Is Your Arlo Camera Feed Suffering from Lag?
An Arlo security camera is a powerful tool for monitoring your home in real-time, but its effectiveness is compromised when the video stream is delayed or constantly buffering. A significant lag between what is happening and what you see on your screen can be frustrating and defeats the purpose of live monitoring. If your Arlo camera's feed is freezing, stuttering, or showing a noticeable delay, this guide will help you diagnose and fix the underlying problem.
The Main Causes of Arlo Camera Lag
Video lag, also known as latency, is almost always a network-related issue. The problem can be in one of three places: the connection from the camera to your router, your internet service provider's upload speed, or the connection to your phone.
- Weak Wi-Fi Signal: This is the most common culprit. If your Arlo camera is too far from its Base Station or your Wi-Fi router, the signal will be weak, causing data to be transmitted slowly and resulting in a choppy or delayed stream.
- Low Upload Speed: Your internet connection has two speeds: download and upload. While most people focus on download speed for streaming movies, your Arlo camera relies on upload speed to send video data to the cloud. Insufficient upload speed is a major cause of lag.
- Network Congestion: If many other devices are using your Wi-Fi network at the same time (e.g., streaming 4K TV, online gaming, large downloads), it can slow down the connection for your Arlo camera.
- App or Device Issues: Sometimes, the issue can be with the device you are using to view the stream, rather than the camera itself.
How to Troubleshoot and Fix Arlo Camera Lag
Follow these steps to identify and resolve the latency in your Arlo system.
1. Check Your Internet Upload Speed
Before you adjust any camera settings, you need to know if your internet plan can handle the workload.
- Run a Speed Test: On a computer or phone connected to your home Wi-Fi, go to a reliable speed testing website.
- Focus on Upload Speed: Pay close attention to the upload speed result. Arlo recommends a minimum of 1 Mbps of upload speed per camera. For example, if you have four cameras, you should ideally have at least 4 Mbps of available upload speed.
- If your speed is too low: Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to discuss upgrading your plan.
2. Improve the Wi-Fi Signal to Your Camera
A strong, stable signal is essential for a smooth stream.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Arlo app, go to your camera's 'Device Settings' > 'Device Info'. You will see a signal strength indicator. If it shows only one or two bars, the signal is weak.
- Move Your Router or Base Station: Try moving your Wi-Fi router or Arlo Base Station to a more central location in your home, reducing the number of walls between it and the camera.
- Reduce Interference: Keep your router and base station away from other electronic devices like cordless phones, baby monitors, and microwave ovens, which can interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
- Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System: If you have a large home, a mesh Wi-Fi system can provide much better and more consistent coverage than a single router, ensuring your cameras have a strong connection.
3. Adjust Arlo Video Settings
If your network is the bottleneck, you can reduce the amount of data the camera sends.
- Open the Arlo app.
- Go to your camera's Settings > Video Settings.
- You will see different quality options, such as 'Best Video', 'Balanced', and 'Best Battery Life'.
- Select a lower quality setting, like 'Balanced'. This will reduce the video resolution slightly but can dramatically decrease lag and buffering.
By systematically checking your internet speed, improving your Wi-Fi signal, and adjusting the camera's settings, you can eliminate frustrating lag and enjoy a smooth, real-time view from your Arlo security cameras.