Arlo Smart Home Integration Not Working? Let's Fix It
Integrating your Arlo cameras with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit unlocks the convenience of voice commands and seamless automation. However, when this link breaks, it can be frustrating. If Alexa can no longer show your camera feed or Google Assistant claims it can't reach Arlo, this troubleshooting guide will help you restore the connection.
## The Universal First Step: Relink Your Accounts
The most common point of failure is the authorisation token between Arlo and the smart home service. Refreshing this connection solves the majority of integration problems.
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For Amazon Alexa:
- Open the Alexa app.
- Go to More > Skills & Games > Your Skills.
- Find the Arlo skill and tap Disable Skill.
- Once disabled, tap Enable to Use and log back into your Arlo account to relink.
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For Google Assistant:
- Open the Google Home app.
- Tap Settings > Works with Google.
- Find Arlo in your list of linked services.
- Tap it and select Unlink account.
- After unlinking, go back to the 'Works with Google' list, find Arlo, and proceed to link your account again.
After relinking, ask your voice assistant to discover new devices. This will often bring your cameras back online.
## Troubleshooting Specific Voice Command Failures
If relinking didn't work, or if you're having a specific problem, try these solutions.
### "Alexa/Google can't find the device"
This often happens when there is a mismatch between the name you are saying and the name of the device in the Arlo app.
- Check Camera Names: Open your Arlo app and verify the exact names of your cameras. They might be something generic like "VMC4040P".
- Rename for Simplicity: Rename your cameras in the Arlo app to something simple and easy to pronounce, like "Living Room" or "Front Door." Avoid special characters or complex names.
- Rediscover Devices: After renaming, always ask your voice assistant to "discover devices" again to ensure it picks up the changes.
### "The camera feed is not responding"
This indicates that the smart home platform can see the camera but can't establish a video stream.
- Check Arlo App: First, open your Arlo app and ensure you can view the live stream from the camera directly. If you can't, the problem is with the camera's connection to the Arlo service, not the smart home integration. Troubleshoot the camera's power and Wi-Fi connection.
- Power Cycle Your Devices: Reboot your Arlo Base Station or SmartHub, your cameras, and your Wi-Fi router. This can clear up network-related glitches that may be preventing the stream from connecting.
## Fixing Apple HomeKit Integration Issues
HomeKit integration works a bit differently and has its own set of potential problems.
- Check Compatibility: Ensure your Arlo device (usually a SmartHub or Base Station) is HomeKit compatible. Not all Arlo products support HomeKit.
- Reboot the Hub: Power cycling your Arlo SmartHub is often the key to resolving HomeKit issues. Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
- Check Network: Your iOS device (iPhone/iPad) must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Arlo SmartHub for the initial setup and for reliable operation.
- Remove and Re-add: As a last resort, you can remove the Arlo hub from your Apple Home app and then go through the process of adding it again using the HomeKit code.
## Advanced Troubleshooting
- Firmware Updates: Ensure your Arlo devices have the latest firmware installed. You can check for updates within the Arlo app.
- 2FA Issues: If you have Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled on your Arlo account, you may need to re-authorise the connection to your smart home service after a password change.
- Check Arlo Status: Visit the official Arlo status page online to see if there is a system-wide outage that could be affecting integrations.
By following these structured steps, you should be able to resolve most smart home integration failures and get back to controlling your Arlo system with your voice.