Arlo Not Compatible With Alexa? A Troubleshooting Guide

Is Arlo Not Working With Alexa? Let's Fix It

Integrating your Arlo security cameras with Amazon Alexa allows for convenient, hands-free control. You can ask your Echo Show to display a live feed or use voice commands to manage your home security. So, it's understandably frustrating when the two systems fail to communicate. If you're being told your devices aren't compatible or the connection simply isn't working, this guide is for you.

We'll walk you through the common reasons why Arlo and Alexa might not be playing nicely and provide a clear, step-by-step process to get them connected and working seamlessly.

Signs of Arlo and Alexa Compatibility Issues

You might be facing a few different problems when trying to link these two smart home ecosystems. Common symptoms include:

• Alexa cannot discover your Arlo cameras: After linking the skill, a device discovery scan fails to find any of your cameras.
• "Device is unresponsive" error: When you ask Alexa to show a camera feed, it responds that the device is unresponsive or not available.
• The Arlo Skill won't enable: You encounter an error when trying to enable the Arlo skill in the Alexa app.
• Voice commands don't work: Alexa acknowledges your command but fails to perform the action on your Arlo system.
• Live feed fails to load: The connection to your Arlo camera's live view times out or shows a black screen on your Echo Show or Fire TV.

If you're experiencing any of these issues, follow the troubleshooting steps below.

How to Solve Arlo and Alexa Integration Problems

Let's start with the basics and work our way to more advanced solutions.

1. Ensure You're Using the Correct Arlo Skill

There is only one official skill for linking Arlo with Alexa. Using an old or unofficial skill will not work.

• Open the Alexa App: Navigate to More > Skills & Games.
• Search for "Arlo": In the search bar, type "Arlo" and look for the skill developed by Arlo Technologies, Inc.
• Disable and Re-enable: If you already have the skill enabled, it's a good idea to Disable Skill first. Then, tap Enable to Use. This will force a fresh authentication process.
• Link Your Account: You will be prompted to log in with your Arlo account username and password. Enter your credentials carefully. Make sure you are using the primary account holder's details.

2. Check Device Compatibility

Not every Arlo camera and every Amazon Echo device are fully compatible.

• Arlo Camera Models: Most modern Arlo cameras (like the Pro series, Ultra series, and Essential series) are compatible. However, very old, first-generation Arlo cameras may have limited or no compatibility. Check the official Arlo support website for a compatibility list.
• Amazon Echo Devices: To view a live camera feed, you need an Echo device with a screen, such as an Echo Show, Echo Spot, or a Fire TV. You can use audio-only Echo devices (like the Echo Dot) for voice commands, but you won't be able to see the video.

3. Rediscover Devices in the Alexa App

After enabling the skill, you need to prompt Alexa to find your newly linked cameras.

• Use a Voice Command: Simply say, "Alexa, discover my devices." Alexa will scan your network and Arlo account for new devices. This process can take up to a minute.
• Use the App: In the Alexa app, go to the Devices tab, tap the + icon in the top right corner, select Add Device, choose Camera, and then follow the on-screen instructions to have Alexa scan for new devices.

4. Verify Camera Names

Sometimes, the names you've given your Arlo cameras can confuse Alexa.

• Use simple names: Name your cameras with simple, easy-to-pronounce names like "Driveway," "Back Garden," or "Living Room."
• Avoid special characters: Do not use special characters or complex numbers in your camera names.
• Check for duplicates: Ensure you don't have another smart home device with the same name as your camera (e.g., a light bulb named "Porch" and a camera named "Porch"). If you do, rename one of them. You can change camera names in the Arlo app under the device's settings.

5. Check Your Network Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial for both your Arlo system and your Alexa devices to communicate effectively.

• Strong Wi-Fi: Ensure both your Arlo Base Station/SmartHub (if you have one) and your cameras have a strong, stable Wi-Fi signal.
• Reboot your network: Try rebooting your modem, router, Arlo Base Station, and the specific camera that is having issues. Unplug each device, wait 30 seconds, and then plug them back in.