How to Fix GoPro SD Card Error and Recover Data from It

When a GoPro SD card error happens to your GoPro camera devices, you may fear data loss or can't access your videos and photos anymore. Don't worry; try the professional SD card recovery software to regain your lost videos.

As a GoPro user, did you come across that your camera suddenly stops working and with a GoPro SD card error message on the screen: "NO SD" or "SD ERR"? In the first place, you would be worrying about the formatted GoPro SD card with nothing in it. This post will offer you several solutions that fix the GoPro SD card error besides mere formatting. Although you have already formatted it, you can also regain your lost videos or footage on the GoPro SD card with a three-step trick.

About the Issue: GoPro SD Card Error

One of the most frequent SD card problems with GoPro cameras is the GoPro SD card error. The SD card error that GoPro users typically see is one where the error message "NO SD" or "SD ERR" is displayed on the screen. This indicates that the GoPro camera and SD card are unable to communicate.

📌4 Common SD Card Errors

No solutions are helpful unless you know exactly what caused the specified error codes. Let's get a clear mind before proceeding to troubleshooting.

🚧SD Card Is Not Recognized	This error occurs when your GoPro camera fails to recognize the incompatible or damaged SD card, which may not establish a proper connection with the SD card.
😨SD Card Full	This error message indicates that the storage capacity of your SD card is ultimately used up. Then you can't write data into the SD card, and the GoPro's action will be slower.
✍️SD Card Write Error	These errors suggest that your GoPro camera cannot write or save data on the SD card even if the SD card has enough storage capacity.
📖SD Card Cannot Be Read	These errors indicate that the GoPro camera SD card is recognized but unable to open. If the files on the SD card are highly fragmented, it can slow down the reading process and lead to errors.

📌Why SD Card Errors Happen to GoPro Hero

Many users have encountered similar SD card errors on different versions of GoPro Products like Hero 10, 9, 8, 7, 6... The issue usually comes with an error message and can happen for several reasons.

• Incompatible or damaged SD card: It may not be recognized if the SD card is incompatible with your GoPro Hero model or physically damaged.
• Improper formatting: If the SD card is not formatted correctly or the volume does not contain a recognized file system, it can result in the camera not recognizing it.
• Dirty or damaged card slot: If the SD card slot on your GoPro is dirty or damaged, it may not establish a proper connection with the SD card.
• Write protection enabled: If the SD card's write protection switch is enabled, it prevents any data from being written or modified on the card.
• File system error: If the file system on the SD card is corrupted or damaged, it can result in write errors to the GoPro cameras, for example, GoPro Hero 8.
• Improper card removal: If the SD card is removed from the camera while it is still accessing or writing data, it can cause read errors.

How to Fix GoPro SD Card Error [GoPro 10/9/8/7 Applicable]

You can now execute the 7 ways to fix your GoPro memory card errors. The SD card stores videos and photos; the GoPro Hero 10, Hero 9, Hero 8, and other types can't work correctly without it. Judge the cause to your SD card error according to the last part and continues to check out the methods below:

1. Fix 1. Scan GoPro SD Card Errors with CHKDSK
2. Fix 2. Format the GoPro SD Card
3. Fix 3. Remove Write Protection from GoPro SD Card
4. Fix 4. Clean the GoPro Hero SD Card Contacts
5. Fix 5. Repair SD Card Bad Sectors
6. Fix 6. Update the Firmware of the GoPro SD Card
7. Fix 7. Try SD Card Recovery Service

Fix 1. Scan GoPro SD Card Errors with CHKDSK

A built-in Windows utility called CHKDSK examines file systems (NTFS, FAT32, and exFAT) to look for faulty SD cards from GoPro and fixes them as necessary. Additionally, memory cards with errors after formatting can be diagnosed.

Step 1. Connect your system by inserting the SD card into the card reader.

Step 2. Select the computer after tapping the "Start" button. Following that, look for the SD card under "Devices" with "Removable Storage" and make a note of the drive letter allotted.

Step 3. To open a command prompt, click the "Start" button again and type CMD. Start the command prompt in administrator mode to bring up a window with a black screen.

Step 4. Press enter after entering: chkdsk [your drive letter]: /f

Fix 2. Format the GoPro SD Card

Another potential cause of the GoPro camera reporting an "SD ERR" or "NO SD" error is a faulty or incorrectly formatted SD card. Therefore, we advise you to format the SD card to see whether it makes a difference.

If you have significant photos or videos saved there, please recover them in the GoPro SD card before formatting them because doing so would completely destroy all the data. Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover them if the card is now corrupted and inaccessible.

Download EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard to recover formatted SD card:

Step 1. Connect the USB drive to your computer. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. Select the formatted SD card, USB flash drive, or Pen drive from which you what to restore lost files and then click "Scan".

Step 2. After the scan completed, all scan results will be displayed on the screen. Use the "Filter" or "File Type" feature to find your target files.

Step 3. Choose the files you want to recover from your formatted external drive and click "Recover". A new window will appear, you need to choose a new location to store the files. Then, click "OK" to confirm.

If you think the tool helps resolve the GoPro SD card error issue, share it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media platforms!

Then the SD card needs to be formatted. The data on the card will be removed entirely, so be sure to recover any critical files. Please put the SD card into the GoPro and select the settings menu to fix the GoPro SD card format problem. Then, adhere to the on-screen directions after selecting the "Format" option.

You can also format the SD card on your PC. Read the complete instruction on the linked page:

Fix 3. Remove Write Protection from GoPro SD Card

Almost all SD cards have a lock switch, which is a slider on the left side. Using this switch as a locking mechanism effectively removes the write protection. Make sure the switch is in the bottom position by checking your SD card. If the answer is affirmative, the card has been locked and is write-protected. You won't be able to modify the SD card because of this.

Follow these procedures to disable physical write protection on your SD card:

Step 1. Take out the SD card from your GoPro camera and look for a tiny switch on it, which is always on the left side.

Step 2. It is locked to read-only mode if it is located next to the word "LOCK."

Step 3. Reverse the switch to unlock your SD card.

Then the SD card's write protection can be removed and inserted into your GoPro camera to see if it works as usual.

Fix 4. Clean the GoPro Hero SD Card Contacts

Cleaning the SD card and its slot is the next step if the problem persists. By doing this, you can ensure that nothing obstructs the SD card's connection to the GoPro. To remove any dirt and debris from the SD card, wipe it off with a soft cloth. You may also use this method to clean your camera's card slot.

Wait a while for the card or card slot to dry. Check to see whether the GoPro SD card error is resolved by inserting the card into your camera.

Fix 5. Repair SD Card Bad Sectors

The term "bad sector" refers to storage clusters on an external drive with physical damage resulting from manufacturing faults, wear and tear, power stress, unforeseen corruptions, or dust entrance.

You may check for errors on your SD card with Windows' built-in capability and address various issues. It only takes a few clicks of your mouse to fix bad sectors on your SD card. Here are the specific steps:

Step 1. Connect your SD card to your computer and then start the Windows Explorer.

Step 2. Find the SD card icon, right-click it, and select the "Properties" > "Tools tab".

Step 3. To fix your SD card, click the "Check" button in the "Error Checking" section.

Fix 6. Update the Firmware of the GoPro SD Card

The next step is to update GoPro's firmware if the SD card is still not working. By doing so, you may be confident that the GoPro is using the most recent software, which might enable it to recognize the SD card. Connect the GoPro to your computer and download the latest version of the firmware from the website to update it.

Fix 7. Try SD Card Data Recovery Service

Don't worry if all the fixes above cannot scan and fix the GoPro SD card. You can console your SD card problems online and try on EaseUS data recovery services.

To Sum Up

There are all the steps to show you how to fix the GoPro SD card error are created. Try the 7 solutions to fix the problem when you see the "SD ERR" or "NO SD" error message on GoPro Products like Hero 10 Black or GoPro Hero 9/8/7. It's crucial that you use a GoPro-compatible SD card to prevent problems. With EaseUS data recovery software, you can retrieve data and fix the SD card.

GoPro SD Card Error FAQs

Here are 3 additional questions about the GoPro SD card error. Check here for the answers.

1. How do you fix a corrupted SD card on a GoPro?

The GoPro should be reset if the SD card is still malfunctioning. This will reset the GoPro to its default settings, which might assist in resolving the SD card issue. Press the Mode and Shutter buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds to reset the GoPro.

2. How do I fix my GoPro Hero 9 SD card error?

• Check the connection between the SD card and GoPro
• Try another memory or SD card
• Scan memory card errors via the CHKDSK
• Reinstall the disk driver

3. Why does my SD card keep saying error?

Your SD card might have become write-protected if you experience one of the read issues. This indicates that you cannot modify any of the files on the SD card. Other causes could include virus entry, corrupted disk structures, faulty sectors, improper SD card management, etc.