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Frozen / Not Responding

GoPro Action Camera

Severity: Moderate

What Does This Error Mean?

A frozen GoPro means the firmware crashed and the camera is unresponsive. Hold the Mode button (or top button) for 10 seconds to force a restart. If that does not work, remove and reinsert the battery.

Affected Models

  • GoPro HERO 13
  • GoPro HERO 12
  • GoPro HERO 11
  • GoPro HERO 10
  • GoPro HERO 9

Common Causes

  • Firmware crash during recording
  • SD card error causing the system to hang
  • Overheating causing the processor to freeze
  • Firmware bug
  • Corrupt file on the SD card

How to Fix It

  1. Hold the Mode/Power button for 10 seconds.

    This forces a hard restart regardless of what the camera is doing. The camera will vibrate and restart.

  2. If that does not work: remove the battery.

    Open the battery door, remove the battery, wait 10 seconds, reinsert and power on.

  3. Update the firmware to the latest version.

    Connect to the GoPro app or download the update from GoPro's website. Firmware updates fix known freeze bugs.

  4. Format the SD card after backing up.

    A corrupt card can cause repeated freezes. Format in the GoPro to ensure a clean file system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my recording if the GoPro freezes?

Possibly. The current recording may be corrupted. Previous recordings on the card should be fine.

Why does my GoPro freeze often?

Frequent freezes usually point to a slow/bad SD card or outdated firmware. Update firmware and use a recommended V30+ card.