It’s not uncommon for GoPro shots to have orientation issues due to some devices’ built-in rotation sensor. Thankfully, these issues are straightforward to resolve.
Your GoPro Video is probably upside down because of the automatic rotation settings. You can disable automatic rotation before a shot by enabling Landscape Lock through your GoPros settings. You can also rotate videos using editing programs such as GoPro Quick, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro.
Don’t panic if your perfect shot comes out upside down. There are multiple ways to resolve these issues, and we cover them in the article below. Read on for everything you need to know about rotating GoPro videos.
Why Your GoPro Video is Upside Down
Some GoPro models like the Hero 10 (on Amazon) have built-in sensors that detect the rotation of the device. The sensors use this information to rotate the screens depending on how the camera is held. So, for example, if you place the camera upside down, the screen will rotate to be upside down.
The rotation data is also embedded into the video or photo files metadata, meaning playback apps will display the video using this information. This can result in some videos playing upside down, right side up, and everything in between.
This feature is enabled by default and can be helpful in some cases. However, you might shoot some videos recorded in a different rotation than expected.
Once you start recording, you won’t be able to change the rotation until you stop recording or editing the video. Thankfully, there are ways you can disable this feature and avoid unnecessary hiccups.
How to Turn on Landscape Lock
Rotation will affect the touch display and the playback of any given shot. Thankfully, you can easily disable this setting depending on your GoPro model. Here are the basic steps for turning on Landscape Lock.
- Go to the Preferences tab of your GoPro device.
- Find the Touch Display tab.
- Locate Landscape Lock and enable the feature to your liking.
Some GoPro models will allow you to lock the rotation up or down, while others will allow you to turn the feature on and off simply.
How to Rotate a GoPro Video
There are other ways you can rotate a GoPro video. Follow the steps below to rotate your GoPro video using the GoPro Quik software on a desktop computer.
- First, connect your GoPro to your PC. Use the USB cable included with your GoPro model and plug it into your computer.
- Now, open GoPro Quick on your desktop PC. You can find this software in the Start Menu or by using the Finder. You might have to install GoPro Quik for your desktop if you don’t already have it downloaded. You can download the software here.
- Import the video you want to rotate by selecting Import Files from the center of your device.
- Now, hit the flip switch icon at the bottom of the left side of the screen. This will flip your video vertically 180 degrees.
- Finally, you can save your edited video. You can go to File and Save at the screen’s top. For Windows devices, you can press Ctrl+S. On Mac devices, you can press Cmd+S.
Editing Software Used to Rotate Videos
GoPro videos that aren’t oriented correctly are common for newcomers and veterans alike. One way to resolve these issues is through editing programs and software. The steps for rotating a GoPro video using editing software will be similar across most platforms; however, they will vary slightly.
Here are some of the best editing programs you can use for your GoPro.
GoPro Quik
The GoPro Quik App and legacy software are two programs designed by GoPro for GoPro devices. The Quik app allows you to easily store, access, and edit shots from your GoPro device.
You can trim videos, add music, change the colors, and more. Unfortunately, the Quik software for desktop is no longer being updated, and you’ll require the legacy version. That being said, GoPro Quik is a great start for editing shots and rotating videos.
Adobe Premiere Pro
Although it has a steeper learning curve, Adobe Premiere Pro is an excellent choice for editing GoPro videos. Professionals have utilized Premiere Pro for many movies, TV shows, and music videos.
You can stabilize shaky videos, add incredible effects, and fine-tune any settings to your liking. Adobe Premiere Pro might be right for you if you’re up for a challenge.
Final Cut Pro
You might want to consider Final Cut Pro if you use a Mac computer. Like Adobe, Final Cut Pro has a steeper learning curve than beginner software.
However, you can edit full-360 shots, rotate videos, remove camera rigs, and more. Final Cut Pro is an excellent program to consider if you don’t mind learning and using a Mac device.
Conclusion
It’s not uncommon for GoPro videos to have orientation issues due to the built-in rotation sensors. Thankfully, you can resolve these issues by using Landscape Lock or rotating the shots in editing software.
Some editing programs to consider include GoPro Quik, Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and more. Any of these tools will allow you to easily rotate, crop, and adjust GoPro videos.