GoPro cameras are popular action cameras designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, even in extreme conditions. They use removable SD cards to store media files. SD cards must meet certain speed and capacity requirements for proper functioning with GoPro cameras.
One common error GoPro users encounter is the “SD card is busy” message. This indicates the camera is unable to access the files on the SD card. There are several potential causes of this error, ranging from software issues to hardware problems.
In this article, we’ll explore the main reasons you may see the “SD card is busy” error on your GoPro and provide troubleshooting steps to resolve it.
Common Causes
One common cause of the “SD card is busy” error on GoPro cameras is a file transfer in progress. When transferring files from the GoPro to a computer or mobile device, the camera needs exclusive access to the SD card to read and move data. If you try to start recording while a transfer is happening in the background, you may get the “busy” error.
To avoid this, wait for any file transfers to complete before starting a new recording. You can usually tell a transfer is happening by opening the GoPro app and checking if there is data moving. Alternatively, try safely ejecting the SD card from your computer before using it in the camera again. The GoPro manuals also advise waiting 10 seconds after a transfer before starting a new operation.
Sources:
GoPro Community,
Quora
Corrupted Files
One common cause of the “SD card is busy” error is file corruption on the SD card. This can happen if a file transfer gets interrupted or fails. According to GoPro’s troubleshooting guide, “If you’re experiencing either an [SD ERR] or [NO SD] message on your camera’s LCD screen, your camera can’t properly communicate with the SD card.”
Failed file transfers are a major source of SD card corruption with GoPro cameras. If the USB cable gets disconnected during a transfer, or if the computer crashes, it can corrupt data on the card. The incomplete transfer leaves corrupted data on the card that the camera cannot access, leading to the busy error.
Per GoPro, removing the potentially corrupted files via a computer and safely ejecting the SD card before reinserting into the camera can resolve this issue.
Full Memory Card
One of the most common reasons for the “SD card busy” error is that the memory card is full or has insufficient space for new files. GoPro cameras require free space on the SD card to function properly. If the card becomes completely filled up, the camera will be unable to save new photos or videos and display the “busy” error.
When the SD card capacity is reached, the camera essentially becomes locked and is unable to overwrite existing files or create new ones. Even after deleting some files or formatting the card, a full card error may persist if there are hidden system files taking up space.
The easiest solution is to format the SD card in the camera to wipe it completely clean. This will delete all files and reset the card to factory settings. After formatting, make sure to test it by recording new videos and photos.
Upgrading to a higher capacity SD card can also help avoid filling up storage too quickly. Refer to GoPro’s recommended cards and get the largest size suitable for your needs.
Damaged SD Card
One common cause of the “SD card busy” error is a damaged SD card. This can happen if the card develops bad sectors or read/write errors that prevent the camera from properly accessing data on the card. According to this GoPro forum thread, bad sectors or other physical damage to the card can sometimes cause the busy error even after reformatting the card. The card may still appear normal when tested on a computer, but have underlying issues when used in the GoPro.
Bad sectors develop when parts of the SD card’s storage become unusable. This can happen from normal wear and tear over time, but also from shock, vibration or getting wet. The card will have trouble saving new footage in those bad sectors. Read/write errors also point to the card having trouble reliably storing data. This results in footage not properly saving, the card appearing full when it’s not, and the “SD card busy” error as the camera struggles to access the damaged card.
If your SD card seems to be physically damaged and causing frequent busy errors or footage issues, it’s best to replace the card. Using a card with bad sectors is unreliable and could result in lost footage and headaches. Purchasing a fresh, undamaged SD card recommended for your GoPro model will likely resolve SD card busy errors if a damaged card was the root issue.
Incompatible SD Card
One common cause of the “SD card is busy” error is using an incompatible SD card with your GoPro camera. GoPro cameras require SD cards with fast write speeds and sufficient class ratings to handle the large video files generated by the camera.
Using an SD card with slow write speeds can cause the “busy” error during recording or when trying to save files. GoPro recommends using SD cards with write speeds of at least 30 MB/s for 4K video recording 1. Cards with slower write speeds may be unable to keep up with the camera’s data transfer demands.
Additionally, the SD card must have a high enough class rating, such as Class 10 or UHS-I. Lower class cards like Class 4 do not support the necessary sustained write speeds. Using a card with insufficient class rating frequently triggers the “SD card is busy” error in GoPro cameras 2.
To avoid this error, check the write speeds and class rating before using the SD card in your GoPro. Using a card that meets GoPro’s recommendations for performance ensures maximum compatibility.
Solutions
If your GoPro keeps displaying the “SD card is busy” error message, there are a few solutions you can try to resolve the issue:
First, make sure to properly stop any ongoing transfers or recordings before removing the SD card. Ejecting the card while the camera is still writing to it can cause corruption. Follow the steps in your user manual to safely stop recordings and eject the card.
Next, try formatting or reformatting the SD card using the GoPro’s built-in formatter. Go to Settings > Format SD Card. This will wipe the card and can often resolve errors caused by corruption. For more details, see the GoPro instructions here: https://gopro.com/help/articles/Block/formatting-your-sd-card
If formatting does not fix the issue, the SD card itself may be damaged or incompatible with your GoPro model. Try replacing the card with a new, recommended SD card from a reputable brand. Refer to GoPro’s list of recommended cards here: https://community.gopro.com/s/article/microSD-Card-Considerations?language=en_US
As a last resort, updating your GoPro camera firmware may resolve SD card errors. Instructions for updating firmware can be found on GoPro’s support site. Make sure to follow the steps carefully.
Following these troubleshooting steps should resolve most “SD card is busy” errors. If the issue persists, contact GoPro support for further assistance.
Format or Replace the SD Card
One of the first troubleshooting steps when you see the “SD card is busy” error is to format the SD card. This scans the card for errors and does a complete low-level format to erase everything and reset the filesystem. According to GoPro’s support article, you should format your SD card if you get the “NO SD” error.[1] Formatting the card removes any corrupted files or errors that could be preventing the camera from reading it properly.
If formatting the SD card doesn’t resolve the issue, the card itself may be damaged or incompatible with your GoPro model. Some users on GoPro’s community forums reported that a new SD card fixed the problem after formatting didn’t work.[2] In that case, you’ll want to replace the card with one that meets GoPro’s requirements.
Use approved SD cards
GoPro cameras require high performance SD cards to capture high-resolution videos and photos. Using an approved, compatible SD card can prevent errors like “SD card busy.” GoPro recommends microSD cards with a minimum of a Class 10 or UHS-1 rating.
Some recommended brands and models include:
- SanDisk Extreme Series
- Lexar Professional Series
- Samsung EVO Select
- Delkin Devices Power Series
When purchasing a new SD card, check the manufacturer’s specs to ensure it meets GoPro’s speed requirements. Also confirm the card has enough storage capacity for your needs, with options ranging from 32GB to 1TB. Using one of GoPro’s tested and recommended SD cards can help avoid errors and capture footage reliably.
Update camera firmware
One potential solution is to update your GoPro to the latest firmware version. GoPro periodically releases new firmware updates which include bug fixes, performance improvements and new features. According to the GoPro community forums, updating to the latest firmware can resolve issues with the SD card being busy.
The most recent GoPro firmware versions fix bugs that can cause problems with reading and writing to the SD card. As noted in the GoPro Labs firmware release notes, recent updates for models like the HERO9 Black and HERO11 have stability improvements and bug fixes related to the SD card and storage. Keeping your GoPro up-to-date ensures you have the latest optimizations.
To update your firmware, you can download the latest version from GoPro’s website for your specific camera model, such as the HERO9 Black update page. Follow the instructions to install the new firmware on your camera. This will install the latest fixes and give your GoPro the best chance of recognizing the SD card properly.