Do you have a Gopro hero 4 silver or black ripped out if the box and found it has a clicking or chopper sound noise when playing back?
You will find this only happens when wifi is enabled.
I wrote an email to Gopro and responded within 24 hrs suggesting there is a problem as below.
Hi Mark,Thank you for contacting GoPro and reaching out with your concern. I’m sorry for the trouble you’ve experienced with HERO4 Silver. I can imagine the slight discomforts having these issues arise. I would be more than happy to review this with you.
While I’d love to help troubleshoot your concerns, the helicopter-like noise your camera is emitting is a hardware impairment we’d have to replace. Your camera is currently under warranty and I’d be happy to being the process started to replace your camera. As an added alternative, if you are still within the time frame to exchange your camera from where it was purchased, it may be easier to exchange for a new one. I have zero problem continuing to help you through our warranty, just keep in mind it takes just a tad longer due to mailing processes. Nonetheless, if you’d like to continue replacement via warranty, please reply to this e-mail with the following:
– A photo/scan/screenshot of your original purchase receipt to show that you are within the 1-year warranty period.
– Also reply with your preferred return shipping address, formatted like this:Name
Phone Number
Address Line 1
Address Line 2
City/Town, State/Province, ZIP/Postal Code
CountryOnce we hear back, we’ll be able to provide you with a RMA number (returns authorization) and return instructions.
Our apologies for the inconvenience, but we’ll do our best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Many Thanks,
Lorraine
GoPro Support
gopro.com/support
I decided to take it back to Craig at JBHIFI Castle Hill with some sample videos and email from Gopro. Without hesitation he swapped it out for me. (Thanks Craig, awesome service)
Got home unpacked and tested the replacement and was all good.
I wasn’t going to worry thinking it was firmware but not. It’s hardware so if you have the issue get it fixed under warranty.
Send me a reply/comment if you have any questions.
I am looking to purchase one of these 2nd hand and was wondering if there was a way to tell by serial number or other identification method which would confirm whether or not the cam is faulty?
I couldnt tell you personally, sorry
I’ve got an 18 month old Hero 4 Black, but I’ve only just now started using WiFi + GoPro app to activate recording, and have found this noise issue! Going to take it back to Harvey Norman – will be surprised if this isn’t replaced as it is a manufacturing fault which I could not have known about until using Wifi. Trying to work out the Australian Consumer Law also, as I believe it’s covered under that, beyond GoPro’s 1 year warranty.
Got excited about a recall but see they’re still running this as a 1yr warranty period only, and not as an outright recall.
Xiaoyi yi ii 4K here I come…
thanks for the info, I too have a brand new Hero 4 Black and it has the same problem when using WiFi. You’d think this would be fixed by now. Anyway I’ll take it back but doesn’t help with all the footage I have already shot,
Well I am on my 3rd replacement and still no fix…chopping sound on all 3 cameras! Not sure if I should just get a refund or keep on trucking! I purchased the camera through GoPro and they keep sending me junk cameras!
Try asking them to test the camera before they send out the replacement.
Otherwise demand a refund and either wait for the next model or go to a 3.
However, a replacement fixed my issues and many others so might be getting replaced with the same bad batch, which gopro should have been recalled knowing of the issue.
Thanks for this post, i actually printed this response from gopro and used it to curry to replaced mine 3x,, finally the 3rd replacement is good.. all unit came with V1 fw.
Upgraded the last unit fw to v3 and still no chopper issues when wifi is on.
Awesome news and thanks heaps for your kind comments.
Today have received this letter from go pro
Hi David,
Thank you for reaching us regarding this issue, I’m sorry to hear you are coming across these interference while on wifi.
Unfortunately it is indeed a fault with the camera, and we’ll need to begin the process of getting you a replacement under warranty.
Since you mention it’s a very recent purchase from Argos, I would possibly suggest that you go there to get a replacement under warranty, as the turnaround time will be much faster. If you prefer to handle the case with us, we can also replace it for you will just need a few details to get the process started:
Can you please reply to this e-mail with a photo/scan of your purchase receipt to show you are within the warranty period, and follow the link below to enter your return shipping info for the replacement:
Address Verification
Additionally, please reply back with your return shipping address in the body of your email in the following format:
Name
Street Address
City
State or Province
Postal code
Country
Phone number
Once we hear back and verify that you are within the warranty period, we’ll be able to provide you with an RMA (return authorization) and return instructions.
Our apologies for the inconvenience, but we’ll do our best to get you a fully functioning replacement as soon as possible.
Many Thanks,
Marco C.
GoPro Support
https://gopro.com/support
I just dont know why they just didnt send out a recall notice to make it easier for everyone.
Hello,
I have experienced the same issue with my go pro Black. i have today taken the camera back to Argos and had a replacement.
o have got the new one home and its has the same issue. unsure what to do now.
any help would be greatly appreciated.
Well as luck would have it i took the camera back to Argos and got a refund. I then ventured to Currys and bought the camera from them. Got home charged it up and tried the video via wifi and PRESTO! no Chopper sound…
Seems a bad batch
Thanks for posting… I bought a my Go pro At SFO San Francisco Airpot on May 27th…. took it out the package here in Nicaragua.. So imagine how bummed I am right now.. So for now can I stop the clicks if i disable the WIFI?
Thank you for posting this. I received my H4 Black this month to record a play and experienced the “helicopter” sounds during playback. I did record with WiFi enabled so I could monitor what I was recording.
I just contacted Adorama this morning and they are replacing this unit for another. Hope I get one that has this issue fixed or I will have to contact GP for a warranty replacement.
Thats great I could help. They must of had a bad batch. – Let us know how you go.
This is a hardware fault. Replaced gopro works 100% good.