GoPro Hero 11 F38 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F38 on a GoPro Hero 11 basically means: system fault / firmware crash.

GoPro doesn’t publish F38 in their public docs, but on the bench it shows up when the camera firmware chokes during boot or when starting to record, often triggered by a bad SD card or corrupted system files.

In plain terms: the brain of the camera tripped, so it locks up or reboots instead of recording like it should.

Official Fix

Here’s the script you’ll basically get from GoPro support. Run it in this order:

  • 1. Hard reboot the camera
    • Hold the Mode/Power button for about 10 seconds until the camera shuts off.
    • Wait 5 seconds, then tap Mode/Power again to turn it back on.
  • 2. Battery and card pull
    • Open the side door and remove the battery and the microSD card.
    • Leave it empty for 30–60 seconds so it fully discharges.
    • Reinstall the battery only, leave the SD card out for now.
    • Power it up. If it boots without F38, the SD card is suspect.
  • 3. Try a known-good, fast SD card
    • Use a branded U3 / V30 microSD (Sandisk Extreme, Samsung Pro, etc.). Cheap/no-name cards cause errors.
    • Put the new card in, then on the camera go to: Preferences > Reset > Format SD Card.
    • After formatting, try a short 10–20 second 4K clip and see if F38 returns.
  • 4. Update the firmware the normal way
    • Connect the Hero 11 to your phone via the GoPro Quik / GoPro app.
    • Let the app detect the camera and push any available firmware update.
    • Keep the battery at least 50% or plug in USB power during the update.
  • 5. Factory reset (if it will boot to menus)
    • On the camera, go to Preferences > Reset > Factory Reset.
    • Confirm. This wipes settings, not your SD card clips.
    • Reboot and test recording again.
  • 6. Still showing F38?
    • At this point the official line is: contact GoPro Support for repair or replacement.
    • They’ll check warranty status and usually swap the body if it’s a board-level fault.

The Technician’s Trick

Here’s what a camera tech actually does when that basic script doesn’t clear F38.

  • 1. Boot it “naked” (no SD card)
    • Battery in. No SD card installed.
    • Power on and just let it sit on the idle screen for a couple of minutes.
    • If it stays stable with no F38, the camera itself is usually fine. Your old SD card or its file system was the trigger.
  • 2. Manual offline firmware reinstall (deeper than the app)
    • On a computer, grab the latest Hero 11 firmware from GoPro’s download page.
    • Format a good microSD card on the computer as FAT32 or exFAT.
    • Unzip the GoPro download and copy the UPDATE folder to the root of the SD card (not inside any other folder).
    • Put the card in the powered-off Hero 11, battery installed.
    • Turn it on and don’t touch it for 5–10 minutes. LEDs should blink as it reflashes.
    • If it completes the update, reboots clean, and F38 is gone, your firmware was corrupt and is now fixed.
  • 3. Deep power drain reset
    • Pull battery and SD card.
    • Hold down the shutter/record button for 10–15 seconds to bleed off any stuck charge.
    • Release, reinstall the battery only, and power on.
    • This often clears weird lockups that a simple power cycle won’t touch.
  • 4. Clean and check the battery contacts
    • Look at the gold contacts inside the battery bay and on the battery itself.
    • If you see gunk, sweat residue, or slight corrosion, lightly clean with a cotton swab and 90%+ isopropyl alcohol. Let it dry fully.
    • Re-seat the battery firmly and try again. Flaky power can absolutely trip error codes like F38.
  • 5. Bypass the battery
    • Remove the battery.
    • Plug the Hero 11 into a high-output USB-C power source (wall charger, not a weak laptop port).
    • Try to power it on and record.
    • If it behaves on USB power but throws F38 with any battery, your battery is bad, not the camera.
  • 6. When the board is just done
    • If you still get F38 with: no SD card, a fresh firmware flash, a known-good battery, and clean contacts, the main board is likely failing.
    • That’s not a cheap or easy home fix. At that point, it’s warranty/RMA time or replacement body.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Under warranty, or F38 disappears after SD card swap, manual firmware reinstall, or battery replacement. Cheap, easy wins.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Out of warranty but the camera mostly works; only glitches occasionally with F38. You shoot a lot and can afford a pro repair or refurb body if it’s reasonably priced.
  • ❌ Replace: F38 survives all resets, multiple SD cards, and a good battery, and GoPro wants main-board money to fix it. Put that cash toward a new or refurb Hero instead.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Working through other error codes at home? These breakdowns might help while you’re in fix-it mode: