What You Need to Know About GoPro Warranty
Learn about GoPro's warranty, including coverage details, the process for claiming warranty service, and options if the warranty has expired.
Posted at: 2024.6.25
GoPro Warranty Policy
Conditions for Warranty Validity
GoPro devices come with a one-year product warranty. The conditions under which the warranty is valid are as follows:
- Purchase of a new GoPro device from GoPro.com or an authorized reseller.
Warranty & Return Policy | GoPro.com
GoPro Authorized Reseller Warranty & Return Policy | GoPro.com
Warranty Coverage for Malfunctions
If a GoPro device, under valid warranty, malfunctions within one year from the date of purchase, the coverage includes:
- Repair of the GoPro product
- Replacement with equivalent parts or a GoPro product
The decision between repair and replacement is determined by GoPro, so users cannot specify their preference.
Repair Process for Malfunctions
In the event of a malfunction due to a product defect within the warranty period, repairs can be arranged through the purchase store or the GoPro product support center.
Since GoPro support centers vary by country, the best approach is to contact GoPro Support.
Even when going through an authorized reseller, the process will ultimately involve dealing with GoPro support, so contacting GoPro support directly is recommended.
Things to Know When Seeking Warranty Service
Contact GoPro Support to Obtain an RMA Number
Warranty service for GoPro products begins by contacting GoPro support. Once the support team confirms the defect, they will issue an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number, which allows for returns or repair requests. Note that without an RMA number, returns or repairs will not be accepted.
As mentioned in the "GoPro Authorized Reseller Warranty and Return Policy," even if you request repairs through the purchase store, an RMA number must still be obtained before shipping the product. Therefore, contacting GoPro support directly is usually faster.
Ship the Product for Repair or Replacement
Repairs or replacements occur after the RMA number is issued and GoPro receives the defective product. GoPro does not provide a temporary replacement, so there will be a period during which you will be without your GoPro.
If you urgently need a GoPro during this period, consider renting one temporarily.
Replacements are Common
Although GoPro's warranty policy states "repair or replacement," online reviews often indicate that replacements are more common. If the exact GoPro model is out of stock during the warranty process, a different model may be offered as a replacement.
GoPro Premium: The Almost Extended Warranty
As we've seen, GoPro provides a warranty system that is comparable to or even better than standard electronics warranties. However, due to the nature of action cameras, failures are relatively common.
To address this, GoPro offers a subscription service called "GoPro Premium," which includes a "camera replacement warranty." This service allows for a replacement of a GoPro camera under any condition—whether it’s outside the one-year warranty, second-hand, not the first user, or even user-caused damage—as long as GoPro recognizes the defect. The user just needs to pay the replacement fee. Essentially, this service functions like an extended warranty.
What is "GoPro Premium (formerly GoPro Plus)"?
An explanation of GoPro's subscription service "GoPro Premium". We'll delve into the service offerings and highlight features such as cloud storage and camera replacement service.
The "camera replacement warranty" is a service provided with GoPro Premium, so subscribing to GoPro Premium is required. However, the great thing is that you don't need to have subscribed to GoPro Premium at the time of the camera's failure. As long as you are subscribed to GoPro Premium when you contact GoPro Support, it's sufficient.
If your GoPro camera malfunctions, you can obtain a replacement for $150, which includes the annual subscription fee and the replacement fee. This is often cheaper than purchasing a new one.
Moreover, since you can subscribe to this extended warranty at any time you like, remember to consider the "camera replacement warranty" if your GoPro malfunctions.