Your GoPro HERO13 is set up to stream your race live, hands-free. Once it's
programmed and powered, it connects to your WiFi or Starlink and goes live on its own
— no phone, no app, no babysitting. This page covers the one-time setup and the
best practices that keep the stream running all race long.
1
Program It In The Portal
Do this when the camera is new, when you're moving it to a
different car, or when the WiFi / Starlink it connects to changes:
- Sign in to the Member Portal and open GoPro Setup.
- Enter the SSID and password of the WiFi or Starlink the camera will use, then hit Download GoPro conf.
- Take the SD card out of the camera and plug it into your computer (use a card reader if it doesn't have a slot). Copy the downloaded file straight onto the card itself — not inside any folder. When you open the card you'll see folders like DCIM and MISC; the file goes next to those folders, not in them. Put the card back in the camera, and it picks the file up on its next boot.
- While you're in the portal, make sure your racer profile is set up for your next race — series, race, class, name, and number.
Keep It Private
The config file includes your account ID — don't share it or leave copies lying around.
Running Starlink?
Make sure your Starlink is up to date before race day — check for
updates in the Starlink app so it isn't grabbing one mid-race.
2
Check Two Camera Settings
On first boot (and any time the camera has sat dead for a while), verify these two
settings. Both live in the camera's Preferences: swipe down on the rear
screen to open the dashboard, swipe left, then tap
.
- Date & time are correct — . Your stream and GPS tracking are stamped with this.
- Auto Power Off is set to Never — . If this is on a timer, the camera will shut itself off mid-race.
The camera is configured to automatically power on when USB power is applied —
but that only works from a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port. Find your
situation below:
Best Setup
USB-C PD Port In The Car
Camera powers itself on when the port goes live.
Run it without the battery installed — less heat, and heat is
this camera's worst enemy.
Works
Regular USB Port (No PD)
Run with the battery in and charge over USB. It'll run warmer,
and on a weaker port the battery can drain faster than the charger refills it.
Manual Start
Low-Power Port
You'll have to turn the camera on yourself:
hold the Power button on the LEFT side of the camera.
Wrong Button
The Power button is on the left side of the camera —
NOT the Record button on top. Pressing Record starts a local
recording, not your stream.
4
Mount For Shade & Airflow
- Mount the camera right side up.
- Pick a spot that stays in the shade and gets some airflow. Heat is the number one thing that takes a stream down.
- If the camera shuts down from overheating, don't panic — let it cool down and turn it back on.
Race-Day Quick Check
- Portal profile set for this race — series, race, class, name, number.
- Config file on the SD card matches the WiFi / Starlink you're running today.
- Starlink up to date — checked in the Starlink app before race day.
- Date & time correct, Auto Power Off set to Never.
- PD port: battery out. Non-PD port: battery in, charging.
- Mounted right side up, in shade, with airflow.