My Action Camera Wont Stop Charging Here Is Why

If your action camera won’t stop charging, it’s likely due to a faulty battery, damaged charging port, or a software glitch disrupting power regulation. Continuous charging can lead to overheating, reduced battery life, or even permanent damage if left unchecked. Try resetting the device, inspecting for physical damage, or using a different charger to isolate and resolve the issue quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Unplug immediately: Prevent battery damage by disconnecting once fully charged.
• Check charger output: Use only manufacturer-recommended chargers and cables.
• Inspect ports: Clean debris from charging ports to ensure proper connection.
• Update firmware: Install latest updates to fix charging bugs.
• Avoid extreme temps: Charge between 0°C–40°C to protect battery health.
• Reset if stuck: Force restart the camera to resolve charging glitches.

Why Your Action Camera Keeps Charging (And What to Do About It)

You plug in your action camera to charge after a long weekend of hiking, biking, or chasing waves. You check it the next morning, and the charging light is still on. You unplug it, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in—still charging. You start to wonder: Is this normal? Is my action camera broken? Why won’t it stop charging?

If you’re nodding your head right now, you’re not alone. This is a surprisingly common issue that many action camera owners face—especially with popular brands like GoPro, DJI, Insta360, and Akaso. The good news? It’s rarely a sign of a completely dead device. The bad news? It can point to a deeper problem that, if ignored, might shorten your camera’s lifespan or even create safety risks. In this post, I’ll walk you through the most common reasons your action camera won’t stop charging, what each one means, and—most importantly—what you can do to fix it. Think of this as a troubleshooting guide written by someone who’s been there, done that, and accidentally left their camera plugged in for three days straight.

Understanding Normal Charging Behavior vs. Problematic Charging

How Action Cameras Should Charge

Let’s start with the basics. Most modern action cameras use lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries. These batteries are designed to charge efficiently in three stages:

• Bulk charging: The camera draws maximum current to charge the battery from 0% to about 70–80%. This is the fastest part.
• Absorption (or top-off) stage: The charging current slows down to top off the remaining 20–30%. This stage ensures full capacity without overcharging.
• Float/maintenance mode: Once fully charged, the camera either stops charging completely or switches to a trickle charge (very low current) to maintain 100%.

Under normal conditions, this entire process should take 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the battery size and charger type. The charging light usually turns off or changes color (e.g., red to green) when the battery is full.

What “Won’t Stop Charging” Actually Means

When people say their action camera “won’t stop charging,” they usually mean one of three things:

• The charging light stays on (red or blinking) even after several hours.
• The camera feels warm to the touch after being plugged in for a long time.
• The battery percentage doesn’t reach 100% or fluctuates (e.g., 97% → 95% → 99%) when left charging.

None of these behaviors are normal. A healthy action camera should stop drawing power once the battery is full. If it doesn’t, something is disrupting the charging cycle. Let’s explore the most likely culprits.

Common Causes of Continuous Charging (And How to Diagnose Them)

1. Faulty or Low-Quality Charging Cable or Adapter

This is the most common cause—and the easiest to fix. I once used a $2 USB cable from a random electronics bin to charge my GoPro. It charged… but never stopped. The light stayed red for over 12 hours. Turns out, the cable had a damaged data line, which confused the camera’s charging logic.

Here’s how to check:

• Use the original cable and wall adapter that came with your camera. These are calibrated to deliver the right voltage and current.
• If you don’t have the original, use a high-quality USB-A to USB-C (or micro-USB) cable from a trusted brand (Anker, Belkin, Ugreen). Avoid ultra-thin or no-name cables.
• Test with a different wall adapter. Some fast chargers (like phone chargers) may send incorrect voltage signals.

Pro tip: Try charging your camera with a laptop USB port. If it stops charging normally, the issue is likely with your wall adapter or cable.

2. Dirty or Corroded Charging Port

Action cameras are built for adventure—but that means they get exposed to sand, saltwater, dust, and humidity. Over time, these can build up in the charging port, creating poor electrical contact.

Symptoms include:

• Intermittent charging (camera turns on/off while plugged in).
• Charging light flickers or stays on despite full battery.
• Camera only charges when the cable is held at a certain angle.

How to clean it safely:

• Unplug the camera and power it off.
• Use a soft, dry toothbrush or compressed air to gently remove debris.
• For stubborn gunk, use a plastic toothpick or a wooden skewer (never metal).
• For saltwater residue, lightly dampen a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher), then dry thoroughly before plugging in.

Warning: Never use water or abrasive materials. A damaged port can permanently ruin your camera.

3. Software or Firmware Glitches

Yes, even tiny action cameras run software. A bug in the charging firmware can cause the camera to misread battery levels or fail to enter float mode.

Signs of a software issue:

• The camera behaves normally otherwise (records, plays back, connects to Wi-Fi).
• The battery percentage jumps around when charging (e.g., 98% → 94% → 100%).
• The issue started after a firmware update or power cycle.

How to fix it:

• Perform a full reset: Hold the power button for 10–15 seconds until the camera restarts. This clears temporary glitches.
• Update the firmware: Download the latest version from the manufacturer’s website (e.g., GoPro’s Quik app or DJI Mimo). A firmware update often includes fixes for charging bugs.
• Factory reset: If the problem persists, back up your footage and do a factory reset through the camera’s settings or app.

Battery Health: The Hidden Factor Behind Charging Issues

When the Battery Itself Is the Problem

Even if everything else is fine, a degraded battery can cause continuous charging. Lithium-ion batteries lose capacity over time—especially if they’ve been overcharged, overheated, or deeply discharged.

Here’s how to tell if your battery is the culprit:

• The camera dies quickly (e.g., lasts 30 minutes instead of 2 hours).
• The battery swells slightly (you’ll notice the back case feels tight or bulges).
• The charging time has increased significantly (e.g., now takes 5+ hours).
• The camera shuts off unexpectedly, even with a “full” battery.

Example: A friend’s Insta360 ONE R wouldn’t stop charging. It took 6 hours to go from 20% to 100%, and the light stayed on. After replacing the battery, it charged in 2 hours and stopped normally.

How to Check Battery Health (Without Special Tools)

You don’t need a battery analyzer. Try these steps:

1. Fully charge the camera and let it sit for 1 hour unplugged.
2. Check the battery percentage. If it drops below 98%, the battery is likely degraded.
3. Record a 10-minute video at highest resolution. If the battery dies before 10 minutes, it’s time for a replacement.
4. Compare charging times. If it now takes 50% longer than when new, the battery is aging.

Replacement tip: Use only OEM (original equipment manufacturer) or high-quality third-party batteries (like Wasabi Power or Big Mike’s). Cheap knockoffs may not have proper protection circuits and can overheat.

When to Replace the Battery

Replace your battery if:

• It’s 2+ years old and shows any of the signs above.
• It’s swollen (this is a safety hazard—do not charge it further).
• You’ve tried all other fixes and the camera still won’t stop charging.

Environmental and Usage Factors That Affect Charging

Temperature: The Silent Charging Killer

Lithium-ion batteries hate extreme heat and cold. Charging in temperatures below 32°F (0°C) or above 113°F (45°C) can damage the battery and confuse the charging system.

Real-world example: I left my GoPro charging in a car on a 95°F day. The camera felt hot, and the light stayed on for 8 hours. After cooling it down and restarting, it charged normally.

Best practices:

• Charge at room temperature (60–75°F / 15–24°C).
• Never charge a camera that’s been in a hot car or direct sunlight.
• If the camera feels warm, unplug it, let it cool, then try again.

Using the Camera While Charging

Some action cameras (like GoPro HERO11 and DJI Osmo Action 3) allow you to record while charging. But this can cause the charging light to stay on—because the camera is using power as it charges.

What to do:

• If you’re recording or streaming while charging, the light staying on is normal.
• To test charging behavior, power off the camera completely before plugging in.
• For long-term storage, charge to 50%, power off, and store in a cool, dry place.

Power Bank vs. Wall Charging

Using a power bank can sometimes cause charging issues. Some power banks:

• Don’t output a stable voltage (especially cheap models).
• Auto-shut off if the camera draws too little current (common when the battery is full).
• Use outdated USB standards (e.g., USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0).

Tip: Use a high-quality power bank (like Anker PowerCore) with a “trickle charge” mode. Avoid ultra-cheap or no-name power banks.

When to Seek Professional Help (And What to Avoid)

DIY Fixes That Can Make Things Worse

It’s tempting to try quick fixes, but some can be dangerous:

• Forcing the battery out: This can damage internal connectors or puncture the battery (fire hazard).
• Using metal tools to clean the port: Can scratch contacts or short-circuit components.
• Leaving the camera charging overnight: Increases risk of overheating, especially with a faulty battery.
• Using a non-OEM charger: May not have overcharge/overvoltage protection.

Signs You Need Professional Repair

Contact the manufacturer or a certified repair shop if:

• The camera gets hot while charging (even after cleaning and resetting).
• The battery is swollen.
• Multiple cables/adapters don’t fix the issue.
• The charging port feels loose or wobbly.
• You see smoke, sparks, or a burning smell (unplug immediately!).

Note: Some brands (like GoPro) offer limited warranties or out-of-warranty repair services. Check their website for details.

Data Table: Action Camera Charging Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom	Likely Cause	Quick Fix	When to Replace/Repair
Light stays on after 3+ hours	Faulty cable/adapter	Try original cable + wall adapter	If multiple cables fail
Charging light flickers	Dirty port	Clean port with dry brush	If cleaning doesn’t help
Battery % jumps around	Firmware glitch	Update firmware or reset	If issue returns after update
Camera feels warm	Overheating or bad battery	Unplug, cool down, restart	If swelling or persistent heat
Charging takes 5+ hours	Degraded battery	Test battery life with video	If battery lasts <50% of original

Final Thoughts: Stay Safe, Save Your Camera

An action camera that won’t stop charging isn’t just annoying—it’s a warning sign. While the issue is often fixable (90% of the time, it’s the cable, port, or firmware), ignoring it can lead to battery damage, reduced performance, or even safety risks like overheating.

Here’s your action plan:

• Start simple: Swap the cable and adapter. Clean the port. Restart the camera.
• Check the battery: Look for swelling, poor life, or long charging times.
• Update firmware: Manufacturers often release fixes for charging bugs.
• When in doubt, stop charging: Unplug immediately if the camera gets hot or behaves strangely.

Remember: Action cameras are rugged, but they’re not indestructible. Treat the charging process with care, and your camera will keep capturing those epic moments—without the stress of a red light that won’t turn off.

And hey, if you’ve been there—left your camera plugged in for days, only to find it still “charging”—you’re in good company. We’ve all been there. The key is to learn from it, fix it, and get back to what matters: the adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why won’t my action camera stop charging even after hours plugged in?

This could be due to a faulty charging circuit or a battery that no longer holds a charge properly. Try unplugging it after 2-3 hours and check if the battery icon shows full—if not, the battery or charging port may need replacement.

Is it normal for my action camera to keep charging indefinitely?

No, modern action cameras are designed to stop charging once the battery reaches 100% to prevent overcharging. If your action camera won’t stop charging, the battery management system (BMS) might be malfunctioning.

Can a damaged charging cable cause my action camera to overcharge?

Yes, a frayed or incompatible cable can send inconsistent power, confusing the camera’s charging logic. Always use the manufacturer-recommended cable and inspect it for visible damage.

How do I know if my action camera’s battery is overcharging?

Signs include excessive heat during charging, a swollen battery, or the camera not powering on after charging. If your action camera won’t stop charging, these are red flags requiring immediate attention.

Why does my action camera keep charging even when the battery is full?

This usually points to a software glitch or a failing battery sensor. Try a factory reset or update the firmware—if the issue persists, the battery likely needs replacement.

Should I leave my action camera charging overnight if it won’t stop?

Never leave it unattended, as prolonged charging can overheat the device or cause a fire hazard. Unplug it immediately and consult a technician if the problem continues.