Arlo App Not Working? Here's How to Fix It
The Arlo app is the central hub for your home security cameras, allowing you to view live feeds, check recordings, and adjust settings. When the app stops working as it should, it can be a major inconvenience and a cause for concern. Whether the app is crashing on startup, refusing to log you in, or failing to show your camera feeds, don't worry. Most issues can be resolved with some straightforward troubleshooting.
This guide is designed for our UK users and will take you through the most common problems with the Arlo app and provide clear, easy-to-follow solutions to get you back in control of your security system.
### Identifying the Problem: Common Arlo App Symptoms
First, let's pinpoint the issue you're facing. Common problems with the Arlo app include:
- App Crashing or Freezing: The app closes unexpectedly either on launch or during use.
- Login Failures: You're certain you are using the correct email and password, but the app won't let you log in.
- Black Screen/No Video Feed: You can log in, but the screen where your camera's live feed should be is black or just shows a loading symbol.
- Delayed or Missing Notifications: Your cameras are detecting motion, but the app isn't sending push notifications to your phone.
- Inability to Change Modes: The app won't let you arm or disarm your system, or switch between different modes.
- "Device Offline" Errors: The app reports that your cameras are offline, even though you know they have power and are connected to the internet.
- Slow Performance: The app is generally sluggish, taking a long time to load devices or playback recordings.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing the Arlo App
Follow these steps in order to diagnose and solve the most frequent Arlo app issues.
### 1. The Basics: Check Your Connection and App Version
Let's start with the simplest potential causes.
- Check Your Internet Connection: The Arlo app requires a stable internet connection to function. Are you connected to wifi or mobile data? Try opening a web browser on your phone to see if you can access other websites.
- Update the Arlo App: Developers regularly release updates to fix bugs and improve performance. Go to the App Store (for Apple devices) or the Google Play Store (for Android devices) and check if there is an update available for the Arlo app. Always run the latest version.
- Check Arlo Service Status: Occasionally, the issue might be on Arlo's end. You can check the official Arlo Service Status page to see if they are reporting any outages or ongoing maintenance.
### 2. Force Close and Relaunch
Sometimes, an app can get stuck in a bad state. A force close is a quick way to reset it without losing any data.
- On iOS (iPhone): Swipe up from the bottom of the screen (or double-press the Home button on older models) to open the app switcher. Find the Arlo app and swipe it up to close it.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. Find Arlo in the list, tap on it, and then tap "Force stop".
After closing the app, wait a few seconds and then try opening it again.
### 3. Clear the App Cache (Android Users)
Over time, the app's cache can become cluttered or corrupted, leading to performance issues.
- Go to Settings > Apps > See all apps.
- Find and tap on Arlo.
- Tap on Storage & cache.
- Tap on Clear cache. Do not tap "Clear storage" or "Clear data" yet, as this will log you out and reset your app settings.
After clearing the cache, restart the app.
### 4. Restart Your Smartphone
A simple reboot of your phone can resolve a surprising number of app-related problems. It clears the device's memory and can fix temporary software glitches. Turn your phone off completely, wait for 30 seconds, and then turn it back on.
### 5. Check App Permissions
The Arlo app needs certain permissions to function correctly, especially for features like notifications and geofencing.
- Go to your phone's settings and find the permissions manager for apps.
- Locate the Arlo app and ensure it has permissions for Notifications, Location (if you use geofencing), and Storage. If any are disabled, enable them and test the app again.
### 6. Reinstall the Arlo App
If all else fails, reinstalling the app is the final step. This will give you a completely fresh start.
- Uninstall the app: Press and hold the Arlo app icon on your home screen and select "Uninstall" or "Delete App".
- Restart your phone: This is an important step to ensure all residual files are cleared.
- Reinstall the app: Go back to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for Arlo, and install it again.
You will need to log in with your username and password again after reinstalling. This process often resolves deeper-rooted issues within the app's data.