Arlo Camera Not Showing Video? A Troubleshooting Guide

Arlo Camera Offline or Not Showing Video? A Troubleshooting Guide

An Arlo camera that fails to stream live video or shows as 'offline' in the app can be a major security concern. When you can't see what's happening, your system isn't doing its job. This problem is usually caused by an issue with one of three things: the camera's power, its connection to the Base Station or router, or the Base Station's connection to the internet.

This guide will help you systematically diagnose the root cause of the 'no video' issue and provide clear steps to bring your Arlo camera back online.

## Step 1: Check the Camera's Power Source

The most frequent culprit for an offline camera is a lack of power.

• Action: Check the Battery
  1. Open your Arlo app and check the battery percentage for the camera in question.
  2. If the battery is low (below 15%), it may not have enough power to maintain a stable connection or stream video.
  3. Replace the battery with a fully charged one, or if it's a rechargeable model, charge it fully before proceeding. A fresh, fully charged battery is the most effective first step.

## Step 2: Check the Arlo SmartHub or Base Station

If your cameras connect through a SmartHub or Base Station, its status is critical. If the Base Station is offline, all connected cameras will be too.

• Action: Inspect the Base Station LEDs

  • Look at the status lights on your SmartHub/Base Station. You should see a solid green power light and a solid green internet light.
  • If the internet light is amber or off, it means the Base Station is not connected to the internet.
  • If the lights are not green, proceed to the next action.

• Action: Power Cycle Your Network Hardware A simple reboot can often restore connectivity.

  1. Unplug the power cable from your Arlo SmartHub/Base Station.
  2. Unplug the power cable from your main home Wi-Fi router.
  3. Wait for 60 seconds.
  4. Plug the router back in first. Wait for it to fully restart (this can take several minutes).
  5. Once your internet is back up, plug the SmartHub/Base Station back in. Wait for its lights to turn solid green.
  6. Check the Arlo app to see if your camera is back online.

## Step 3: Troubleshoot the Camera's Connection

If the Base Station is online and the camera's battery is charged, the problem is likely the wireless connection between the camera and the Base Station/router.

• Action: Check Camera's Distance and Signal Strength

  • The camera may be too far away from your Base Station or router, or there may be dense materials (like brick walls or metal appliances) blocking the signal.
  • Try bringing the camera closer to the Base Station. If it comes online, you have identified a range issue. You may need to move your Base Station to a more central location or consider an Arlo range extender.

• Action: Re-sync the Camera Sometimes, a camera can lose its secure connection to the Base Station and needs to be paired again. This should be one of your last steps.

  1. Open the Arlo app and remove the offline camera from your account (Settings > My Devices > Select Camera > Remove Device).
  2. Bring the camera close to the Base Station.
  3. Press the 'Sync' button on the Base Station, then press the 'Sync' button on the camera.
  4. Follow the in-app instructions to add the camera back to your system.

If you have a camera that connects directly to your Wi-Fi (like the Arlo Q or Arlo Pro 4 without a SmartHub), the same principles apply. Ensure your Wi-Fi is working and that the camera is within range and has a strong signal. By methodically checking the power, the hub, and the connection, you can resolve most instances of an Arlo camera not showing video.