Methods of providing error correction in configuration bitstreams for programmable logic devices (PLDs). While any error correction method can be used, in one embodiment a Hamming code is applied to instructions in the configuration bitstream, while a product code is applied to configuration data. Thus, the higher overhead required for a Hamming code applies to only a few words in the bitstream. The instructions are corrected on receipt of the word that includes the Hamming code, so the instructions are executed correctly even if a transmission error has occurred. However, configuration data can be stored in the configuration memory without correction. With a product code, the exact location of an erroneous bit is not known until the end of the transmission, when a parity word is received. At this time, the PLD can go back and correct erroneous bits in the configuration data prior to enabling the newly loaded design.