GoPro Hero 11 F33 Fix: Error Code Guide

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What This Error Means

F33 on a GoPro Hero 11 is a generic internal fault code that usually appears when the camera fails its power-up self-check.
The camera is basically stopping the boot process because it thinks the power or firmware state is not safe.

Official Fix

GoPro does not publish an official meaning for F33, but support treats it like a boot or power fault. Their script is pretty simple:

  • Power the camera off. Pop the battery and SD card out. Wait 30 seconds.
  • Reinsert only a known-good GoPro-branded battery. Leave the SD card out for now.
  • Connect USB-C power from a decent wall charger (not a laptop) and try to power it on.
  • If it boots, pair it with the GoPro app and update the firmware, or do a manual firmware reinstall via microSD.
  • Reinsert the SD card, then use the in-camera format option to wipe and prep it.
  • If F33 still shows up or the camera will not get past the logo, the official answer is: stop there and send it to GoPro for repair or replacement.

The Technician’s Trick

What people on the phone do not tell you. This is the stuff field techs actually try before calling a board dead:

  • Do a deep power drain: remove battery and SD, then hold the Mode button for 15 to 20 seconds. That bleeds off any stuck state in the power circuit. Refit the battery and try again.
  • Try a USB-only boot: battery and SD card out, plug a strong USB-C wall charger in, then hold the Mode button for 10 seconds. If it boots like this but not on battery, you just found a battery or contact issue.
  • Check the battery contacts: look inside the bay. The gold pins should all sit level. If one is dirty or low, clean with 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free swab, then very gently lift any sunken pin so it matches the others.
  • Rule out junk batteries: test with a genuine GoPro Hero 11 battery. Off-brand packs are a common trigger for power fault codes like F33.
  • Rule out the SD card: boot with no card installed first. If it comes up clean and only throws F33 when your card is in, the card is corrupt or too slow. Swap to a fresh V30/U3 microSD and format it in the camera.
  • Thermal and flex check: with the side door open, press lightly around the battery door and frame while powering on. If F33 appears only when the body flexes or after a short warm-up, the main board or power rail is cracked. That is shop-level work, not a kitchen table fix.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: F33 goes away after a deep reset, battery/contact clean, or SD card swap, and the camera survives multiple 10 to 20 minute test clips without errors.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: The camera is out of warranty, F33 is random, and you would need to buy several parts (batteries, SD cards, doors) just to chase the fault.
  • ❌ Replace: F33 shows on every boot with any battery and SD card, the camera never gets past the logo, or GoPro quotes a main-board repair near the cost of a new Hero.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Working through other F-codes on household gear too? These will help: