Your Arlo Storage Is Full – Here’s What to Do
If your Arlo camera or SmartHub is showing a 'storage full' message, it means your recordings are exceeding your allocated capacity. This can happen with both cloud storage plans and local storage via USB or microSD cards. The good news is there are several brand-specific solutions tailored to Arlo devices. Below, we’ll walk you through quick fixes, detailed troubleshooting, and prevention strategies to keep your Arlo system running smoothly.
Quick Fixes for Arlo Storage Full Issues
Before diving into complex troubleshooting, try these simple steps that address the most common causes:
- Restart the Arlo Secure App: Close the app completely and reopen it. This can resolve temporary glitches that may prevent storage from updating correctly.
- Check SmartHub USB Drive Status: If using a SmartHub with a USB drive, ensure the drive is properly connected and not full. Look for a Drive Status indicator in the app under SmartHub Settings → Storage.
- Verify MicroSD Card Health: For Arlo Go 2 models, use the Battery Health Monitor tool in the app to check for card corruption or low capacity.
- Log in to Your Arlo Account: Ensure you’re logged into the correct account in the app. If you’ve recently switched accounts, your storage allocation may be different.
- Clear App Cache: Navigate to your device’s settings → Apps → Arlo Secure → Storage → Clear Cache. This can resolve app-specific issues.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Arlo Storage Full
1. Check Your Arlo Storage Plan and Subscription Status
Arlo’s cloud storage plans vary in capacity and retention periods. To view your plan:
- Open the Arlo Secure app.
- Tap the Account icon (top-left corner).
- Select Storage Plan.
- Ensure your subscription is active and not expired. If it’s expired, you’ll need to renew it to continue recording.
- If your plan is insufficient, consider upgrading to a Premium Plan for more storage or Unlimited Storage.
2. Enable Auto Overwrite to Prevent Storage Full Issues
Arlo allows you to set up Auto Overwrite to automatically delete older footage when storage is full. To enable this:
- Open the Arlo Secure app.
- Tap the camera icon for the device in question.
- Go to Device Settings → Recording Options.
- Toggle on Auto Overwrite. This ensures your camera never stops recording, even if storage fills up.
3. Manage Local Storage via SmartHub or MicroSD Card
For Arlo Ultra and Pro models, local storage is managed through the SmartHub:
- Ensure the SmartHub is connected to the Arlo Secure app.
- Insert a USB drive (FAT32 format) into the SmartHub.
- In the app, go to SmartHub Settings → Storage → Drive Status to confirm the drive is recognized and has sufficient capacity.
For Arlo Go 2 models, use a microSD card:
- Insert the card into the camera’s slot.
- In the app, go to Device Settings → Storage → MicroSD Card.
- Check the card’s status and ensure it’s formatted correctly. If it’s full, delete old footage or replace it with a larger capacity card.
4. Use the Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Tool for SmartHub Connectivity Issues
If your SmartHub is showing a 'storage full' error despite having a USB drive installed, it may be unable to communicate with the Arlo cloud:
- Open the Arlo Secure app.
- Tap the Menu icon → Support → Wi-Fi Troubleshooting Tool.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to check your SmartHub’s Wi-Fi signal strength and connection stability.
- If the signal is weak, move the SmartHub closer to your router or switch to a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band (Arlo Pro 6 models support dual-band, but SmartHub may perform better on 2.4GHz).
5. Factory Reset Arlo Devices for Persistent Storage Issues
If storage issues persist despite all the above steps, perform a factory reset on your camera or SmartHub:
- For Arlo Essential 2K: Press and hold the Pairing button on the top of the camera for 15-30 seconds until the LED turns solid blue, then blinks amber three times.
- For Arlo Pro 6: Press and hold the Sync button on the camera for 10 seconds until the LED blinks blue, then release.
- For SmartHub: Hold the Reset button on the back for 20 seconds until the LED blinks rapidly.
- After resetting, re-pair the device to your network and reconfigure storage settings.
Advanced Diagnostics for Arlo Storage Full Issues
1. Check for Corrupted Files in the Arlo Cloud
Corrupted files can sometimes prevent new recordings from being saved, leading to 'storage full' errors even if space is available:
- In the Arlo Secure app, go to Library → Manage Footage.
- Tap Check for Corrupted Files (available under Advanced Options).
- If corrupted files are found, delete them manually to free up space.
2. Analyze SmartHub Logs for Storage Errors
The SmartHub can provide detailed logs that may help diagnose storage issues:
- Connect the SmartHub to your network.
- Open the Arlo Secure app and go to SmartHub Settings → Logs.
- Look for error codes related to storage (e.g. USB Drive Not Recognized or Storage Full).
- If logs indicate a hardware issue, contact Arlo support via their official website.
3. Contact Arlo Support for Persistent Issues
If none of the above steps resolve your storage problems, reach out to Arlo’s dedicated support team:
- Visit www.arlo.com/en_gb/support.
- Provide details about your device model, storage plan, and any error messages encountered.
- Arlo’s support team can guide you through advanced diagnostics or arrange a replacement if hardware failure is suspected.
Understanding the Root Causes of Arlo Storage Full Issues
Several factors can lead to Arlo storage filling up unexpectedly:
- Insufficient Subscription Plan: Standard plans only retain 30 days of recordings. If you’ve exceeded this period without upgrading, your camera may stop recording or show a 'storage full' error.
- Corrupted MicroSD Card or USB Drive: Damaged storage media can cause the system to incorrectly report full capacity or prevent new recordings from being saved.
- SmartHub Connectivity Issues: If the SmartHub can’t communicate with the Arlo cloud, local storage may not be recognized, leading to full storage errors.
- Overloading with Motion Events: Cameras in high-traffic areas may record excessive footage, quickly filling storage capacity.
In the UK, weather conditions like heavy rain or fog can also impact camera performance, but this is more relevant to connectivity issues than storage. Always ensure your Arlo devices are updated with the latest firmware to avoid known bugs related to storage management.
Preventing Arlo Storage Full Issues in the Future
To avoid storage issues recurring, follow these best practices:
- Regularly Monitor Storage Usage: Check your Arlo Secure app weekly to ensure your subscription plan or local storage has enough capacity.
- Upgrade to a Higher-Tier Plan: If you frequently exceed your storage limit, consider upgrading to a Premium Plan or Unlimited Storage for peace of mind.
- Use High-Capacity USB Drives or MicroSD Cards: For local storage, use drives or cards with at least 128GB capacity (SmartHub) or 64GB (Arlo Go 2) to avoid frequent overwrites.
- Enable Auto Overwrite: This feature ensures your camera never stops recording, even if storage fills up.
Full disclosure: we built scOS to address exactly this — the frustration of Arlo storage filling up when it shouldn’t. scOS uses permanently powered cameras connected via ethernet, eliminating the need for local storage solutions altogether.
When Is It Time to Replace Your Arlo Device?
Arlo devices typically last 3-5 years before storage components degrade. Signs that replacement may be needed include:
- Battery-Powered Models: If your camera’s battery life drops below 20% after a full charge, it may indicate internal storage degradation.
- SmartHub Units: If the USB port becomes unresponsive or the drive is no longer recognized, consider replacing the SmartHub.
- MicroSD Card Issues: If your Arlo Go 2 frequently shows a 'storage full' error despite having space, the card may need replacing.
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, UK consumers have up to 6 years to claim faulty goods. If your Arlo device is under warranty, contact Arlo support for a replacement or repair.
Final Tips for Managing Arlo Storage
- Use the Signal Strength Meter: In the Arlo Secure app, check your camera’s Wi-Fi signal strength under Device Health → Signal Strength. Weak signals can cause connectivity issues that affect storage.
- Avoid Overloading SmartHub Storage: If using a SmartHub, ensure the USB drive is not full. Use the Drive Status tool in the app to monitor capacity.
- Backup Critical Footage: If you need to keep specific recordings permanently, export them to your computer or cloud storage before they’re deleted automatically.
- Consider Professional Installation: For complex systems, hiring a professional can ensure optimal setup and storage management. UK pricing for professional installation ranges from £150-£300 per camera.