Arlo Snapshots Not Working? Here’s How to Fix It
Arlo's snapshot feature is incredibly useful, providing a quick image preview in your notifications and a visual thumbnail in your library. When it stops working, you're left with generic alerts and grey boxes, which diminishes the user experience and makes it harder to see what's happening at a glance.
If your Arlo camera has stopped generating snapshots or they aren't loading correctly, don't worry. This is a common issue with several straightforward solutions. This guide will help you diagnose the problem and get your image previews working again.
Understanding Why Arlo Snapshots Fail
The snapshot feature relies on a few components working together perfectly. When it fails, it's usually due to a breakdown in one of these areas:
- Connectivity: A weak connection between the camera and the Base Station, or between the Base Station and your router.
- Subscription Issues: An expired or problematic Arlo Secure subscription can disable cloud features.
- App Glitches: The Arlo app on your smartphone might have a temporary bug or outdated data.
- Firmware: The software on your camera or Base Station may need an update.
Step-by-Step Guide to Fixing Arlo Snapshots
Let's work through these solutions, from the simplest to the more involved.
1. Check Your Arlo Secure Subscription
For cloud storage of recordings and snapshots, an active Arlo Secure plan is usually required.
- Log in to the Arlo Website: Go to my.arlo.com and log in to your account.
- Check Your Subscription Status: Navigate to the 'Settings' > 'Subscription' section. Ensure your plan is active and there are no payment issues. If your trial has expired, you will need to subscribe to restore cloud features.
2. Verify Camera and Base Station Connectivity
A weak signal is a primary cause of failed snapshot uploads.
- Check Signal Strength: In the Arlo app, go to the settings for the problematic camera and check its signal strength. If it has only one or two bars, the connection is weak.
- Reduce Distance: Try moving the camera closer to the Base Station (or your Wi-Fi router if you have a Wi-Fi camera). If this resolves the issue, you may need to reposition your devices for better coverage.
- Minimise Interference: Ensure your Base Station and cameras are not placed near other electronic devices that could cause signal interference, such as cordless phones, microwaves, or baby monitors.
3. Restart Your Arlo System and App
A simple reboot can clear temporary software glitches.
- Close the Arlo App: Fully close the app on your smartphone. Don't just send it to the background; force-quit it from your recent apps list.
- Restart Your Phone: Turn your smartphone off and on again.
- Restart Your Camera: If you have a battery-powered camera, remove the battery for 30 seconds and then re-insert it. If it's a wired camera, unplug it from the power for 30 seconds.
- Restart Your Base Station: Unplug the power adapter from your Arlo Base Station, wait for a minute, and then plug it back in.
4. Clear the Arlo App Cache
Sometimes the app stores old or corrupt data that can cause display issues.
- For Android: Go to 'Settings' > 'Apps' > 'Arlo' > 'Storage' and tap 'Clear Cache'.
- For iOS: The simplest way to clear the cache is to uninstall the Arlo app and then reinstall it from the App Store. Don't worry, your settings and recordings are stored in the cloud and will not be lost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are my Arlo snapshots not working or showing up?
This is often due to a poor connection between your Arlo camera and the Base Station or router. It can also be caused by app-related issues, outdated firmware, or problems with your Arlo Secure subscription, which is required for cloud-based features like snapshot previews.
What's the first thing I should do to fix Arlo snapshots?
Start by checking your camera's connectivity. Ensure it has a strong signal to the Base Station or your Wi-Fi. Then, try restarting the Arlo app on your phone. If that doesn't work, a simple restart of the Arlo camera itself (by removing and re-inserting the battery) or the Base Station can often resolve this glitch.
Do I need an Arlo Secure subscription for snapshots to work?
Yes, for most modern Arlo cameras, a valid Arlo Secure subscription is required to store recordings and snapshots in the cloud. If your subscription has lapsed, or if there's a billing issue, features like rich notifications with image previews and the snapshots in your library will stop working.
My push notifications are coming through, but without images. Why?
Rich notifications (the push alerts with image previews) can fail if your phone has a weak internet connection (either Wi-Fi or mobile data). Also, check the notification settings within your phone's operating system to ensure the Arlo app has permission to display images in notifications.
What are some advanced troubleshooting steps I can try?
If basic troubleshooting like restarting devices and checking your subscription doesn't help, try clearing the cache for the Arlo app in your phone's settings. As a last resort, you can try disarming and then re-arming your system or even removing and re-adding the problematic camera to your Arlo account.