What to Do When Your Arlo Camera Stops Working
An Arlo camera that has suddenly stopped working can be a major concern, leaving a gap in your home security. Whether the camera is showing as offline in the app, failing to record motion, or is completely unresponsive, the issue is usually something you can fix yourself.
This troubleshooting guide will walk you through the most common reasons an Arlo camera stops working and provide a clear, step-by-step process to get it back online and protecting your home.
Diagnosing the Problem
First, let's identify the symptoms. Understanding how the camera is failing will help you pinpoint the correct solution faster.
Common Symptoms:
- In the Arlo app, the camera has an "Offline" status message.
- The camera's status light is off, solid amber, or blinking amber.
- You are unable to access the live video stream.
- The camera is not detecting motion or recording any new events in your library.
- You receive notifications from the Arlo app stating that your camera is offline.
- The battery is fully charged, but the camera remains unresponsive.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for an Unresponsive Arlo Camera
Follow these steps in order. Most issues are resolved within the first few steps.
1. Check the Camera's Battery
The most frequent and simplest cause is a depleted battery.
- Check Battery Level: If the camera is intermittently connecting, check its battery percentage in the Arlo app.
- Charge the Battery: If the camera is completely dead and the LED is off, remove the battery and place it in the charger. Ensure the charger's light indicates that it is charging. Wait for it to be fully charged.
- Reseat the Battery: Sometimes, the battery connection can be loose. Remove the battery, wait 10 seconds, and then re-insert it firmly. Listen for a click and watch for the LED to light up.
2. Verify Your Internet Connection and Base Station
If the battery is fine, the problem is likely with the camera's connection to your network.
- Check Your Home Wi-Fi: Ensure your home internet is working. Check if other devices like your smartphone or computer can connect to the Wi-Fi.
- Inspect the Arlo Base Station (or SmartHub):
- Look at the LED lights. You should have a solid green power light and a solid green internet light.
- If the internet light is amber or off, there's an issue between your router and the base station. Check the Ethernet cable connecting them and restart both your router and the base station by unplugging them from power for 30 seconds.
- For Wi-Fi (non-base station) cameras: Restart your home's main Wi-Fi router.
3. Check the Camera's Proximity and Signal
Even with a working network, the camera might be too far away from the base station or router to maintain a stable connection.
- Bring the Camera Closer: As a test, bring the camera within 10-15 feet of the base station or router. If it comes back online, the issue is a weak signal at its original location.
- Minimise Interference: Wireless signals can be blocked by thick walls (especially brick or concrete), large metal appliances, or other wireless devices. Ensure the path between the camera and the base station is as clear as possible. You may need to reposition your base station for better coverage.
4. Power Cycle the Camera
A simple restart can often resolve temporary glitches.
- For battery-powered cameras: Remove the battery, wait for about 30 seconds, and then re-insert it.
- For wired cameras: Unplug the power adapter from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Observe the LED light on the camera. It should blink blue as it attempts to sync with the base station.
5. Re-Sync the Camera
If the camera is still offline after a restart, you may need to re-sync it to the base station.
- Press the 'Sync' button on the top of the base station for about two seconds, then release it.
- Within two minutes, press the 'Sync' button on the camera itself for about two seconds.
- The camera's blue LED will blink rapidly to confirm it has successfully synced.
If after all these steps your camera still won't work, you may need to remove it from your account and perform a full factory reset and re-installation.