How Do You Check a GoPro Door Seal?
Look at three things: the seal is clean and free of sand, hair or lint, the door closes flush, and no colored warning mark shows at the latch. On a GoPro HERO13 Black, GoPro's instruction after closing the side door is: "Check to ensure that the door is completely flush with the camera and that there is no red showing near that notch." (GoPro (opens in a new tab)) DJI and Insta360 use the same idea with red and orange marks. Check every time before the camera goes in the water.
Key takeaways
- Clean seal, flush door, no warning color showing.
- Check before every use in water, not once a season.
- Keep the seal clean; debris is the thing to look for.
- A good seal keeps water out. It doesn't make the camera float.
Door and seal check
Look at the door
Before it gets wet
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By the numbers
- GoPro's instruction after closing the HERO13 Black's side door: "Check to ensure that the door is completely flush with the camera and that there is no red showing near that notch." (GoPro, HERO13 Black side door (opens in a new tab)).
- DJI says the red marks on the Osmo Action 5 Pro's battery cover should not be visible once it is properly fastened (DJI, Osmo Action 5 Pro user manual (opens in a new tab)).
- Insta360 says the orange marks on the X4's battery compartment should be completely covered (Insta360 (opens in a new tab)).
Journalists and writers may use these figures with credit and a link back to this page. Questions: [email protected].
What should you look for?
| Check | GoPro HERO13 Black | DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro | Insta360 X4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door closed | Door latch closed before water | Battery and USB-C covers firmly fastened | Battery compartment and USB cover securely closed |
| Warning mark | "No red showing near that notch" | Red marks not visible | Orange marks completely covered |
| Seal | Not covered on the pages we cite; keep it clean | Waterproof seal clean, rubber ring clean and in place | Free from dirt or foreign objects |
Sources: GoPro side door (opens in a new tab), GoPro water tips (opens in a new tab), DJI (opens in a new tab), Insta360 (opens in a new tab).
A simple routine that fits all three:
- Make sure the camera is clean and dry before you open the door.
- Look along the seal and the edge it presses against for sand, hair, lint or salt.
- Close the door until it clicks, then run a finger around the edge to check it sits flush.
- Look for the warning color. If you can see it, open and close again.
If the seal is cut, out of place or won't come clean, contact the camera maker before using it in water.
How often should you check?
Every time before the camera goes in the water. GoPro's advice is to make sure the door latch is closed before the camera is exposed to liquid (GoPro (opens in a new tab)), and DJI lists its checks as things to do before using the camera in water (DJI (opens in a new tab)). It also makes sense after every battery or card change, since that's when the door has been open.
If you use a separate waterproof case, DJI suggests putting the empty case underwater for about 5 minutes before use to check it's working properly (DJI (opens in a new tab)).
After salt water, a fresh-water rinse with the door closed keeps salt off the seal; see our salt water care guide.
Why use a float even when the seal is fine?
Because a seal and a float solve different problems. The seal keeps water out of the camera. It does nothing to stop the camera sinking if it slips out of your hand, and action cameras are denser than water, as our guide to keeping a GoPro from sinking shows.
The camera float 2-pack clips to the camera on a quick-release cord, each float made to float up to 7 oz (200 g).
Gear for this
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my GoPro door is closed properly?
GoPro's check for the HERO13 Black is: "Check to ensure that the door is completely flush with the camera and that there is no red showing near that notch." (GoPro (opens in a new tab))
What does the red line on a GoPro door mean?
It shows the door isn't fully latched. GoPro's instruction after closing the side door is: "Check to ensure that the door is completely flush with the camera and that there is no red showing near that notch."
How often should I check the door seal?
Every time before the camera goes in the water, and after every battery or card change.
What should I do if the seal is dirty?
Clean it before closing the door, so there's no sand, hair or lint on it. If it's damaged or won't come clean, contact the camera maker before using it in water.
Does a good seal mean my camera will float?
No. The seal keeps water out. The camera still sinks unless a float or floating strap holds it up.
Sources
- GoPro: HERO13 Black, how to operate the side door (opens in a new tab)
- GoPro: HERO13 Black, how deep can you dive? (opens in a new tab)
- DJI: Osmo Action 5 Pro user manual (opens in a new tab)
- Insta360: X4 waterproofing (opens in a new tab)
Related reading
- How do you care for an action camera after salt water?
- Snorkeling with a GoPro: setup checklist
- How do you keep a GoPro from sinking?
- Camera float 2-pack
GoPro, DJI and Insta360 are trademarks of their owners. Nordic Flash is not affiliated with them; brand names are used only to describe compatibility.