What to Do When Your Arlo Camera Is Broke: A Troubleshooting Guide
Discovering your Arlo camera is broke or has stopped working can be frustrating, especially when you rely on it for your home security. Before assuming the worst and buying a replacement, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to diagnose and potentially fix the issue. This guide offers an empathetic and professional approach to getting your camera back online.
## Initial Diagnosis: What Is the Problem?
"Broke" can mean many things. The first step is to identify the specific symptoms your camera is exhibiting. This will help narrow down the cause and find the right solution.
- Is the camera completely unresponsive? No lights, no response when you press the sync button. This often points to a power issue.
- Is the camera offline in the app? The camera has power but cannot connect to the base station or your Wi-Fi network. This is a connectivity issue.
- Is the video quality poor? Is the image blurry, discoloured, or freezing? This could be a connection or a hardware lens issue.
- Is it not recording or detecting motion? The camera is online but not functioning as expected. This is likely a settings issue.
## Troubleshooting Steps for a Completely Unresponsive Arlo Camera
If your camera shows no signs of life, the problem is almost certainly power-related.
### 1. Check the Battery
For all wireless Arlo cameras, the battery is the most common point of failure.
- Remove the battery from the camera.
- Place it in the Arlo charging station or connect a charging cable directly to the battery (depending on your model).
- Allow it to charge for at least a few hours until the indicator light shows it is fully charged.
- Before reinserting it, check the metal contacts on the battery and inside the camera compartment. Ensure they are clean and free from any dirt or corrosion.
- Reinsert the battery securely, making sure it clicks into place and the compartment door is properly closed.
### 2. Test the Charging Equipment
If the battery does not seem to charge, the problem might be with your charger. Try using a different charging cable and power adapter to see if the battery begins to charge.
## Troubleshooting for an Offline Arlo Camera
If the camera has power but will not connect, follow these steps.
- Bring the Camera Closer: Move the camera closer to your Arlo base station or Wi-Fi router. If it connects, the issue is likely a weak wireless signal in its original location.
- Reboot Your Network: Unplug your router and your Arlo base station from power for 60 seconds. Plug the router back in first, wait for it to come online, and then plug the base station back in.
- Resync the Camera: Press the 'Sync' button on your base station, and then press the 'Sync' button on the camera. This will re-establish the secure connection between the two devices.
## When to Consider a Factory Reset
If all else fails, you can perform a factory reset on the camera. This will erase its current settings and require you to set it up again from scratch.
- Locate the reset button on your camera (you may need a paperclip to press it).
- Press and hold the reset button for about 15 seconds, until the camera's LED light flashes amber.
- Release the button and wait for the camera to reboot.
- Go through the setup process in the Arlo app again.
If a factory reset does not resolve the problem, the camera may unfortunately have a hardware failure. At this stage, you should check your warranty status and contact Arlo's official support for further assistance.