Arlo Camera Offline? Your Step-by-Step Guide to Getting It Back Online
One of the most common frustrations for Arlo users is opening the app and seeing the dreaded "Offline" message. When a camera is offline, it can't stream live video, detect motion, or record clips, leaving a gap in your security.
The good news is that most offline issues are caused by simple power or network connectivity problems that you can fix yourself. Follow these steps in order to diagnose and resolve the issue efficiently.
Step 1: Check the Power and Basics
Let's start with the simplest potential causes.
- Check Camera Battery: If you have a wire-free Arlo camera, the battery may simply be dead. Take the camera down and charge the battery fully.
- Check Base Station Power: If your system uses an Arlo SmartHub or base station, ensure it's plugged in and that the power LED is solid green. If there's no light, check the power outlet.
- Check Direct-to-Wi-Fi Cameras: For cameras that connect directly to your Wi-Fi (like the Arlo Q or Pro 4 without a SmartHub), ensure the power adapter is securely plugged in.
Step 2: The Full System Reboot
This is the most effective troubleshooting step for many tech issues, including Arlo cameras. It involves restarting your devices in a specific order to re-establish a clean network connection.
- Unplug Your Arlo SmartHub/Base Station: Disconnect it from the power outlet.
- Unplug Your Router: Unplug your main home Wi-Fi router from power.
- Wait for 60 Seconds: This allows the devices to fully power down.
- Plug in Your Router First: Reconnect your router to power and wait for it to completely restart. You'll know it's ready when the Wi-Fi indicator light is stable.
- Plug in Your Arlo SmartHub/Base Station: Reconnect it to power and allow it a few minutes to boot up and connect to the internet. The internet LED should turn solid green.
After this process, check the Arlo app to see if your cameras have come back online. You may need to press the "Sync" button on the base station and then the camera if it doesn't reconnect automatically.
Step 3: Analyse the Camera's Status and Location
If the reboot didn't help, let's look at the camera itself.
### Check the Camera's LED
The LED light on the camera can tell you a lot.
- Flashing Amber (or Orange): This usually means the camera is out of range of the base station or Wi-Fi router.
- Flashing Blue and Amber: This indicates a connection error during the sync process.
### Evaluate Signal Strength
A camera that is too far from its base station or router will have an unstable connection and frequently go offline.
- Bring the Camera Closer: As a test, bring the offline camera within a few metres of the base station or router. If it comes back online, you have identified a range issue.
- Solution for Range Issues: You may need to move your Arlo base station to a more central location in your home or consider a Wi-Fi extender or mesh system to improve coverage. Thick walls, metal siding, and other wireless devices can all interfere with the signal.
Step 4: Check Your Internet Connection
Your Arlo system relies on a stable internet connection to function.
- Is Your Internet Down? Use another device, like your phone or computer, to see if you can browse the web. If your internet is out, your Arlo system will be offline. You'll need to resolve the internet issue with your service provider first.
By working through these steps methodically, you can diagnose the root cause of your Arlo camera's offline status and get it reconnected to protect your home.