Arlo and Google Home Not Co-operating? Let's Fix It.
Integrating your Arlo security cameras with Google Home should unlock the convenience of voice-activated surveillance. Being able to say "Hey Google, show me the front door camera" and see a live feed on your Nest Hub is a powerful feature. However, when this link breaks, it can be incredibly frustrating, with Google Assistant telling you the camera is unavailable or simply failing to stream.
This troubleshooting guide is designed to help you resolve the common issues that prevent Arlo from working correctly with your Google Home ecosystem.
Common Problems with Arlo and Google Home Integration
If you're facing an issue, it's likely one of these scenarios:
- Google Assistant responds with an error like "Sorry, the stream from [camera name] is currently unavailable" or "Arlo is not available right now."
- Your Google Nest Hub or Chromecast tries to load the stream but eventually times out.
- The Google Home app cannot find your Arlo cameras during the linking process.
- Voice commands that used to work suddenly stop functioning.
- The connection seems unstable, working one moment and failing the next.
How to Get Arlo Working with Google Home Again
The most effective solution for fixing integration issues is to completely reset the connection between the two services. Follow these steps in order.
1. Unlink Arlo from Your Google Home Account
First, we need to remove the existing, potentially corrupted link.
- Open the Google Home app on your smartphone.
- Tap on "Settings" (the gear icon).
- Scroll down and tap on "Works with Google".
- Under the "Linked" services section, find Arlo.
- Tap on it and select "Unlink account". Confirm your choice.
This will remove all your Arlo devices from the Google Home app.
2. Check Your Arlo System's Mode
For your cameras to be able to stream to a third-party service like Google, they must be active.
- Open the Arlo Secure app.
- Check the current Mode for your system (e.g., Arm, Disarm, Schedule).
- Crucially, if your system is in 'Disarmed' mode, the cameras are turned off and will not stream.
- Switch the mode to "Arm" to ensure the cameras are active and ready to stream.
3. Relink Your Arlo Account to Google Home
Now we will re-establish the connection from scratch.
- In the Google Home app, go back to Settings > Works with Google.
- Tap the magnifying glass and search for Arlo.
- Select Arlo from the list and you will be redirected to an Arlo login page.
- Carefully sign in with your Arlo account credentials.
- Grant Google permission to access your Arlo devices.
- Once linked, Google will search for your cameras. You can then assign them to specific "rooms" within your Google Home (e.g., assigning the "Porch Camera" to the "Porch" room).
4. Use Clear and Precise Voice Commands
Once relinked, test the connection with a specific command. The name you use must exactly match the camera's name in the Arlo and Google Home apps.
- Good command: "Hey Google, show me the Garden Camera."
- Bad command: "Hey Google, show me the camera in the garden."
If you have a display like a Nest Hub, you can also be more specific: "Hey Google, stream the Driveway Camera on the Kitchen Display."
5. Further Troubleshooting
If the steps above did not resolve the issue, try the following:
- Reboot Your Devices: Restart your Google Nest Hub, your Arlo Base Station (if you have one), and your Wi-Fi router.
- Check for Updates: Ensure both the Arlo Secure app and the Google Home app are fully updated to the latest versions.
- Simplify Camera Names: If your camera has a complex name like "Arlo Pro 4 #5 (Back)", try renaming it in the Arlo app to something simple like "Back Garden". Then unlink and relink again.
By following this process, you can clear out any authentication errors and re-establish a stable connection between your Arlo and Google Home systems.