How to Clean a GoPro HERO13 Black After Water, Sand, or Mud

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Stop recording and secure the side door

Power off the HERO13 Black and remove it from mounts that block cleaning. Before any rinse, verify the side door is installed, completely closed, and free of visible obstruction. A removable door that is open, misaligned, or absent eliminates the normal waterproof barrier. Disconnect every cable and do not rinse the camera while an external power door or nonwaterproof accessory is attached.

Step 2: Rinse after salt water, chlorine, or mud

With the standard side door securely closed, rinse the camera exterior in clean fresh water. GoPro specifically calls for a fresh-water rinse after salt-water use. Move buttons gently under water only as the manual allows so residue releases around their edges. Do not use detergent, a pressure nozzle, a dishwasher, or hot water.

Step 3: Soak hardened debris around the door

If sand or debris has hardened around the side door, GoPro directs owners to soak the closed camera in warm tap water for about 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Do not pry the door open through grit or insert a pick beside its seal. The camera must be completely dry before the door is opened after this treatment.

Step 4: Dry the camera exterior

Shake off water and wipe the body with a soft lint-free cloth. Let seams, buttons, folding fingers, and the door perimeter air-dry. Do not use a hair dryer, oven, radiator, or compressed air. Inspect for trapped droplets and do not assume that a dry front screen means the door area and microphone openings are dry.

Step 5: Clear microphone water safely

For best audio after water use, GoPro recommends shaking the camera or blowing gently across microphone holes to remove water and debris. Do not direct compressed air into the microphones; it can damage their internal waterproof membranes. Leave the camera in moving room air if audio remains muffled and retest only after visible moisture is gone.

Step 6: Clean the replaceable lens cover

Blow loose grit from the strengthened glass lens cover, then wipe it with a soft lint-free lens cloth. Although durable, the cover can still scratch or crack. If debris is trapped between the lens and trim ring, GoPro says to flush it with water or air rather than insert a foreign object around the lens. Dry before removing the cover.

Step 7: Clean HB-Series lenses and filters separately

Detach a Macro, Ultra Wide, ND, or Anamorphic HB-Series accessory through its twist-lock method after the camera is dry. Rinse a waterproof accessory only when its own instructions allow, then wipe optical surfaces with a clean lens cloth. Inspect the mating ring for sand and reinstall only when both accessory and camera are clean and dry.

Step 8: Inspect the door seal and battery bay

Once the exterior is completely dry, open the side door and inspect its seal, latch, battery bay, microSD area, and contacts. Remove dry lint with a clean soft brush without scraping the gasket. Do not apply grease, alcohol, or household seal conditioner. A cut, displaced, or permanently dirty seal requires replacement or service before water exposure.

Step 9: Clean mounts and folding fingers

Rinse salt or mud from waterproof mounts separately and dry their screws and joints. Brush grit from HERO13 folding fingers and magnetic-latch surfaces, checking for cracks or corrosion. Do not force a screw through sand or store wet metal against the camera. Replace a mount that cannot lock securely after cleaning.

Step 10: Reassemble and perform a dry check

Install a dry battery and microSD card, close the door until it latches positively, and inspect the complete perimeter. Power on, test buttons, microphones, screens, and the installed lens accessory. Perform the first check in a dry environment. Never test a questionable door seal by submerging a camera containing irreplaceable footage.