Arlo and IFTTT Not Working? How to Fix Your Automations
The combination of Arlo's smart security cameras and IFTTT's powerful automation engine allows you to create incredibly useful custom rules. You can have your lights turn on when Arlo detects motion, or automatically arm your system when you leave home. But when these applets suddenly stop working, it can be a real headache.
This guide is designed to help UK users troubleshoot and resolve common issues between Arlo and IFTTT (If This Then That).
## The Most Common Problem: A Stale Connection
In most cases, when Arlo and IFTTT stop talking to each other, it's because the secure link, or "authentication token," between them has expired. This is a normal security measure. The first and most effective troubleshooting step is to re-establish this connection.
### How to Reconnect Arlo and IFTTT
- Log in to IFTTT: Open the IFTTT app on your phone or visit the IFTTT website.
- Go to Your Services: Navigate to your profile and select "My Services".
- Find Arlo: Scroll through your list of connected services and tap on "Arlo".
- Access Settings: Inside the Arlo service page, tap the "Settings" cogwheel in the top right corner.
- Reconnect: You will see an option to "Reconnect". Tap this and you will be prompted to log in with your Arlo account credentials.
- Authorise: Follow the on-screen prompts to grant IFTTT permission to access your Arlo system again.
- Test: After reconnecting, try to run one of your Arlo-related applets to see if it's now working.
Deeper Troubleshooting Steps
If reconnecting the service didn't solve the problem, you'll need to investigate further.
### Step 1: Check the Applet's Activity Log
IFTTT provides a helpful activity log for each of your applets. This is the best place to look for clues.
- Locate the Applet: Find the specific Arlo applet that is failing.
- View Activity: Tap on the applet and look for a tab or button labelled "Activity" or "View Activity".
- Analyse the Log: The log will show you every time the applet has tried to run. Look for specific error messages.
- "Applet failed" or "Error": This confirms there is a problem.
- "Could not connect to Arlo": This points to the connection issue we addressed above. If you've already reconnected, try it once more.
- "Action failed": This might indicate a problem with the device you are trying to control, not with Arlo itself.
### Step 2: Edit and Re-save the Applet
Sometimes, simply editing and re-saving an applet can force it to update and fix any backend glitches.
- Go to the problematic applet in IFTTT.
- Click "Settings" to edit it.
- Without making any major changes, simply review the trigger ("If This") and action ("Then That") fields.
- Scroll to the bottom and click "Save".
- This can sometimes be enough to get it working again.
### Step 3: Check Arlo's Status
Is the problem with IFTTT, or is Arlo itself having issues?
- Arlo App: Open your Arlo app. Are your cameras online? Can you view their live streams? If your Arlo system is offline, IFTTT won't be able to communicate with it. You'll need to troubleshoot your Arlo system first.
- Arlo Status Page: Arlo maintains an official status page. Search for "Arlo system status" online to find it. This page will report any widespread outages or ongoing maintenance that could be affecting the IFTTT integration.
Consider Using Arlo's Native Automations
It's worth noting that the Arlo app has its own powerful automation capabilities that might be able to replace your IFTTT applets.
- Modes and Rules: In the Arlo app, go to the "Mode" section. Here you can edit modes like "Armed" and "Disarmed" to create rules.
- Cross-Triggering: You can set up rules so that if one camera detects motion, another camera also starts recording.
- Scheduling: You can arm and disarm your system based on a schedule.
While IFTTT is excellent for connecting Arlo to other, third-party services (like smart lights), for automations that only involve Arlo cameras, using the built-in Arlo rules can be simpler and more reliable.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify the source of the conflict between Arlo and IFTTT and get your smart home automations running smoothly once more.