Arlo Live View Not Working? A Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide
When you need to check on your home, the last thing you want to see is an endless loading screen or a connection error from your Arlo camera. A non-functional live view defeats the purpose of having a security camera. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons for Arlo live view failure and how to resolve them.
## Initial Triage: Quick Checks for a Fast Solution
Let's start with the basics. These steps resolve a surprisingly high number of live view issues without needing to dig deeper into complex settings.
- Check Camera and Base Station Status: Open the Arlo app. Does the camera appear as 'Offline'? Is your Base Station (if you use one) showing a green, solid light? An amber or flashing light on the Base Station indicates a problem with its internet connection.
- Verify Battery Level: For wireless Arlo cameras, a critically low battery can prevent it from streaming video. Ensure your camera has an adequate charge.
- The Universal Fix: Reboot Your System: A system reboot can clear up temporary network conflicts.
- Unplug your Wi-Fi router.
- Unplug your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station.
- Wait for 60 seconds.
- Plug your router back in and wait for it to establish a stable internet connection.
- Plug your Arlo SmartHub or Base Station back in and wait for it to show a solid green light.
- Try accessing the live view again.
## Diving Deeper: Network and Connectivity Issues
If the reboot didn't help, the problem is likely related to the quality of the connection between your Arlo devices and the internet.
### Wi-Fi and Internet Connection Quality
A stable live stream requires a solid network connection, both for the camera and the device you're viewing it on.
- Check Camera-to-Base Station/Router Signal: In the Arlo app, go to your camera's settings to check its Wi-Fi signal strength. If you see only one or two bars, the camera is too far from the Base Station or router. Physical obstructions like brick walls, metal siding, or even dense foliage can weaken the signal. Try moving the camera closer.
- Test Your Internet Upload Speed: Live streaming is an 'upload' activity for your camera. Your internet connection needs sufficient upload speed to send the video data. Run an internet speed test from a device connected to your home network. It is recommended to have at least 1-2 Mbps of upload speed available per Arlo camera that is streaming.
- Check Your Viewing Device's Connection: The problem might be with the device you're using. If you're on your phone, try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if one works. If you're on a computer, try a different web browser.
### Arlo App and Account Troubleshooting
Sometimes, the issue can be with the app itself.
- Update the Arlo App: Ensure you have the most recent version of the Arlo app installed from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Log Out and Log In: A simple but effective trick is to log out of your Arlo account on the app, force close the app, and then log back in. This can refresh your session with the Arlo servers.
- Check Service Status: In rare cases, the Arlo service itself might be experiencing an outage. You can check the official Arlo status page (usually found in their support section) to see if there are any known issues.
If you have tried all these steps and the live view is still not working, you may need to try removing the problematic camera from your Arlo account (via the app settings) and then re-syncing it to your Base Station or Wi-Fi network. This will re-establish a fresh connection and often resolves persistent issues.