Every once in a while, you might find that your GoPro camera’s screen turns completely white or black, and you can no longer see what you’re filming. This is called a ‘frozen GoPro screen.’ There are a few things that could cause your GoPro screen to freeze.
If your GoPro screen is frozen, you should first try turning the camera off and on again. If that doesn’t work, try removing and reinserting the SD card. If it’s still frozen, try removing the battery (if you have a model that allows that). Past that, you’ll need to get in touch with GoPro support.
If your GoPro screen is still frozen after trying all of these fixes, then it’s likely that there’s a more serious issue with the camera. In this case, you’ll need to contact GoPro customer support for further assistance. But for now, let’s look at the main causes of a frozen GoPro screen and how to fix them.
Why Your GoPro Freezes Up
There are five primary reasons that might cause your GoPro to have a frozen screen:
Inexplicable Glitches
This is likely the most common reason for a freeze-up. And it’s also the easiest thing to fix. If you experience frequent glitches, then the camera may just be starting to experience some wear and tear. Fortunately, power cycling the camera usually takes care of this problem.
Old Software
If you’re using an older model of GoPro, it’s possible that the software is simply out of date. In this case, you’ll need to update the software to fix the problem. You can usually do this by connecting the camera to your computer and using the GoPro software to update the firmware.
Bad SD Card
If you’re using a low-quality SD card, it’s possible that it’s not compatible with the GoPro and is causing problems. Try using a different SD card to see if that fixes the problem. Alternatively, you could try formatting the SD card using the GoPro software.
Overheating
If your GoPro is overheating, the screen may freeze as a result. This is usually not a major problem and can be fixed by letting the camera cool down for a few minutes. However, if the overheating is severe, it could damage the camera permanently.
Water Damage
If your GoPro gets wet, the water could get into the electronics and cause a short circuit. This is usually not a major problem and can be fixed by drying off the camera and letting it air out for a few hours. However, if the water damage is severe, it could damage the camera, and you’ll need to get the camera fixed professionally.
How to Fix Your GoPro When It Freezes
Before getting started, GoPro recommends turning off the following features: Connections, WiFi, GPS, and Voice Control. You should do that if you can, but if your camera is frozen, you may not be able to.
They also recommend removing any BacPac attachments. Of course, for any of these methods to work, you’ll need to ensure that your camera has a charged battery. The solution to fixing a frozen GoPro depends on the cause of the problem. The solutions include:
Power Cycle the Camera
If a glitch is the problem, then the first thing you should do is to try power cycling the camera. This means turning the camera off and then back on again. Usually, this will fix the problem. To do a power cycle:
- Press and hold the ‘Mode/Power‘ button for about three seconds to turn off your GoPro.
- Remove the battery and then re-insert it after a few seconds.
- Turn on your GoPro by pressing the ‘Mode/Power‘ button again.
Update the Software
Out-of-date software can cause all sorts of problems, so it’s always a good idea to ensure you have the latest version installed. To update your GoPro’s software:
- Connect your GoPro to your computer using a USB cable.
- Go to the GoPro website and download the GoPro Quik desktop app.
- Once the download is finished, open the app and follow the instructions to update your camera’s software.
Format the SD Card
If the problem is with your SD card, then formatting it might fix the issue. This will delete all of the files on the card, so make sure to back them up first. To format your SD card:
- Insert the SD card into your computer’s SD card reader.
- Right-click on the SD card and select ‘Format‘ from the menu.
- Choose the ‘FAT32‘ file system and click ‘Start‘ to format the card.
- Once the process is finished, eject the SD card and insert it into your GoPro.
Let the Camera Cool Down
If your GoPro is overheating, then it might freeze as a way to protect itself. In this case, you need to let the camera cool down before turning it back on. Once it’s cooled off, try power cycling the camera to see if that fixes the problem.
Dry Off the Camera
If your GoPro is frozen because it’s wet, then you need to dry it off before turning it on again. The best way to do this is to remove the battery and SD card and then let the camera air dry for a few hours. Once it’s dry, re-insert the battery and SD card and try power cycling the camera.
Reset the camera
If none of the other solutions have worked, then you can try resetting your GoPro to its factory settings. This will delete all of the files on your SD card, so make sure to back them up first.
To reset your GoPro:
- Press and hold the ‘Mode/Power‘ button for about six seconds to turn off your GoPro.
- Press and hold the ‘Shutter/Select‘ button, then press and release the ‘Mode/Power‘ button.
- Continue holding the ‘Shutter/Select‘ button until you hear a beep (about 10 seconds).
- Release the ‘Shutter/Select‘ button and wait for your GoPro to restart.
If this doesn’t work, then you can try performing a hard reset by pressing and holding the ‘Mode/Power‘ and ‘Shutter/Select‘ buttons for about 12 seconds.
How to Prevent Your GoPro From Freezing
There are a few things that you can do to prevent your GoPro from freezing in the first place.
First, ensure that you don’t drop your camera or subject it to any other type of impact. This can damage the internal components and cause the camera to freeze.
Second, keep your GoPro away from water. If it gets wet, then it could short circuit and freeze.
Third, make sure that you keep your GoPro’s software up-to-date. Outdated software can cause all sorts of problems, including freezing.
Finally, use high-quality SD cards like the SanDisk 128 Extreme microSDXC (on Amazon), and keep them free of dirt and debris. This will help prevent your GoPro from freezing due to a faulty SD card.