How to Fix an Arlo Camera That Keeps Going Offline
An Arlo camera that is constantly going offline is unreliable and defeats its purpose as a security device. This frustrating issue is almost always caused by a connectivity problem between the camera and your Arlo SmartHub or base station, or directly with your Wi-Fi router for some models. This guide will help you diagnose and fix the root cause.
The key to solving this problem is to identify where the connection is failing. It could be a weak wireless signal, low battery, or an issue with your network hardware. Let's work through the possibilities.
### Step 1: Check the Basics (Battery and Status Lights)
Before you start rebooting your network, check the two most simple and common culprits.
Battery Level
A severely depleted battery can cause the camera's wireless radio to perform poorly, leading to intermittent disconnections before it goes offline completely.
- Check Battery Status in the App: Open the Arlo app and check the battery percentage for the camera that is going offline. If it's low (e.g., below 15-20%), this is very likely the cause of your problem.
- Charge or Replace the Battery: Charge the battery fully or insert a fresh one. A healthy, fully charged battery is essential for a stable wireless connection.
Base Station Status Lights
If your cameras connect to an Arlo SmartHub or base station, the lights on the front of the unit provide vital information.
- Check the Internet Light: Look for the internet symbol on your base station. If this light is amber or off, it means the base station itself is not connected to the internet. In this case, none of your cameras will be online. You'll need to troubleshoot the connection between the base station and your router.
- Check the Camera Light: If the camera light is flashing amber, it indicates that a camera is too far away from the base station and has a weak signal.
## Step 2: Troubleshoot the Wireless Signal
The most common reason for a camera going offline is a poor wireless connection. This is a measure of the signal strength between your camera and its connection point (the base station or your router).
### Positioning is Key
- Check Signal Strength: In the Arlo app, go into the settings for the problematic camera. There should be a section for 'Device Info' or 'Connection' that shows the Wi-Fi signal strength. If it only has one bar or is described as 'Weak' or 'Poor', you've found your problem.
- Reduce the Distance: The simplest solution is to move the camera closer to the base station or Wi-Fi router.
- Minimise Obstructions: Every wall and ceiling the signal has to pass through will weaken it. Dense materials like brick, concrete, and large metal appliances are particularly bad for Wi-Fi signals. Try to ensure a clearer line of sight between the camera and the base station/router.
- Check for Interference: Other 2.4GHz devices, such as cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, and even other Wi-Fi networks, can interfere with the signal. Try to relocate your Arlo base station away from these devices.
## Step 3: Power Cycle Your Network Hardware
If the signal strength appears to be good and the battery is charged, a simple network glitch could be the cause. Restarting your devices in the correct order can often resolve this.
- Unplug the Arlo SmartHub/Base Station: Disconnect it from the power source.
- Unplug your main Wi-Fi Router: Disconnect it from the power source.
- Wait 60 seconds. This allows the devices to fully power down and clear their memory.
- Plug the Router back in: Wait for all the lights on your router to become stable, indicating it has fully restarted and is connected to the internet. This can take a few minutes.
- Plug the Arlo SmartHub/Base Station back in: Wait for its lights to become solid green.
- Resync the Camera: If the camera does not come back online automatically, you may need to press the 'Sync' button on the base station and then on the camera to re-establish the connection. You may also need to briefly remove and reinsert the camera's battery.