Faulty wall adapter

How to fix it:

• Try a different cable.
• Use a high-output wall charger (5V 2A recommended).
• Inspect the charging port for debris.
• Clean gently using compressed air.

Accumulated dust and sand—especially after beach trips—can block proper charging.

6. Internal Hardware Damage

If you’ve dropped your GoPro, exposed it to water without sealing it properly, or subjected it to extreme conditions, internal damage could be the reason.

Possible causes:

• Water leakage
• Impact damage
• Overheating during long recordings

Signs:

• Camera gets unusually hot
• No charging indicator at all
• Rattling noise inside the unit

Unfortunately, internal board damage often requires professional repair or replacement.

7. The Power Button Is Stuck or Not Working

It happens more often than people realize. Dirt, sand, or internal wear can prevent the power button from functioning correctly.

Quick checks:

• Press firmly but gently multiple times.
• Check for sand or grit around the buttons.
• Try powering on while connected to a charger.

If the camera turns on when charging but not with the button alone, the button mechanism may need servicing.

Quick Troubleshooting Comparison Chart

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Order (Recommended)

If you’re unsure where to begin, follow this logical order:

1. Charge with verified cable and wall adapter.
2. Try a different battery.
3. Remove the SD card.
4. Perform a manual reset.
5. Inspect and clean charging port.
6. Reinstall firmware.
7. Seek professional repair if needed.

This approach eliminates the easiest and most common issues first—saving you time and stress.

How to Prevent Future Power Issues

Once your GoPro is working again, take a few preventive steps:

• Always store batteries at 40–60% charge.
• Format SD cards inside the camera regularly.
• Avoid cheap third-party batteries.
• Keep ports clean and dry.
• Update firmware carefully and avoid interrupting updates.

Small maintenance habits dramatically reduce startup problems.

When to Contact Support

If your camera still won’t turn on after trying everything above, it may be time to contact GoPro support—especially if your device is still under warranty.

Be prepared to provide:

• Model number
• Serial number
• Troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried

Many newer GoPro models include replacement programs depending on the issue.

Final Thoughts

A GoPro that won’t turn on doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your camera. In fact, most startup issues are battery, cable, or SD card related—and easily fixed at home in under 15 minutes.

By methodically testing each possible cause, you can quickly identify the problem and get back to capturing adventures. And next time you head out for that epic shot? Charge your batteries the night before—you’ll thank yourself later.

Your moments are waiting. Make sure your GoPro is ready for them.